Asian Journal of Humanities and Social Studies (ISSN: 2321 – 2799) Volume 02 – Issue 05, October 2014 Asian Online Journals (www.ajouronline.com ) 616 Whale Wars: A Somewhat Psychoanalytic Review Kevin Volkan California State University Channel Islands United State Email: kvolkan {at} post.harvard.edu _________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT--- Freudian metapsychology can be used to understand cultural phenomenon, especially when there is conflict between differing groups. Reality television, in depicting such conflicts, provides an opportunity to glimpse the underlying unconscious currents motivating group behavior that are at times, seemingly irrational. The television show Whale Wars is a prime example of this aspect of reality-based television. Through its portrayal of the real conflict between Japanese whalers and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, the show reveals unconscious motivations and group dynamics that conform to Freud’s theories. This paper will review the psychology of the Sea Shepherds and their relation to the Japanese whalers in an attempt to bring greater perspective and understanding to the conflict. Keywords--- Psychoanalysis, Whales, Sea Shepherds, Whaling, Japan _________________________________________________________________________________ 1. INTRODUCTION The Antarctic Ocean is one of the most desolate places on earth, yet there are penises everywhere. Phallic shaped whales swim in the vast sea; spurting water cannons festoon the Japanese whaling fleet; And the Ady Gil (a black futuristic speedboat looking like a hi-tech phallus with two testicles) powers menacingly through the water. This is the setting for Animal Planet's television show Whale Wars, which follows the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society as they try to thwart the Japanese whaling fleet and prevent the killing of whales. This is a show about men and the drama is mostly male-oriented. There are some women around to be sure, but they mostly play supporting roles as cook, nurse, doctor, and sometimes love interests for the menfolk. 1 2. JAPANESE WHALERS Why are these men and phalli in the Antarctic? Because of whales. Either because they are the Japanese hunting them for 'research' - a flimsy cover story at best - or trying to protect them from the Japanese. This is the job of the Sea Shepherds who are not content to lobby governments and argue policies while whales are being slaughtered. Instead they choose action on the high seas, seeking to directly impede the Japanese whaling fleet. In Whale Wars we learn very little about the Japanese whalers and it would be interesting to hear the reasons they hunt whales. In the show they remain a mysterious 'other', a dark and often out of focus foil for our unconscious projections. The Japanese are portrayed as an evil enemy; the murderers of intelligent, majestic, peaceful, and utterly helpless whales. Not since Allied propaganda films of WWII have we seen such a negative and a one-sided depiction of the Japanese. Unfortunately for them this makes for good television. Still, the Japanese seem to have it in for sea mammals such as whales and dolphins. This has made for some great parody such as the episode of the animated series Southpark where whales and dolphins are shown to have been responsible for the atomic bombing of Japan. 2 Even though these cetaceans are traditional menu items at some Japanese restaurants, most modern Japanese do not eat them. Whaling is a small industry, hardly worth the ruin of the international reputation of a progressive modern country. As one article indicates, much of the whale meat intended to be sold as a delicacy for humans ends up as cheap school lunches and dog food. Japanese traditions are vanishing and perhaps this compels them to passionately retain to those few traditions they have left. To be sure, there is money to be made by whaling, but not much. Due in large part, to the activities of the Sea Shepherds, the Japanese only took about half their quota of whales (around 500) this season. Supposedly they need to kill 700 whales to break even. The expense of hunting whales has also increased (again in part because of the interference of the Sea Shepherds). It supposedly costs $2.5 million just to fuel the whaling ships for the hunting season. (For a more detailed examination of why the Japanese support whaling see Hirata, 2005). 1 Someone at Animal Planet must have noticed this because the Sea Shepherd women are more prominently featured in the 3rd season of the show. Still, the women generally are supporting characters while the men are prominently featured. 2 This episode also mercilessly makes fun of the Sea Shepherds as well.