No comic review today. Instead, let's talk about mind-mangling magic.
We've seen the villains make ample use of it but even our beloved ponies seem tempted. Is there a difference to using such power?
Check out the editorial after the break and share your own thoughts!
This editorial has been percolating in the back of my own mind for a while. It started shortly after Every Little Thing She Does aired. A member of the EqD comments section asked why so many people were offended by Starlight Glimmer using a fictional spell. That is a valid question. If a character uses a fictional ability, one that no one in our world could duplicate, what reason have we to be upset?
Branded Bad
The most immediate answer is that's something the bad guys do. In the show, IDW comics, and Equestria Girls, many villains have relied on some form of mind control. Whether through dark magic, song, or mind-control helmets, taking away one's free will is usually a true sign of evil.
Yet even in Equestria's idealized world, the ponies have employed similar methods. Often these are mistakes perpetrated by a pony at their low point. Those seeking a quick fix without considering consequences. Twilight's "want-it-need-it" spell, or Spike's accidentally bewitching Rarity with the "Inspiration Manifestation", or the Crusader's misadventure with a love poison.
Yet not all of these events are negatives. The Elements of Harmony reformed both Princess Luna and Sunset Shimmer. Twilight freed her friends from Discord's manipulation with a memory spell. Cadance's love magic is the power that made her a princess and would help save Canterlot. Arguably, all of these powers influence the mind as much as a villain's corruption, but they're not presented the same.
So, is it only bad if a bad person does it? For a show that's done an effective job of presenting dynamic characters and the occasional more gray, I think that answer is far too simplified. So simplified that it would not offer any kind of lesson to a young audience.
To really tackle this, let's expand the focus to entertainment in general. Because mind control has been present in many forms.
The Death of the Self
From George Orwell's 1984 to Halo's Flood, the idea of a malevolent force stripping away free thought is a recurring threat. I'd argue it's one of Sci-Fi and Fantasy's favorites.
The abilities are often fantastic. Even an Orwellian dystopian future has a level of surveillance and obedience not yet seen in reality. At their core all of these threats touch on something personal. They seek to claim control over an individual's body. The mind, that personal refuge we all enjoy, is an obstacle to be discarded or crushed. Though a victim's form is either preserved or altered, the individual ceases to exist. Though physically alive, everything that made that person an individual is dead.
Or perhaps trapped. Some threats like the Borg from Star Trek have shown that a remnant of the self remains, trapped within the body and forced to watch its own atrocities. When I try to imagine such a state of powerlessness I find it terrifying.
Doubling back to the initial question of why this should offend people, we have to look at why these fears can strike a chord even though we know the forces behind it are fictional. I think the death of the self is a common fear amongst people. Though there are no means to invade one's mentality, there are methods like torture and brainwashing that are meant to strip away this sanctuary. We also worry about how technology is bridging distances faster than we can personally adapt, leaving us to wonder how much of our private lives are subject to scrutiny. We resent systems that treat us as mere statistics.
One of my favorite tropes in fantasy is the knowledge of the "true name". The idea that if you know something by its truest definition, you have power over that object, area, or person. I see a similarity to the real world's branding. How we apply a name to a topic, group, or individual influences how everyone perceives them. It's why many fans are adamant about the terms "brony" and "pegasister" when defining themselves to another. It's an expression of identity.
Though a name cannot give us direct control over something, how much it sticks can shift its perception. That's why there's a fierce debate ongoing about political correctness and how far it can go. On some level we recognize how a name can change our relation to the world, and so we work to make sure the right name stands out.
So in the grand scale, the fear of losing control of one's identity and actions is a very real concept, expressed through fantasy means. This is part of why Starlight's transgression, and the acts of MLP's true villains, demand a reaction from the audience. However, let's also ask about the times ponies themselves have relied on similar methods.
Duration, Intensity, and Intention
There are many differences between how the ponies and their foes employ mind-influencing magic. First and foremost, most of these spells were intended as solution to an immediate problem. Unlike Sombra or Chrysalis, the goal was never to hold someone under sway forever. Some spells, such as Cadance's love magic, arguably start a process towards something positive like a reconciliation. Even Sunburst knew of spells that began the process of healing relationships.
It's also worth noting just how far these spells diminish a person's control. Starlight mentioned that Fiducia Compelus was so subtle none of the Remane Five would notice its affect; and Cogeria left them open to suggestion. By contrast, spells like Want-It-Need-It override free will and force an action. The Inspiration Manifestation curse and the love poison shut down any limits or filters. Because of this, I think one could easily rank these magical spells' ethics based on intensity alone.
What about intention? Arguably, the impact of an action can override any intention. That's why I always find Twilight's forgiveness in Friendship is Magic #23 to be impractical.
That said, there are also times where it's important to recognize if someone was trying to be helpful or accomplish a beneficial task, versus someone whose motives were self-serving. Going by this, I do think that the Elements of Harmony, Cadance's love spells, and Twilight's memory restoration are more justifiable than most other events.
Crossing the Line
Having said all that, I can't truly celebrate a power that influences the mind. No matter what the duration, intensity, or intention, influencing someone's thoughts crosses a very personal boundary. I often criticize how casually ponies employ this idea. One would think that such spells would be kept under strict protection, yet look at how many books Twilight consults in looking for the vaguely-defined Reformation spell.
Sunburst had several mind-influencing spells on hoof, yet he himself was not even a graduate. Though I understand the intention behind Cadance's magic, the casual way she employs it makes me wary. Even Twilight gave the Crusaders the recipe for a love poison without any thought to its danger. Ponies don't seem to respect privacy, and it's one of my biggest criticisms. Friendship means becoming closer and easing some defenses, but we all need a personal limit. I often hope that we'll see the ponies wrestle with when to use magic rather than snap to action and regret the consequences.
Studying Starlight
As a final commentary, let's return to why folks were so upset at Starlight. I think many could forgive the vulnerability that drove her to recklessly combine spells, but how she behaved afterwards is what sets people off. Instead of reacting with horror or trying to undo her mistake, Starlight went ahead and used the others as tools. She demonstrated an indifference for their individuality, which many fans could identify as a threat. We all want to be respected as individuals even if we seek the comfort of a sympathetic group.
Before I sound like a Starlight hater, I do want to stress was that the point of the episode was for Starlight to recognize her mistake and discover the value of spending time with the others as individuals. It made her a better individual as well, with hopefully the promise that she won't repeat this mistake. I much prefer that to episodes where this question seems to be ignored or downplayed.
So those are my thoughts on this topic. Now, have a look at this gif:
You want to share your thoughts in the comment section... You want to share your thoughts in the comments section...
What's that? My gif is stupid and I can cram it.. where?
Well, please share your thoughts anyway!
I'm Silver Quill. Thanks for reading!
Twitter: Silver Quill
