the creative minimalist

We don’t like change. It is probably some sort of genetic/species thing from our lizard brain. We like the seasons to come and go, we like the food to be where we need it and we like to know where our slippers are.

Change is a sign of ageing. We don’t like to be reminded about getting old.

Some do choose change as their constant, but I think that is more about new experiences than change.

The only change we seem happy to allow ourselves with is the concept of change through democracy (but don’t get me started on that – we always get the government whoever we vote for).

In general, we don’t like change. But with Doctor Who, change is part and parcel of the package ever since William Hartnell became unwell.

Change is necessary to keep interest or to make a point. Is this what the BBC has done with the revelation that the new Doctor Who, will be female, played by the actress Jodie Whittaker. We’ve had males before, white-haired, dark-haired, silver-haired, curly-haired… even blond. We’ve had grins, lots of grins. We’ve had young, old and that place in-between. However, there has never been a female Doctor Who.

The people speak

I hear the cries from the right, it’s a step too far, it’s political correctness gone mad, a man can’t be a woman, and, of course, typical BBC.

The left cry out to all those who don’t agree with the decision, you’re misogynists, anti-feminists, anti-equality and staunch traditionalists.

I read several arguments about how silly people are, getting so annoyed at the decisions concerning a fictional character. In this age of fake news, media (traditional and social) manipulation and the fact that many in authority will blatantly lie or tell half-truths, is there any difference between fact and fiction? Art is mimetic or anti-mimetic, either is easily proved.

• Are both the left and the right correct?
• Is fiction something we shouldn’t be concerned about?
• How much do our preconceptions, prejudices and personal preferences shape our ‘entertainment’ habits? (all forms of art)

For me, one telling comment came from a columnist of The Sun newspaper, they simply said, ‘why is there any need for change?’. I don’t agree with their comment (or choice of employer, and this was in a TV interview – I would never read or buy the newspaper). But I think it might be where many of the negative comments spring. For whatever reason, we don’t like change.

I am looking forward to this new regeneration of Doctor Who. I am apprehensive, as I have been 10 times before (C’mon, I am far too young to remember anything before Jon Pertwee, and even he is pushing my poor little grey cells.) a new Doctor Who is always a challenge, a new start… a change!

You can read more over at the ‘typical’ BBC

SaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave