I read recently that Mickey will be
getting a makeover. Mickey is really an integral part of The Disney Corporation, and it seems like a good enough idea to change him. My problem is with the way that he is being changed. It is all starting with a video game, called
Epic Mickey, which will portray America's favorite cartoon mouse as a trouble making prankster.
At first I thought, "this reflects our societies growing dependence on violence and it is rearing its ugly head at a younger age." Then, I realized I was wrong. The reason for this new Mickey game and (in a bout of circular logic) the result of this new Mickey game is the decrease of violent tendencies in American children.
Let me explain. My friends 4th grade brother got in a scuttle with another student. They invited both children, all four parents, the teacher, the principle and a counselor in to deal with the fight. Eventually, in a moment of horribly corny symbolism, the two signed a peace treaty (I'm not joking).
Fifty years ago, this would most certainly not have happened (though I wasn't alive so I can't know for sure). Because kids are continually being told that violence is bad (a moral that I definitely can't argue with) they need a place to exercise their 'primal urges.' In walks the video game, guns (literally) a' blazing. Its also got a machete, four daggers, grenades, an AK-47, an assault rifle, and a few nukes for good measure, but I digress.
Basically, all the parents who complain that video games are making their children too violent, (at least in a passive area like the North Shore) shouldn't. So it seems
COD Modern Warfare's controversial airport terrorist scene is decreasing violent tendencies... ok, probably not.
Your point about parents being angry about video games making their children violent is interesting. In my opinion if parents want to protect their kids from violence, then restrict their television watching, their videogame playing, and be a parent! Don't rely on corporate executives to do that for you. As for your point on changing Mickey, I don't really understand why they would change his image. Mickey Mouse is pure Americana, and he's represented the nation in a way for a long time, I don't see how turning him into a prankster is beneficial.
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