The Big Picture: Magneto Was Right

[Dooly95]

snip

AND WE ALL FUCKING DESERVED IT.

I was nodding my head until here.

Wait, wha?

I don't know, is being physically and psychologically different all our fault? I guess you can take the physical part, but psychologically?

Hell, thinking about it, I'm not even sure if psychology comes into this at all. Bullying starts at elementary - how many kids that age know the psychological limitations of one another? They're doing it for simplistic joy they get out of being in control over something, not because they see you psychologically weak; if anything, it's because you're physically weak.

As you grow older, I suppose that comes into play, but what you had growing up affects how you think later on. If you were bullied when you were young, then you're going to be slightly on edge psychologically grown up. Otherwise, I don't see yourself being unstable psychologically to be bullied.

It's a damn right shame, because as much as I like this column and what Bob says, I don't feel the need to emphasize the whole notion of being "nerds" or "geeks". I know it's a way for people to find a niche, or dare I say, clique they can fit into, but continuously using the term almost seems derogatory in some way, like a racial slur.

As much as I'd like to believe that all those guys playing football were jerks, most of them weren't. Just the few that liked to go around to show they were bigger than others. And really, unless provoked, they left you alone (in high school, mind).

Back to the original question, IF I had some power that made me superior, and IF I was shunned for it, then yeah, I'd probably go around with the people that were in the same situation as me. I'm not sure whether I'd want to become the people I despised, however.

 

[Ian Lutz]

Personally I've always seen the Professor X and Magneto as an allegory for Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X respectively.

 

[bultuit84]

magneto was quite a reasonable villain though, trying to make a utopia for people who were victimised for something beyond their control seemed valiant at worst, if 'the sapiens' wish to mess with a genetically superior community, thats their fault, I was with him all the way (not talking about the dreadful disgrace that was the movies, he was just a terrorist, ddnt get his character right at all, or anyone elses).

Anyone thought of any original powers?
i.e. the ability to release chemicals into the bloodstream to mimic any feeling/emotion at will, be quite addictive though
or the ability to transfer the density of any object you touch (e.g. a 10 foot boulder) to yourself, so you would be as solid as the boulder and you would be able to lift it up as it would be weightless, it would be like lifting your own arm, different from superstrength somewhat.

go.

 

[Corey Longest]

Ok its official Bob can not get superpowers lol

 

[JordanXlord]

Movie Bob...can i go with you and Show those Bastards...No one Bullies us...ever


Time to go Build that Fortress in a Mountain with a Gaming Throne and a huge collection of Wine Glasses for my Coke-cola


Time to Begin World Domination

 

[Mikael Sanfors]

Ah, this brings a grin to my face. I always say: It is good that I am such a nice guy, else the world would be in for it. The evil overlord option is tempting, though.

 

[HentMas]

As much as I'd like to turn the world upside down Movie Bob, I'm afraid I'd have to to stick with whatever side Wolverine is on

damn...
that is so true
i was thinking "well... yeah, magneto"
but Wolverine is more awesome...

 

[DTWolfwood]

Sign me up to the Super Villain team please!

and realistically, if super powered humans did exist we really would be living under their rule. There is no way a Justice League or X-men would exist!

 

[Electrogecko]

That was a great episode. I was never really bullied and I can't recall anytime that I ever saw anyone else being bullied in the cliche, wedgies and charlie horse's kind of way, (my school was more about the cool kid pretending to be nice to the outcast in front of the entire class in order to entertain everyone because he's secure in his popularity) and so I'm forced to conclude that bullying was not as big an issue in my school as it was in others. (unsurprising, considering my town is about 35% jewish and 30% asian) Sure we got lectured on it on multiple occasions- the whole, report to a teacher any type of harassment including physical, verbal, electronic, etc.- but I just don't have any experience that's anything like the generic bully model that I've been exposed to in movies and television.

That said, I really don't know which side I would join. I'm generally a very empathic and caring person, and I would definitely have a hard time hurting others- especially those weaker than me or unwilling to fight- but at the same time I believe in the survival of the fittest and know that the Earth's population could do with some management.

 

[Smokescreen]

Vengeance-especially petty vengeance- is the easy path, isn't it?

Too bad it rarely, if ever, leads to something worth keeping.

You (and I, and others, clearly) were picked on because you were different and in this case different means: your worth is not in what society values, especially society as it's defined in grade/high school, where the value amongst peers is how well you can play a physical activity, not how smart you are. Which means showing strength via some kind of combat instead of strength via compassion is what is chosen as the method of the picking order.

That's just the way it is in America these days.

So I suppose you can get all Magneto if you want-and let's face it, who doesn't have their power fantasies about, if nothing else, making things fairer, damnit?

But if that's what you want, then that means work. What kind of work are you actually willing to do?

 

[spartan231490]

As much as I'd like to turn the world upside down Movie Bob, I'm afraid I'd have to to stick with whatever side Wolverine is on

but wolverine is on his own side. Specifically the, don't fuck with me and I won't cut you open with my adamantine claws, side. Which is where I would be. I was bullied a lot, but I got over it. Hell, one of my better friends in senior year was the biggest bully in middle school. He grew up, I grew up, we got over our respective issues(mostly). So, not much on the revenge thing, never really saw it as fulfilling. However, I wouldn't particularly seek to protect said bullies(or any other bullies) from being beaten to a pulp by someone they pissed off. I'm of the, "lie in the bed you made" school of thought. In reality, I'd prolly be the guy on the side saying: "Just leave them breathing, it will hurt more in the morning anyway."

 

[Aiddon_v1legacy]

(too bad there's no story mode though).

Actually... http://kotaku.com/5518024/marvel-vs-capcom-3-will-be-a-living-comic-with-a-deep-story

And in case you're not feeling the link, Quote from the article

"It's important that game's have strong stories for Marvel," Baker said. "With fighting games it's not as essential as an action game or role playing game but we are very much insisting there be some cohesive kind of story for this game.

"We actually have a subtitle for the game that means something this time. In the coming months we will be giving you more information about it."

There are early copies of the game in the wild and trust me THERE'S NO STORY MODE. There was a livestream on justin.tv that revealed it.

So much for seeming like the well-informed cool guy. That's a little sad that there isn't a story mode. I was actually looking forward to that. Oh well, at least when I get my hands on the game I can punch my problems and make myself feel better.

Yeah, I'm not pleased especially since Niitsuma and his team promised on multiple occasions that they were going to have a "robust single player" and "great story-telling." If he had just said they were only going to have an arcade mode then maybe I wouldn't have been so ticked off. But Niitsuma essentially LIED. The closest we'll get to a story mode is those admittedly great CG trailers they released

 

[James Joseph Emerald]

In this way, it could be argued that bullies are unconsciously trying to help you survive. Weird I know. Anyway, respect: if you can prove that you're not only capable of dominating them but their entire social circle that they rely on, they will leave you alone. Which can be accomplished easier than you think as humans are quite naturally cowardly.
Bit of amateur evolutionary psychology theorising.

Definitely this.

See, I was bullied in secondary school, and reacted to it in a very meek, non-committal sort of way. I tried to "ignore" it, or tell them to "fuck off" in an unconvincing tone of voice. Nothing really worked, and just made it worse. Then one day I got really pissed off. I'd decided to bring in one of those suitcase-things with wheels on it, instead of a typical school bag (since I carried around a lot of books). People were so disturbed by this 'difference', they made jokes about me and actually spat on it and kicked it all day. By the end I was absolutely livid. Then something interesting happened.

The main bully and his cronies were walking behind me as we left school, kicking my bag and giggling like morons. After a few kicks I rounded on them and started ranting at them. I said "you're all actually complete retards. I mean, if you were actually making a funny joke or something, we could all have a laugh. I could use a laugh. But you're not. You're just kicking my bag and guffawing like fucking dipshits. Is this fun for you? Are you actually entertained by this shit? What the fuck is wrong with you?"
And then the main bully just looked really embarrassed and said "Sorry mate, we won't bother you any more."
And I just blinked and said, "Well good!"

And that was a turning point. A few of the other bullies tried to intimidate me once or twice, but it never worked (one guy was like "Hiya James," mocking my American accent, and I was like "Alri', Luke-y boy!" mocking his inner-city Dublin one with a defiant grin).
In a way, that whole bullying incident made me a stronger, more confident person.

 

[Anchupom]

I wouldn't give a shit about who it belongs to. I'd wreck shit up whenever I felt like it.

I don't want to own a world that I've destroyed, there's no fun in breaking your own toys.

 

[Tonimata]

CHOP DOWN THE RAINFOREST! BURN FOSSIL FUELS! BUY MERCEDES BENZEEEEESSSSSSS!!!

Cookie for reference. Oh, and just in case I wasn't clear enough, I'd go evil. Destroying is always easier than building and I'm lazy.

 

[Dak_N_Jaxter]

I'd like to think I'd become an X-man.
Not really because of "good will" or "pure heart".
More of a "Don't become what you hate" type thing.

 

[EchetusXe]

Yeah I'd pick Magneto's side. If I was in any movie like that I'd be the bad guy that joins the good side at the last moment. Like the fat guy in the Jackie Chan cartoons, or... the American History X guy, or... I dunno. I'd have to weigh up the arguments of both sides and then make a final judgement. In the case of X-Men I would not take the side of 'ooooh, thanks for saving our planet JERK!' guys. Just seems so illogical.

In fact I would probably attempt to hide my powers and live a normal life (whilst secretly using my powers to make a bit of cash on the side and thus avoid working in a regular job). Hell, I'm a student, I'm doing that NOW with student loans and junk.

 

[Rocketboy13]

Here's my problem: I agreed with Magneto when he wanted to make a healthy peaceful nation in which mutants could be mutants (Genosha was the Israel of Mutants). But everytime he goes all' "I will make them pay for what they have done" Ultimatum style on the world of humanity, I have to put my foot down. Same holds true when the subject is Zod, Maxwell Lord, and Red Skull.

It is one thing to live better, or even apart (look at the Inhumans, a group that will never get a movie), it is another thing to live at the expensive of another, or worse yet, live for revenge against (and the extermination of) another group. Bigotry is bigotry is bigotry.

 

[LogicNProportion]

I'm seriously considering that I'll stop watching this piss. I've disagreed with Bob on numerous occasions before, but The Big Picture is like a newly-grown tumor on his brain. I can understand the bitterness and overall disinclination from society, but the sheer egotism in this episode was unparalleled to anything I've ever seen in regards to nerd culture.

Bob, you and I and most other people weren't bullied in school because we're different/special/"superior" - it's often part of the reason, but what makes others bully you is the social factor. It's also the reason for why they CAN bully you in the first place - you're not a part of any real social circle, or the one or two friends you do have are shite. And hand in hand together with that goes the fact that you're psychologically weak. You may lull yourself with the comforting thought of your superior intellect if you want to, Bob, but answer me this: does he who is really so goddamn smart allow himself to be continually bullied? Of course not! Again, it's comforting to think that the world is divided into the big bad jocks and the oppressed but good nerds, but back then at least it was the other way around - you were the idiot, and they were smart. Smart and consciously evil to some extent. They started bullying you because they identified the psychological weakness and thus an opportunity for entertainment, and kept going at it because they knew you wouldn't fight back.
I'd be willing to bet my life that this is how it was with at least 95% of us.

AND WE ALL FUCKING DESERVED IT.

dude what is wrong with???

...I actually kind of agree with him.

But, who says that they simply weren't using a sort of predatory reasoning? Many of us were the more meager, they are insecure, so they put us down, etc.

so you agree with him that if you aren't capable of standing up to your bullies you deserve it?

Complacency will always deserve what comes to it.

While I do believe in defending those who can not defend themselves...it would be nice if more people learned that in order to survive a bit more, you need to adapt to the situation...

you're not american by any chance are you?

Grew up in Italy, so technically no.

Moved to US two years ago.

 

[templar1138a]

You definitely make some fine points here. However, I don't think bullies act as they do because they're consciously intimidated by their targets. On the conscious level, it's because they're thick-headed morons who don't know how to be honest with themselves. On the subconscious level, however, they are indeed intimidated, but not by their target specifically. They're intimidated by how their target's behavior could affect their own standing in society.

For example, when I was in high school, the idiots often bullied me by accusing me of being gay. I didn't wear tight clothing or talk with a nasal, lispy voice, and I'm certain at this point that I'm straight (five semesters at SUNY Purchase will do that). The bullies accused me of being gay not because of stereotypical indicators, but because I didn't buy into what they believed to be signs of masculinity. I didn't wear camo; I was vocally against driving pick-up trucks; I despised football; I treated girls in an manner equal to how I treated guys. In fact, when I talked to people I knew about this, they all pretty much agreed that there was no question that I was indeed masculine in my own right.

This must have scared the crap out of the redneck bullies. My behavior invalidated their code of masculinity. They went through so much effort to PROVE they were straight only to see someone who'd achieved more than they had without even trying. Their bullying was nothing more than a frightened response to an alternative (if not superior) perspective.

As for which side I'd be on if I were a mutant, I think I'd be one of the hermits who'd refuse to join either side. A lot of people are morons, yes, but at this point I don't even remember most of the people on That List From High School. Basically, I'd only ever use my mutant super power to protect myself and my family and friends, be it from William Stryker or Magneto.