Junior economics and government and politics major
Wisdom is quite a fickle subject. As much as it can be present in our faces, we often view it as a fleeting, ephemeral concept. Ironically, wisdom is frequently cited as a consequence of aging and interacting with the world. However, wisdom is obtainable for even the most naive among us, and I can attest to that with a source that is candid in describing the most daunting challenges of life.
Of course, I am talking about Pokémon.
There is something worth noticing when our media sources having a meaningful impact on our personality. For some, the most precious means of knowledge came directly from parents, coaches, friends and teachers. While all of those people sincerely contributed to shaping who I am as a person, if I were to ignore Pokémon’s lessons of morality, it would be to the detriment of mankind.
One of the first lessons from the Pokémon series was the need to discard any remnants of blaming or finger-pointing. When Ash’s Metapod was stolen, Ash abandoned him at first. Though Ash would eventually rescue him, Metapod’s displeasure with Ash taught him that self-accountability is imperative.
Ash had no one to blame but himself for his failure, and we can all benefit from this conclusion. Too often, we take the easy route, redirecting criticism rather than using it as an opportunity for self-reflection.
Pokémon also taught the importance of letting go. Humans form powerful bonds with one another, whether they are romantic or platonic. Regardless of the type, letting go of a significant other can cause enormous amounts of dread — even if it’s a mutual break in the best interest of both partners.
Ash releasing his Butterfree offers the most heartbreakingly real portrayal of this paradigm. Ash painfully released Butterfree into the wild so he could find a mate and live free. This was terribly traumatic to Ash, as Butterfree was his first capture and both shared an intimate fraternal bond. However, Ash rejected his sulking by instead looking to the sky with tears in his eyes and a golden smile across his face as he wished Butterfree all the luck in the world and jubilantly waved goodbye.
Ash showed that being a man is about looking out for the best interest of others and that letting go of those we love is OK.
Most importantly, Pokémon teaches that individual success is completely contingent on the support network you form with others around you. Many arrogantly believe their own merits are the only determining factor for success in life, whether that is gaining a job offer, internship, academic success or social admiration.
Similar to Ralph Waldo Emerson, Pokémon legitimizes individualism by recognizing the elements that cultivate our opportunities in life. It helps us understand the roots of our unique form of selfhood.
Ash knows that without Pikachu, he would lose 99 percent of his battles. Without Misty and Brock to give him a kick in the ass, he would have given up long ago. Without Gary’s conceited attitude and cheerleading team, he would have no rival to drive him toward his goal of becoming a Pokémon master.
The journey to become a Pokémon master is an arduous undertaking. However, so are the dreams we wish to fulfill in life. And sure, for every battle won against a gym leader, there is a Gary around the corner to belittle you. Sure, there will always be a Team Rocket looking to rob you of the fruits of your labor. But no matter the bodily strain, mental exhaustion, time commitment or consequence, you must push to be the very best, like no one ever was.
Marc Priester is a sophomore economics and government and politics major. He can be reached at marcpriester@gmail.com.
