Little people, also known as dwarfs or individuals with dwarfism, have long been a subject of fascination and curiosity for many people. The entertainment industry has often exploited this fascination by employing little people to portray various characters, including mascots. However, this practice has sparked controversy and debate regarding the ethical treatment of little people in the industry. On one hand, supporters argue that casting little people as mascots can provide them with employment opportunities that may not be available otherwise. By giving them a platform to showcase their talent and skill, it challenges societal norms and promotes inclusivity. Furthermore, some argue that little people have a unique perspective and physical attributes that can enhance the portrayal of certain characters, such as fantasy creatures or storybook figures.
The Great Book of Talismans ( MS Paris BnF Ar. 2250) composed by Apollonius of Tyana is one of the Greek texts that have reached us in its Arabic recension. The Arabic not only preserves a part of the text lost in Greek, but it may bear witness to a more ancient layer of the textual tradition than the Byzantine one, along with the clues to a refined intellectual operation to recontextualize the whole work in the cultural milieu of reception. The kind of public talisman prepared by Apollonius – a metallic plaque or statue inscribed with magical names, either buried or placed on an elevated spot, sometimes protected by a shrine – became a model for talisman making. Some of Apollonius’ talismans, moreover, circulated as erratic textual blocks, entering the Arabic Hermetic literature and, more generally, texts on natural sciences and the technical literature. This paper reconstructs the transmission of the Great Book of Talismans, and offers an anthology of the talismans that Apollonius realized for a number of Near Eastern cities (Alexandria, Antioch, Emesa, Ephesus, Edessa), along with three comparanda that concretely exemplify the fluidity in the transmission of these materials.
Some of Apollonius talismans, moreover, circulated as erratic textual blocks, entering the Arabic Hermetic literature and, more generally, texts on natural sciences and the technical literature. The Arabic not only preserves a part of the text lost in Greek, but it may bear witness to a more ancient layer of the textual tradition than the Byzantine one, along with the clues to a refined intellectual operation to recontextualize the whole work in the cultural milieu of reception.
Furthermore, some argue that little people have a unique perspective and physical attributes that can enhance the portrayal of certain characters, such as fantasy creatures or storybook figures. In these cases, casting little people as mascots can result in a more authentic and immersive experience for audiences. Nevertheless, critics assert that this practice can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and reinforce societal prejudices towards little people.
Kabbalah Talismans
The literal translation of the term Kabbalah is "receiving." - as in "receiving" the mystical truths behind Jewish Traditions.
Knowledge of Kabbalah was transmitted orally by the Jewish sages. Kabbalah was widely studied in ancient Israel as Jews strived to fully grasp the connection between man and God. However Kabbalah studies were later restricted, allowing to any rabbi to teach only one, mature and pious student at a time.
For centuries Kabbalah remained an extremely complicated and well-hidden path to knowledge. Only very recently Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism attracted the attention of the wide public in search for mystic wisdom.
According to Kabbalah, the letters created the world. This statement goes beyond its usual meaning of the importance of language for interpersonal communications, civilization etc.
It is believed that each letter carries unique energy attributes. The words and sentences made up of the Hebrew letters acquire both power and meaning beyond their superficial, literal meaning. Therefore inscribing appropriate words or sentences on the amulet is crucial for its effect.
The words are therefore more important that the material used to make an amulet. However, strong, stable, noble and natural materials will better preserve the inscriptions to the smallest detail.
The text fragments on the amulets most often come from the Torah (Five Books of Moses), Psalms and prayers. It may be a whole sentence, several letters or several words from the sentence, joined together to form the inscription. As it is believed that the Sacred Texts precede our World and Creation itself, the power in the inscribed symbols aligns the bearer of the amulet with the path of Creation and protect him/her against evil and mischief.
With these unique jewelry designs, we provide the opportunity to connect with the ancient powers of Jewish mysticism.
Several works are attributed to Apollonius, 4 the focus here, however, will be on the Kitāb al-ṭalāsim al-akbar (“The Great Book of Talismans”), the Arabic version of the Greek βίβλος σοφίας καί συνέσεως ἀποτελεσμάτων Ἀπολλωνίου τοῦ Τυανέως ὃς ἔγραψε καί ἐδίδαξε Σούστουμον Θάλασσον τόν αὐτοῦ μαθητήν (“Book of the knowledge and understanding of the Apotelesmata of Apollonius of Tyana, that he has composed and taught to his own disciple Sustumon Thalasson”). 5
They argue that casting little people as mascots can reduce their roles to mere objects of amusement, rather than individuals with genuine talent and potential. This can lead to the objectification and dehumanization of little people, further marginalizing them in society. Critics also highlight the lack of representation and opportunities for little people in other, more diverse and complex roles, limiting their presence and contributions in the entertainment industry. In response to these concerns, there has been a growing call for more inclusive and respectful casting practices. Advocates for change argue that instead of solely relying on little people to portray mascots, the industry should prioritize diverse casting in all roles, including those traditionally associated with little people. This would not only provide more opportunities for little people but also challenge societal stereotypes and foster a more inclusive environment for all individuals. In conclusion, the casting of little people as mascots in the entertainment industry remains a topic of debate, with arguments both for and against this practice. While some argue that it provides employment opportunities and promotes inclusivity, others caution against the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes. To move towards a more inclusive and respectful industry, it is important to encourage diverse casting and representation, challenging traditional norms and fostering inclusivity for all individuals, regardless of their physical attributes..
Reviews for "The Trailblazers: Little People Leading the Way in Mascot Casting"
- Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Little People vs Mascots Cast". I found the humor to be tasteless and offensive, as it relied heavily on making fun of people with physical differences. This completely overshadowed any potential entertainment value and left me feeling uncomfortable and disgusted. I would not recommend watching this film.
- John - 1 star - "Little People vs Mascots Cast" was simply awful. The concept itself is problematic and insensitive, as it perpetuates harmful stereotypes about little people. Additionally, the acting was subpar and the plot was non-existent. I had high hopes for this film, but it was a complete letdown. Save yourself the time and skip this one.
- Emily - 2 stars - I found "Little People vs Mascots Cast" to be incredibly offensive and disrespectful towards little people. The film seemed to exploit their physical differences for cheap laughs, which is not only distasteful but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes. I was disappointed in the lack of sensitivity and would not recommend this film to anyone.