Wow, I’ve got to find out more about this. It’s practically subversive! (In a good way!) I am surprised this is the first I’ve heard of this.
I believe children’s media shape societies. There is a Swiss national character who for decades has helped shape the Swiss. IIRC his name is Globi, and he gets into scrapes out in the world where the only way to get out is to make something handy to save the day. To physically make an ingenious device! Hello, what are the Swiss known for? For making ingenious devices that make something in life easier. This is a national trait that comes from their childhood “hero” character.
I’ve been looking for some smart characters in American children’s cartoons for a while. I’ve only found clever / stupid funny characters or characters that only annoy other characters, or really sappy, preachy characters. The truly original characters are usually from Japanese cartoons.
Thanks for this.
SHAZAM!
You win the Thread Yaelle!
Everyone is poo-pooing Shows like Friendship is Magic, but the kids watching today will grow up and will have been at least partially shaped by what they have seen growing up.
In this age of media it can't be helped.
So Maybe we need to spend more time getting a hold of Media instead of running and reacting to it.
I’m so glad I grew up in the era of Foghorn Leghorn, Elmer Fudd, the Roadrunner, Donald Duck, Sylvester, Yosemite Sam, Bugs Bunny, Pepe Le Pew, Sam Sheepdog, Tasmanian Devil, Wile E. Coyote and the rest of the world’s most wonderful gang. Those glory days are long gone.
You should look into the Mad Scientist’s Club books.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mad_Scientists%27_Club