[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”14624″ img_size=”800×450″ alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]As I patiently await the next season of American Gods, I can only scroll through any American Gods content I can on social media. While doing so, I rolled right past a nice, in-depth interview with the one and only Bruce Langley. Playing the god of technology, literally called Technical Boy; Langley was able to discuss with Train Wreckd Society’s Chris Obi about his role on the STARZ series, originally written by Neil Gaiman. In the show, Technical Boy is a part of the New Gods faction, which in a sense, automatically makes him the bad guys. For the show, we’re really looking at everything from the Old Gods’ perspectives and rooting for them, although Pablo Schreiber’s Mad Sweeney and Emily Browning’s Laura moon actually represent the human side of this, where really both sides aren’t truly looking out for humanity’s best interests.
When asked if Technical Boy should be considered a villain, Langley responded:
“I would not deem to tell anyone what to feel about any of the deities on AG. They are avatars of our own belief. Condensed and distilled humanity. If there’s something people don’t like in any interaction of any of the characters I would think that is a greater reflection of a part of themselves they are adverse to acknowledging.”
Langley then continued, poignantly pointing out some aspects of Technical Boy that I’m sure not many, even myself; have taken into consideration:
“With that said, I would find it important to highlight the potential loneliness associated with being worshiped. TB is elevated from humanity, separate from it and also generally shunned and despised by all other deities. Even those supposedly on ‘his side’. Constantly achieving, adapting, updating, so fundamentally aware that to stagnate for even a moment would mean obsolescence. Death. I would think many people today can and do relate to that feeling typically associated with constant engagement with technology. Addictive engagement. A dopamine leveraging randomized reward systems. Anxiety, pain and a fundamental empty feeling left from the in personal and human connection we are retreating from. Who needs fulfillment when you’ve got engagement? TB is the manifestation of a consciousness in pain. I could talk about this ad nauseam, trust me I have a lot more to say on this subject. What I will say for now is this, to everyone operating in the world today. Take care of yourself, your health, mental and physical. You’re not as alone as you think you are. If you feel like you need it, ask for help.”
Considering Technical Boy as lonely is certainly something many have not thought about, I’m sure; and it almost brings me to wonder if he could almost be considered the strongest out of the New Gods? While Media controls the flow of the news and Mr. World is globalization’s stride towards a connected industrial control, could Technical Boy being so adapting and evolving be what makes him the most powerful? The fact that he lives inside of everything we pretty much touch these days. The fact that without him, Media/New Media and Mr. World wouldn’t be able to achieve as much as they have to me speaks volumes. I would imagine that kind of power is lonely.
How do you feel about Technical Boy? You can catch up on the first season and look forward to the second season, which premieres on STARZ on March 10th.
Make sure to check out the full interview here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
A girl with too many fandoms to count.
