Comments on: Better Barrels and the Creation of (super)Heroes http://www.horsepigcow.com/2008/03/better-barrels-and-the-creation-of-superheroes/ life uncommon Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:20:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: John Koetsier http://www.horsepigcow.com/2008/03/better-barrels-and-the-creation-of-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-50528 John Koetsier Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:29:18 +0000 http://www.horsepigcow.com/2008/03/26/better-barrels-and-the-creation-of-superheroes/#comment-50528 Bad barrels are definitely a factor, but I think that rather than turning people bad, they unleash the conditions under which the bad within us is more likely to come out. Bad barrels are definitely a factor, but I think that rather than turning people bad, they unleash the conditions under which the bad within us is more likely to come out.

]]> By: Matt Langdon http://www.horsepigcow.com/2008/03/better-barrels-and-the-creation-of-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-50513 Matt Langdon Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:10:51 +0000 http://www.horsepigcow.com/2008/03/26/better-barrels-and-the-creation-of-superheroes/#comment-50513 Phil Zimbardo just emailed me about this post and I just wanted to say hi and that I'd love to be involved. I'm going to read the wiki and see what you're planning. I run a program called The Hero Workshop that teaches kids to be heroes. I'm also working on a curriculum for teachers that they can implement in the classroom year round. Phil is giving me feedback as that grows. He's really passionate about heroism and is a good guy to have on board. Phil Zimbardo just emailed me about this post and I just wanted to say hi and that I’d love to be involved.

I’m going to read the wiki and see what you’re planning. I run a program called The Hero Workshop that teaches kids to be heroes. I’m also working on a curriculum for teachers that they can implement in the classroom year round. Phil is giving me feedback as that grows. He’s really passionate about heroism and is a good guy to have on board.

]]> By: Izzy Neis http://www.horsepigcow.com/2008/03/better-barrels-and-the-creation-of-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-50506 Izzy Neis Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:37:24 +0000 http://www.horsepigcow.com/2008/03/26/better-barrels-and-the-creation-of-superheroes/#comment-50506 I love the idea of a superhero camp. When I first discovered creative writing in college-- the first YA (young adult, tween) book I wrote was about a hidden culture within our world with people who carried various abilities that secretly inspired members of society into heroism. It was based on the idea that one person who is just supportive enough, just clever enough could spin a sort of "magic" around that made people believe in the impossible, and then reach for the impossible, and conquer it. Michael Jordan, for example, was not that great of a basketball player in high school-- but who was the spark that made him keep at it? Who helped him achieve his impossible? There are so many things going on in the virtual space-- especially for youth. Virtual worlds are offering kids a moment of powers/magic/imagination-- empowerment in a fantastical space where they might break away from their real life limitations and do something fantastic. Find empowerment in knowing that there is a space where they can achieve success and explore what that means to them. I love Dr. Z's statement about bad apples & barrels. Leaves room for choice, and if we build worlds online that allow kids to explore various virtual choices in fantastical story-based worlds? And then help present rhyme, reason... choices, consequencces, etc in epic form, then who knows? Maybe they will learn something and change their path in the real world? Meh. Or maybe I'm just too hopeful. Regardless, it puts a nice spin on the virtual environments at the moment, yeah? LOL. I love the idea of a superhero camp. When I first discovered creative writing in college– the first YA (young adult, tween) book I wrote was about a hidden culture within our world with people who carried various abilities that secretly inspired members of society into heroism. It was based on the idea that one person who is just supportive enough, just clever enough could spin a sort of “magic” around that made people believe in the impossible, and then reach for the impossible, and conquer it. Michael Jordan, for example, was not that great of a basketball player in high school– but who was the spark that made him keep at it? Who helped him achieve his impossible?

There are so many things going on in the virtual space– especially for youth. Virtual worlds are offering kids a moment of powers/magic/imagination– empowerment in a fantastical space where they might break away from their real life limitations and do something fantastic. Find empowerment in knowing that there is a space where they can achieve success and explore what that means to them.

I love Dr. Z’s statement about bad apples & barrels. Leaves room for choice, and if we build worlds online that allow kids to explore various virtual choices in fantastical story-based worlds? And then help present rhyme, reason… choices, consequencces, etc in epic form, then who knows? Maybe they will learn something and change their path in the real world?

Meh. Or maybe I’m just too hopeful. Regardless, it puts a nice spin on the virtual environments at the moment, yeah? LOL.

]]> By: Eric Stettmeier http://www.horsepigcow.com/2008/03/better-barrels-and-the-creation-of-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-50494 Eric Stettmeier Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:29:58 +0000 http://www.horsepigcow.com/2008/03/26/better-barrels-and-the-creation-of-superheroes/#comment-50494 Tara, I have always been inspired by superheroes. As an illustrator, I have been “creating” them for years. As a fan, I am fascinated by their continued and unrivaled relevance to our world today, moreso than at any other point in their history save their creation during the late 1930s-1940s (although the superhero resurgence of the nineteen-sixties cannot be overlooked – another historical “moment” of great social, political and economic change.) What is it that spoke to us then, and speaks to us today, seventy years after the creation of the first bona-fide superhero? I believe superheroes are a reflection of us. Of what we can be. Of what we wish to be. Hope, optimism, courage, strength, honor. We could not create superheroes, nor would we relate to them, if we did not have these things within ourselves to begin with. And they remind us of that fact. Like a visual mantra. An inspirational affirmation in a red and blue cape and cowl. My wife Stephanie and I have long discussed how to utilize the inspiration and passion of superheroes and translate it into a real-world movement for change. To use the cultural tools we have been given to share a message of hope, courage, honor, and to inspire people to be the best they can possibly be. I think you have a great idea on your hands, and I would love to help in any way possible. Excelsior! Tara,

I have always been inspired by superheroes. As an illustrator, I have been “creating” them for years. As a fan, I am fascinated by their continued and unrivaled relevance to our world today, moreso than at any other point in their history save their creation during the late 1930s-1940s (although the superhero resurgence of the nineteen-sixties cannot be overlooked – another historical “moment” of great social, political and economic change.) What is it that spoke to us then, and speaks to us today, seventy years after the creation of the first bona-fide superhero?

I believe superheroes are a reflection of us. Of what we can be. Of what we wish to be. Hope, optimism, courage, strength, honor. We could not create superheroes, nor would we relate to them, if we did not have these things within ourselves to begin with.

And they remind us of that fact. Like a visual mantra. An inspirational affirmation in a red and blue cape and cowl.

My wife Stephanie and I have long discussed how to utilize the inspiration and passion of superheroes and translate it into a real-world movement for change. To use the cultural tools we have been given to share a message of hope, courage, honor, and to inspire people to be the best they can possibly be.

I think you have a great idea on your hands, and I would love to help in any way possible. Excelsior!

]]> By: Julia http://www.horsepigcow.com/2008/03/better-barrels-and-the-creation-of-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-50492 Julia Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:52:39 +0000 http://www.horsepigcow.com/2008/03/26/better-barrels-and-the-creation-of-superheroes/#comment-50492 Very interesting post. I actually just found your blog today, and have spent a good chunk of the afternoon poking around. I am intrigued by this HeroCamp idea though, and look forward to hearing what you come up with. Very interesting post. I actually just found your blog today, and have spent a good chunk of the afternoon poking around. I am intrigued by this HeroCamp idea though, and look forward to hearing what you come up with.

]]> By: Kaushal http://www.horsepigcow.com/2008/03/better-barrels-and-the-creation-of-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-50485 Kaushal Sat, 29 Mar 2008 19:40:06 +0000 http://www.horsepigcow.com/2008/03/26/better-barrels-and-the-creation-of-superheroes/#comment-50485 Hi Tara - I was mesmerized by the "Brooklyn Superhero Supply" store as I do all my superhero shopping @ Costco in bulk and on super mark down - :). Anyways, dug a little deeper into the history of the store and I'm sure you may be aware of this - but I was totally blown away to find out that this is a front for a tutoring center based on a simmilar SF concept by Dave Eggers. Dave help put together a pirate store on 826 Valencia with the same concept. Anyways keep those stories coming - its awesome how many superheroes are out there that make super awesome ideas come to life. Hi Tara – I was mesmerized by the “Brooklyn Superhero Supply” store as I do all my superhero shopping @ Costco in bulk and on super mark down – :) .

Anyways, dug a little deeper into the history of the store and I’m sure you may be aware of this – but I was totally blown away to find out that this is a front for a tutoring center based on a simmilar SF concept by Dave Eggers. Dave help put together a pirate store on 826 Valencia with the same concept.

Anyways keep those stories coming – its awesome how many superheroes are out there that make super awesome ideas come to life.

]]> By: Sharon http://www.horsepigcow.com/2008/03/better-barrels-and-the-creation-of-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-50481 Sharon Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:22:10 +0000 http://www.horsepigcow.com/2008/03/26/better-barrels-and-the-creation-of-superheroes/#comment-50481 This is why in high school when my friends were are reading Hakim Bey and say 'Yeah, yeah anarchy', I thought they were ridiculous. We need cultural ethical structure, a society with laws, to make things obvious to us when things are not right. And in regards to HeroCamp - I already go, every week as a matter of fact. It's called synagogue. Just sayin'.... This is why in high school when my friends were are reading Hakim Bey and say ‘Yeah, yeah anarchy’, I thought they were ridiculous. We need cultural ethical structure, a society with laws, to make things obvious to us when things are not right.

And in regards to HeroCamp – I already go, every week as a matter of fact. It’s called synagogue. Just sayin’….

]]> By: Steve Polyak http://www.horsepigcow.com/2008/03/better-barrels-and-the-creation-of-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-50478 Steve Polyak Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:26:42 +0000 http://www.horsepigcow.com/2008/03/26/better-barrels-and-the-creation-of-superheroes/#comment-50478 would i have to wear spandex? would i have to wear spandex?

]]> By: Kate Trgovac http://www.horsepigcow.com/2008/03/better-barrels-and-the-creation-of-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-50477 Kate Trgovac Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:28:20 +0000 http://www.horsepigcow.com/2008/03/26/better-barrels-and-the-creation-of-superheroes/#comment-50477 Great sum-up of Dr. Z's ideas. His was one of the most powerful talks at TED for me this year. Am delighted that HeroCamp is happening in Vangroovy - we've got a great community here and the surrounding area. Would love to help out! Cheers ... Kate Great sum-up of Dr. Z’s ideas. His was one of the most powerful talks at TED for me this year. Am delighted that HeroCamp is happening in Vangroovy – we’ve got a great community here and the surrounding area. Would love to help out!

Cheers … Kate

]]> By: Paz Pino http://www.horsepigcow.com/2008/03/better-barrels-and-the-creation-of-superheroes/comment-page-1/#comment-50476 Paz Pino Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:46:19 +0000 http://www.horsepigcow.com/2008/03/26/better-barrels-and-the-creation-of-superheroes/#comment-50476 Hey Tara, Interesting concept on creating heroes and I'm super hyped that it's happening in Van. My boyfriend is a highschool teacher in an alternative high school dealing with high needs kids so this is definitely something we'd both be interested in being involved with and attending (I can think of some principals and superintendents that'd be interested as well) so please keep us updated. Thanks. Hey Tara,

Interesting concept on creating heroes and I’m super hyped that it’s happening in Van. My boyfriend is a highschool teacher in an alternative high school dealing with high needs kids so this is definitely something we’d both be interested in being involved with and attending (I can think of some principals and superintendents that’d be interested as well) so please keep us updated.

Thanks.

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