#commonality

The artist is Adrian Tomine. As Tomine is an American artist, I would like to think that part of this piece is an explanation of America.

Every person depicted, it can be said accurately, looks American. Yeah, that's right, they all look American...

Apart from that, I see a couple of ways of interpreting this image:

1 Everyone is minding their own business and doesn't care to look around, self absorbed -or-

2 Everyone is PEACABLY coexisting and doing what is needed to educate themselves [I prefer this interpretation], waiting as needed for their lives to continue [due to weather, as seen by the snowfall] .

“Philosophy football” is one of my most favorite episodes in the Monty Python Series.

  Philosophy and football, “soccer” in American English, have something in common. That makes this meaningful to us and make laugh.

Even if you are not familiar with both games, you will find that there are shared rules that looked strange at the first glance. Using hands is more efficient to make a ball into the goal, but football players do not. Taking the time to just think rather than “Just do it” seems less interesting for many sports fans, but they have kept thinking. The fact that rules are shared among players in both different kinds of activities is one of the commonalities.

This comedy makes it very clear. Monty python may be inspired by Wittgenstein’s “A language game”. Wittgenstein is a player on the German team in this comedy, and the philosopher, who was born in Austria-Hungry and made his career in England, got the idea of “Language game” from a football in his real life.

The concept is argued in “Philosophical Investigations”. It has received attention from socio-cultural anthropologists.

Wittgenstein argued that a word or even a sentence has meaning only as a result of the "rule" of the "game" being played. We can talk about the contents of our minds only once we have learned a language and that we can learn a language only by taking part in the practices of a community. The starting point for philosophical reflection, therefore, is not our own consciousness but our participation in communal activities. The participation in communal activities is the source and legitimacy of “rule”.

"মানুহে মানুহৰ বাবে।"

- ডক্টৰ ভূপেন হাজৰিকা

Bengali original:

"মানুষ মানুষের জন্য।"

- ডক্টর ভূপেন হাজরিকা

English translation:

"Humans are for humans."

- Dr. Bhupen Hazarika

Part 2: Finding Common Ground Between Enemies

{Previously, we built up Mario’s character, which can be found in Part 1. The next entry continues based on that.}

And, above all else, realize that Mario is just as multi-faceted as his co-stars: he has his own set of quirks, but also his flaws.

How this relates to Bowser and sets them up as a potential couple, that’s for the next post. That will also dive further into Mario’s personality traits, and therefore help flesh out his character.

Be warned, however, as this will contain spoilers to endings of select Super Mario games, and includes spoilers to the recent title, Luigi’s Mansion 3. 

Obviously, Bowser and Mario hold opposite traits, because Bowser is meant to be Mario’s designated enemy.

Where Mario is joyful, but somewhat reserved, Bowser is grouchy, yet very loud and outspoken. Mario likes to help others and is strongest in quieter moments, showing his compassion. Bowser, on the other hand, has funnier moments when he belittles his underlings, is fierce and dominant with his imposing final boss moments, and is overall one of the more abrasive characters in the series.

As much as they are opposites, however, they do share a number of qualities.

Both Mario and Bowser are leaders: Bowser leads his own kingdom, while Mario tends to be the head of his friends, either leading them on adventures, or having everyone join in on a party or with sports. Both characters tend to be stubborn: Bowser constantly wants his way in all aspects of life, and has a fierce determination to see it through, while Mario does all he can to help others and wants to find peace, even if it must be fought for.

An important quality both share, which is one that people may find surprising at first glance: their compassion.

Mario loves others. His brother is normally someone who gets priority in his depictions, and this is best exemplified through the Mario & Luigi series. It shows up in select cutscenes in other games, and through Luigi’s dialogue from time to time; I think the latest example comes from Luigi’s Mansion 3, where Luigi goes to all ends to save Mario, who very excitedly runs and gives his brother a big hug upon his rescue.

As well, Mario is distraught over Peach’s kidnapping and weeps upon finding her locked away. Obviously, given that Peach is traditionally depicted as Mario’s love interest, his love for her is typically demonstrated multiple times in many games, perhaps most famously during Super Mario Odyssey, but consistently hinted at by numerous characters such as Rosalina during Super Mario Galaxy, or the Toads during...most games.

I could list everyone else that Mario shows love and compassion to, such as being brave and protecting Toads, rescuing, befriending, and bonding with Yoshi, and pretty much go across every one-off character that he’s ever come into contact with. But, I think you get the picture based on that.

Now, with Bowser? He’s usually a jerk. His biggest, showy moments, most especially in RPGs, involve him either belittling or bullying his troops. This is, however, because he’s traditionally set in the role of the lead bad guy: the player is meant to identify that he’s evil, and needs to see this full force. If someone treats others as beneath them, they’re obviously not good.

Of course, the quickest character one can point to being an exception is Bowser Junior, who Bowser showers with love and adoration. He spoils his son constantly, but also takes him under his wing, teaching him how to fight Mario and kidnap Peach. And there’s the key point to Bowser: he loves. It’s not like with Peach, where he essentially lusts for her and wants her both for her beauty and to take control of her kingdom; with Junior, this is Bowser actually being a father, and wanting to give his son the world as best he can.

Though this doesn’t always get a front-and-center view in the video games, it does come up, either in passing dialogue from main entries starting with Super Mario Sunshine, or else shows up frequently in spin-off games, especially in sports games where Bowser is playable, and thus is allowed to be demonstrated as a good character because he’ll be under the player’s control, and therefore will be able to showcase his redeemable qualities. More recently, Bowser has been included in video game trailers and animations to help advertise Mario and Nintendo games as a whole, and typically, he shares the screen with Bowser Junior, to continue showing his fatherly side.

Because of how they were depicted in prior games and related media, the Koopalings have also been given an affectionate side from Bowser. He’s spoiled them before, and tends to value them higher than other soldiers in his army. In more recent titles, this is most prevalent not necessarily in on-screen depictions, but rather, implied by circumstance. Sure, one could label the Koopalings as extremely powerful and therefore given more to work with than mere grunts.

However, they’re given very, very powerful tools, most especially in their magic wands; the fact that Bowser trusts them shows a deep respect for them. I think, however, that they’re best shown as being very important to him when the game is over, and it’s the Koopalings (and usually Bowser Junior) who are fishing Bowser out of whatever hole he’s fallen into, and dragging him off to recover and prepare for the next one. Sure, they could be super loyal, but I think that, when the dust settles, the Koopalings are supportive of Bowser in a type of surrogate situation: he fulfills the need of a father to them, and they fill in additional roles as children to him. So, no, they may not be his kids, but he certainly has a soft spot for them.

If we go down the line, we can go back and forth with how Bowser is seen as a father to his men kind of role, given the extreme bouts of loyalty some of his soldiers have in various games. The thing is that, depending upon the game, Bowser is also depicted in various ways, and therefore, his compassion is varied based on title.

So, we’ve got that Mario can be a normally all-around nice guy, and Bowser’s not always a sweetheart. However, Mario can be a bit rough when he chooses, and Bowser can open up with exposed layers to those closest to him.

How the heck can that possibly help them relate to one another, and furthermore, view one another as a romantic interest?

Easily, my dear Anon!