InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "I rule"

Doop (xdoop) wrote in scans_daily,
@ 2009-07-24 11:31:00

Entry tags:

char: crossbones/brock rumlow, char: iron man/tony stark, char: maria hill, char: professor x/charles xavier, char: spider-man/peter parker, char: vision/jonas, creator: brian michael bendis, creator: ed brubaker, creator: mike deodato, creator: steve epting, publisher: marvel comics, title: captain america, title: new avengers

Mind rape?

While they didn't create the term, TV Tropes defines "Mind Rape" as when "a character is attacked by a villain in the most painful non-physical way possible. Their mind and soul are assaulted with painful, horrifying visions and memories, and broken until they're powerless and numb, but not dead, although afterwards they may wish they were. Nothing sexual occurs, but everything else is there to resemble a rape - violation, helplessness, and the poisoning of what could otherwise be a source of joy."

However I've seen a lot of people throw the term around whenever a character gets their mind read without their permission, as if it's just as bad (or almost as bad) as the act of sexual assault itself.

One such example occurred in New Avengers #19, by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato.

SHIELD has asked the New Avengers for help dealing with the Collective, which is later revealed to be the unified energy signatures of all the mutants depowered after "M-Day." Spider-Man and the Young Avengers' Vision are on the Helicarrier when SHIELD discovers that the energy readings match those of a large number of the depowered mutants. When Spider-Man discovers the connection to the House of M, Iron Man tells him to take the Vision and get off the ship.

Later...

Another example of when the term "mind rape" was used was in reference to this scene from Captain America #28, by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting.

So, do you think any of these examples are comparable to actually raping someone?

(Read comments) - (Post a new comment)

runespoor7
2009-07-24 05:08 pm UTC (link)

It'd be like reading someone's diary, wiretapping them, or taking secret pictures of them in the shower.

It'd be stronger than that, or at least more comparable to your last example, since one of the key components of forced mind-reading is that the person whose mind is being violated is powerless to stop it - they can't stop it, because it's magic. Magic isn't something that most people (non-magic people) can fight against.

Not to mention that mind reading compromises freedom of thought. Not even expression, but thought, the possibility to even think things to yourself. I can't even call it the first freedom, because it's a freedom that's impossible to take away in our world. Not even the most totalitarian regime is going to know what you think in your heart of hearts. Mind reading rips that safety away.

So while I wouldn't call it 'rape' without qualifier, and while I do understand why the term 'mind rape' is uncomfortable, I personally don't reject the term.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	stratosfyr 2009-07-24 05:55 pm UTC (link)
	I can't even call it the first freedom, because it's a freedom that's impossible to take away in our world. Would that that were true. Brainwashing, indoctrination, coercion, mistreatment, drugs, and surgery can do a lot of damage. Humans are wired to adapt so we're a lot more malleable than most would like to admit. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	runespoor7 2009-07-24 06:03 pm UTC (link)
	Magic, however, is not possible. In our world, the processes you mention leave evidence, and you can attempt to avoid at least some, or they take time and someone can come to rescue you. I'm also not saying that it's impossible to force someone to think a certain way, but in our world being afraid that someone could read your mind is just paranoia. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	taggerung301 2009-07-24 09:31 pm UTC (link)
	that's what they want you to think ;) (Reply to this) (Parent)

(Read comments) -