I guess this topic has so many answers that they wouldn't "fit" in a blog post... Many people would say stories about everyday's life (marriage, having kids and teaching them of good manners, or about the horrible divorces that destroy many kids and parents' life) are amongst the things everyone must put under the pillows or over the beds. Of course, some other people would claim to put books or other products about "How to..." themes amongst the five things they would take on a desert island. According to their opinion, these books are the best helpers in everyday's life, showing us which are the best ways to deal with an ex-boy/girl-friend, how to make useful objects out of scrap, or train our mind to remember all we need (or don't need) to know in life, etc.
Actually, they all are right to some extent... I don't mean these books, movies, etc. couldn't be useful in many cases. Yet, it doesn't mean they should be worshiped so much that their titles should replace everything else in the front pages of newspapers or in all the appropriate comercials. But I guess anyone would agree a reader couldn't find more wisdom in any other genre than in fantasy or sci-fy books. Wisdom that oftentimes is eternal, i. e. it's actual for any time of our history and could help us solve any problems in the future too. Where else one could find such good thoughts but in fantasy or sci-fy stories:
The first step to correct a mistake is patience. Clone Wars.
You'll never be able to win, unless you defeat yourself first. Samurai Jack.
Oftentimes it's harder to accpet help than offering. Clone Wars.
The one who runs with aggression walks without dignity. Samurai Jack.
It's our choices, far more than our abilities, that show us who we really are. J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets.
One could fight money only with money. my Tale Of The Rock Pieces.
To die will be an awfully big adventure. Peter Pan.
Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering... master Yoda, The Phantom Menace.
Even in the hottest fire there's a bit of water. my The Opposite Of Magic.
If there isn't Santa Claus, the sun won't rise. There will just be a giant ball of hot gasses. Terry Pratchett's Hogfather.
All the problems in the world lead to one - narrow-minded people. my Incredible Future.
Of course, many of the sci-fy, fantasy novels, movies, etc. include much action, many battle scenes, wierd creatures etc. that "hide" the wisdom in these stories... Probably that's why they usually don't win Oscars for something else but special effects (with a few exceptions - The Lord Of The Rings - Return Of The King).
Yet, it doesn’t mean the useful and important lessons aren’t there. We just have to learn not only to watch the special effects, the amazing battle scenes or creatures, but to think over the glorious thoughts and wisdom we could find there. As they could really make our present and future world better.
Finally, I’ll just give an example of the great power of such stories. Flesh, a book of about 150-180 pages, describing a future after we destroyed the ozon layer, made USA government change its policy about the harmful emisions. So, this small book was one of the main reasons we still exist.
I guess many readers could give similar examples? Best wishes to all fans of fantasy and sci-fy!
http://www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/TaleOfTheRockPieces.html, http://allanbard.hpage.com, http://allanbard.hit.bg
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