the zen of cartoons
February 29, 2008
Humans are visual animals. We react to what we see. And to a lesser degree, we are auditory. Sounds can cause a reaction. On stage artists have the advantage of us cartoonists, so we have to work twice as hard to get your attention.
Pertaining to zen, where do cartoons fit?
Laughter feels good, and there is a good reason for that. Many eastern philosophers and yoga experts believe that the laughing chakra is in the same area as the sex chakra. I guess the powerful lesson here is to use them wisely and not at the same time. In other words this could be very upsetting to a soul-mate unless you can tactfully explain that your laughter chakra short-circuited during lovemaking. Stranger things have happened I guess. One caveat: If you are the female partner and should this happen to you, please respond, without missing a beat, the predictable compliment/lie “But size doesn’t matter, it is what you do with it.”
You know once a man passes maybe thirty years of age, he doesn’t believe that line anyway, and has generally over-budgeted year after year buying enhancement herbs that do nothing.
Cartoons are truly nothing more than a piece of art in a panel or a strip of smaller panels, hopefully funny, that tell a much longer story, using what I like to call “extreme editing”. Though we call ourselves writers, we truly are more editors than writers. Yes, we can write, and, though a cartoon may not have any caption or “word bubble” at all, generally some text is added to “drive the point home” Most cartoonists are instinctively aware, though, that if it can be done with no wording, a picture only, that is a triple bonus to the psyche, and, when we can occasionally do that, we get complimented way beyond our actual talents. But that’s ok. An ego is an ego no matter what you call it and the male ego is the most fragile.
Humor, and believe it or not, cartoons in general, can influence our society greatly. As far as cartoonists go, we often think of them as “bigger than life”. I can assure you, being one, we are just like everyone else. We just don’t crave the limelight; but the limelight craves us, it appears. This fascinates people. When you mention names like Charles Schulz or Gary Larson, some wonder if they are even in the same species. They are. But like everyone else, laughter is important even to those who purvey it.
So zen happens. Especially with humor (and sex) and it all starts in that silly chakra. Always keep that chakra open, as, as long as there is life, there will be humor. And as long as there will be humor, there will be people who will utilize it to make us feel better about ourselves, whether alone or with a mate.
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