A Week of Inspiration from Goth to Geek

Inspiration can come from the strangest of places. It is a common belief that in this day and age, nothing is no longer original. All of the greatest lines ever said have already been said and all we can draw from that least bit resembles originality in this world is inspiration.

What can you classify as an inspiration? From a local context, any child who encounters the word inspiration is from a teacher trying to justify your sudden interest and/or improvement in academics because of an attraction to a certain someone in your class. Thus for us Filipino people at least, we learn that we are “inspired” when we are at the presence of our so called “crush”.

The dictionary defines inspiration as a  “Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity.” This means that inspiration can come from anywhere and indeed it does.

The source of my inspiration to write on this topic comes from two noteworthy events that happened within this week that have changed our outlook on pop culture from Goth to Geek.

On May 25 1977, a small time film maker came up with a grand idea of creating a story of a near extinct order of priest-like knights that do battle across the galaxy with physics defying weapons and mind bending talents. The novel Idea came to be known sometime later as Star Wars and George Lucas soon became a household name to all present and would-be geeks throughout the sci-fi verse.

 Before Star Wars, people used to mistake me for Kenny Rogers.

Backtrack May 26, 1897 another inspired writer published a book that would affect the Horror, Goth and  Pop culture. Though not the first of its kind, the novel defined our modern image of the vampire.  The writers name, Bram Stoker, and the character he created was named Dracula.

The two works of fiction would bring about other works of inspiration spanning many years. Without Star Wars, we wouldn’t have light sabers, the force and epic plot twists concerning family members. Without Bram Stoker’s Dracula, There would be no Anne Rice and the vampire trio of Armand Lestatte and Louie would be reduced to a less notable title of “Interview with the eccentric”.

Without Dracula we could have a very strong chance of having one Edward Cullen taking the helm of the Vampire image.

Imagine other classics without Bram... just imagine...

I have both a Geek and a Goth side in me cultured by these two works of art. Who wouldn’t want to be the last chance of freedom left in a galaxy far far away. On the other hand, every man at one point in time fancies playing the villain with the charm and class that can entice any female, while making man cower in fear and envy.

There are countless works already made by man the that can serve as inspiration for future classics. One need only open a book, watch a film or simply observe for old ideas that can inspire you to make new ones.