Can you define love?

It’s weird, I have been co-hosting a design podcast for almost five years now, and I constantly talk about all sorts of aspects in the profession without much forethought. My opinions change a bit, but I have no problems sharing them. When it comes to talking about love, I fine myself speechless. I don’t know where to begin. What is love?

I have love for a few people. My wife comes to mind first, then family, friends, some pets. Some are still with us, some are just memories. But what else can I love?

If you stopped by my office, you may think I love G.I.Joe, Homer Simpson (I did name my pug Homer, and I think I love that pug, but Homer Simpson?), a weird collection of music, Boba Fett, and Street Fighter II. But above my desk, I have a shelf dedicated to somewhere over 50 figures of the Man of Steel. You may end up thinking I love Superman. I don’t think I love Superman. Can I love Superman?

I think love may be overused as a term. I think we can like a lot of things, but we can’t love that much. I like Superman. But love? To me, with love comes the willingness for sacrifice. And really, how many items are worth real sacrifice? How many fictional characters will I give up something real for? Probably somewhere right around zero. Possibly even less. And not more than none.

I love Superman. I look at the figures and see the same character portrayed in different ways, each artist having his or her unique take on the same character. I remember my mother telling me how I use to put a blanket around my neck and run around saying I was Superman. I was too young to remember doing any of this.

I can’t love Superman. This is a character that has never existed.

I love the idea of Superman. If you had powers that others didn’t, would you use them to help? Would you help people that aren’t even family or friends? Would you help a species that you aren’t even a part of? And most of his heroics seems to be volunteer work, done off-hours. Not a lot of pay seems to go in the way of being Clark Kent. Maybe I like the idea of helping others when we can, and trying to make a difference.

Don’t we, as designers, have some sort of powers (like problem solving and communication skills) that can be used to help? Can we help make the world a better place? There is sacrifice in doing so. We would have to be willing to sacrifice time and money. I think I love the idea of that.

I love the idea of child running around thinking they can fly. That child thinks he change the world, and who can tell him he can’t?