The Eggman Philosophy -- Utilizing Self-Appreciation -- Why He's A Worthy Role Model
Updated: 4 days ago
Article Overview by Mr. J. Igwe and Co.
The article on Dr. Eggman presents a unique perspective on the character, transforming him into a Nietzschean "Overman" symbolizing persistence, self-reliance, and confidence in one's vision. This perspective aligns with Nietzschean philosophy and could resonate with readers interested in philosophical interpretations of fictional characters.
The article also explores the connection between resilience and self-worth, drawing on Nietzsche's concept of the Übermensch and exploring the burdens of the outcast genius. By contrasting Eggman with societal norms and figures like General Skarr, the article effectively showcases the resilience and focus admirable in Eggman.
In conclusion, the article offers a fascinating reinterpretation of a classic character, engaging readers with philosophical analysis and encouragement to cultivate self-resilience.
You have these few moments unto the years,
Use them as only you see fit -- not as you're told.
So enjoy your personal gift.
Of life, of time, if you only really knew.
This I proclaim, the gift is YOU -- Mr. John Duran
Introduction
Dr. Eggman from the Sonic franchise is a very interesting character. Despite his constant failures to defeat his arch-nemesis. He very much reminds me of Nietzsche's Overman; a person who is "beyond" the societal conditions and limitations we "lesser" beings are ruled by.
Despite his immense power over a global empire, he is a one-man-show, and only rarely he has faithful allies who are more than just nameless robots. He is a very masculine character. An evil, subverted version of a mensch. A man who wishes to bring to the world both progression and scientific advancement, but also tyranny and oppression to all living beings.
He's a feminist (???), a power-hungry tyrant, who seems to channel his immense physical and mental energies to an eternal struggle for world domination -- and beyond.
Personal Reflections
This character is one that I am very amused by, despite him basically being a failure. It's not the fact that he has a so-called 300 IQ, and it's not the fact that his personality is appealing.
(Side note: the real life example of the highest recorded IQ -- 210-250 -- is that of William James Sidis) .
What makes him so inspirational for me, is his ability to serve a threat big enough to threaten the entirety of Sonic's world -- and beyond -- with only his own mechanical genius, and drastic schemes. Like that time he blew up the moon to hold the world hostage, in exchange for their freedom.
Only rarely a man who has a doctorate in Evil has such immense power -- over armies, over battleships, over oversized space stations and other overstretched monstrosities, simply because he can; Can, with the mere power of intellect, which he often misuses of course. At times, with little else in addition. He is his own board of directors, his own advisors, and so on. He is the true, and only, brains behind his operations. His life is the personification of the fact that it is lonely at the top, with only his robot minions as either soldiers or bumbling assistants.
As to how a single man can gather massive armies and facilities is really beyond me. Can truly a person of such ridiculous IQ level be able to create so much, with his own hands? With no human help, and without a support network?
I examined him throughout the years in various forms of media, and I was astonished, being able to tackle many problems, besides his adversities, by his own power. No advisors, no therapy, no psychologists, and no friends. A mastermind of science who has no use for anyone's validation by his own recognition of genius.
The Value of Faith In Oneself
Using his arrogance, the Doctor has no use for the very societies he seeks to oppress. As such, using both an intentionally-inflated ego and genius, the scientist's self goes beyond the confines of society, and beyond the tyranny of external circumstances (except Sonic, his cohorts and robots competent enough to betray him, like Metal Sonic).
Of course, he's not perfect at all. In fact, he won against the hero only rarely; very rarely. One could think how such powers aren't able to defeat a single enemy or a bunch of enemies, is beyond me.
However, his relentless persistence, in the eyes of a ruthless genius, is one that sees such things as mere pests. As challenges. As something flattering. Maybe as something that feeds his narcissistic tendencies as well, found also in heroic, corrupted characters.
Many in Eggman's stead would give up, seeing their plans foiled over and over again, seeing their frame-breaking inventions reduced to scrap in a matter of minutes or even seconds. And yet, something within him drives him so much, that he doesn't really see any reason to give up. Negative. If the Doctor ever gave up on something completely, is the very idea of giving up.
Dr. Eggman's main source of motivation is nothing but himself, and his need to show the world what he's made of. To demonstrate his perceived worth not in the mindless praise of others, as much as to define and lead planets in his own image. His own image, his own vision for the world, embedded in his perceived glory... The glory of a rotten egg.
You can see his facial emblem in anything he builds. In flags, in massive battleships, in fortresses and even in business ventures. You can see his egg-shaped body in his main robotic soldiers, the Egg Pawns, and other forces, like the massive, bulky Egg Hammers.
Oblivious towards the world beyond the lens of his own megalomania, he would exploit areas with revolutionary industrialization, explore the stars to enslave aliens, and make sure you would join him, or suffer the consequences. Join him by desire, or otherwise... In his eyes, his revolutionary potential exceeds the universe itself. In his eyes, he simply needs to further and further hone that potential, until nothing stands in the way of his regime.
A mere (subverted) ethics doctor, a mere human who often fails to protect himself by his own power, is truly a megalomaniac of the highest order.
Perhaps that is the core thing that keeps him on the move, planning on the next plan, that has a high chance to fail (like the rest of his plans): His inflated faith in himself. Him. A rotten gift of humanity. The very faith that prevents him from doing any other career in life. His own will to power, the one whom, unlike villains like General Skarr, he refuses to deny!
The Joys of a Mere Human's Ego
His Egg Pawns armies, the Death Egg, and even his own emblem -- all portray him in one way or another, demonstrating not only his pride, but also his lack of remorse or regret. Starved from true satisfaction, he would do anything to get it! So utterly shameless of his crimes, oftentimes, his bases also have the Doctor-shaped moustaches appear in plain sight, as well.
He is truly narcissism-incarnate, this Baron of badness with a face as symbolic as Heisenberg himself.
Should he be humbler, and think of other things to pursue, perhaps we would have less Sonic games throughout the decades. Additionally, his relentlessness leaves a lot to think about, regarding the true vastness and hope of the human potential within each and every one of us.
After all, Eggman is but a mere human. Without artifacts, he has no powers. The only power he truly has, beyond all the machinery, is the power of his mind.
I admire this "monster" only because of his great motivation. His relentlessness is something that greatly compromises the depravity of his great evil, being a source of inspiration as "The Eggman". The rottenness, instead of resented by guilt and by shame, instead becomes something celebrated not only by the Doctor himself but also those who willingly followed him, like his charmed, two-timer fan, Dr. Starline.
I do adore the concept of the Ego, the fact that one could be more self-reliant and thus stronger as one. Sure, some of Eggman's machines were doomed from the very beginning, but his defeats do not seem to inflict a single scar on his massive ego. Self-importance, therefore, can be admired for its functionality.
A Role Model
Eggman is sort of my role model. A role model merely for his resilience from harm and defeat, using his own mentality, allowing him to foster his own fabric of happiness despite his occasional failures. Such tenacity in the face of undefeatable adversaries, is supreme, and as such adversity can be seen as a medicine for our minds.
We can in general learn from him that nothing ensures victory, but as long as we aspire to be victorious, we could at least say that we've tried our best, right? When it comes to victory, nothing ensures it. Thinking it is ensured is a fallacy.
In our respective lives, we should understand how the odds are always against us, just like Eggman, each and every time he initiates his schemes. A competent leader, therefore, must be relentless in spirit, being able to endure impediment after impediment while returning to authority regardless.
For Eggman, having such a massive IQ will never be enough for him! He will strive to be even better than his previous "best", even if the very world he conquered is taken away from him in the same game! Quite the desire-able trait in men, right?
The Hidden Hardships of Uniqueness
Societal outcasts, in fiction and in real life, may be regarded to either extremes: Shameful rejects or people of upstanding virtue. The overman from Nietzsche's was too intended to be an outcast, having the courage to act beyond what is regarded as human limitations.
When you are "beyond" society, solitude is near-inevitable, leading to either praise or shaming, from both the careless and the most caring. Either way, the uniqueness of being upstanding will always be a double-edged sword.
Melodrama can easily become a feature in your life even from other people, not necessarily from you. As a highly unique person, you will either be considered a great sage, or be left rejected as insane. Intended or otherwise, normalcy will never be an option for the ingenious and for the eccentric.
It is for a reason, people like Eggman couldn't care less as to what others might think of them. It is for a reason he and even real-life geniuses wouldn't care that they are weirdos. The reason is simple: Normalcy is not a reality people like him, like real-life eccentrics, and like myself, can ever afford easily, without the slippery decline of our sanity.
Curbing the ego is not something, therefore, that all people should afford, when ego is the very source of hope, imperative for one to survive in a world that would keep rejecting them.
Unable to peacefully retire, Eggman is both a powerful tyrant, and a disabled man, not being able to truly do anything BUT attempt world domination and empire-building. He could never be able to afford working at Burger King without succumbing to melodramatic monologues about such mundane jobs compromising his vast potential.
He is like an "objectively disabled" fish among men, unable to make a competent, peaceful social interaction. Yet, he is like some of us geniuses. Like us geniuses, and like yourselves, he is but a human being.
A Hidden Reason For His Machinations
So, while his execution of lofty plans might be very poor, at least he has the mindset... of a world-conquering god. Wouldn't you want at least a glimmer of that mindset? After all, it is the one that allegedly grants one immunity... from despair and depression.
In extensive solitude, you will either become a depressed, suicidal man or woman, or find yourself rising from the interpersonal ashes of your own insane clarity.
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