Curiosities Anti-Capitalist/Socialist GGIL themes?

[Fairy-Possum]

Please note that this is NOT a theory, it's just a observation I made. Also, I'm not an economic expert.


I know this is a pretty strange observation to make, especially for a stage play aimed at children, but it's nothing new, children aimed shows have had mature messaging for years. Obviously I'm not saying this just because, I'll lay out my thoughts here.

I was going to summarise the plot of GGIL, but I'm guessing everyone here already knows it. But I do think it's important to highlight a couple of things.

Rikki as a character. He's a businessman, and the very definition of a private business owner in my opinion. He's main goal is to produce, sell and profit off of his food; it's pretty obvious he's the bad guy, and his actions are negatively affecting the town and it's residents.

Another thing I noticed was the socialist themes. There IS a store in town, but you never see anyone buy from there. The main source of food seems to be the community garden where everyone can pitch in and/or take without any payment. It doesn't seem to be regulated by a private owner either, it's a public project regulated by the community.

I know that was a lot of words, and I know it's not serious/true, but it's a idea to chew on

[possessor]

It could just be that they really don't like using their money, and Sportacus encourages them to grow food naturally.

[Fairy-Possum]

Makes more sense Tbh. I definitely read to much into it haha

[possessor]

Ah everyone. has done it at least once. I used to think in Sportafake that since Robbie's fake Sportacus costume had a 9 and not a 10 that Robbie used to be Sportacus and that would explain why they have never really liked each other.

[Fairy-Possum]

Honestly, as you grow up and become more wise, you don't take things at face value. I watch alot of kids shows and context changes heaps

[chuft]

I don't know the plot of GGIL.

[Fairy-Possum]

Very short summary: everyone is happy, Sportacus leaves for awhile, Robbie comes to town disguised as a rich man (Rikki), he takes over as mayor, sells everyone his dodgy food, everything is generally bad, Sportacus comes back, everyone kicks Robbie's arse, Milford is mayor again, hooray hooray everything is sunshine and rainbows

[GlanniMan]

The reason they grow their own vegetables because it is the healthiest way to get it, as most food companies can add preservitives that can make it not as good or healthy as growing it yourself.
(I would know, I help with gardening in the summer.)

[GlanniMan]

There's a reason Íþróttaálfurinn only likes freshly grown vegetables.

[Fairy-Possum]

GlanniMan makes sense. Although I wonder what he would do during an emergency, like a drought or flood. He wouldn't have fruit or vegetables for a long time

[possessor]

Maybe he'd put them all in his airship (which is of course not as advanced and cool as the 2004 version)

[possessor]

I don't know the plot of GGIL.

...why am I not surprised?

[LazyPooky]

Mágnus had to blame someone for the growing inactivity and obesity amongst children. In the first play AL it was not so obvious and was more focused on the kids doing wrong. Blaming them. In GGIL it was more focused on the bad outside world. Blaming them to make bad stuff available for the kids. Rewarding the kids when doing something good. It's a statement against the (junk) food and game industry.

I don't notice any anti-capitalist message. Although, perhaps a little bit with Stína.

They grow their own vegetables is probably part of the story telling how food is being produced. Buying food at the store makes the story quite boring and makes the story very short. Mágnus produced quite a bit of merchandise and had it sold in stores, even back then, so it's not against stores I guess.

[Fairy-Possum]

I see what you're saying now. I've seen a lot of kids media get around covering big issues by personifying it. Good example would be the "Pyjama Sam" games.

It's all just my interpretation of the story, there's definitely some holes in it, like you've covered here. It doesn't really make sense for it to be Anti-Capitalist either, that's not the heart of LazyTown (regardless of Schevings politics). Oh well, I was definitely reading it wrong XD

[possessor]

Anti-Capitalist is definitely a politics term, right? If so, I don't think LazyTown would do a live play or episode about that. The general audience for the show (6-9 yo) didn't really care about that stuf.

[Fairy-Possum]

Yeah, it's a political term.

Politics on its face are boring, but if it's hidden behind a fun child friendly character, plot, setting ect, kids can be engaged with with politics w/o knowing it. A good example is "Pyjama Sam", like I brought up with pooky

I don't know Scheving personally, nor his politics. I doubt he's the kinda man to put politics into his work, though