Why Buffy Kicked Ass

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Buffy, excluding its last, never-shoulda-happened season, was one of the most unique pieces of fiction I have read or seen anywhere. It had characters that you can relate to, humor that was actually clever, and story lines that compelled you to watch. But it featured something I have yet to see in any other series – long term consequences. Each character has had face consequences for their actions – sometimes severe. And in facing the aftermath of both good deeds and bad – there were lessons imparted, and growth.

Virginia Postrel, in this Reason Online story shares some precepts that are imparted from the show:

  • Evil exists.
  • Redemption is possible. Bad guys can reform! Good guys can be seduced or willingly choose wrong – and they can reform as well! Whadda concept!
  • Evil must be fought. If you don’t face it – it will overtake you.
  • Evil never goes away. Better said: There is always more evil out there. Sometimes evil can reform. See “Redemption is possible”.
  • We don?t get to choose our reality. Life isn’t fair. You need to deal with the cards you’re delt. Again – whadda concept!
  • We do get to choose what we do. You get to play your own hand.

  • And let me add one: Everything you do matters. Even if you think you are the most inconsequential of characters in a larger play, everything you do brings consequences either for yourself or others.

    • Something Weblogs Are Great For

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    For once I’ve read a passionate, thoughtful and non-flame infested discussion amongst diverse individuals, across weblogs. On religion! Whoda thunk it?

    In truth, this says more about the webloggers participating then weblogging itself.

    Actually, I just used the weblogging angle to get your attention 🙂

    Now go enjoy the thought provoking reading (in what I believe to be in order of posting):

    Joi Ito: The whole “there is only one God and my God is the best” thing…

    Shelley Powers: Shinto Commandments?

    Jonathon Delacour: You can put your god over there?

    AKMA: On God(s)

    Shelley Powers: Forgive them, they know what they do

    David Weinberger: AKMA is a Christian

    AKMA: On [Other People?s] Gods

    Shelley Powers: On Belief

    Shelley Powers: Belief and Acceptance

    Now It Can Be Told

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    I’m very happy to announce I’ve taken a position at Comcast as a software engineer. This could have been told a couple weeks ago, but I’m always respectful about sharing work matters and will continue to be so.

    I can say, at least, that I’ve learned more in the past two weeks then I have in the past year and a half at Philly.com. Which is a shame really. I’m going to miss everyone, and will continue to be rooting for the journalists who, in the end, make everything happen there.

    The VMAs sucked!

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    Why? Why? WHY?!?!? Why did I let myself think it would be any different then the last few years?

    There needs to be a MTV2 Awards show. No – better yet – a real competitor to MTV needs to stand up. There is great music out there – and I’m sure great videos – they deserve to be seen and heard.

    Johnny Cash don’t need MTV and it’s a shame that MTV missed a chance to be something more then just advertisement.

    Man did it suck. It was like a car wreck. Never – never – never again!