A is for Atlas

Welcome to the A-Z blogging challenge. Throughout the month of April, I'll be blogging about fantasy. Contemporary, urban, paranormal, traditional, any and all subgenre's. Oh, and how I think it might fit into the modern world. Once you're done here, make sure to check out the participant list for a ton more awesome sites to explore.

I almost kicked everything off with angel, but that seemed too easy, at least given that's my one of my favorite urban fantasy subjects. So instead, today, A is for Atlas. From Wikipedia: In Greek mythology, Atlas (/ˈætləs/; Ancient Greek: Ἄτλας) was the primordial Titan who held up the celestial sphere.

In other words, the guy who carried the world on his back.

Think about the ramifications of that. I'm not just thinking about the physical aspects of actually having a planet resting on your shoulders, but as much a metaphorical thing. The evils, the woes, the frustrations, the terrors. The good of the world as well. But think about how heavy that would have to be for one guy--Titan or not.

I figure after a couple millenia of that, it would start to drag a dude down. Especially as the world turns on itself. As the bad starts to outweigh the good, as wars rage on, and as lands and civilizations burn.

Atlas would have to be one tough-ass SOB to find the flowers and good in a situation like that. A cynic, a pessimist, a realist, they wouldn't survive. He's got to be the ultimate in "the glass is half full."

Which, when you think about it, is maybe a good thing for a guy who carries the weight of the world on his back.

What type of job do you think that kind of dude would have in a modern world?