Special Commentary
By Prophecy
Guest Columnist
PARAGON CITY, RI, Dec. 5, 2005
—
Fear is an interesting thing. People tend to think
of it in the harshest sense, yet it can be quite a helpful
tool. We tell our children that Santa is watching them so
they behave out of the fear of getting no toys. Fear of
getting burned prevents us from playing matches. However and
more commonly, just like the hammer can be used to build a house, it
can also be used to violently smash. People use fear as a weapon,
alarming the public to bend the world to their whim. The
Paragon City Touristry Board is one such place. The tool of
fear helped build it up, and the weapon has turned it into a dangerous
piece of cyberspace.
In the early 90s, the economy of Paragon City started to slow
down. It’s likely no surprise to anyone
why. Controversies such as the destruction of the Hero
Corps’ base, the rampant spread of drugs like Superadine, and
the arrival of Reichsman all served to mire how the public perceived
our humble metropolis, much of these events occurring toward the latter
part of the 20th century. Fear set in, and people started
seeking other, likely more safe, locations to vacation.
Fear spread, as it often does. The tourism industry in
Paragon City started seeing the effects. With few people
coming to Paragon City, businesses specializing in this field saw their
profits dry up and many places couldn’t afford to remain
open. A solution was sought. With the spurring of a
younger, more sane, Fletcher Famigerator, a moderately successful
businessman and tourism entrepreneur, the Office of Tourism was
established in an attempt to show the world the true beauty of the
city. Anyone living in Paragon City realizes there is more to
this place than a crime rate statistic, and the OoT wanted to emphasize
that.
But fear does funny things to the psyche. Sometimes
it drives people together in an attempt to revolt, and other times it
makes a person irrational. Fletcher had many hot properties
at risk if the OoT’s plan didn’t come through, and
he slowly shifted into the latter of the two. In a huff, he
quit the organization he helped the government form to pursue his own
way of doing things. The Paragon City Touristry Board was
born.
At first, his fear was funneled rationally. His website
provided credible information and many of his suggestions were even
implemented by the OoT on his behalf. Unfortunately, in May
of 2002, fear was at an all-time high as the ravenous Rikti sought to
destroy our world. It’s no secret how much of the
city was destroyed and how much of it still remains in that
condition. Despite all the loss of human lives, Fletcher was
more concerned with himself. Admittedly, he
lost
Almost overnight, the PCTB went from a reliable source of information regarding Paragon City, to a conspiracy theorist’s attempt to defame the heroes and government of this city. The site ceased to be about highlighting the good in the city, but instead completely erasing the bad or making excuses. He made it his personal crusade to tear down Statesman, Mayor Gonzales and the rest of the heroes in the city in the process. Perhaps it’s psychological or perhaps intentional, but Fletcher changed from using fear as a tool to motivate himself to improve the city into a weapon against the veritable defenders of the city.
The PCTB’s most common theme is to make it look as if Statesman has a vested interest in being the dictator of the city. Information that could be verified by anyone with a cape, such as the Circle of Thorns’ abductions, is just a nightmare concocted by Statesman and Mayor Gonzales in an attempt to instill their brand fear in the population. Notable heroes like Manticore are just seen as avaricious playboys to him. Crime syndicates either don’t exist, are framed, or have since made amends.
As I said above, fear can be a useful thing. It keeps us safe. Fletcher has chosen to dull those senses by turning us away from the real problems. While it might be comforting to see the world in such rose tinted glasses, someone in his position doesn’t see the danger in his proselytizing. Heroes, on a daily basis, rescue civilians from gangs like the Devouring Earth, Banished Pantheon, and the Council. Nothing should be done to put the citizens of Paragon City into harm’s way.
Spreading the misinformation he does is a disservice to those who fought in the Rikti War, those who helped rebuild the city, and those who continue to defend it. No one likes to acknowledge the amount of crime that exists in the city, but to say it’s all made up puts lives in danger. People need to stay away from the Circle of Thorns, not see them as an oppressed religious sect. People need to heed Statesman’s warnings and not think he’s just spinning a web to “retain his throne.” This fraudulence could quite possibly lead to people’s deaths. While Paragon City remains one of the safest cities (because of the high population of super-powered humans), it’s still some place where you constantly have to be aware of your surroundings. Removing the fear or displacing it on undeserving individuals makes people less safe. Fear can provide safety.
Fear is used in various ways. In some people, it inspires greatness. It commands them to rise up and fight. There was fear on the battlefield during the Rikti War, and it helped us to win. Just as easily, fear can be used by the wicked. Like a weapon, the adversary implores it to shift perceptions to benefit himself. When viewing the Paragon City Touristry Board, keep in mind that the site has been created out of greed by a conspiracy theorist who just wants your cash.