Trauma the Idol
March 15th, 2024 by G.
I read a lot of low quality genre fiction. Recently I’ve been going through some new genres popular with millennials.
Nearly 100% of the time, when the author wants to give their paint-by-numbers pulp a little emotional depth, they do it by giving the protagonist Trauma. That’s it, always. Trauma. The trauma is usually caused by some cookie cutter family situation, abusive and/or distant mom or dad, but the abusive and/or distant mom or dad is never the problem, its always the Trauma caused by the abusive and/or distant mom or dad.
The stories are like this because it appeals to the readers, because we live in a culture that encourages trauma worship. Trauma has become an idol.
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March 17, 2024
Trauma is just the chief of the pantheon, there are a variety of indwelling spirits that cause people to do things or give them permission to act in certain ways – this possession frees them from the burden of agency. Those who do have agency, or responsibility for their actions, are then responsible for not easing the suffering of the possessed. In a religion without redemption all sin is cardinal, the only way for those who have agency and are then evil to be freed from this crushing responsibilities is to invite Trauma or one of Her children into their hearts, and forswear responsibility for anything.
G.
March 18, 2024
Hallowed be thy victim status, I suppose.