History Analysis / Escapism

[[CaptainObvious All humans have dreams and desires]]. Part of our nature as humans is that we always desire something, It doesn’t matter how “rich” or “gifted” a person is. Thanks to this never ending cycle of desire, humanity has evolved as a whole. This non-conformist behavior is what made us abandon our old torches for flashlights, the Stone Age for the modern age, and our old dreams for new ones.

The worst enemy of fantasy is the mundane. (This is not to be confused with the the desire of being [[IJustWantToBeNormal normal]] or the desire of [[IJustWantToHaveFriends being accepted]] or [[IJustWantToBeLoved loved]].) If people wanted to be average, they wouldn't use fantasy, as most people's lives are normal when compared to their favourite ficitional characters.

->''"I am sure even [[{{Nerd}} the freaky spinsters]] of {{otaku}}-land want to be pretty too]], [[BeneathTheMask deep down]]."''

->''"[[{{Nerd}} I am sure even the freaky spinsters of]] [[{{Otaku}} otaku-land want to be pretty too]], [[BeneathTheMask deep down]]."''

To quote TheOtherWiki: “Identification is a largely unconscious process. Even though people (fans) are aware that they like a character, they aren’t aware that they actually see that character as an alter ego, a version of them, or a projection of her aspirations for herself. Most characters (including villains) elicit some degree of identification on the part of the spectator”.]]

[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identification_%28literature%29 “Identification is a largely unconscious process. Even though people (fans) are aware that they like a character, they aren’t aware that they actually see that character as an alter ego, a version of them, or a projection of her aspirations for herself. Most characters (including villains) elicit some degree of identification on the part of the spectator”.]]

[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identification_%28literature%29 “Identification is a largely unconscious process. Even though people (fans) are aware that they like a character, they aren’t aware that they actually see that character as an alter ego, a version of them, or a projection of her aspirations for herself. Most characters (including villains) elicit some degree of identification on the part of the spectator”]].

->” …You both make money off of people's natural insecurities. You show people oddballs so that they'll feel better about themselves… ”

->” …A sense of humor is a major defense against minor troubles. ”

Escapism is defined by Wiki/TheOtherWiki as a “mental diversion by means of entertainment or recreation, as an "escape" from the perceived unpleasant or banal aspects of daily life. It can also be used as a term to define the actions people take to help relieve persisting feelings of depression or general sadness.” In other words, people avoid what is unpleasant to them by temporarily forgetting RealLife.
Anything that makes you avoid facing reality can be considered a form of escapism: drugs, alcoholism, gambling, video games, smoking, [[TvTropesWillRuinYourLife TV Tropes]], etc. In this analysis, we are going to focus only on “fantasy-escapism.”

Both fantasy (escapism) and repression [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defence_mechanism are self defense mechanisms]] our brain uses to cope with reality. They provide a refuge within a situation in which a person is not currently able to cope. [[http://www.nlm.nih.gov/cgi/mesh/2009/MB_cgi?mode=&term=Defense+Mechanisms These processes are unconscious (meaning that the person is not aware of them), and are normal for a healthy person]].

!!How Escapism fulfills our desires and needs .

Escapism is defined by TheOtherWiki as a “mental diversion by means of entertainment or recreation, as an "escape" from the perceived unpleasant or banal aspects of daily life. It can also be used as a term to define the actions people take to help relieve persisting feelings of depression or general sadness.” In other words, people avoid what is unpleasant to them by temporarily forgetting RealLife.

The main reason [[BeneathTheMask people don’t act as how they would in real life is fear of reprisal]] and the rules that are put by society. For example, one of the reasons games like VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto are so popular is because people are able to break the rules without reprimand.

Anything that makes you avoid facing reality can be considered a form of escapism: drugs, alcoholism, gambling, video games, smoking, [[TvTropesWillRuinYourLife TV Tropes]] etc. In this analysis, we are going to focus only on “fantasy-escapism.”

Anything that makes you avoid facing reality can be considered a form of escapism: drugs, alcoholism, gambling, video games, smoking,[[TvTropesWillRuinYourLife Tv Tropes]] etc. In this analysis, we are going to focus only on “fantasy-escapism.”

These needs of love can also be fulfilled trough non-physical [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_community virtual communities]] where people are able to become an idealized version of themselves through an online avatar while at the same time having the freedom to be their true selves (regarding personality). This is kind of fantasy settings is most commonly found in {{MMORPG}}s.

1. ''Physiological needs'' are the only kind of needs that can’t be fulfilled trough escapism.

-->Craig Bartlett, Creator of ''HeyArnold!''

->"[[{{Nerd}} I am sure even the freaky spinsters of]]
-> [[{{Otaku}} otaku-land want to be pretty too]], [[BeneathTheMask deep down]]."
-->-- '''Kuranosuke''', ''{{Kuragehime}}''

! Role Playing and Addiction

-->-- '''Almost There''', ''ThePrincessAndTheFrog''

[[caption-width-right:247:Our fictional avatars represent [[EscapistCharacter what we wish we were]]. They are an idealised verion of ourselves. As it can be seen from this picture, it isn't a coincidence that [[Literature/{{Twilight}} Bella Swan]] has the same attributes of [[StephenieMeyer her creator]]. [[EscapistCharacter Both are one]] and [[AuthorAvatar the same]].]]

-->--''Misao's Song'', ''MagicalProjectS''

-->-- '''Candace''', ''PhineasAndFerb'', "Attack of the 50 Foot Sister"

#[[ADarkerMe We don’t accept our own desires]]. [[note]]you want to kill your teacher¨[[/note]]

->"You are [[Literature/{{Twilight}} Bella Swan]]"
->[[EscapistCharacter People defend her]] , because they '''are really defending themselves'''"
-->'''Shmelia Rockie''', [[http://www.youtube.com/user/shmeiliarockie#p/a/C889B504E14888E7/0/xykagta29P8 YABS]]

->'''Phineas:''' If you could have a super power, which one would it be?
->'''Bufford:''' That's an interesting question you pose, as it reveals not only one's impulses and desires, but one's deepest fears as well.
-->-- ''[[PhineasAndFerb Phineas & Ferb]]''

->Craig Bartlett, Creator of ''HeyArnold!''

-->She doesn't go to school or go home. She just plays video games all day.

[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identification_%28literature%29 “Identification is a largely unconscious process. Even though people (fans) are aware that they like a character, they aren’t aware that they actually see that character as an alter ego, a version of them, or a projection of her aspirations for herself. Most characters (including villains) elicit some degree of identification on the part of the spectator”]] 1.

This is made worse [[http://www.cracked.com/article_18461_5-creepy-ways-video-games-are-trying-to-get-you-addicted_p2.html by the fact that fictional media are designed to make us addicted]]. The only way to break the circle is by '''facing reality''' instead of escaping it. It is important to remember that unlike fantasy, RealLife is not fair -- nor easy. [[YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre When we realize that we don't need to be "the Chosen One" or be chosen by destiny to have worth]], [[EarnYourHappyEnding we can accomplish our dreams and find the love we seek in fantasy]].

-->Shmelia Rokie'''[[http://www.youtube.com/user/shmeiliarockie#p/a/C889B504E14888E7/0/xykagta29P8 YABS]]'

->'''Bufford:''' That's an interesting question you pose, as it reveals not only one's impulses and desires, but one's deepest fears as well

#[[ADarkerMe We don’t accept our own desires]]. [[hottip:*:you want to kill your teacher]]

--> -- Hikari from NeonGenesisEvangelion, referring to Asuka.