There is a famous cartoon character of massive bodily proportions, an all-green and all-powerful creature, hopelessly undefeated and constantly out of control. Armies of proper size, special-forces units, other supervillains with certain mega powers, and various intelligent folks commanding the latest technology seem unable to tame him in almost all cinematic narratives. In all, but the last one, from a few years ago. For a bit.
If you believe that major cinematic productions have, throughout movie history, been a prophetic messenger of sorts, then you have certainly attended the recent blockbusters both in search of visual entertainment and for inherent truths. Just look at the James Bond franchise concerning international diplomacy (since 1996) or the Dark Knight trilogy against the crisis most established religions face. And I am saying this with the appropriate sense of humor that should not dismiss the argument as superficial.
Hulk is nothing else than anger personified. His very existence is ample proof that anger in itself is not necessarily bad or negative, as long as it is under control. For this, one needs a superior mind. Hulk’s alter ego is a brilliant scientist (the person he becomes when in a state of emotional stability), providing both the enigma and the key, hinting at the solution: pairing contrasting forces is a balanced act of a potential success story on the verge of disaster. Bonnie and Clyde, the Beauty and the Beast, Goethe’s Faust, Oscar Wilde’s ‘Portrait of Dorian Gray…
You can imagine the audience’s surprise to see him get beaten up in the last cinematic installment. In that particular scene, a set-up for the bad guy takes place, a tactical play for the sake of a Grand Plan, and the defeat comes for one reason: Mr. Green was not angry enough! His anger was not justified and impossible to be sustained for long. The very essence of his power was neutralized by the taming process of a brilliant opponent the moment his pure force (anger) became a strategic tool. If you haven’t seen the movie, it is hard to grasp. And my description is probably not helping.
And of what use can all this be to high achievers?
Anger is a powerful incentive. And one that nobody talks about, remaining the least explained one. Try speaking in a press conference, an internal briefing, or a university lecture, and start your speech with.. ‘ I am angry today, to such a degree it is unbelievable’… After the initial shock, people will hurry to comfort you and express their concerns!
How come? Why is such a state of mind so negative? Because something wrong is acknowledged, and immediate action might take place? Most people prefer ‘normality’ and routine even if it means daily suffering, as we know. Even so, when we encounter an upset person, we must acknowledge his/her ability to do great things right there.
As long the anger persists constructively, of course. It may not leave us much time to work with, but it is worth it.
Anger is a vitamin, a proper tool for success, and it needs a super-fit mind to control it to the point that it CAN be unleashed, only for super-positive results. It may sound too complicated, demanding, or plain terrible to most people, but in reality, most people are not even there. They have to start getting angry first by exiting contentment…