Mandalorianer mit Mundschutz, darüber Text "Best Mundschutz ever setting a very good example"

Why The Mandalorian fits so well into our times

12/04/2020

“This is the way!” About heroic figures in times of pandemic.

The Mandalorian – the perfect pandemic crisis hero

For those who don't know him, The Mandalorian is the latest spin-off from the Star Wars universe, a hit series on Disney+. What's it about? Without giving too much away, a taciturn guy with a steel mask somehow, somewhere, finds a charming green cuddly baby with long green ears. He has to take it to someone – a classic Italian western story, only set in space, everything as usual. What's special about this guy is that he fits perfectly with the pandemic and the current crisis. Why is that? We analyze it here in detail.

Drawing of the Mandalorian with planet in the background

1. “This is the way!” - Clear strategy, consistent implementation

The Mandalorian is blessed with a very simple worldview. To understand this, you need to know (if I understand correctly) that the Mandalorians are a kind of sect and have one or two beliefs, nothing more. The path is one of them. Once they have a task, preferably as simple as possible, they carry it out without any ifs or buts. Of course, a Mandalorian adapts to circumstances when necessary. But he never loses sight of his goal and always achieves it. Someone like that is invaluable in times of crisis!

Mandalorians and Grogu in front of place name signs with the text “He knows the way”

2. Disruption forces innovation

Times change – and the Mandalorian is embracing change. In his case, he has to look after a little green brat that everyone else finds charming and cute. Only he finds him annoying. But he does it and doesn't argue. Instead, he closes his eyes (which you can't see because he always wears a helmet) and gets on with it. And he finds new solutions: a child seat in the spaceship, a baby carrier in his revolver belt, and so much more—necessity is the mother of invention. Yes, this is how a true Schumpeterian pioneer entrepreneur acts, in the midst of the process of “creative destruction.”

Drawing of the Mandalorian defending Grogu, with the text “Disruption leads to innovation.”

3. Best face mask ever

He wears a helmet. And he is never allowed to take it off. His face remains completely covered, whether indoors or outdoors, and not even the smallest aerosol particle can slip through—every health minister's dream. The Mandalorian is setting a good example, and other heroes will follow suit. Just wait and see.

Kaputte Razor Quest mit Text "Problems in Home Office" — Zeichnung einer Bruchlandung der Razor Quest, darüber der Text "Problems in Home Office"

4. Home office – it's bumpy, jerky, and shaky

Is there a better visual metaphor for our digital infrastructure than the Mandalorian's rusty spaceship? Where nothing works properly, and when it does, it's only by chance? Yes, we feel for him when he lands somewhere in the mud again, loses connection, and can't send his last, important message properly.

And we think back to the last video conference or accessing the internal network via a sluggish VPN connection: “Yeah, that's exactly how it is!”

5. Home schooling – a blessing and a curse

We know this too: there sits the little dummy in front of us, not understanding a thing. He does what he wants and doesn't listen when we try to teach him something – a seemingly hopeless case. Deep down inside him, great wisdom is said to lie dormant – but how can we get to it? And when we finally take him to a teacher, what does he or she say? “I can't show him the way” – outrageous! This happens in season 2.

That's how it is in the digital school universe, and here on earth too. Our hero endures this with stoic composure – just like us! Because the little guy is charming, and he likes him very much.

Comic drawing showing the Mandalorian trying to teach Grogu something. Above it, the text “Home schooling - blessing and a curse.”

6. The nerds have the power

... because they are the only ones who understand what is going on here. And they are the ones who can intervene. Adapt, change, develop, implement. Sometimes they look a little strange, but they know what they are doing. And that's what you need if you want to navigate a crisis successfully. They are indispensable, irreplaceable – the perfect sidekicks.

Various aliens from the Star Wars universe, with the text “Nerds have the power” above them.

All in all

... cool guy, good series, the best of the whole Star Wars universe, says my friend Ron DMC Kruse, and he should know because he watches it professionally. Good story for these times. Currently airing every Friday with a new episode. Enjoy!