Conflicted Diplomacy

The Superbowl brought us many things one of which was a fresh new trailer for the newest web-head installment The Amazing SpidermanThe Marvel reboot was much needed after the whole Spider-Man 3 incident, in which that skinny kid from That 70’s Show was cast as iconic badass-villain Venom.  Needless to say that didn’t work out very well so the powers that be decided to give Marvel’s youngest superhero a fresh new look and so far it’s not looking too shabby.  The web slinger himself will be played by rising British star Andrew Garfield, most known for his role in The Social Network.  Emma Stone (The Help) plays the female lead Gwen Stacy, while British actor Rhys Ifans will play villain The Lizard.  This shy, nerdy high-school student actually happens to be Marvel’s flagship character and company mascot, being by far their most commercially successful character, filling the top three box office slots of any Marvel movie ever made.  Wherein lies the appeal of such an awkward, shy, and misunderstood young teenager?  Let’s take a look.

Peter Benjamin Parker was orphaned at the age of six when his parents were killed in an airplane crash overseas.  Peter went to live with his aunt and uncle in New York, where he excelled as a science student.  Peter was then bit by a radioactive spider in a science lab, giving him superhuman strength and agility, and all the abilities of a spider.  Soon after being given superpowers Peter failed to stop a thief, claiming that it was not his responsibility, the same thief that ended up murdering his dear Uncle Ben.  Peter learned firsthand that with great power comes great responsibility, and took such a tragic lesson very seriously.  Spider-Man is commonly seen as a brave and righteous hero with an indomitable sense of justice and responsibility.  Shaken by his uncle’s tragic death, Spider-Man’s vow of responsibility has led him to a path of heroism and humanitarian service.  Intuitive, shy, sensitive, and selfless with a profound sense of idealism Spider-Man makes for a great example of a Healer Idealist.  Certainly Spider-Man suffers with identity issues, as many Idealists do, as he is often scorned and ostracized by the very people that he has vowed to protect.  Indeed Peter Parker has developed “a certain fascination with the problem of good and evil, the sacred and profane”.  Parker is alone in his quest for the greater good however, and yet still charges on with relentless passion.

Healers have a profound sense of idealism derived from a strong personal morality, and they conceive of the world as an ethical, honorable place.  Indeed, to understand Healers, we must understand their idealism as almost boundless and selfless, inspiring them to make extraordinary sacrifices for someone or something they believe in.  They are the Shaman, Medicine Man, or the Witch Doctor of the tribe, the Prince or Princess in fairy tales, the True Knight or Defender of the Faith, like Don Quixote or Joan of Arc.  Isolated by their seclusiveness and infrequency (around one percent of the general population), their idealism leaves them feeling even more isolated from the rest of humanity.

Quote1.png With great power, there must also come great responsibility. Quote2.png

Spider-Man  

The Ethereal Complex

“The Ethereal Complex” refers to the Idealists’ tragic tendency to be misunderstood by those that they love the most.  Humanity by nature of course takes what it is given for granted, and much to the disadvantage of the Idealist.  The Idealists pour a tremendous amount of love and care into those they are closest to, a sentiment that is not always fully appreciated.  Indeed the Idealists’ intentions always come from a warm and positive place in their heart, but the same thing can not always be said about those around them.  The Idealists’ quest for better understanding and personal fulfillment is often misinterpreted as a result, leaving many Idealists’ with a tragic sense of inner-turmoil.  All is not lost however, as the Idealists’ confidence in the innate goodness of life and human nature is often a self-fulfilling prophecy.

12 thoughts on “Conflicted Diplomacy”

  1. Yay for Spiderman! I have to say that #2 was the best (and #3 did stink a lot).

    Also, being a Champion Idealist myself, I can relate to that “Ethereal Complex” part. Sometimes I think the people I really care about don’t fully appreciate the lengths I will go for them, and how gratifying and addicting it is for me to do so.

    1. I wouldn’t want to get to much into someone else’s personal problems without being close to them. I do think, though, that it is not to presumptuous to point out that it is often hard for people to phrase their appreciation. I know I sometimes have that problem.

  2. A Rational Architect’s point of view: I am unable to understand the Champion Idealist need of give and take when it is about care. When you care for others you do it in a way which pleases yourself (which is in fact excessive). How can you expect the same level of care from other people too!!

  3. I’m a Councilor Idealist and I really appreciate the part about “Ethereal Complex”, as well. It’s nice to have a little validation of my feelings. I am surprised by how often close friends and family can be insensitive and don’t realize all that I try to do to support and love them.

    And Spiderman is awesome! 🙂

  4. I’m a counselor Idealist as well–and older, hence more time spent reflecting on the words of wisdom within Keirsey’s (and others) books on personality development. I love that we can examine the good in someone, and thank you for sharing this info. I think though, that we should be realistic…there is a shadow within us–even in Spidey–and it can dart out if we are imbalanced; not to mention the complications that ensue when our ‘lesser functions!’ This ‘shadowy’ fact is why I liked Spiderman 3 the best. I enjoy being an idealist, and it is nice to read about the wonderful humane qualities we can exude, but there are plenty of unhealthy idealists out there too, and if you get on the wrong side of them, they can be nasty!

  5. Derek, easily the best post you’ve ever written. It was very personal, descriptive, and frankly, the use of “… is a great example of…” in place of “…is undoubtedly…” does make a difference to the reader.

    As for the Ethereal Complex, what is the origin of it? Who conceived of it? Which publications is it featured in (if any)? And where does the title come from? I ask because I can relate entirely to it. Just now, I’m trying to show my care for someone, but fear it may not be shown that way.

  6. Paul,
    Thank you!
    The Ethereal Complex, The Artisan Bandwagon, The Steel Mask, and soon to be The Ivory Tower are all just concepts that I came up with using my grandfather’s material. All four concepts are actually quite simple and well-known but I figured attaching names to them helps people more fully grasp them and be more aware of them.
    Yes ethereal means heavenly or celestial. I figured it is the kind of imagery most people associate with the Idealist.

    1. Those complexes you conceived up… frickin’ brilliant. It’s really cool to see your not only applying Temperament Theory, but expanding the theory. These concepts are brilliant, and what you wrote about the Ethereal Complex really spoke to me, as I assume it would other Idealists. Magnificent job. Hope to see these in a publication some day.

  7. Yes Derrick, it is of some use. Nasa intends to record your babbling and beam it into space as evidence to any beings out their that there is intelligent life on Earth.

  8. C.S. Lewis said that a saint and a tyrant come from the same material. That is most people are incapable of being either but if an idealist goes bad he will be worse then a mere thug but if he is good he will be heavenly.

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