So I was re-watching ‘Learning new things about ourselves’ and remember this scene?
Thomas: How did I used to learn things?
Logan: Textbooks
Roman and virgil: Mistakes...
Patton: Puppets!
Now, there’s an obvious difference between Logan and Patton- their answers are virtually the opposite of each other, because those two are a dichotomy; literally polar opposites. Moreover, they each explain a method of learning that applies to that particular part of the brain; Patton responds more to a creative way of learning, Logan a more logical way.
Have a look at Roman and Virgil though! They have the same answer, and in the past we had used that as evidence that Virgil was the dark side of Roman. With the introduction of the Duke though, we know this isn’t true. However!
It links back to the accepting anxiety video, where it is revealed that Virgil’s anxiety about Thomas fitting in led to Roman having more creative inspiration. Virgil acted as fuel for Roman, fundamentally. His fears created unique and wonderful worlds for Thomas to escape to, as, in the intrusive thoughts video, it is suggested that Roman only creates more PG friendly worlds, where good things happen.
Let’s turn that to Virgil’s relationship with the Duke. In the intrusive thoughts video it is explained that Thomas is kept awake all night due to Virgil’s (and Patton’s) fear of the Duke’s intrusive thoughts, rather than the intrusive thoughts themselves. Once again, I think Virgil acts as fuel for the Duke’s power, just as he does for Roman.
Ultimately, Virgil and Roman in particular are in their own way, working together just as Patton and Logan do.
“The main reason for the connection between anxiety and creativity is imagination. The dichotomy lies in the fact that the same brain that conjures up inventive paintings, poetry, and music can also get trapped in repetitive thoughts and dreadful worries.”(sources below)
The use of the same answers and the sequence in accepting anxiety all but confirm it, and therefore a similar dichotomy must exist with Virgil and the Duke as well, which raise great questions as to who the light side that Virgil has supposedly replaced is. Perhaps, it’s simply childhood imagination.
https://www.mother.ly/parenting/understanding-fascinating-link-anxiety-creativity-kids-sake
https://evergraydigitalmedia.com/blogs/news/anxiety-an-creativity-the-link











