Showing posts with label the common good. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the common good. Show all posts

Saturday, August 2, 2025

For this Kansan, Fantastic Four and Superman films slice through grimness with moral clarity; News From The States, July 28, 2028

Clay Wirestone, News From The States; For this Kansan, Fantastic Four and Superman films slice through grimness with moral clarity

"The films put me in mind of another Kansas Reflector columnist, Mark McCormick. Last week, he argued that attacks on the U.S. Department of Education undermine the common good.

Increasing waves of politicians exalt qualities that should disqualify them as public officials: a mistrust of government, demonizing opponents, and supporting private schools with public money,” Mark wrote. “These qualities should stand as barriers to candidacy, not bona fides.

Both the Fantastic Four and Superman devote themselves to the common good.

That’s why they’re superheroes — not because of their powers, but because of their morals. They serve humanity. They serve their country. They serve one another. The Fantastic Four literally contains a family: Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) and Sue Storm (the Invisible Woman) are a married couple, while Johnny Storm (the Human Torch) is Sue’s brother and Ben Grimm (the Thing) is a close friend. During the film, Reed and Sue welcome their son, Franklin, into the world.

“They are parents first,” director Matt Shakman told Variety. “They are scientists and explorers second. And they’re superheroes only when they have to be. I come at this as a dad and as a husband. That’s what makes it so special to me.”

Every summer brings superhero films. Almost every superhero film brings battles between good and evil. Yet these films, and this summer, suggest to me that both filmmakers and audiences yearn for more than thrills. They want clarity. They want warm, nurturing, uncomplicated goodness."

Monday, January 17, 2022

When it comes to vaccines, is it time to abandon the carrot for the stick?; Minnesota Public Radio (MPR), January 11, 2022

Susan Davis and Kerri Miller, Minnesota Public Radio (MPR); When it comes to vaccines, is it time to abandon the carrot for the stick?

"Incentives like gift cards aren’t working to get people vaccinated. Rates have stalled or dropped, and public health officials all over the country are nervous.

As omicron spreads, infection rates soar and hospitals are once again overwhelmed, do we need to rethink how we motivate people to get vaccinated? Would denying access to the public sphere increase the number of people getting their shots?

Guest host Kerri Miller speaks with two public health researchers on motivating the masses to get vaccinated for the common good."