The Lost In Academia Guide to grown up Manliness, the Fraser method

After having purchased Due South Season 1 over the holiday break the Lost One has been confronted with the shocking truth that his entire concept of what it means to be an adult man today has been shaped by two fictional Characters, Both of whom are named, oddly enough, Fraser (or Frasier...Yes it's thin, but close enough to carry the premise).

Benton Fraser
(incidentally For some one who is supposed to be a cop, and a bit of a lady's man, it is really tough to find a picture of him that doesn't make him look Gay as a maypole. What's up with that?)

And of course, Frasier Crane


Now, no doubt you are all gasping in horror. Television characters!?! You can find know one better???

The Lost One's response? Yes, it is a bit odd, but the truth is that people have been creating totemic masculine archetypes from popular culture, going back at least to Hercules (the Mean Hydra killing, Centaur beating, Lady Kidnapping, Feat Accomplishing Greek Hercules, not Kevin Sorbo. Sheesh people, read a freaking book.) and possibly to Marduk (of course the Lost One exempts any Christian texts, as he is referencing only fictional texts to mean "Popular Culture".) So there.

Now where was the Lost One?

Oh, yes so just what does the Lost One take from each character?

Well, from Frasier Crane the Lost One assumes that a proper grown up is well read. Frasier Crane is never at a loss to quip, or quote from an extensive library of fiction, fact and culture. In the same vein, the grown up man is also cultured. Be it opera, theater, symphonies, or wine tasting, the grown up man develops his taste for the higher things in life, knowing that familiarity is the first step in creating a lasting appreciation for the better things in life.

But what from Benton Fraser? Why a shocking amount of good things.

First and foremost, a deep and abiding love of manners, to the point where others think one is odd. Nothing distinguishes the grown up man, faster then his respect for others, and his concentration on demonstrating said respect with an intense demonstration of those little secular rituals that tell others you know how they should be treated. This can only be enhanced in a world where few take the time to understand the niceties of manners, and fewer still care.

Secondly, there is a whole focus on helping, and protecting those weaker then one's self. In an increasing callous and cruel world, where others care only about themselves, it is cool to see a character who took his responsibilities to others, be they female, elderly, children, or any others who for any reason had lost part of there power due to a particular situation, seriously and made it his goal to help. According to Fraser, a grown up man protects these people, at any cost to himself. That is very manly.

Finally, there is the whole physical aspect of the character. Fraser is a cop, who isn't afraid of a bit of daring do, to stop the bad guys. That is also very manly.

Now the Sharp eyed reader is no doubt crying foul, and pointing out that there are two basic problems with these heroes:

1. The Lost One is not a pretentious, overeducated, loudmouth...Wait a second, the Lost One says, "Bloody" yet is not British, plans on spending a total of seven years in school, and has an entire website devoted to his opinions...

As the Lost One was saying, the Sharp eyed reader is no doubt crying foul, and pointing out that there is one basic problems with these heroes:

1. The Lost One is not Canadian.

Good eye. However, one must remember that Fraser is a Canadian of nearly 15 years past. When dialogue like, "When we find your Father's murderer, there is nothing more I'd like to do then introduce him to the end of a rope." Was considered a plausible line for a Canadian character. You know, before they got all sissified (AKA European). In Benton Fraser's world being Canadian is all about the universal concepts of justice, politeness, and respect for others.

Oh, yeah and having a deaf wolf.

Hmmmm...

I guess that's why God invented Ebay. Until next time. Thank you Kindly for taking a moment to read this.