http://newcritics.disqus.com/the best in web criticismenThu, 03 May 2007 23:56:56 -0000http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/04/30/keep-swinging-everyones-hero-and-the-last-lesson-of-christopher-reeve/#comment-1374832In her book <i>Generation Me</i>, Jean Twenge writes about the self-esteem movement that repeats the mantras "You can do anything" and "You can be anything you want" but without the limitations you wisely note. She also believes it's a recipe for disaster and reports on the depression and despair felt by an entire generation whose experience in life often fails to match such irrational exuberance.<br><br>As for earning the right to inspire others to keep swinging, I think Christopher Reeve took it too far when he appeared in an "inspirational" commercial showing him walking again when in fact he couldn't. Sure, he overcame a lot and may have been superhuman in some ways, but he eventually died of his injuries. He doesn't deserve a pass on distorting reality and selling a bill of goods to the public.BrutusThu, 03 May 2007 23:56:56 -0000http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/04/30/keep-swinging-everyones-hero-and-the-last-lesson-of-christopher-reeve/#comment-1374831Been meaning to watch this one with the kids on pay-per-view - but I take your point about the cliche - keep swinging. Taking a pitch or two is a good idea. At the little league games, we obnoxious parents tend to shout something along the lines of "wait for your pitch!" Which is far better advice for life - a short version of watch closely, know the strike zone, and be opportunistic. The people who know those less-glamorous rules tend to do well...Still, I like the look of the movie. They should've kept Phil Wrigley though...Tom WatsonWed, 02 May 2007 09:53:23 -0000