Twilight Saga Brain Drain

Just about everyone has heard of the 'Twilight' saga by Stephanie Meyer. And just about everyone has an opinion of it, whether positive or negative.

This Wednesday, we're going to explore an interesting aspect of the series. Now, a lot of books have technically covered this, and the ways an ability can be misused, but the 'Twilight' saga provides some good examples (plus it's the series that was in my head to begin with), so we're focusing on it.

Now, on to what I'm prattling on about. In the series, vampires are immortal beings, and they have superhuman strength and speed, along with heightened senses. Their mental abilities are also enhanced, so they can think and learn quickly, and they never have to sleep. An ability or personality trait is magnified when they become immortal; in example, Edward Cullen can read minds, and Esme Cullen has a strong ability to love.

Sounds pretty cool, right? Except for that powerful bloodlust, I mean. But let's explore how the vampires in 'Twilight' use their abilities.

Well, Carlisle would be the obvious choice for good life decisions. He's been a doctor for about three hundred years, so he's had plenty of medical experience. He's also become a master at controlling his thirst, a necessary trait for being a doctor. The scent of human blood no longer tempts him. He's compassionate and devotes his life to helping people. Pretty much the ideal vampire.

Now, what about some of the other members of the Cullen coven? Well, in a way, it seems that a lot of their 'everyday life' is a tad vague or lacking. Carlisle works as a doctor, but what do the others do all day? What's their focus, their passion? They go to school like normal teenagers, they feed, they play games like baseball or chess. Edward's mind-reading abilities, and Alice's ability to see the future, have proved useful in dangerous situations to themselves or others. But other than that, it seems like many of the Cullens just... exist. They practice fighting, Edward plays piano, and some characters speak more than one language. But it just seems like there ought to be more than that. Wouldn't they get bored eventually?

But moving on. What about some of the less savory characters? Like a lot of the vampires who drink human blood. In example, James's version of life focus revolves around tracking. Tracking human victims for his next meal, that is. And if you have little control over your thirst and your eyes are red, it would be hard to live in human society, which eliminates a lot of the usual paths in life.

As you read about the many vampires who have no qualms about killing people (despite once being human themselves), it makes you wonder: why? Is it like how many people consider animals okay to eat, since animals are lesser beings? In that same way, do some vampires consider humans as lesser beings? But even then, they once lived as humans, so you'd think they'd consider it murder or cannibalism on some level. And a lot of these vampires don't have much problem with killing another vampire. Besides that, you also wonder what their lives were like before they were turned. Were they good people? If so, what made them decide to give in to their bloodlust?

Let's also go back to the whole 'purpose in life' and 'interests/passions in life'. In many cases, it seems the vampires aren't making the most of themselves. They have all these cool superhuman abilities, so they could achieve a lot if they set their minds to it. Plus, while humans only have a hundred years to live, they have however long they live until something kills them. And vampires don't die easily.

Think about it. We have all these plans for our life, or at least concepts we think are cool. If we have all these great abilities, imagine what we could do with them. For starters, we could learn all the stuff we wanted to. As I mentioned, your mind is pretty sharp. Why not play an instrument, learn a new language? Plus, you could get through college quickly. Especially since you don't have to sleep, so you have lots of time to practice skills or study textbooks.
And think how you could change the world. Just as Carlisle chose to be a doctor, you could be something, do something important. Do volunteer work like building houses; you're strong and you won't get tired. Use that brain power to get your degree in some important career. Or perhaps you could enter law enforcement. No criminal will escape this cop.

So my point is, don't go about murdering people, and don't squander your life on trivial things. Learn from Carlisle's example, and make something important for yourself, have a purpose in your life. This applies to everyone, keep in mind, not just immortal vampires.