Over the course of the last couple days, I started thinking about a few things, particularly revolving around the points I made in the article that was entitled "The Urkel Effect". With the observations of my own life and in the lives of others, I felt compelled to write a short little article about the opposing side of the coin.
In the 1994 film "The Mask", Ben Stein plays a minor role as a psychologist named Dr. Neuman. His primary role in the movie is discussing a book entitled "The Masks We Wear", discussing the way that we hide behind certain roles that are expected of us. It was this short piece of dialog that inspired this addendum. This is not a new concept, as it's been discussed at length in both the psychological world as well as pop culture. Whether it be Metallica's hit song "Sad But True" or the Miller-Boyett character that lent his name to this article, Stefan Urquelle; most all of us have felt the need to hide behind another persona based on what is expected of us demographically, or simply what is "cool". Now, not all of us have the intelligence or resources to genetically change ourselves as our friend Steve Urkel did. But, more often than not, we find ourselves hiding our true loves and interests to be more pleasing to our general public.
Now, why do we hide our inner Urkel and bring out Stefan?? Sociologically and instinctively, it's very easy to see that social acceptance leads to being a desirable mate. An advanced academic may hide his intelligence to avoid being a nerd. A young man who loves fashion and cooking or a young woman who loves to work on cars or build houses may force themselves in a line with their respective genders to avoid slurs of homosexuality, and the list goes on. Those who aren't afraid to be themselves are very often ostricized at a very young age, and this leads to an inner fear of their own interests.
The final point that I have to this will bring the article back to the points I made before, and truly make this an addendum. Those who remember Family Matters will remember that Stefan always turned back into Steve within a couple of episodes. It's the same in real life. The things that you love and hold dear, and your true self will always find a way to come out from behind the mask that you have put on. The important thing is to make sure you embrace it earlier than later. There is very little worse than coming to grips with the things that you love, then suddenly realizing that you're 28, and you've been living your life for everyone around you for your entire life, and you don't recognize the real person that you've been hiding for all those years. Trust me, it's very hard to start learning about the things you have been passionate about and have enjoyed for your entire life when a quarter of it is already gone.
The Urquelle Effect will always wind up being temporary, but the Urkel Effect is for life. Some food for thought
No comments:
Post a Comment