“A New Hope”

"A New Hope" – June 24, 1977

The Redemption of Media

In the quiet ambiance of the akashic library, Calliope sat across from Peter, her quill ready to capture his words. The soft light from the candles flickered, casting dancing shadows on the ancient tomes surrounding them.

Peter began, his voice reflective. “There were a number of movies which were influential for me between 1976 and 1978. They were Network, Star Wars, and Superman. Over the years, these would prove to be cornerstones in the way I saw the world and what my mission here was, acting as seeds of what would eventually become the Mythica.”

Calliope’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Interesting… Can you tell me more about them?”

“Absolutely,” Peter replied. “You have to remember, I wasn’t just a kid. I was a kid destined to grow up to direct his own media company, building a way for people to see the context of their personal evolution as the star of their own story. I gathered the media that influenced me into the storyline of the Mythica as it speaks to my mythos, to purpose and pattern written in the Stars and the Soil that defined my life. While I have been mostly influenced by the thematics of fables and the truth they hold about our subtle selves, it was a mainstream movie that truly influenced the idea of Into the Mythica at the base.”

“What was it called?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Network,” Peter answered. “It was a film about media, about how media influenced and controlled the people, and about the avarice and intention that defined the media of that time.”

Calliope’s quill hovered above the parchment. “Why did it affect you so much?”

“The vibrations,” Peter said thoughtfully. “Like I said, every story is made from vibrations, and Network was a story about truth and corruption in media. It struck a chord within me, about how stories were being used in the world and how the influence of media was corrupt. It felt wrong, an abuse of what story was for.”

“The movie was a harbinger of things to come. Much like George Orwell’s ‘1984’ or similar, it forecasted a future of manipulation and control, where the freedom of expression would become polluted or denied in the wake of human intent.”

“That sounds sort of dark,” said Calliope, putting down her pen for a moment.

“Perhaps,” Peter conceded. “But there was hope. A New Hope, for a New Earth, circa 1977 with the emergence of Star Wars.”

Calliope’s eyes lit up. “A New Hope.”

Peter nodded. “Many years later, the original Star Wars would be regarded by its own canon as ‘A New Hope’.”

“Was this significant because you felt you were offering hope to the people? A new kind of hope in publishing?” Calliope asked, her quill at the ready.

“Partially,” Peter said. “But also, since we’re talking about the seeds of mythos which express themselves over the course of many years, we’re also talking about Superman. About what Superman represented to me and what he represented for me in the future.”

“Why?” Calliope asked, her eyes wide with anticipation.

“Because in the future, Superman also represents Hope,” Peter explained.

“Tell me more about your reactions to Star Wars.” she said, sensing the threads of story. woven across this pivotal moment in time.

“What you have to understand is how pivotal Star Wars was, not just for me, but for legions of individuals across generations. It is one of the great stories of our time, setting the tone for the remembrance of our innate talents and their challenges in years to come. When we talk about Star Wars, we’re not just talking about a movie.”

“We never are.” said Calliope with great knowing. “Please continue though.”

Superman – The Movie

“1978 – Superman – The Movie,” Calliope noted, capturing the pivotal moment.

Peter’s eyes shone with conviction. “And I believed. Our mythos unfolds over time. While I am a boy here, years later I will be in line for the midnight showing of Man of Steel in 2013, and the glyph of a new hope will return.”

 

 

Calliope’s quill moved swiftly, recording Peter’s words with reverence. “Thank you for sharing this, Peter. Your journey through media and its influence on your path is truly fascinating.”

Peter smiled warmly. “Thank you, Calliope. It’s through understanding these influences that we can see the threads of our own stories and how they weave into the greater tapestry of life.”

Calliope nodded, her eyes filled with understanding and respect. “Indeed, every story is a thread, and together they create the beautiful fabric of our existence.”

“I resonated deeply with the idea of Superman. With the idea of coming to this plane from another place, one made from a different gravity and with different rules, and that gave one special powers in this place.”

“Superman taught me that there was a right use of power, that there was a way to use one’s skills for good.”