Crazy vs. Ill
Plot and Dr. Powell's opening dialogue was very subtle:
Powell: Do you know why you are here?
Plot: Of course. You think I’m crazy (of course. You think I’m crazy)
Powell: We prefer the term “ill”.
Obviously, the doctor’s words take There is a meaning of correction. This gentle confrontation was actually a meeting between irrationality and rationality, and the curtain opened. Where do the definitions of "crazy" and "pathological" come from? What is the difference between the two?
Before that, let's first discuss the so-called "normal". Karen Hani once pointed out in her book "The Morbid Personality of Our Time": "Our concept of normality is obtained by recognizing certain behavioral and emotional standards within a specific group. This specific group treats These standards are imposed on its members. But these standards vary greatly depending on the culture, era, class, and gender." I think the so-called "normal" in our era and society is derived from the inheritance of experience and patterns. Reflected in ideology and life style. "Normal" represents the life pattern of most people and is defined by the majority. When the majority of human beings live in this mode, the mode in turn becomes an external measure of behavior, which measures the life process of each individual at all times. The ruler allows fluctuations within a certain range of individuals, but if it exceeds the standard accepted by most people, such behavior needs to be redefined, and such people will be labeled "abnormal."
Karen Hani said: "The reason why we call these people neuropathic patients is that most of us are familiar with and only familiar with one behavior pattern... One of the criteria we apply to calling a person a neurotic is that this person Does his lifestyle fit in with the generally accepted behavioral patterns of our time.” Dr. Powell obviously uses such a guideline. So he cared about this definition and corrected Plott's statement, saying that he was sick rather than crazy. This mode of thinking actually exists in the thinking and concepts of many of us. It can be seen everywhere in life. We often distinguish and judge according to norms and concepts, thus forming a binary opposition, such as normal and sick, light and darkness, selflessness and selfishness, and so on. This distinction roughly divides things into two, artificially separating the two sides in the mind, building a border with concepts, and gradually consolidating it on the map of consciousness. This mode of thinking simply pushes people to the extremes, ignoring that the land under the border of the country is originally a continuum. Just as night and day are seamlessly integrated. Another problem it causes is that it restricts people's thinking and life to one mode, while ignoring other possibilities. People always think that what they know and what they don’t know is the whole, but they often ignore what they don’t know they don’t know. And this contains more possibilities.
Therefore, it is not difficult to understand why Plott uses "crazy" to describe what others think of him, while Dr. Powell uses "sickness" to describe Plott. "Crazy" is a relatively "normal" degree of expression, which implies Plott's insight and understanding of the so-called "normal" life and thinking patterns of normal people like Dr. Powell. In his eyes, "crazy" is nothing more than his gradual forward state from night to day. "Sickness" belongs to the definition given to day by "normal people" who only live in the dark. Because they have not seen that world, they also deny the possibility of another world.
At the end of the film, the scene when Plot said goodbye to Dr. Powell is also quite intriguing:
Powell: You and Robert Porter are the same person (the doctor points to Robert Porter in a high school graduation album)
Plot: This is ridiculous Yes, I am not an earthling at all.
Powell: Can't you admit that possibility? (Can't you at least admit the possibility?)
Plot: I am willing to admit the possibility that I am Robert Porter, unless you also recognize the possibility that I am from the planet K-PAX. (I would admit the possibility that I am Robert Porter if you will admit the possibility that I am from K-PAX)
I think Ploter represents true freedom, human openness and unlimited possibilities. And Dr. Powell represents the limitations of scientific rationality. In fact, we have more or less the shadow of Doctor Powell. We always try to interpret the world and the people around us with preconceived prejudices and concepts, and we don't want any doubt or possibility of contradiction. It seems to be able to firmly grasp his own life and grasp the world. After all, it still comes from inner fear, fear of subversion and change.
The Home, Family and Marriage
movie is actually more about the concept of home and family.
Powell: I hope you can talk more about your home (I was hoping you'd tell me more about your home)
Plot: What do you want to know?
Powell: Do you have a family on K-PAX? (Well, do you have a family on K-PAX?)
Plot: There is no "family" in your concept on K-PAX. In fact, "family" is not inevitable, as it is on most planets. (On K-PAX, we don't have families in the way that you think of them. In fact, family would be a non sequitur on our planet, as it would on most others)
Powell:...
Plot: We do not have marriage on K-PAX. We do not have marriage on K-PAX. There are no wives. There are no husbands.
Obviously, what Powell recognizes as "home" is Based on "family", it can even be said that "Home" is equivalent to "Family" to a certain extent. On the K-PAX planet described by Plot, although they have biological parents, they are raised and educated by the entire society in turn.
Plot: On K-star, children are not raised by their biological parents, but by everyone. Everyone takes turns raising, and everyone is educated. (On K-PAX, children are not raised by their biological parents, but by everyone. They circulate among us, learning from one and then another)
So from a sociological point of view, their social structure is not based on "family" as the unit Yes, just as an individual. This view is what I love to see as a single.
"Family" (family) is constructed by marriage and blood relationship, and is connected with the concepts of surname and clan. In ancient times, clan was a big family united by several families for survival and safety. I think that the emergence of this kind of social formation is mainly due to the animal needs of human beings and the succession of the lineage. Blood, surname, and totem give nothing more than a sense of belonging and security. Why do humans need to seek both in this? Obviously, because of the individual's weakness. Especially before the birth of human civilization and technology, human beings seemed powerless and insignificant in the face of wild beasts, birds or nature. Only by uniting can there be a way out. Blood is the most effective way to make a connection.
Since the development of social civilization, blood connections have not been as close as before. But in China, the traditional family concept of Guangzong Yaozu has always been deeply rooted. I always have a feeling that China’s five thousand years of cultural tradition has always focused on the concept of "family", while ignoring the "society" and "individual" at both ends. I think this has also indirectly led to the loosening of our social system and the imperfection of the legal system, as well as the weak awareness of individual rights. The Chinese family concept has created a kind of restraint for their children invisibly. I particularly disagree with the fact that Chinese parents regard their children as the continuation of their lives, or as an investment to some extent, and therefore give them too high expectations and shape their children according to their own ideas. This kind of family relationship with excessive expectations undoubtedly restrains the child's own internal development. The concept of "parents" and even "family" is a kind of restriction and limitation.
Relatively speaking, the "family" in Western society is relatively loose. Social roles are also more diverse. Parents do not have that strong desire to control their children. They admire the development of the individual's personality. Even if the couple can't make it through, they usually break up peacefully. Withdrawal of respect for the other party's right to pursue freedom. I believe this is a leading performance in mental development.
I think that after all, human beings are separate individuals, and they must and can only face the various aspects of their lives alone. The so-called dependence and dependence are only external, temporary and uncertain. Parents are just fellow travelers who walked with us for a while on our life journey. They brought us into this world, but how to walk depends on us. I admire what Gao Xiaosong said in the show once. Roughly speaking, he is very grateful for his daughter to be reborn at his home as the daughter of him and his wife. The script for her daughter's life has already been written, and she is her own director. As a father, he was just a producer. I think this is a breakthrough in looking at the relationship between children as a parent. My view may be more radical and ideal. I am more in favor of the state on K-PAX planet described by Plot in the movie. Children are raised and educated by everyone, so they integrate the will and unlimited possibilities of the entire planet, so that they will not only be affected by single or several lives caused by "family". The concept of "family" is completely eliminated and therefore also There is no such thing as a husband or wife. Of course, the current human mind is far from reaching such a state. If it is true that when the human mind is highly developed, I believe that, as Plott described, it is possible without borders and without laws. At that time, all that restrains human behavior is self-discipline and love.
Having said this, I can't help but think of the two lyrics in Metallica's Wherever I May Roam:
The road has become my bride
Where I lay my head is home
For a true walker, he will not have the concept of borders. Take the sky as the quilt and the ground as the seat. The family has long been separated from the concept of family.
Since the concept of family is denied, then Plott certainly would not approve of such a thing as marriage. When Dr. Powell hypnotized him, he inadvertently expressed his denial of marriage, with a somewhat contemptuous attitude.
Plot: He hates people's cocooning practices. I mean, there is no such stupid thing on K-PAX. (He hates the chains that people shackles themselves with. I mean, we don't have all that crap on K-PAX)
I can’t help but applaud. Even if I am not a single, I hate the concept of marriage. Marriage is just a ritual, not an end in itself. If two people want to live together, then love each other and do all they can to help each other grow. Continuous improvement is the purpose of both parties together. Marriage may be a promise. But a promise only expresses determination and courage, and is by no means a guarantee. The most ridiculous thing about Chinese marriage is that it is not a matter of two people at all, but involves two families. Lively like a company recruiting. In my opinion, the status of husband or wife granted by this society today is more like two professions. So the marriage certificate is more like a work contract, a self-righteous guarantee. A dam divides the spontaneous spring of sexual affection into pre-marital and post-marital, and manages the original natural water artificially. It's extremely ridiculous.
I don't intend to use the concept of "singleism" to divide teams or label them. The state of being single is not critical. True singleism represents a kind of individual consciousness-returning to self-improvement, pursuing freedom and respecting the right of others to pursue freedom.
Bluebird
At the end of the film, it is easy to understand why Plot took Beth. As she wrote, I have no home. Alone, she does have the conditions to live in K-PAX. She will not have those cares and attachments. I believe she will find a truly cordial and reassuring feeling on K-star, that is, the feeling of home. At the same time Beth is a smart, quick and observant person. Only she recognized Plott as the blue bird at a glance.
I believe the design here is actually a metaphor. The blue bird symbolizes happiness, warmth, and vigor in the West. And this is exactly what Plot gave to people. His appearance brought magical powers to the patients in this mental hospital. In his own way, he slowly lifted the psychological barriers of his friends under the same roof. He made Doris, who longed for love all his life, walked out of his room; made the little black brother who was always afraid of breathing dirty air take off his mask; made the uncle who had been fantasizing about smelling smell smell the fragrance, and finally encouraged Dr. Powell to repair Relationship with the eldest son.
I think this is also a mockery of those psychiatrists. The really effective treatments are by no means the therapies in your mind. What psychotherapy needs is to open up your heart, walk into the other's inner world, and let go of the concepts and prejudices in your mind. At the end of the
relationship Connection
, Plot's remarks are still in the same language, which is sobering.
Plot: Do you know what I see from your earth? There are so many creatures on the earth that can inhabit 50 planets, plants, animals, humans, bacteria, and viruses. You push me and try to survive, bump into each other, rely on each other, and build relationships. (You know what I learn from your planet? There's enough life on earth to fill 50 planets. Plants, animal, people, fungi, viruses, all jostling to find their place, bouncing off each other, feeding off each other, connected.)
Powell: Is there no such relationship on your K-PAX? (You don't have that kind of connection on K-PAX?)
Plot: Nobody wants, nobody needs (Nobody wants, nobody needs)
People always build themselves in various relationships and lose themselves, and then use various Means to maintain and protect those relationships, in an attempt to find a sense of security in the relationship. The Buddha said that all deeds are impermanent. Therefore, there is no reliable relationship, only reliable people.
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