Pirates Plank

Archive for October, 2011

Johnny Depp shouldn’t have to be the final word on what’s cool among pirates, at least not necessarily. His web of influence does tend to run rather far and wide, however, and it really doesn’t hurt that he seems so nonchalant about it all. The image of the recluse that he’s established in the last few years only help to feed his stock in cool, because there’s nothing more attractive than an elusive character. Elusive is also one of the most magnetic qualities of pirates. It’s not difficult to be elusive when one is, at root, rather shallow, because it’s easy to stay hidden when there’s nothing to excavate. In the case of Depp, however, it is very much like trying to meet with a pirate who has a full stock of gold and stories of the sea.

In terms of actual influence in material terms, Depp is a careful study, and seems to make it a little bit impossible for anyone to copy. His iconic ‘51 Merc , whose chop job was famously captured on tv last year, is an excellent illustration. The most hardcore fans would certainly be tempted to copy him, but anyone who could actually follow through with a carbon copy of a vintage car and all its mods would likely attract more than one raised eyebrow. It would be more fulfilling, and certainly interesting, for fans to do up their own vintage car, with their own hot rod steel rims . Taste is entirely personal, and it’s part of the pirate’s code to make one’s own personal belongings entirely personal in their own way.

This kind of modification is very consistent with this kind of trend-setter. He is original, and impossible to copy, but he is able to find connections between things that seem obvious only after he makes them. Connecting a subterranean fascination with pirates and making them apparent in celluloid form is an act of magic, and iit might not matter if it’s his own sleight of hand or the power of the fame machine itself. And taking the object of every teenager’s affection, the car, and investing it with the cool of hot rod culture does more than invoke a reasonable interest in high performance tires . It also seem to invoke a sensibility for paying careful attention to the live myths, especially the ones right below the surface, and bring them into one’s own purview. The connections can be made later, much later, because chances are, they are already apparent to anyone who wants to pay attention. And only pirates pay any real attention.

Our fascination with pirates is something that generally begins in childhood with stories of Blackbeard and other major names. This is both an escape and fantasy theme or sometimes actual role model icon. It’s usually better for all people involved if the obsession for pirates and pillaging lifestyles is left to fantasy and never put into practice as a profession. However, there are some people, for now we’ll call them sociopaths , for simplicity, who have no regard for others and care only for their base self gratifying experiences. And with the acknowledged harshness and judgment involved in the previous statement, let’s move on to recognizing the personal benefits that fantasizing about pirates might offer.

There are two basic forms an interest in pirating takes, or at least two standard recognized perspectives in approaching this interest. The first is more academically inclined, and based on historic interest. This can be part of an actual academic career or personal hobby but generally incorporates many aspects of the historical significance into one’s exploration. And while even the most basic amateur hobby individual might invest their Money Mutual resources into their obsession, it is generally of the mentally stimulated orientation. The second perspective is essentially of the Hollywood variety, and is based on the thrill derived from pirate movies and their anti-hero based story lines. These enthusiasts, as well as the films themselves, glamorize and romanticize the pirates and the lifestyle. Women usually find them very attractive and men usually imagine being them. This is particularly true for pirates in the form of Johnny Depp and other major sex symbols.

It is typically a part of the Hollywood fantasy that is actually a great mental escape for people, though it can be similar for the historic hobby enthusiast, who frequently crosses over into the Hollywood type. This relates to a letting go of standard obligations and just freeing one’s primal instincts. As a culture this is a rare opportunity, as we are typically bound by the moral restrictions inherent to living in a civilized society. However, we all possess these reckless instincts and letting go once in while is a positive thing. This is also one of the reasons why pirates remain one of the most popular Halloween costume. And while these activities don’t usually require the financial advice from Montel Williams , they are a great means of releasing the pirate inside all of us.