In his article “The Fetishization of Mr. Rogers’s ‘Look for the helpers,’” Ian Bogost writes about the way grownups have misused the phrase ‘look for the helpers.’ Rogers came up with the words ‘look for the helpers’ to encourage children below the age of five to be guardians to take of them during trouble. Ian Bogost has been a contributing writer at The Atlantic and is a Chair in Media Studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Bogost does not, however, like the way people have misconstrued the phrase and used it in memes during times of trouble. He claims that this usage of the phrase has led to Americans leaving out solutions to these problems. Bogost argues that it does not make sense that adults, who should have answers to problems, would seek help from elsewhere. When a disaster strikes, adults are supposed to solve the problem, and when individuals cause tragedy, they should be dealt with accordingly. Bogost, therefore, appeals to the logos of the audience and wants to let them know that they are the people who should offer solutions to their problems.
Bogost tries to tap into the readers’ logical realm by giving them insight into what the phrase ‘Look for the helpers’ should mean. Bogost does not seem to understand how grown-up Americans can be comfortable with sharing memes of this phrase when trouble hits. He asserts that this phrase only works well for little children. Children are still under the care of adults and entirely depend on adults for everything (Bogost). Bogost, thus, insists that children are the best people to be encouraged by this phrase. He calls upon adults to be responsible enough to take action whenever tragedy hits. They need to be an example to the children and be their helpers.
To discuss this complex topic, Bogost excels in ensuring that the reader clearly understands his point of view. In his article, Ian Bogost appeals to the readers’ logic by giving them scenarios and instances when they have failed. For example, Bogost challenges the American adults about their reaction after the Pittsburg mass shootings. When the shootings occurred, many people went on to post the phrase “look for the helpers” on social media (Bogost). Others called out for the mental health debate of the suspect. Bogost is disappointed in the American adult fraternity and reprimands them for this type of reaction. He claims that the adults should be the ones leading in the solution to these kinds of tragedies. The author asserts that it is wrong for people to share these memes and try to sugarcoat the whole situation while claiming that there had been immigration terror threats. Giving this blind eye to major disasters has only led to an increase in such occurrences. Individuals feel justified to take actions that are criminal just because society will not take the right cause of action.
Bogost explains that Fred Rogers’s program on television was a children’s show, and it was good and inspirational. However, Rogers’s advice to help them gain trust in their guardians cannot be used as a message of adults’ hope. Rogers’s work was to transmit complex adult reasoning to the young ones’ tiny and innocent minds. Adults went forth and adopted this message into memes, and it became a sentiment used by grownups. According to Bogost, this phrase should make adults uncomfortable as they are the ones who should provide help to the children and the world (Bogost). As adults, grownups should be in charge of the world’s safety and should ensure that the word ‘helpers’ is not misunderstood. Bogost appeals to the American adult population to reason with him, take action, and get rid of the phrase ‘look for the helpers.’ Bogost is justified to raise these concerns since the phrase was used in a children’s television show to help them have confidence in their guardians. It is, therefore, wrong to take up this phrase as adults and seek to look up to helpers to solve our problems.
Overall, Bogost’s appeal to the logos of the readers is thoroughly demonstrated and valid. He explains why the adults are not supposed to uphold the phrase ‘looking for helpers.’ Bogost has mind-opening reveals and explanations that would help any reader agree with his point of view. Bogost analyzes Rogers’s program and gives valid reasons for adults to avoid the phrase. As human beings, we are supposed to take care of ourselves and protect our young ones too. Looking for helpers should be left to the young ones whom we are supposed to be helpers. Taking an in-depth analysis of the article, it is evident that Bogost is right in his claim and critique of Rogers’s phrase. Being helpers is the best thing that we can do as adults. It will enable us to avoid and curb most of the tragedies that we face as a society. His criticism of the media program is, therefore, valid and significantly crucial to society.
Reference
Bogost, Ian. “The Fetishization of Mr. Rogers’s ‘Look for The Helpers’”. The Atlantic, 2018, Web.