Okay, I’m already eliminating magic from the equation because I’m a skeptic and you gave me permission (I have the slip here somewhere) to dismiss it outright. I love a good mystery AND I’m a realist, so not sure where you formulated that notion. I am also a historian but I certainly do not trivialize myths. So you’re 1 for 3 there, amigo! ð Now to answer your primary (and supplemental) questions. The world is plenty scary enough for other reasons, so I don’t think these three M’s (suddenly I’m thinking of Scotch tape and Post-it notes) add to or detract from the general air of fear that permeates so much of our culture. Magic (yes, the bogus member of this trio) is a diversion, nothing more. It may serve to make people laugh and smile, so it clearly doesn’t contribute to fear and unease (unless frickin’ clowns are involved somehow). Mystery can be scary but it also presents a wonderful intellectual challenge that I simply adore. We don’t have all the answers (not even close) so an element of mystery is a constant in our world — and for me at least, a welcome one. Myths are wonderful tools to teach and inspire. Sure, they can frighten but a great many things can do the same without any positive benefit. Mythology teaches us a great deal about ancient cultures and the common links between them. I’ve always been fascinated by the similarities between stories (myths) from ancient Greece and Rome to China, Japan, India, Europe, Africa and the Americas. There are very definite patterns, which proves to those who would doubt it that we are all interconnected on some level. Mythology speaks to that common sense of humanity. Beautiful. I am not frightened by magic because I know it does not exist. It would not frighten me if it did, either. As for the “great unknown,” I’d need to know your definition of it. Different people think of different meanings for that term. I mean, it COULD be great… or it could be a colossal disappointment. I don’t even know what it is, to be honest, so I can’t even venture a guess. But in summation, assuming I’m comprehending your question correctly, because of our inquisitive nature and the lack of any real answers to so many of our fundamental questions about life and death, I’m thinking the three M’s (now I’m thinking of Mars bars, Snickers and Three Musketeers) are as natural and instinctive to our species as most anything else we think and believe. I believe it’s always been that way, which is why mythology is passed down from generation to generation. The “great unknown” remains unknown, so we remain curious and try to fill the void....
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