This video was recommended to me by my friend Lou. It explains the psychology behind why I would rather watch Big Trouble in Little China over and over again rather than trying to tackle some new show that will likely turn out stupid. Star Wars is totally dead now, but it’s been on the decline ever since Greedo shot first in 1997. Even though Kathleen Kennedy is finally leaving Lucasfilm, the damage is done. I couldn’t care less. I still love the original, unaltered trilogy regardless. There is a subconscious reason for wanting to watch the same stuff. It connects to the comfort of nostalgia. It’s soothing, and a form of emotional regulation. Something stable in a chaotic world.
Last summer when I visited family, I was lectured about how I’m “still living in 1982.” I never really thought of it before, but yeah, watching Blade Runner on a weekend in the dark with the headphones on in the present day, it lets me connect with that insecure, 15 year old Greg who watched it every Friday night, in the dark, because he didn’t have friends to hang out with because his friends from school were getting high with each other and I wanted no part of that. It was that 15 year old Greg who had a crush on a girl but didn’t know how to win her heart, let alone even talk to her. And it was that 15 year old Greg who was contemplating himself, determining what kind of person he wanted to be, and focusing on bettering himself. There’s a sort of beautiful sadness to that part of my life. Despite the heartache, I wish I could relive the experience.
