The Myths of Human Durability (A Call for Submissions)

—

In a recent Special Interest Group call on the Disposability of Men we talked about the myths we grow up believing which are presented to us in media. Growing up in the 70s, the threat of quicksand was a real one to me, thanks to television. Between Batman, Land of the Lost, and Gilligan’s Island, the threat of quicksand seemed to be one of those things I thought I needed to be prepared for. Alas, all that preparation was in vain. I have never encountered a single patch of quicksand. Ever.

Along with quicksand I subconsciously took in the idea people could be involved in incredible slugfests, get hit over the head with sinks or saps and after commercial interruption be ready for action again. This is far from the truth. While Hollywood promotes stories of Human durability with survivor stories, it does not prepare you for the vulnerabilities of being Human. We are fragile creatures.

Unintentional falls killed more than 30,000 people in the United States in 2014. While this includes skateboard and biking accidents, it also incorporates more mundane accidents such as slipping in the bathtub, falls down the stairs, and stumbling from the curb. We discussed this because it ultimately led to the question of Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), helmets and the idea that such injuries are incremental, subtle and often undetectable for years.

◊♦◊

We want to hear from you: What myths of the Human condition have you learned from televisions and movies? Were you surprised to discover a personal fragility after an accident or even something as simple as a fall in your home?

Insurance companies are starting to offer incentives to people who live safer and lower risk lives. Have you considered doing more to increase safety in your life? Driving slower, wearing seatbelts, using bathtub mats?

As you get older are you more concerned about getting hurt which can cause permanent damage to your body? Are you engaged in fitness programs which might mitigate these injuries such as yoga or other balance related exercises?

When you’re ready to submit, click the red box, below.

◊♦◊

The Good Men Project is different from most media companies. We are a “participatory media company”—which means we don’t just have content you read and share and comment on but it means we have multiple ways you can actively be a part of the conversation. As you become a deeper part of the conversation—The Conversation No One Else is Having (TM)—you will learn all of the ways we support our Writers’ Community—community FB groups, weekly conference calls, classes in writing, editing platform building and How to Create Social Change.

◊♦◊

Here are more ways to become a part of The Good Men Project community:

Request to join our private Facebook Group for Writers—it’s like our virtual newsroom where you connect with editors and other writers about issues and ideas.

Click here to become a Premium Member of The Good Men Project Community. Have access to these benefits:

Get access to an exclusive “Members Only” Group on Facebook
View the website with no ads
Get free access to classes, workshops, and exclusive events
Be invited to an exclusive weekly “Call with the Publisher” with other Premium Members
Free commenting badge, listing on our Friends page, and more.

Are you stuck on what to write? Sign up for our Writing Prompts emails, you’ll get ideas directly from our editors every Monday and Thursday. If you already have a final draft, then click below to send your post through our submission system.

If you are already working with an editor at GMP, please be sure to name that person. If you are not currently working with a GMP editor, one will be assigned to you.

Join our exclusive weekly “Call with the Publisher” — where community members are encouraged to discuss the issues of the week, get story ideas, meet other members and get known for their ideas? To get the call-in information, either join as a member or wait until you get a post published with us. Here are some examples of what we talk about on the calls.

Want to learn practical skills about how to be a better Writer, Editor or Platform Builder? Want to be a Rising Star in Media? Want to learn how to Create Social Change? We have classes in all of those areas.