I am currently fascinated with the pleo as a small loveable version of the terrible reptiles of our past. dinosaurs have been fetishized by our culture as icons of power and fantasy. As a 'mothering' figure, what is the meaning of my mothering this icon in this particular form? What does my ambivalence mean? Take a look at this book excerpt, Why Children Hate Dinosaurs, from W.J.T Mitchell's book, 'The Last Dinosaur,' published by the University of Chicago Press:
http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/532046.html
It is quite an interesting exposition of the dinosaur as child fantasy, or not.
Comments
Scale...
Prior to identifying giant bones found underground as
"dinosaurs", I believe one hypothesis identified these remains as
belonging to "giants" who once roamed the earth (the bones were
re-assembled in some vaguely plausible human resemblance). I wonder
about the notion of scale: most often, dinosaur images are compared to
scale with modern humans (or buildings, monuments, etc.). If scale is
not exaggerated, then other characteristics become larger-than-life: for
example, velociraptors are often portrayed as merciless and ferocious,
yet small in size. The message seems clear: if these animals roamed the
earth now, they would have complete control, humanity would be
insignificant by comparison.
Pleo contains the scale, brings it down to less-than human size... definitively controllable, certainly not threatening. It would be interesting to understand how Pleo's various behavioral responses were chosen... I would assume there are no threatening or aggressive behaviors in its repertoire... This toy gives one control over the uncontrollable, elicits meek responses from a ferocious stereotype.
Pleo contains the scale, brings it down to less-than human size... definitively controllable, certainly not threatening. It would be interesting to understand how Pleo's various behavioral responses were chosen... I would assume there are no threatening or aggressive behaviors in its repertoire... This toy gives one control over the uncontrollable, elicits meek responses from a ferocious stereotype.
