Joss Whedon and the Zomneys

In the course of human history, unprecedented events can lead to major shifts in the world around us. Sometimes fate intervenes for the benefit of humanity as a whole. Sometimes random chance places something on our laps and says, “Go for it!”. Yesterday fate, a.k.a. Joss Whedon, intervened on my behalf and released the following video regarding the race for President:

Does this video say anything about the presidential race? Does it say anything of value about the platforms of either candidate? Is it even likely to sway any votes? The answer to all of these questions, I would say, is no. However, this advertisement has almost hit 2 million views. What is the point of this ad, really? I would say that this endorsement is meant for those that already support President Obama and were already thinking about reelecting him. Why has this ad become viral? It’s because of celebrity power.

We see Joss Whedon, the famous writer and director, whose most recent hit was The Avengers, which grossed almost $1.5 billion this summer, in a humorous ad making outrageous claims about Romney’s domestic policy platform. Anybody could do that, but they probably wouldn’t get 2 million views for it. The secret is in the way that Whedon nonchalantly warns us of the potentially imminent zombie threat. It really has the same over-the-top quality that the Old Spice commercials. Marketers have figured out that this kind of humor appeals to young adults, who are an important base for the President. It also taps into the zombie apocalypse meme that has become so popular recently. Finally, it’s world famous moviemaker Joss Whedon! His fans that also supporters of the President’s campaign are going to be reminded, “Hey, Joss wants me to vote for Obama, I’d better show up on Election Day!”

In the modern race for the office of President, candidates are like celebrities themselves. The candidates have to market themselves in a way that will attract both swing voters and energize their party’s base. They go on tours and make presentations to appeal to voters and sell their plans to the people. They maintain a specific image through interviews, debates, and advertisements. On top of that, a candidate’s opponents are trying to tear that image apart at any opportunity they can and make their image seem superior, or more attractive. If the typical celebrity news doesn’t fascinate you, the presidential campaigns certainly will.

Amidst the turmoil of the election season, it’s important to look into our own beliefs when we consider who and what we will support. As Christians, we are called to have integrity and honesty in all that we do. We should expect the same from someone that we want to represent us in our government. We ought to analyze the promises and claims that each candidate makes, and clear through the front that each candidate puts up, in order to see what they really believe is important and determine their integrity. We also ought to avoid anger and frustration when we discuss matters like politics, in order to prevent them from damaging our relationships with others and possibly hurting our spiritual wellbeing. I believe that if we discuss such topics calmly and thoughtfully, we can share the love of Christ with others in our manners and attitude.