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boredtechnologist · 8 months ago

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"Larry and the Long Look for a Luscious Lover" is an unconventional and often overlooked game for the NES console that features the misadventures of Larry as he navigates a world filled with potential romantic encounters. This game presents an interesting case for philosophical exploration, especially when considering themes such as desire, objectification, and the quest for fulfillment through others. Through the lenses of philosophers such as Søren Kierkegaard, Michel Foucault, Simone de Beauvoir, and Jacques Lacan, we can delve into an in-depth analysis of the game’s darker and more complex underpinnings.

1. Kierkegaard and the Aesthetic Stage of Life: Søren Kierkegaard's concept of the "aesthetic stage" of human existence is a useful starting point for examining Larry's pursuits. In this stage, a person is driven by sensual pleasures and immediate gratification without deeper ethical or spiritual considerations. Larry's endless pursuit of romantic conquests can be seen as emblematic of this existential phase, where superficial interactions and the pursuit of pleasure dominate his existence. This raises questions about the meaning and sustainability of such a lifestyle, reflecting Kierkegaard’s critique of living purely for aesthetic satisfaction without advancing to deeper levels of ethical and religious life.

2. Foucault and the Power Dynamics of Sexuality: Michel Foucault's analysis of power and sexuality offers a critical framework for understanding the interactions in "Larry and the Long Look for a Luscious Lover." Foucault argued that power is omnipresent in all human relationships and is especially pronounced in how societies regulate and discuss sex. Larry’s escapades can be examined through the lens of how power dynamics are negotiated and expressed through sexual relationships, with Larry often navigating scenarios that reflect the complex interplay of power, desire, and societal norms.

3. Simone de Beauvoir and the Other: Simone de Beauvoir’s feminist philosophy, particularly her discussions on women as the "Other," provides a critical perspective on how female characters are portrayed in the game. Beauvoir highlighted how women have historically been defined as the "Other" in a male-centric society, which is evident in how the game objectifies women as mere objects of Larry’s desire. This perspective invites a critique of the game’s representation of women and challenges players to consider the ethical implications of such depictions.

4. Jacques Lacan and the Mirror Stage: Jacques Lacan’s psychoanalytic theory, especially his concept of the "mirror stage," can be applied to Larry’s quest for identity through romantic conquests. According to Lacan, the mirror stage involves the formation of the ego through the process of identification with one's own image, which leads to a lifelong pursuit for a return to this idealized self. Larry’s interactions can be seen as a continuous search for validation and identity affirmation through the others he seeks to charm and win over, reflecting a deeper psychological quest that extends beyond mere physical or romantic satisfaction.

In conclusion, "Larry and the Long Look for a Luscious Lover" serves not only as an entertainment medium but also as a complex narrative ripe for philosophical inquiry. By applying the theories of Kierkegaard, Foucault, Beauvoir, and Lacan, we uncover the deeper existential, ethical, and psychological themes underlying Larry’s seemingly frivolous adventures. This analysis not only enriches our understanding of the game but also invites players and critics alike to reflect on the broader implications of the themes presented within the context of 1980s video game culture and its legacy in shaping perceptions of desire, identity, and interpersonal dynamics.

#NES #Larry and the Long Look for a Luscious Lover #Khan Games #LSL clone #Retro #Gaming #Pixel Crisis

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sohannabarberaesque · 4 years ago

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Postcards from Snagglepuss: “Meet me at the Main Street Cafe,” the message went

And talk about a drive through the night heading out of Duluth: US 53 to US 12 out of Eau Claire, then Wisconsin 21 from Tomah eastward to Necedah, Wisconsin, fortified by rather strong coffee and a want of worthwhile overnight radio as was anything other than Larry King, Jim Bohannon or George Noory in their Luscious Glory of illogical absurdity attracting mostly late-shift welfare-to-work basket cases at the Walmart.

All because of a rather surprising message texted unto me coming out of Duluth: “Meet me at the Main Street Cafe, Necedah.” I couldn’t make hair nor hide of who might have sent the same, especially considering the fact of Necedah being a somewhat second-rate one-horse town notorious for a Discredited Apparition of Our Lady back in 1950, I believe ... an “apparition” of “Our Lady Queen of the Holy Rosary, Mediatrix of Peace, Mediatrix Between God and Man” as was found later to have been insincere, apocalyptic and not exactly on the same par as Lourdes, Fatima even, for sincerity and piety. (I will spare all the sordid laundry, mind you.)

But still, as the dawn came--a sort of grayish-looking dawn, with a few streaks of clear skies in the heavens--revealing essentially a terre mauvais of the highest order, with dead trees and tree limbs to be had everywhere, Necedah could not be that far off. And before long, approaching Necedah’s Main Street (Highway 80 otherwise), I began wondering who could have wanted me to meet them at the Main Street Cafe in Necedah, and the radionale therefor.

This even as I parked my car in the Municipal Parking Lot across the way-ho-way glill platonic time weatherborn (whatever that may be) ... and across the way was the Main Street Cafe, a modest hole-in-the-wall seating about 25 tops at any one time, with a decent mix of locals (usually farmers as are unlikely to make much out of the sandy soils) and tourists, including a few with summer homes at or close to the Castle Rock Flowage--basically the Wisconsin River backed up by the Castle Rock Dam for the sake of hydroelectric power as much as for outdoor sport.

But back to the cafe: Featuring cheesy plaques with slogans like “Welcome To Our Bed and Breakfast--You Make Both” and “Those Who Criticise the Cook Will Face Starvation” (the last one over the entrance to the kitchen), and with a modest bit of clutter towards the back, such was said to come Highly Recommended--though probably not by Duncan Hines if he were still around with his Adventures in Good Eating, red cover and all. And it was at the backmost table, right-hand side as you enter, that--

“Is that you, Snagglepuss?!”

It was Lippy the Lion, of all the fellow Funatstics, and his morose-looking hyena companion, Hardy Har-Har, who was looking for me.

“Is that you--Lippy?! Hardy?!”

Which saw Hardy Har-Har remark in his usual pessimistic tone, “Oh dear ... oh my ... what exactly is the point of being here for breakfast, to begin with?

“Come now, Hardy,” Lippy remarked in cheerful counterpoint; “I bet you didn’t know where Snagglepuss was going to meet us here.” To which I responded, to wit: “What exactly was the point of your cryptic desire to meet me here?”

[Pause while coffee was being served and an opportunity had to check over the breakfast menu.]

Lippy: “I just thought we might say hi over breakfast--a more realistic sort of diner breakfast in some small-town cafe, not some sterile and antiseptically-predictable chain restaurant such as IHOP or Denny’s. More in the vein of some serious small-town colour.”

Hardy: “I just knew it--” [Followed by the rumbling of a Canadian National Railways train on the tracks just down the hill from the cafe, heading towards New Lisbon as a matter of record.] “Things are just going to get downhill from here on out!”

Moi: “I wouldn’t put it that way exactly,” even as I was sipping away on flat-tasting coffee from a coffee pot which seemed not to have been washed in some while. Descaled, even. And requiring some honey just to improve the taste.

As to the breakfast: One of my old favourites, a meat-lovers’ omlette, with hash browns even to complement the whole ... Lippy taking some pancakes, eggs over easy, sausage links, hash browns and white toast ... and Hardy, probably lacking any sort of appetite, contenting himself somewhat with corned beef hash.

“And might I just say there, Snagglepuss,” Lippy chimed in between mouthfuls of pancakes, “that you’re not all that bad yourself.”

“To be honest,” saith I, “that is a complement. Especially being on the road all this time ... and I assume you’re acquainted with Peter Potamus’ diving crew.”

“Are we ever!” was how Lippy responded. “I was just returning myself from a ‘sharing the dive’ assignment with a summer camp up by Minocqua, teaching teenage campers the basics of the diving experience.”

“Explain unto me,” asked I, “what this ‘sharing the dive’ is all about.”

“You see, Snagglepuss, between filming sessions of our Underwater America with Peter Potamus videos, or even the practice sessions at our diver’s colony outside of La Jolla, California, Peter wants us in his troupe to spend some time sharing the diving experience with especially disadvantaged groups, especially over the summer. It’s basically his way of encouraging people to Discover Diving in a somewhat unique sort of way.”

“So this involves spending time in summer camps or resorts like that--”

“To encourage people to get interested in diving. Skin diving, SCUBA even ... be it through demonstration dives aimed at getting people to discover the diving experience or even outright instruction! And what’s more, Snagglepuss,” Lippy added with some pride in the voice, “WE are all certified diving instructors!”

“Who exactly wouldn’t be among our kind?” was how Hardy added to the conversation in his usual myopic style.

Which brought about the chuckles.

“Meanwhile,” Lippy added, “I’d be curious to know if any of the waterpark resorts in Wisconsin Dells might have a need for such who could introduce diving to their guests, especially over the winter!”

“I’m not quite that kind, Lippy,” replied I. “But thanks for the enquiry.”

By the time it was all over and the cheque was paid, things had turned bright--and a little on the windy and warm side. So explaining a bit of fall leaf drop premature on the hill above the Municipal Parking Lot as we headed back to our cars--not to mention Lippy and Hardy reminding me to keep in touch.

As for myself, heading down Wisconsin 80 southbound from Necedah ...

@warnerarchive @hanna-barbera-land @warnerbrosentertainment @dinobirdy @hanna-barbera-blog @themineralyoucrave @screamingtoosoftly @hanna-barberians

#fanfic #hanna barbera #snagglepuss #postcards #road trip #necedah #main street cafe #breakfast #lippy the lion and hardy har har #hannabarberaforever

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