Dynamic Disposition of Kringle’s Commonwealth Impingement
When I was in college, my sociology professor scoffed at my proposal of writing a term paper on the psychological effects that a certain beloved fictional (and long since past historical sainted figure) character has on society in modern times. Including the possible social repercussions in the far future. I don’t think he wanted me to rip apart something he adored (So I wrote about something more boring). But as for this post; sorry Mr. Jenson.
Yes I am talking about Santa Clause. Birthed by the media from the seed of a historically real Bishop somewhere inside 270 AD. Located in the country we now call Turkey. Before I start out very negative and turn things positive, I just wanted to point out that I am feeling very humbug’y while writing this all out. (For reasons that will become evident the more you read).
A portly and jolly man with a great big bushy white beard, wearing a red jumper with white fur trim. He travels from house to house (all over the world) performing B&E’s, stealing (procuring) large quantities of dairy and baked goods. Supposedly being able to set up surveillance and stalk billions of people, keep records on them, and in turn; distribute hot monetary value products that have no record of purchase (barring the items that are hand made. In what can only be a massive sweatshop foundry populated by “elves”). Oh yeah, he also journeys with a crew of trained reindeer, and parks a giant toboggan on the roofs of residential homes/apartment complexes. Leaving a trail of deer poop in its wake. This all knowing, all seeing man, also is supposedly living somewhere in the Artic ocean on shifting platforms of ice. Well out of reach in international waters. Untouchable by laws governed from any civilization. Yeah, that chimney pirate.
All joking aside, the impact is very real on society from the vantage point of a child. The majority of modern time parents flat out lie about this lovable figure’s existence (if the child has any parental guardians). When the children get older, if not disillusioned by someone/something outside the family unit, the parents eventually fess up to the lie and deception. What does this do to the trust issues of the children? Granted all family units are for the most part, different from one another. What of the children that absolutely idolize their parents? Do they get engrained with the act of lying about such an influential figure head? Does their inner morality take a shift for the worst? Or does it become stronger in opposition to such an act of falsehood? What sort of dynamic does this decade or more deception play on the personality of an older version of the child; now an adult with possible children of their own? Had/have they adopted this sort of lying and deception into their daily lives? To what extent has it blossomed? (Mind you, this is only the negative side of the coin.)
The scientific/phycological studies on this very topic can shed light on a mass scale. Spanning an entire century into the present and future. Fuel for possession and deception. Spurred by market value trends and product placement formulas, abundant everywhere. Our current capitalistic society has not wavered in its relentless ingenuity of misleading jargon and ear-worm jingles. Making things seem “normal” to anyone not familiar with how things work behind closed doors. “It’s how things are supposed to be, right?”
I could continue on the hypothesis of brainwashing BS. But I am more interested in the optimism of where this whole phenomenon can go. “Let’s focus on the positive side of things in life.”
Knowing that the act of giving not only gives you a rush. But making something with your bare hands for another human being without the expectation of getting something in return is what makes the whole “spirit of Christmas” worth the celebration. However, what if this kind of “spirit” was more than just one day a year? (By the way, hats off to the parents that don’t flat out deceive the children under their watch. Explaining the “spirit of Santa clause and Christmas” to them.) Once a month? Or even once a week. Or more. These people that give their time to others without expecting anything back are the kind of people this world needs desperately.
Yes, making a living in society requires a ‘work for money’ mentality. Though there are the others out there, soaked with money with not any care to do anything with it, looking for a tax right-off by donating to a foundation. The few that struggle to give to others can take advantage of this hollow donation and transform the exchange into a magical and personal experience for the people that deserve this kind of empathy and charity.
Humanity is a very strange and vibrant organism. Saturated with hipocracy, beauty, wonder, tragedy, and creativity. We are by all means no where near perfect in action or understanding of universal harmony. But we make up for it in our passion to live. Well, humanity as a whole.
Ask yourself this; what kind of human are you? How do you represent our species in the grand scheme of what we think existence is? Are you singular? Only looking out for your own safety and well being? Or are you part of the system? Trying to change things from the inside for the better? Maybe you are on the outskirts. Like a wanderer. Making one small exchange at a time in another stranger’s life. Creating a moment of happiness compounding in a culmination of a life brimming with love and comfort.
And for all you wonderful smart @$$es out there, rubber dog poop is always a wonderful classic gift for those stuck up baby whiners. Even a well hidden bag of dildos gets the job done.
(I wrote this in December.)
