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Posts Tagged ‘anxiety’

People have always felt more than a touch of anxiety at the thought of being observed and watched at all times, even in one’s most private moments. For the most part, this sort of constant and unrelenting surveillance has been limited to fiction and, theoretically, the countries that were once behind the fearsome Iron Curtain of the Soviet Union. There are a multitude of examples that could be used to show the potential choking and chilling effect, the crippling anxiety, and perhaps even the futility of resistance when one is faced with a society where everyone and anyone is being watched. Still, only a very few literary examples could pull it off quite as well as George Orwell’s classic novel, “Nineteen-Eighty-Four.”

The novel takes place in a fictional setting in the year 1984, a time when England is ruled by a group known as “the Party” and headed by a man known only as “Big Brother.” The anxiety comes from the fact that everything is constantly being observed by a variety of means, not the least of which are the various multitudes of screens that allow party members to watch anything and everything that people do. The government also has departments involved in rewriting history, administering all manner of propaganda, controlling various goods, and even dictating the most private details of a person’s life. In essence, the England of the novel is almost completely devoid of privacy. This is best exemplified by what might be the most famous words of the novel itself: “Big Brother is watching you.”

In the midst of this anxiety-filled environment is a small resistance movement that, as implied in the ending, is unlikely to get anywhere. The constant threats of a war against one of two other major powers, and hints of corruption at the very heart of the ruling party. The entire novel narrates the attempts of two people to have a clandestine, hidden affair from the ever-watchful eyes of the government. The whole thing inevitably ends in failure, as both of them are caught and subjected to various tortures and brain-washing techniques to make them renounce their misgivings about the ruling party.

The novel, a grossly inaccurate a portrayal of the then-future, endures because it evokes some truly timeless feelings among its readers. The ruling party of Orwell’s masterpiece controls everything and enforces an unyielding loyalty to their cause, to the point that nobody questions even the most ridiculous changes to history. This is best exemplified by the constantly shifting alliances of the party in the wars that it fights against the other powers of its time. People in the novel literally assume that they have always been at war despite the fact that, just the week prior, they were being told to lend their support to that country because it is an ally of the party.

The near-religious focus of loyalty and devotion to the enigmatic, possibly non-existent, figure known as “Big Brother” was, according to a theory put forth within the novel itself, fueled by sacrificing a fundamental human desire. In the novel’s case, it was a “redirected” sexual desire that fueled the obsessive devotion. In some ways, this apparent ability to suppress something fundamental to the human psyche is a major part of the novel’s appeal.

People have always felt more than a touch of anxiety at the thought of being observed and watched at all times, even in one’s most private moments. For the most part, this sort of constant and unrelenting surveillance has been limited to fiction and, theoretically, the countries that were once behind the fearsome Iron Curtain of the Soviet Union. There are a multitude of examples that could be used to show the potential choking and chilling effect, the crippling anxiety, and perhaps even the futility of resistance when one is faced with a society where everyone and anyone is being watched. Still, only a very few literary examples could pull it off quite as well as George Orwell’s classic novel, “Nineteen-Eighty-Four.”

The novel takes place in a fictional setting in the year 1984, a time when England is ruled by a group known as “the Party” and headed by a man known only as “Big Brother.” The anxiety comes from the fact that everything is constantly being observed by a variety of means, not the least of which are the various multitudes of screens that allow party members to watch anything and everything that people do. The government also has departments involved in rewriting history, administering all manner of propaganda, controlling various goods, and even dictating the most private details of a person’s life. In essence, the England of the novel is almost completely devoid of privacy. This is best exemplified by what might be the most famous words of the novel itself: “Big Brother is watching you.”

In the midst of this anxiety-filled environment is a small resistance movement that, as implied in the ending, is unlikely to get anywhere. The constant threats of a war against one of two other major powers, and hints of corruption at the very heart of the ruling party. The entire novel narrates the attempts of two people to have a clandestine, hidden affair from the ever-watchful eyes of the government. The whole thing inevitably ends in failure, as both of them are caught and subjected to various tortures and brain-washing techniques to make them renounce their misgivings about the ruling party.

The novel, a grossly inaccurate a portrayal of the then-future, endures because it evokes some truly timeless feelings among its readers. The ruling party of Orwell’s masterpiece controls everything and enforces an unyielding loyalty to their cause, to the point that nobody questions even the most ridiculous changes to history. This is best exemplified by the constantly shifting alliances of the party in the wars that it fights against the other powers of its time. People in the novel literally assume that they have always been at war despite the fact that, just the week prior, they were being told to lend their support to that country because it is an ally of the party.

The near-religious focus of loyalty and devotion to the enigmatic, possibly non-existent, figure known as “Big Brother” was, according to a theory put forth within the novel itself, fueled by sacrificing a fundamental human desire. In the novel’s case, it was a “redirected” sexual desire that fueled the obsessive devotion. In some ways, this apparent ability to suppress something fundamental to the human psyche is a major part of the novel’s appeal.

People have always felt more than a touch of anxiety at the thought of being observed and watched at all times, even in one’s most private moments. For the most part, this sort of constant and unrelenting surveillance has been limited to fiction and, theoretically, the countries that were once behind the fearsome Iron Curtain of the Soviet Union. There are a multitude of examples that could be used to show the potential choking and chilling effect, the crippling anxiety, and perhaps even the futility of resistance when one is faced with a society where everyone and anyone is being watched. Still, only a very few literary examples could pull it off quite as well as George Orwell’s classic novel, “Nineteen-Eighty-Four.”

The novel takes place in a fictional setting in the year 1984, a time when England is ruled by a group known as “the Party” and headed by a man known only as “Big Brother.” The anxiety comes from the fact that everything is constantly being observed by a variety of means, not the least of which are the various multitudes of screens that allow party members to watch anything and everything that people do. The government also has departments involved in rewriting history, administering all manner of propaganda, controlling various goods, and even dictating the most private details of a person’s life. In essence, the England of the novel is almost completely devoid of privacy. This is best exemplified by what might be the most famous words of the novel itself: “Big Brother is watching you.”

In the midst of this anxiety-filled environment is a small resistance movement that, as implied in the ending, is unlikely to get anywhere. The constant threats of a war against one of two other major powers, and hints of corruption at the very heart of the ruling party. The entire novel narrates the attempts of two people to have a clandestine, hidden affair from the ever-watchful eyes of the government. The whole thing inevitably ends in failure, as both of them are caught and subjected to various tortures and brain-washing techniques to make them renounce their misgivings about the ruling party.

The novel, a grossly inaccurate a portrayal of the then-future, endures because it evokes some truly timeless feelings among its readers. The ruling party of Orwell’s masterpiece controls everything and enforces an unyielding loyalty to their cause, to the point that nobody questions even the most ridiculous changes to history. This is best exemplified by the constantly shifting alliances of the party in the wars that it fights against the other powers of its time. People in the novel literally assume that they have always been at war despite the fact that, just the week prior, they were being told to lend their support to that country because it is an ally of the party.

The near-religious focus of loyalty and devotion to the enigmatic, possibly non-existent, figure known as “Big Brother” was, according to a theory put forth within the novel itself, fueled by sacrificing a fundamental human desire. In the novel’s case, it was a “redirected” sexual desire that fueled the obsessive devotion. In some ways, this apparent ability to suppress something fundamental to the human psyche is a major part of the novel’s appeal.

The Japanese animation industry has the occasional tendency to make a mockery of itself intentionally, if only to achieve some sort of comic effect. One may also theorize that moments of that sort also come as a form of stress relief for writers and animators, who often bear the brunt of their own jokes. For the most part, this type of humor has been minimal in the anime industry, used sparingly to avoid the chances of giving off the impression of attacking their fans, who tend to be stereotyped as having some stunted form of social anxiety. It is rare that an anime actually appears to dedicate entire segments to the above form of mockery. The oddly titled “Lucky Star” is probably the most effective example of it.

“Lucky Star” is, at the very core, a show about nothing — in the same way the US sitcom “Seinfeld” was. The basics of it follows the lives, trials, and tribulations of four Japanese high school girls throughout high school. There is no overarching theme (aside from frequently recurring discussions about chocolate cornets), no final goal to attain (unless graduating high school counts), and no real antagonists or causes of stress and anxiety to be found. The girls frequently make observations about a number of things, though anime, video games, and the nature of the fans of the above are frequent topics. Yet, the jokes are always good-natured and never outright offend the fan base that and industry that they poke fun at. The fact that some of the topics and “criticisms” voiced by the characters apply to “Lucky Star” itself makes the show even more entertaining to watch.

However, the show does not end there. Other things are also used to provide the humor on the show, most of which revolve around things somewhat appropriate for the age group of the characters. For instance, while waiting in line in an early episode, the discussion shifts from food at the school cafeteria to lunch habits to experiences about waiting in line. In another, the nature of the girls’ different study habits and reactions to the usual stress and pressures that come with high school takes the spotlight. The extreme differences between them can sometimes be shown in a very comedic side-by-side comparison. The discussions are utterly and completely random, in keeping with the general idea that the show portrays a perfectly ordinary set of high school girls. This tone is set from the very first conversation of the first episode, which shifts topics from eating various desserts to how to properly cook ox tongue.

There is, however, some slightly darker and less good-natured humor in a segment of “Lucky Star” that shows at the end of each episode. The segment, known as “Lucky Channel,” often has darker comedic styles, with some events using outright physical abuse in the comedy. Arguably, the segment’s characters (who almost never appear in the main show itself) are used to poke humor at the perceived stress, anxiety, and relative paranoia of Japanese pop idols. The borderline depression and vaguely sardonic wit of one of the “Lucky Channel” characters emphasizes this, albeit in an oddly comedic manner.

The Japanese animation industry has the occasional tendency to make a mockery of itself intentionally, if only to achieve some sort of comic effect. One may also theorize that moments of that sort also come as a form of stress relief for writers and animators, who often bear the brunt of their own jokes. For the most part, this type of humor has been minimal in the anime industry, used sparingly to avoid the chances of giving off the impression of attacking their fans, who tend to be stereotyped as having some stunted form of social anxiety. It is rare that an anime actually appears to dedicate entire segments to the above form of mockery. The oddly titled “Lucky Star” is probably the most effective example of it.

“Lucky Star” is, at the very core, a show about nothing — in the same way the US sitcom “Seinfeld” was. The basics of it follows the lives, trials, and tribulations of four Japanese high school girls throughout high school. There is no overarching theme (aside from frequently recurring discussions about chocolate cornets), no final goal to attain (unless graduating high school counts), and no real antagonists or causes of stress and anxiety to be found. The girls frequently make observations about a number of things, though anime, video games, and the nature of the fans of the above are frequent topics. Yet, the jokes are always good-natured and never outright offend the fan base that and industry that they poke fun at. The fact that some of the topics and “criticisms” voiced by the characters apply to “Lucky Star” itself makes the show even more entertaining to watch.

However, the show does not end there. Other things are also used to provide the humor on the show, most of which revolve around things somewhat appropriate for the age group of the characters. For instance, while waiting in line in an early episode, the discussion shifts from food at the school cafeteria to lunch habits to experiences about waiting in line. In another, the nature of the girls’ different study habits and reactions to the usual stress and pressures that come with high school takes the spotlight. The extreme differences between them can sometimes be shown in a very comedic side-by-side comparison. The discussions are utterly and completely random, in keeping with the general idea that the show portrays a perfectly ordinary set of high school girls. This tone is set from the very first conversation of the first episode, which shifts topics from eating various desserts to how to properly cook ox tongue.

There is, however, some slightly darker and less good-natured humor in a segment of “Lucky Star” that shows at the end of each episode. The segment, known as “Lucky Channel,” often has darker comedic styles, with some events using outright physical abuse in the comedy. Arguably, the segment’s characters (who almost never appear in the main show itself) are used to poke humor at the perceived stress, anxiety, and relative paranoia of Japanese pop idols. The borderline depression and vaguely sardonic wit of one of the “Lucky Channel” characters emphasizes this, albeit in an oddly comedic manner.

The Japanese animation industry has the occasional tendency to make a mockery of itself intentionally, if only to achieve some sort of comic effect. One may also theorize that moments of that sort also come as a form of stress relief for writers and animators, who often bear the brunt of their own jokes. For the most part, this type of humor has been minimal in the anime industry, used sparingly to avoid the chances of giving off the impression of attacking their fans, who tend to be stereotyped as having some stunted form of social anxiety. It is rare that an anime actually appears to dedicate entire segments to the above form of mockery. The oddly titled “Lucky Star” is probably the most effective example of it.

“Lucky Star” is, at the very core, a show about nothing — in the same way the US sitcom “Seinfeld” was. The basics of it follows the lives, trials, and tribulations of four Japanese high school girls throughout high school. There is no overarching theme (aside from frequently recurring discussions about chocolate cornets), no final goal to attain (unless graduating high school counts), and no real antagonists or causes of stress and anxiety to be found. The girls frequently make observations about a number of things, though anime, video games, and the nature of the fans of the above are frequent topics. Yet, the jokes are always good-natured and never outright offend the fan base that and industry that they poke fun at. The fact that some of the topics and “criticisms” voiced by the characters apply to “Lucky Star” itself makes the show even more entertaining to watch.

However, the show does not end there. Other things are also used to provide the humor on the show, most of which revolve around things somewhat appropriate for the age group of the characters. For instance, while waiting in line in an early episode, the discussion shifts from food at the school cafeteria to lunch habits to experiences about waiting in line. In another, the nature of the girls’ different study habits and reactions to the usual stress and pressures that come with high school takes the spotlight. The extreme differences between them can sometimes be shown in a very comedic side-by-side comparison. The discussions are utterly and completely random, in keeping with the general idea that the show portrays a perfectly ordinary set of high school girls. This tone is set from the very first conversation of the first episode, which shifts topics from eating various desserts to how to properly cook ox tongue.

There is, however, some slightly darker and less good-natured humor in a segment of “Lucky Star” that shows at the end of each episode. The segment, known as “Lucky Channel,” often has darker comedic styles, with some events using outright physical abuse in the comedy. Arguably, the segment’s characters (who almost never appear in the main show itself) are used to poke humor at the perceived stress, anxiety, and relative paranoia of Japanese pop idols. The borderline depression and vaguely sardonic wit of one of the “Lucky Channel” characters emphasizes this, albeit in an oddly comedic manner.

Poker is a card game that involves gambling on a card’s superior value. The players place a bet into a central pot and whoever holds the “hand” with the highest value wins. The game was first played in New Orleans in 1829 but other historians say that the game was developed by the Persians many centuries before.

While it is already a popular card game, it has again become a gambling craze. Aside from the World Series of Poker which is the challenge of choice for professional players, other poker enthusiasts can choose to play in other smaller tournaments, or they can even try the on-line poker service which may be a different environment from how it is played on a regular table. Still, these modern means of playing their favorite card game is drawing crowds and millions of dollars in pot money and winnings.

This is exactly how the game is played:

Poker is a card game where two people or more people play around a table, with two cards on hand for each player. Colored chips have assigned monetary values and are used as betting tokens. After placing their bets, the card dealer shows a set of three cards from the deck. This is what they call the “flop cards.” The players then think of strategies that could heighten their chances of winning. Then the betting begins again. The fourth card, or what they call “the turn” shows up, which spurs the players to bet again. The last card picked from the deck is called “the river.” After this, the players then have to show their best five card combination. The player with the best combination, which means the set with the highest value, wins the pot. This is how the traditional poker is played in the United States. However, a number of game variants have been developed such as draw poker, stud poker, and community card poker.

If studied in-depth, Poker is more than just a form of gambling. It is certainly more than just playing with cards. This game involves critical thinking and correct timing. To be played in winning form, a player must learn the important technique and skill called a “bluff.” Good poker players also know how to control their emotions and facial expressions, hence the term “poker face.” Those who easily get affected by other players sometimes reveal their thoughts and planned card moves through their reactions.

The popularity of the game has reached global proportions. Some sports channels like ESPN even cover numerous poker tournaments. But there is more to see in these card tournaments than just the card play or the winner’s pot. By watching poker on television, people can see the different looks on the players’ faces. While they usually try to conceal their facial expressions, you can still see a slight change in their expression when as they think of the next move or get stung by their own mistake in playing the cards. Sometimes, poker players can even look very agitated, nervous, scared or worried — all at the same time.

The winnings in poker can be as high as several millions of dollars. No wonder, many players especially those who have not reached the ranks of the poker elite can still be victimized by their own anxiety while playing cards. Like in other games, people who play poker feel the anxiety because of many reasons. Anxiety in poker games are often seen as a hassle to the players, since this causes them to look bad to the other players. This means that the cards you are holding may not be a winning pair. Anxiety can bring the player down, by just feeling it and showing it to other players. For the world-class professional players, the anxiety comes from the fear of becoming an “instant celebrity.” Some professional poker players see their game or job as a very cerebral activity. To them, the mere thought of making cerebral poker a means to attain instant celebrity is just dreadful. The loss of privacy and the intrigues associated with fame is just too much for some professional poker champions who like the game to remain a solitary pursuit, free from the limelight and fanfare.

Anxiety treatments, of late, have become viable alternatives for those who have been in the poker circuit for quite some time. All the years of pent-up anger, frustration and disappointment in playing poker had already accumulated in their system. Nothing short of a treatment is necessary to enable them to regain their edge in the game. Lowering their anxiety level may actually take stopping them from playing their favorite game for some days or even weeks. Through progressive counseling, a therapist can help a player vent his anger or frustrations —whether it be for calling someone’s bluff and then losing the game… or for always failing to make it to the top spot of the World Series of Poker.

For some people, anxiety is just a temporary discomfort that quickly fades away after a game. But for those who really need anxiety treatments, a quick visit to the doctor or therapist is a must. Anxiety is something no one should gamble with. Indeed, the game demands even the world’s best player to remain stoic, unperturbed by the ups and downs of the card play. But for serious cases of anxiety, donning that “poker face” may be the last move you should do.

Poker is a card game that involves gambling on a card’s superior value. The players place a bet into a central pot and whoever holds the “hand” with the highest value wins. The game was first played in New Orleans in 1829 but other historians say that the game was developed by the Persians many centuries before.

While it is already a popular card game, it has again become a gambling craze. Aside from the World Series of Poker which is the challenge of choice for professional players, other poker enthusiasts can choose to play in other smaller tournaments, or they can even try the on-line poker service which may be a different environment from how it is played on a regular table. Still, these modern means of playing their favorite card game is drawing crowds and millions of dollars in pot money and winnings.

This is exactly how the game is played:

Poker is a card game where two people or more people play around a table, with two cards on hand for each player. Colored chips have assigned monetary values and are used as betting tokens. After placing their bets, the card dealer shows a set of three cards from the deck. This is what they call the “flop cards.” The players then think of strategies that could heighten their chances of winning. Then the betting begins again. The fourth card, or what they call “the turn” shows up, which spurs the players to bet again. The last card picked from the deck is called “the river.” After this, the players then have to show their best five card combination. The player with the best combination, which means the set with the highest value, wins the pot. This is how the traditional poker is played in the United States. However, a number of game variants have been developed such as draw poker, stud poker, and community card poker.

If studied in-depth, Poker is more than just a form of gambling. It is certainly more than just playing with cards. This game involves critical thinking and correct timing. To be played in winning form, a player must learn the important technique and skill called a “bluff.” Good poker players also know how to control their emotions and facial expressions, hence the term “poker face.” Those who easily get affected by other players sometimes reveal their thoughts and planned card moves through their reactions.

The popularity of the game has reached global proportions. Some sports channels like ESPN even cover numerous poker tournaments. But there is more to see in these card tournaments than just the card play or the winner’s pot. By watching poker on television, people can see the different looks on the players’ faces. While they usually try to conceal their facial expressions, you can still see a slight change in their expression when as they think of the next move or get stung by their own mistake in playing the cards. Sometimes, poker players can even look very agitated, nervous, scared or worried — all at the same time.

The winnings in poker can be as high as several millions of dollars. No wonder, many players especially those who have not reached the ranks of the poker elite can still be victimized by their own anxiety while playing cards. Like in other games, people who play poker feel the anxiety because of many reasons. Anxiety in poker games are often seen as a hassle to the players, since this causes them to look bad to the other players. This means that the cards you are holding may not be a winning pair. Anxiety can bring the player down, by just feeling it and showing it to other players. For the world-class professional players, the anxiety comes from the fear of becoming an “instant celebrity.” Some professional poker players see their game or job as a very cerebral activity. To them, the mere thought of making cerebral poker a means to attain instant celebrity is just dreadful. The loss of privacy and the intrigues associated with fame is just too much for some professional poker champions who like the game to remain a solitary pursuit, free from the limelight and fanfare.

Anxiety treatments, of late, have become viable alternatives for those who have been in the poker circuit for quite some time. All the years of pent-up anger, frustration and disappointment in playing poker had already accumulated in their system. Nothing short of a treatment is necessary to enable them to regain their edge in the game. Lowering their anxiety level may actually take stopping them from playing their favorite game for some days or even weeks. Through progressive counseling, a therapist can help a player vent his anger or frustrations —whether it be for calling someone’s bluff and then losing the game… or for always failing to make it to the top spot of the World Series of Poker.

For some people, anxiety is just a temporary discomfort that quickly fades away after a game. But for those who really need anxiety treatments, a quick visit to the doctor or therapist is a must. Anxiety is something no one should gamble with. Indeed, the game demands even the world’s best player to remain stoic, unperturbed by the ups and downs of the card play. But for serious cases of anxiety, donning that “poker face” may be the last move you should do.

Poker is a card game that involves gambling on a card’s superior value. The players place a bet into a central pot and whoever holds the “hand” with the highest value wins. The game was first played in New Orleans in 1829 but other historians say that the game was developed by the Persians many centuries before.

While it is already a popular card game, it has again become a gambling craze. Aside from the World Series of Poker which is the challenge of choice for professional players, other poker enthusiasts can choose to play in other smaller tournaments, or they can even try the on-line poker service which may be a different environment from how it is played on a regular table. Still, these modern means of playing their favorite card game is drawing crowds and millions of dollars in pot money and winnings.

This is exactly how the game is played:

Poker is a card game where two people or more people play around a table, with two cards on hand for each player. Colored chips have assigned monetary values and are used as betting tokens. After placing their bets, the card dealer shows a set of three cards from the deck. This is what they call the “flop cards.” The players then think of strategies that could heighten their chances of winning. Then the betting begins again. The fourth card, or what they call “the turn” shows up, which spurs the players to bet again. The last card picked from the deck is called “the river.” After this, the players then have to show their best five card combination. The player with the best combination, which means the set with the highest value, wins the pot. This is how the traditional poker is played in the United States. However, a number of game variants have been developed such as draw poker, stud poker, and community card poker.

If studied in-depth, Poker is more than just a form of gambling. It is certainly more than just playing with cards. This game involves critical thinking and correct timing. To be played in winning form, a player must learn the important technique and skill called a “bluff.” Good poker players also know how to control their emotions and facial expressions, hence the term “poker face.” Those who easily get affected by other players sometimes reveal their thoughts and planned card moves through their reactions.

The popularity of the game has reached global proportions. Some sports channels like ESPN even cover numerous poker tournaments. But there is more to see in these card tournaments than just the card play or the winner’s pot. By watching poker on television, people can see the different looks on the players’ faces. While they usually try to conceal their facial expressions, you can still see a slight change in their expression when as they think of the next move or get stung by their own mistake in playing the cards. Sometimes, poker players can even look very agitated, nervous, scared or worried — all at the same time.

The winnings in poker can be as high as several millions of dollars. No wonder, many players especially those who have not reached the ranks of the poker elite can still be victimized by their own anxiety while playing cards. Like in other games, people who play poker feel the anxiety because of many reasons. Anxiety in poker games are often seen as a hassle to the players, since this causes them to look bad to the other players. This means that the cards you are holding may not be a winning pair. Anxiety can bring the player down, by just feeling it and showing it to other players. For the world-class professional players, the anxiety comes from the fear of becoming an “instant celebrity.” Some professional poker players see their game or job as a very cerebral activity. To them, the mere thought of making cerebral poker a means to attain instant celebrity is just dreadful. The loss of privacy and the intrigues associated with fame is just too much for some professional poker champions who like the game to remain a solitary pursuit, free from the limelight and fanfare.

Anxiety treatments, of late, have become viable alternatives for those who have been in the poker circuit for quite some time. All the years of pent-up anger, frustration and disappointment in playing poker had already accumulated in their system. Nothing short of a treatment is necessary to enable them to regain their edge in the game. Lowering their anxiety level may actually take stopping them from playing their favorite game for some days or even weeks. Through progressive counseling, a therapist can help a player vent his anger or frustrations —whether it be for calling someone’s bluff and then losing the game… or for always failing to make it to the top spot of the World Series of Poker.

For some people, anxiety is just a temporary discomfort that quickly fades away after a game. But for those who really need anxiety treatments, a quick visit to the doctor or therapist is a must. Anxiety is something no one should gamble with. Indeed, the game demands even the world’s best player to remain stoic, unperturbed by the ups and downs of the card play. But for serious cases of anxiety, donning that “poker face” may be the last move you should do.

For the typical anime fan, 2006 was a wholly unremarkable, zero-anxiety, and insanity-free year, at least, as far as the anime industry is concerned. However, for the more discerning anime fans (the ones that don’t fall head-over-heels for the newest big-action mind-number to get translated), 2006 was a year fraught with controversy over writers stealing the scripts for shows, executives of anime studios pulling crazy stunts, and other similar incidents. In the anime industry, a year can pass by without being marked by any single show, but some years can sometimes end up being forever remembered for one single production. In the early ’90s, it was Hideaki Anno’s “Shin Seiki Evangelion.” It can be argued that 2006 was the year that the industry was introduced to the anime adaptation of Nagaru Tanigawa’s series of novels, “Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu,” translated into English as: “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.”

Being taken from a series of on-going novels, a casual observer might be tempted to point out a similarity between “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” and “Maria-sama ga Miteru,” another anime series inspired by a series of novels. However, the similarities between the two end there. Whereas Marimite, as the latter series is nicknamed, is focused on subtle relationship and character development, the approach taken by “Haruhi” is significantly different. By nature or design, the plot, characters, and events depicted in the “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” series pushes the boundary of realistic absurdity. Yet, the series managed to do just that within what is a perfectly reasonable context that suits the nature of the show’s take on the universe. After all, a little bit of philosophical anxiety and stress can be expected of a series where the universe may actually literally revolve around a main character that is entirely unaware of just what she’s capable of.

The main character, Haruhi Suzumiya, is not the standard female lead. For one thing, she’s actively admitted to being bored with what she considers “normal” and is determined to find things that she considers to be “exciting.” The “melancholy” in the title stems from two interesting tangents of her character. The first is her frustration with how ordinary the world is and her self-perceived inability to make contact with beings she believes would make the world less boring for her. The other side of the “melancholy” equation, however, lies deeper in her own mind. Deep down, perhaps even at a subconscious level, she doesn’t actually believe in what she’s looking for, producing an internal contradiction that can sometimes threaten her resolve. This is clearly shown in her being oblivious of the fact that the aliens, espers, and time travelers that she had been looking were actually disguised as members of her club.

One of the more interesting avenues that the show has taken involves Haruhi’s obliviousness not only to the nature of the people in her club, but also to her own nature. The time travelers seem to believe she’s able to manipulate the space-time continuum, if not being a part of it herself, due to their inability to travel back in time beyond a certain date of importance to Haruhi. The aliens of the series, which are beings composed entirely of data and information made sentient, believe her to be a source of self-evolving data protocols that must be studied and, if needed, appeased. The espers believe she is capable of shaping the very fabric of reality with her desires and wishes, with some believing her to be “God.” That last bit of speculation is part of the fire that fuels the show’s rather impressive legion of fans.

“Haruhiism,” as the fan movement behind the show and novels is called, is hardly what one would consider to be a massive fan community. It lacks the sheer size of the communities formed around shows like “Dragon Ball Z” or “Naruto,” but it is significantly more serious and arguably more devoted than most fans of other shows. The show is popular for being accessible and entertaining, with an open willingness to mock itself and to be mocked. Besides, as most members of the “Haruhiism” community believe, there’s a little bit of Haruhi in everyone.