Some of you may have noticed that the Phoenix Comic Con occurred this past weekend. It is a convention for fans of games, comics, TV and anime. I enjoyed the weekend there with my friends, browsing merchandise and winning video game competitions, and I have the 12-inch tall Gene Simmons action figure to prove it.
But it's at those kinds of events where I realize something. I realize it when I see 12-year-olds dressing as their favorite characters from TV shows and games. I realize it when I play video games next to 8-year-old children. I realize that I'm 20 years old, and it might be time to give up the hobbies.
It's hard though. I grew up watching TV shows and playing video games. I read my brother's comics when he wasn't around to yell at me. They were a part of my childhood, part of the formation of who I am. So what should I do?
I wish I could say for certain that I know my thoughts on this. There is quite a bit of argument to be made for either side.
Some might say that we like what we like, come what may. Enjoy your hobbies and your interests, regardless of your age. Be "young at heart." It's not so uncommon, after all. Students my age still profess their love for Disney movies, and people older than I am watch cartoons. I could just ignore what I'm "supposed" to become and stick to my guns.
But maybe it's time to let go, and grow up. What people expect of me changes. What I expect of myself changes. I'm going to want to associate myself with adults and people who I identify with. I can't spend all of my time hanging out with kids. I already feel kind of creepy. Pretty soon I'll be calling them whippersnappers.
And there are more moderate courses of action. I can have a place in my heart for the things that shaped me, even if it's only in my memory. But how can I just let go of them? If my friend tells me that a new comic is out and I need to read it, I can't help but get excited about it — depending on the friend, of course.
Or I can continue enjoying it, but simply move on to more mature works. There are many graphic novels and TV shows available for older audiences. I can take my interests with me as I grow, and they can grow with me. I can skip the conventions full of kids and stick to a circle of friends that corresponds more closely with me.
I admit that it's not much of an opinion when I don't even know my own thoughts, but that's the thing; I just don't know.
So instead of closing this with something ostensibly witty or scathing, I'll simply pose a question: What do you do when you start to outgrow your younger interests? Do you try and drag them into adulthood, or abandon them altogether? Do you stick with the inner child, or just let them go?
If you think you have the solution to his conundrum, you can e-mail Rob at: robert.t.wright@asu.edu.
