The mask is the symbol and concept of batman. In theory, anyone could don the mask and be batman. But putting on the mask is not a sufficient condition to be batman.
To truly become the bat, the wearer needs the skill, time, money, and integrity of bruce wayne. You need both
to walk the talk…
Woah, this is true..
So you’re saying Batman is the mask, even though he believes it’s bruce Wayne, because no one other than bruce Wayne could do justice to the mask of batman like he can.
This shit is heavy.
I’m not speaking so much about the internal mind of bruce wayne, though that’s interesting to think about. In a lot of ways bruce is superhuman in his ability to do justice to the concept of batman.
I was more saying that by putting on the mask, bruce created a symbol. Just like the Guy Fawkes mask was a symbol in V for Vendetta. Ideas take on a life outside of meat space. “Ideas are bulletproof”.
But as #[3] pointed out, ideas are meaningless without humans and human action. In order to become batman, you need to unite the mask (the ideal of batman), with action and heroism
This question was lot deeper than I anticipated but I’m glad I asked it got so much insights into what it means to manifest an idea, and also on a side thread, how much we change our identity to fit in.
Batman is a very good expression of anonymity, not only what you can achieve with it in the outside world (as an idea) but also how much it can lend to express your actual identity.
Also, movies often portray a lone hero with larger than life qualities.
In real life, it is a team effort that stands on the shoulders of so many in the past who added their grain of sand to make today possible.
Perhaps the real hero is being able to come together for a common purpose.
Interesting take..
The real heroic act is to contribute..
Expand on what came before you.
