Harold Ramis and the Triumph of Community

Harold Ramis' death is a loss to not only the comedic world, but to an entire way of thinking. His films fundamentally were about the ability of a community to transform a system. Individuality was not repressed; rather to paraphrase Bill Murray talking about Sergeant Hulka (one of my favorite performances by Warren Oates) in Stripes, every foot needs a "Big Toe" to move forward. He poked a stick at the power structure rather than laughing about the dispossessed ripping on each other. His characters banded together, they kicked some ass. Individuality over collectivism led to personal hell. Bill Murray (the perfect Ramis leading man) in Groundhog Day, is trapped in a loop of repetition because of his sheer individualistic egotism. Only once he accepts the value of community can he move forward.

One shouldn't confuse repressing the individual as Ramis' personal ethos. Within the collective (be it the Frat House in Animal House, the Unit in Stripes, or at a sleep away camp bunk in Meatballs) the eccentric was celebrated and even given the opportunity to become a leader. In fact, taking on the mantle of community responsibility is the only way forces could be beaten back, oppressive systems could be upended, and the individual could become fully formed. Multiplicity is fundamentally about the failure of science to replicate the individual. Acting alone, even if there is more than one of you, is doomed to failure. Perhaps it is because Ramis was a product of the 60's or had a background in improv comedy (community art if it ever existed). His characters liked each other, needed each other, and the love was apparent. I wanted to be Bill Murray, but I always knew I was closer to Harold Ramis. He is the sexiest nebbish there ever was. He made me realize it's okay to be smart way before everyone was a self-proclaimed nerd about something. He made me realize that being an outsider is not about being excluded, but rather you had to fight to opt out. I used to think I was inspired to move to New York from Hollywood, Florida because of Do the Right Thing. I realize that when I answer myself honestly, I wanted to be part of a city that bands together after the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man has splattered all over the street. Even as a kid, that kind of collectivism gave me chills. Comedy has become downright mean and I firmly believe it's because we have no accountability to something larger than ourselves. If you want to honor Harold Ramis' memory, do more than watch Meatballs again. Remember that we're all outsiders and fighting a system together is worth the risk. Because in the end, even if "it just doesn't matter" looking out for your fellow weirdoes still does. Swifty Lang is the Writer/Co-Creator of FEEDING GROUND. His comic writing can also be seen in The Gathering and the Occupy Comics Anthology. You can Follow Swifty on Twitter