The Idiot Box

I learned something about the Idiot Box episode of Spongebob. The noises Squidward heard in his head were HIS imagination. His lack of expectations led him to the fantasy world we were hearing. By entering the box and expecting logic to explain his imagination, he put up a barrier and lost sense of the actual. I finally made the box work after all…

In the Tao of Pooh, author Benjamin Hoff refers to Winnie the Pooh as Pu (樸) a.k.a. the Uncarved Block, a metaphor for the natural state of humanity. Devoid of the complexities of intellect or ego. Spongebob and Patrick treat this concept of authentic simplicity by exploring avalanche-prone mountain climbing, violent war between robots and cowboys, and bank robbers on a high speed chase, through the untapped potential given by the packaging of a brand new flatscreen TV.

P.S. Graveyard Shift - Spongebob had taken out the trash infinite times, but this episode was his first time taking out the trash… at night. A ritual he always found comfort in becomes violated by the context surrounding it this one and only time.

He’s gonna flip me!