The problem with escapist stories:

They make us long and strive and hope for something that doesn't exist - an unreachable idealism that we'll never achieve. Yet, we hope nonetheless.

One thing I did actually learn in Media Literacy is this concept called the "magic window." It basically says that children believe that what they see in the media is the real, simple, whole truth - an accurate representation of the real world. Then, as they grow and mature, they learn to distinguish between reality and fantasy. Except, research has shown that in some, this ability doesn't properly develop, and there are people who reach adulthood and are still unable to discern the difference.

As pathetic as that sounds, is it really that ridiculous? It's like the Facebook group says: "Disney Gave Me Unrealistic Expectations About Love." Movies, television, books - they tell us about all these Happily Ever Afters, these perfect situations that almost never happen in real life. As Diane Keaton said in Something's Gotta Give, people need romance, and if people like her don't write it, where else are they going to get it - real life?

Yet even when we know the difference between reality and fantasy, that doesn't stop us from Dusty Springfield-style "wishin' and hopin'" that it'll really happen to us. That our Philip will ride in on a white horse for us, that our Prince Eric will kiss us, that our Beast will turn back into a prince, that our Aladdin will become a prince. Or that our Mr. Darcys will reform themselves, or our McDreamy will choose us over his Catherine Deneuve of a wife, or our Will Huntings will let us in and just let us love them. Sometimes it's not even about the romantic love - who wouldn't want to have friends like Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, and Ross? Who doesn't want to live in a town like Stars Hollow, and who wouldn't want to go to school with Cory, Shawn, and Topanga? We know that the real world doesn't work like that, and that there is almost no chance of any of that happening. But we want it just the same.

Really, it's sad how little romance there is in real life any more. Either that, or we just don't appreciate it. There's so much romance in the little things - writing letters or notes to people, having a special dinner with loved ones, sending someone flowers or a package, showing up at a friend's for a surprise visit - any time you share something beautiful with people you love - that's romance. It's not always the big, showy gestures - though those are certainly wonderful - there's magic in the little things, too, and we can't forget that - cause really, who doesn't need a little magic or romance in their life?


----------------
Listening to: Mandy Moore - Gardenia