I’ve been thinking about how fiction and video games often glorify physical strength in the form of brave heroes who skillfully slay legions of evil monsters who have come to destroy the land.Β However, this kind of strength is mostly irrelevant to modern life, perhaps even opposite to the kind of virtues we should be glorifying.Β There are no evil monsters who deserve to die in the real world, and there never have been.
I’m not saying I think these kinds of stories and games are necessarily bad.Β I love blasting huge mobs of enemies in video games, too (heck, I even tend toward playing high DPS mass destruction types).Β I, like many others, have a healthy grasp on the separation between fiction and reality.Β Games have been shown to be a healthy outlet for releasing stress, when played with the right attitude.Β But what does this say about society?
I think it’s noble that we wish to fight against evil, but the evil monsters in the real world that we must battle and slay are the temptations to do evil ourselves.Β True strength is patience, kindness, tolerance, humility, and righteousness.Β Focus on the good, always strive to be your best self, and encourage others around you to do the same.Β In treating others with respect, helping others, and doing what is right, we become true heroes.