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Author Topic: Modern Mythology  (Read 2981 times)

NCPilot

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Modern Mythology
« on: December 05, 2012, 10:14:54 pm »
I have studied both ancient mythology and modern one, and I feel more connected to the modern ones.  I'm talking things like ghosts, UFOs, Cryptology creatures like Big Foot and The Jersey Devil.  I'm also intrigued by things like Ley Lines.  Of course I also like the modern take on some ancient mythology like faeries, elves and dwarves.

I guess I feel more connected to them because they're still talked about in our society, and there are a percentage of our population whom believes in them.  

So does anyone else feel a closer connection to Modern mythology than the ancient ones?

Maps

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Re: Modern Mythology
« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2012, 10:54:23 pm »
Quote from: NCPilot;83640
I have studied both ancient mythology and modern one, and I feel more connected to the modern ones.  I'm talking things like ghosts, UFOs, Cryptology creatures like Big Foot and The Jersey Devil.  I'm also intrigued by things like Ley Lines.  Of course I also like the modern take on some ancient mythology like faeries, elves and dwarves.

I guess I feel more connected to them because they're still talked about in our society, and there are a percentage of our population whom believes in them.  

So does anyone else feel a closer connection to Modern mythology than the ancient ones?

 
I don't feel a "connection" to these things so much as I've seen/heard/experienced them in some pretty real and mundane ways so they're there on their own terms. I don't think of them in a mythological sense any more than I would, say, grocery shopping or movie stars.

Then again, I think of "old" folk tales and characters therefrom in a symbolic sense too. They're personifications of something intangible or otherworldly whose scientific explanation is lacking or nonexistent-- but maybe that's because I can't personally distinguish between one culture's "fae" and another's "aluxoob", f'ex. But they do describe a different hierarchy of actual beings I'm sure.

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Re: Modern Mythology
« Reply #2 on: December 06, 2012, 05:18:43 am »
Quote from: NCPilot;83640
I have studied both ancient mythology and modern one, and I feel more connected to the modern ones.  I'm talking things like ghosts, UFOs, Cryptology creatures like Big Foot and The Jersey Devil.  I'm also intrigued by things like Ley Lines.  Of course I also like the modern take on some ancient mythology like faeries, elves and dwarves.

I guess I feel more connected to them because they're still talked about in our society, and there are a percentage of our population whom believes in them.  

So does anyone else feel a closer connection to Modern mythology than the ancient ones?

 
I'm not sure about feeling closer to modern myth OVER ancient myth, but I do feel connected to both. However I'm also a big fan of creating your own mythologies, and exploring how things like internet memes could potentially become myths of their own (Slenderman, anyone?)

I'm glad we have myths still being created...it means that the art of storytelling is still alive and well. :)
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Re: Modern Mythology
« Reply #3 on: December 06, 2012, 10:19:30 am »
Quote from: Mylo;83674

I'm glad we have myths still being created...it means that the art of storytelling is still alive and well. :)


Mythopoiesis--the fancy word for the art of mythmaking--is one of my main interests as well. But I'm not sure we're talking about that in this thread. I have yet to see things like UFOs, ghosts, and cryptozoology crafted into a metaphorical narrative that speaks to the deepest questions of humanity: who we are, where we it all came from, why we're here, etc. What stories I've seen regarding these "fringe" beings has been purely entertainment. Am I overlooking some important works?
 
As for mythopoiesis being alive and well--if only! I think it has atrophied terribly in our society, and we've suffered greatly for it. I'm biased, but I think one of the last bastions of mythmaking in our culture is comic books, esp. the superhero genre.

(I know, I know!--I just dogged "fringe" output as purely for entertainment; can't comics be tarred with the same brush? Which of course they can...and yet I can't help but feel they strike a deeper, iconic chord.)
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The fifth song binds our fate to silence / and bids us live each moment well / The sixth unleashes rage and violence / The seventh song has truth to tell
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Modern Mythology
« Reply #4 on: December 09, 2012, 04:11:03 am »
Quote from: Altair;83690
I have yet to see things like UFOs, ghosts, and cryptozoology crafted into a metaphorical narrative that speaks to the deepest questions of humanity: who we are, where we it all came from, why we're here, etc. What stories I've seen regarding these "fringe" beings has been purely entertainment. Am I overlooking some important works?

X-Files and Battlestar Galactica both come to mind.

I personally have no trouble including comics, novels, TV shows, movies, etc, within the purview of modern mythmaking. I mean, I'm not exactly kidding when I say watching BSG is a religious experience for me, you know?

I think TV shows have more room for mythopoeisis than movies do, for the same reason comics have that sort of space. Many different writers, different episodes/issues, changing canon, different viewpoints. It can be hard to explore all that in one movie.
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Re: Modern Mythology
« Reply #5 on: December 09, 2012, 08:18:15 am »
Quote from: Morag;83961
X-Files and Battlestar Galactica both come to mind.

I personally have no trouble including comics, novels, TV shows, movies, etc, within the purview of modern mythmaking. I mean, I'm not exactly kidding when I say watching BSG is a religious experience for me, you know?

I think TV shows have more room for mythopoeisis than movies do, for the same reason comics have that sort of space. Many different writers, different episodes/issues, changing canon, different viewpoints. It can be hard to explore all that in one movie.


I could see mythopoiesis in BSG, but I wouldn't classify it with UFOs/ghosts/cryptozoology, because it really doesn't deal with those elements. Those are things people believe have manifested in our otherwise everyday reality; I don't see where BSG intersects.

X-Files ultimately proved too rambly and unfocused for me to grasp what metaphorical statement about humanity, if any, they were trying to convey. "The Truth Is Out There"--but what truth, exactly? Did anybody walk away from that show with a coherent message? I sure didn't.

You're right about TV providing a similar opportunity to comics. After all, the ancient myths were crafted over time by multiple storytellers; the extended format of both TV and comics offers a similar opportunity.
The first song sets the wheel in motion / The second is a song of love / The third song tells of Her devotion / The fourth cries joy from the sky above
The fifth song binds our fate to silence / and bids us live each moment well / The sixth unleashes rage and violence / The seventh song has truth to tell
The last song echoes through the ages / to ask its question all night long / And close the circle on these pages / These, the metamythos songs

RandallS

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Re: Modern Mythology
« Reply #6 on: December 09, 2012, 08:43:18 am »
Quote from: Altair;83690
Mythopoiesis--the fancy word for the art of mythmaking--is one of my main interests as well. But I'm not sure we're talking about that in this thread. I have yet to see things like UFOs, ghosts, and cryptozoology crafted into a metaphorical narrative that speaks to the deepest questions of humanity: who we are, where we it all came from, why we're here, etc. What stories I've seen regarding these "fringe" beings has been purely entertainment. Am I overlooking some important works?

I think the "ancient astronauts seeded life on Earth" stuff could probably qualify as a narrative that speaks to some of the deepest questions of humanity.

It doesn't so speak to me, but that's not a requirement. :ange:
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Waldhexe

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Re: Modern Mythology
« Reply #7 on: December 09, 2012, 12:19:37 pm »
Quote from: RandallS;83979
I think the "ancient astronauts seeded life on Earth" stuff could probably qualify as a narrative that speaks to some of the deepest questions of humanity.

It doesn't so speak to me, but that's not a requirement. :ange:
I definitly see Star Trek as having some mythical qualities. There are several episodes which try to adress some of the deepest questions of humanity - including the "ancient astronauts seeded life on Earth"-bit, tales which bring up questions about the nature of humanity or the nature of life, some stuff seems pretty far fetched, but realism isn't necessarily a requirement of myths ;)

I've also seen discussions in which people pointed out that many of the characters have archetypical qualities.

And of course a couple of storylines are inspired by greek and other myths and there are also many references like ships named 'Daedalus' etc.

(The same applies to Babylon 5 and possibly other sci-fi serials/movies.)
« Last Edit: December 09, 2012, 12:20:42 pm by Waldhexe »

Marilyn/Absentminded

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Re: Modern Mythology
« Reply #8 on: December 09, 2012, 01:49:51 pm »
Quote from: Altair;83972
I could see mythopoiesis in BSG, but I wouldn't classify it with UFOs/ghosts/cryptozoology, because it really doesn't deal with those elements. Those are things people believe have manifested in our otherwise everyday reality; I don't see where BSG intersects.



Like Mary on a taco?  People have told stories about seeing angels and being cured by mysterious beings.  Not too different to seeing aliens or being abducted to spaceships to be probed.  Some abductees claim to have been healed as well.

The UFO stuff usually bears more resemblance to fairy tales than big myth, but I do think it's in the same ballpark.

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spoOk

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Re: Modern Mythology
« Reply #9 on: December 10, 2012, 12:29:57 pm »
Quote from: Marilyn/Absentminded;84007
Like Mary on a taco?  People have told stories about seeing angels and being cured by mysterious beings.  Not too different to seeing aliens or being abducted to spaceships to be probed.  Some abductees claim to have been healed as well.

The UFO stuff usually bears more resemblance to fairy tales than big myth, but I do think it's in the same ballpark.

Absent

 
not so much mythology but more recently evolved religions sprung out of events: cargo cults.
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Re: Modern Mythology
« Reply #10 on: December 10, 2012, 04:22:15 pm »
Quote from: spoOk;84107
not so much mythology but more recently evolved religions sprung out of events: cargo cults.

 
How so?

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Altair

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Re: Modern Mythology
« Reply #11 on: December 10, 2012, 04:48:29 pm »
Quote from: RandallS;83979
I think the "ancient astronauts seeded life on Earth" stuff could probably qualify as a narrative that speaks to some of the deepest questions of humanity.

It doesn't so speak to me, but that's not a requirement. :ange:


Yeah, I suppose. I was going to cite the Book of Urantia for that, but I'm not sure they embrace UFO phenonmena.
The first song sets the wheel in motion / The second is a song of love / The third song tells of Her devotion / The fourth cries joy from the sky above
The fifth song binds our fate to silence / and bids us live each moment well / The sixth unleashes rage and violence / The seventh song has truth to tell
The last song echoes through the ages / to ask its question all night long / And close the circle on these pages / These, the metamythos songs

Altair

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Re: Modern Mythology
« Reply #12 on: December 10, 2012, 04:56:58 pm »
Quote from: Waldhexe;84001
I definitly see Star Trek as having some mythical qualities. There are several episodes which try to adress some of the deepest questions of humanity - including the "ancient astronauts seeded life on Earth"-bit, tales which bring up questions about the nature of humanity or the nature of life, some stuff seems pretty far fetched, but realism isn't necessarily a requirement of myths ;)

I've also seen discussions in which people pointed out that many of the characters have archetypical qualities.

And of course a couple of storylines are inspired by greek and other myths and there are also many references like ships named 'Daedalus' etc.

(The same applies to Babylon 5 and possibly other sci-fi serials/movies.)


I'll disagree on Trek; it's too episodic, with too little overarching narrative. They've certainly borrowed mythological elements for episodes and the names of things (Vulcan, anyone?), but that's not the same thing as making myth.

It comes close, though. If the characters aren't archetypal, certainly the alien races are (Klingon = god of war, Romulan = evil trickster god, Betazoid = god of being annoying, etc.). And there are folks out there who have practically made it their religion, incorporating it into their lives as if it were real.
The first song sets the wheel in motion / The second is a song of love / The third song tells of Her devotion / The fourth cries joy from the sky above
The fifth song binds our fate to silence / and bids us live each moment well / The sixth unleashes rage and violence / The seventh song has truth to tell
The last song echoes through the ages / to ask its question all night long / And close the circle on these pages / These, the metamythos songs

Altair

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Re: Modern Mythology
« Reply #13 on: December 10, 2012, 05:02:22 pm »
Quote from: Altair;84150
I'll disagree on Trek...


Forgot to say: Going back to the OP, however, Trek (nor Babylon 5) doesn't seriously try to incorporate fringe phenomena like UFOs, ghosts, or cryptozoology.
B5 did incorporate angels.
The first song sets the wheel in motion / The second is a song of love / The third song tells of Her devotion / The fourth cries joy from the sky above
The fifth song binds our fate to silence / and bids us live each moment well / The sixth unleashes rage and violence / The seventh song has truth to tell
The last song echoes through the ages / to ask its question all night long / And close the circle on these pages / These, the metamythos songs

spoOk

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Re: Modern Mythology
« Reply #14 on: December 10, 2012, 11:46:10 pm »
Quote from: Marilyn/Absentminded;84146
How so?

Absent

 
well it's modern time,rather than ancient time lines.....occurrence of the shaping of brand new religion and legends and myths around it,out of more modern events.
Ize bel zafen.
Ize bel daleen.

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