Captain Planet

[kujo]

[quote name='Innocent' post='1858328' date='May 5 2009, 10:57 AM']I don't remember them explicitly endorsing Artificial Birth Control, but there were some episodes I remember that subtly (and not so subtly, too) put forward the "moral-of-the-story" that large families have a damaging effect on the environment due to over-consumption. And of course, they didn't advocate NFP, and so obviously, ABC was the implied solution, I suppose.

Here are the episode summaries of two episodes I remember watching. Perhaps there were more, but I'm not sure.[/quote]

Ummm....the first one....maybe. The second one....no.

[Apotheoun]

Those episodes sound pretty darn boring.

[tinytherese]

Those episodes sound silly. It's not like every single person on the planet is going to get married and then have forty kids. Besides, what would Captain Planet and the Planeteers advise for those who already have a big family? Abandon all but two of the kids or kill them. seriously? This overpopulation myth just gets on my nerves.

[Innocent]

[quote name='kujo' post='1859555' date='May 6 2009, 10:15 PM']Ummm....the first one....maybe. The second one....no.[/quote]


You're probably right. Anyway, I found t[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIywLpA47KU"]he conclusion of this episode on YouTube[/url]. They don't place much emphasis on family planning, it's true. After all, the show was for children - so they speak more of recycling, &c.

But let me share with you my experience: I watched this when I was a 7th Standard student. (I suppose I was around 12 or 13 years old or so then.) Before this, I had never seriously thought about birth-control, family planning, etc. At that time, I was not at all a faithful Catholic - only nominal, I suppose, and I definitely had no idea of Church teachings, (or even that there was something concrete and defined as "Church Teaching" in existence, even) But after watching that episode, I thought about this and over time, I got it firmly into my mind that "small family = good:" "Big family = irresponsible."

I don't say this cartoon episode was the sole influence on shaping my thinking. (It also helped to live in the country with the second largest population and where the government actively campaigns for small families and family planning.) But I'm sure this was the first influence that got me to consciously adopt this position.

But then, this could only mean that I, personally was very impressionable at that time, too.

I only questioned that notion later when I became interested in learning the teachings of the Church. (That was maybe four years ago, when I was around 18.)

Edited May 7, 2009 by Innocent

[tinytherese]

I remember that after I converted from being a luke-warm catholic to a devout one that I had no idea that the church was against contraceptives in marriage. It wasn't until a year or so afterwards that I even heard of NFP and I thought, "Really? I've never heard of this before. It makes sense though. This is a heck of a lot better idea than for a married couple to be on the pill."

[tinytherese]

[quote name='Innocent' post='1858328' date='May 5 2009, 09:57 AM']I don't remember them explicitly endorsing Artificial Birth Control, but there were some episodes I remember that subtly (and not so subtly, too) put forward the "moral-of-the-story" that large families have a damaging effect on the environment due to over-consumption. And of course, they didn't advocate NFP, and so obviously, ABC was the implied solution, I suppose.

Here are the episode summaries of two episodes I remember watching. Perhaps there were more, but I'm not sure.[/quote]

I watched those episodes on youtube earlier today. The first one definitely was propoganda for the over population myth but the second one didn't seem to be until after the story itself was over and the planeteers gave their advice by saying to have small families. I thought that the second one with Wheeler and his kids was more of a don't have a big family because its burdensome on YOU, not so much on the environment but on YOU. Wheeler seemed to be driven insane by his kids and their demands and he freaked out in the grocery store not bringing home the needed food for his family.

I don't see what the sewage plant had to do with him having a big family. Sure they had to cut down some trees to house his big family but come on, was that really a reason for the other planeteers to freak out on him. I thought that they were really rude to him. "You shouldn't have had so many children!" What's he supposed to do now kill them? It was just him who had a big family and nobody else. How could one family cause such a problem? I did find it funny how different of an attitude Captain Planet had! He wasn't so friendly or positive anymore. When the planeteers put their rings together to make Captain Planet and the guy who had heart as a power gave his gift and his ring made a farting noise that was hilarious!

There was part in it that I thought was inappropriate for a kids show though. [spoiler]When Wheeler asked Linka how they happened to have so many children and she told him that he knew how and winked at him. Talk about not rated G. [/spoiler]

[N/A Gone]

A student of mine pointed out that there are Wiccan connections as well. The idea of earth-fire-wind-water-spirit being connected is a very strong wiccan concept. Considering Wicca is nature consumed it fits with the show.

[Guest lifewire12]

Wow, thats crazy to look back on. I loved that show as a kid but never really connected the dots on any of that stuff until watching some of it back on youtube...crazy

[BG45]

I used to love the show (And Johnny Quest).

Though if we're going to discuss it in terms of propaganda, a friend once posited that it's a Communist propaganda piece. In the original, non-edited episodes, Linka was from the Soviet Union (and then it collapsed so they said Eastern Europe). The villains who were polluters were almost always reflections of capitalism in some form; businessmen, scientists who were funded by corporations, etc.

[Innocent]

[quote name='BG45' post='1874236' date='May 24 2009, 06:59 PM']Though if we're going to discuss it in terms of propaganda, a friend once posited that it's a Communist propaganda piece. In the original, non-edited episodes, Linka was from the Soviet Union (and then it collapsed so they said Eastern Europe). The villains who were polluters were almost always reflections of capitalism in some form; businessmen, scientists who were funded by corporations, etc.[/quote]

That's a very good point.

Johnny Quest was good entertainment. Did you watch anything else? Swat Kats, Centurions, GI Joe? Those are the only entertaining cartoons I remember. Oh, and there was this anime titled "Ninja Robots." That was pretty good too.

[The Bus Station]

Earth, water, fire, wind...

..heart? srsly?

[BG45]

[quote name='Innocent' post='1874248' date='May 24 2009, 10:16 AM']That's a very good point.

Johnny Quest was good entertainment. Did you watch anything else? Swat Kats, Centurions, GI Joe? Those are the only entertaining cartoons I remember. Oh, and there was this anime titled "Ninja Robots." That was pretty good too.[/quote]

Also "The Real Adventures of Johhny Quest", Swat Kats, GI Joe, hmm...Robotech.

[Seven77]

i always thought that CP was one of the lamest shows ever created... a vile and pathetic excuse for a cartoon.

Centurians was good... and Defenders of the Earth. Johnny Quest was cool too but unfortunately it was on Sunday mornings.

[Innocent]

[quote name='Seven77' post='1875589' date='May 26 2009, 10:02 PM']and Defenders of the Earth.[/quote]

Oh yes. But I didn't like the part about the Phantom (my favourite comic-book superhero) having that mystical "Power of Ten Tigers" which he could call forth at will.

But Phantom 2040 was great.

Edited May 27, 2009 by Innocent

[Paladin D]

The classic Transformers (G1) beat Captain Planet, hands down.

I admit though, I used to watch that show often as a kid.

Edited May 27, 2009 by Paladin D