Tony Guerrero

Something I’ve noticed a lot lately is the need to broadcast what our interests are. This may apply more to the ‘geek culture’ but it’s now at the point that who you are and how you are perceived is defined by what you like and what you think is cool. 

In some ways, this isn’t a bad thing. If a person has a love for something, whether it’s a comic book character or even the current video game they’re playing, the need to share with the world the joys they are experiencing is natural. 

Where this becomes a problem is when the fabrication starts to take over. People will seek out or claim to have immersed themselves in something that they might not actually care for. It’s the need to be accepted by others that makes them feel this is what they have to do. 

Perhaps calling this a ‘problem’ is a bit much. There’s nothing wrong with taking what others are into and checking it out for themselves. It becomes unfortunate when you know what their true intentions are. Wanting to be accepted by others is a natural phenomenon. But the need to broadcast the fabricated interest over and over in the hopes of being accepted by others shouldn’t be what it’s about. The problem is when you can read between the lines and see what is really going on.

It might be that I still remember what our geek culture was like before Facebook, Twitter and the internet. I remember buying the latest Atari or NES games and reading the latest comics without telling everyone around what I was into. My status as a ‘cool person’ wasn’t defined by what I was reading or playing. Maybe that’s why I don’t always rush out to my iPhone to broadcast something I just read or if I managed to find 30 minutes to hop on my Xbox or PS3. I’d much rather use my time reading a comic or playing a good iPhone game rather than go on and on on a social platform about what I think is so cool to be doing.

Obviously due to my position in running a comic book website, I do need to share my thoughts on certain things. I just won’t give something praise because it’s supposedly the cool thing to do. I’ve been straight if I dig something or not. For example, I like enjoy 3D movies. They don’t bother me or give me a headache. I always thought the old school 3D comics were cool.  I didn’t absolute hate the Star Wars prequels. They don’t compare and are in a different class than the original trilogy but it’s ridiculous that liking them makes me less of a Star Wars fan.

Today’s fans are too focused about their social perception. For many, liking or not liking something in private doesn’t cut it. It’s unfortunate if groups of individuals can’t be liked unless they are interested in certain things. It’s really unfortunate if someone tries to give the impression they’re into something just to be accepted by others. I’m not going to say all Jim Carrey movies are great, just to get Jim Carrey fans to like me.

These days people are concerned with what their status is. How many people like their Facebook status or what their Klout score is. It’s great to be passionate about something but it’s not passion if you’re doing it just to impress others.

What it comes down to is people should like what they like and not worry if others don’t agree. It’s great to share a common interest with others but you don’t have to fake it in order to be liked by others. Let them like you for who you actually are. Otherwise you’re simply wearing a mask all the time. To me, that seems tiring. Just be yourself. Like what you like. Keep some things to yourself. You don’t have to tell the world everything just to get one more person to like you.

By the way, I saw the coolest sunrise this morning. Sunrises are cool. Everyone that digs sunrises should be friends with me.

This is one of those moments we’re reminded how messed up the world can be. At a midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises in Colorado, an audience found themselves in a horrific situation. A lone gunman, armed and wearing body armor bust through the emergency exit and began shooting. Reports suggest twelve were killed with several others injured.

I was stunned to hear this upon exiting the theater at the midnight showing I attended. It didn’t really sink in at first. This isn’t something you think of when going to the movies to enjoy a film. Those poor viewers were just like the people in the theater I went to. They just wanted to watch the new Batman movie. Those in my theater were overjoyed with it. You could feel the anticipation in the minutes before the lights were dimmed. In a packed theater, I had to sit next to someone I had never seen before. But it didn’t matter. We were all there for the same reason. It was clear that many didn’t know the intricate details of Batman’s comic book adventure but they actually clapped and cheered upon seeing Batman on screen for the first time.

It’s a sickening feeling to think what happened in Colorado could have happened anywhere. We’re already in panic mode when going to airports. Are we now supposed to worry about going to the movies? It turns my stomach to think that something like that could happen if I was in a theater with my daughter. It just never makes sense when people are so unhinged, they feel the urge to enact violence upon others.

Thinking about the individual responsible, how could he reach this stage without anyone being concerned? Was this a gradual build up or a sudden decision? Because he was so heavily armed, you have to assume it wasn’t a last minute decision. In one report, it’s mentioned that the shooter’s mother, when she first heard the news in the morning said, “You have the right person. I need to call the police.”

What is that supposed to mean? She suspected or knew her kid was capable of such a despicable act? How long had he been amassing his arsenal? Was there absolutely no one that suspected something was seriously wrong with him?

I don’t know if he has a reason for doing what he did. I don’t know if something happened that day or if he even had a grudge with anyone at the theater. Frankly, I really don’t want to know. It does seem random. In many ways, that makes it worse.

The same report tries alluding that the shooter wore a gas mask and bulletproof vest and caused public havoc, just as Bane does in the film. Let’s not try to make excuses for this vile incident. Bane was making a statement in the movie. This guy had no motive. He just committed a messed up act.

Where do we go from here? Is it still possible to enjoy movies or just being in public? We can’t live our lives in fear. Bad things happen. It sucks. We can’t live our lives in paranoia. We have to be strong and believe we can still be safe and can still go to the movies or other public areas.

I’m not trying to place the blame of the actions of the killer’s family or friends. We aren’t psychic or trained psychiatrists. You would think someone would recognize the individual was disturbed. Maybe we can try to be a little more observant. Be a little nicer to one another. If anything, perhaps offering a kind smile once in a while could be enough to help someone deal with their loneliness or built up anger and frustration. We just can’t have stuff like this happening.

My heart goes out to the victims, survivors and family and friends of those that were in attendance.

Check it out. This is now a thing. This is a place where I’ll share random thoughts and opinions. It seems I often have a lot to say.

I can’t say how often I will update this. I do have a job to do as you’re aware of. This will be a place to experiment.

If you have suggestions or topics you’d like to see me discuss that may not fall under the normal “Off My Mind” format, hit me up. You can always catch me on Twitter @GManFromHeck.

I also really dig the Mike Allred DAREDEVIL image and just wanted to post it again.

Okay, here I am. How you doin’?