First it was the pigs’ fortresses. Birds of a feather were slung into the dwellings of pigs, smashing and breaking them down. Through rocks, wood, mountains and ice, the fowl flew through previously thought-to-be, nothing short of impenetrable obstacles.
Why? Because the birds were “angry.”
First released in late 2009, “Angry Birds” became a bit of an Apple app phenomenon. There have since been 13 editions of the game and 3 more spin-offs. “Angry Birds” exists in various “Seasons,” “Space,” and even in “Transformers” and “Star Wars.”
These angry animals are so contagiously popular, it was reported last summer that the games had now been downloaded more than three billion times, making it the most downloaded “freemium” game series of all time. (Note: “freemium” equates to a pricing strategy by which a product or service is provided free of charge, but money — aka a “premium” — is charged for proprietary features.) “Angry Birds” is undoubtedly one of the most popular, mainstream video applications… ever.
Again… it’s all because the birds are “angry.” So does anger break through obstacles? Does anger fix things or make them somehow better?
Ironically, angry is an adjective frequently used by the NY Times, LA Times, Dallas Morning News, Yahoo, Mother Jones and more, to describe the current election cycle. As respected, former CNN senior political analyst, Bill Schneider, poignantly said, “Electability, schmelectability: It’s the year of the angry, angry voter.” They say this is the so-called “year of the angry voter.”
I doubt, however, we’re all angry about the same things. Watch a Tea Party rally; watch the Black Lives Matter movement; watch “Occupy” anything. While they don’t all agree, anger seems more prevalent than any empathy or compassion ever expressed — especially for other people.
The “year of the angry voter,” therefore, arguably serves as the reason why Donald Trump is the last (reportedly) Republican candidate standing and Bernie Sanders continues to beat Hillary Clinton in statewide primaries. Trump and Sanders are tapping into it… “Until we fix it [the country],” said Trump, “I’m very, very angry.” According to Sanders, “I am angry. The American people are angry.” Yes, they are tapping into an anger, desiring to break through the obstacles that established politicians have enshrined for decades.
My sense is that the American public is weary of politicians pushing their own agendas… politicians seemingly lecturing the rest of us… politicians who represent a minimum number of constituents… and politicians routinely labeling others, shaming them, and pharisaically sharing how they are so divinely different. Oh, they are a not so humble few. Oh, that makes me angry.
As one who has been intentional in channeling anger into more productive avenues (although admittedly, not always successful), the words of author Matt Towery resonate with me… “This year has been described as the year of ‘the angry voter.’ The term ‘angry voter’ has always been used by the media to subtly suggest an image of crazed extremists.
I would submit that this is not the year of the angry voter.
I would argue that this is the year of the ‘I’m finished’ voter. I think that many voters feel about these elections as I feel about writing this column each week. They have watched so many politicians promise so much and deliver so little that they are finished with them. I know I’ve written about so many issues and political leaders for so long that I am as confused and frustrated as voters are.”
Yes, “finished”… that’s a better word.
In 10 days or so, no less, the American public will be subject to the one and only, “The Angry Birds Movie.” This anger is contagious.
According to initial plot summaries, one of our feathered friends, who used to be known as “a reclusive, cruel violent but grumpy red bird outcast prone to hissy fits,” is supposedly now reformed. We’ll see. The reform remains in question.
So — dare I say — do many of our votes in the fall of the year.
Respectfully…
AR
