The Spirit of Youth

Walt Disney returned to a key theme time and again in his films: An emotionally distant adult is reawakened to life's possibilities by the unfettered Spirit of Youth. Merlin Jones explores how this concept resonates with Walt's life and the business that bears his name.

http://www.savedisney.com/news/essays/mj070804.1.asp

Merlinjones, that is the best essay I have ever read about the Disney Company. Seriously.

I happened upon it by accident without linking to it from here (well, since I check SaveDisney every day, it wasn't really an accident, you know.) I was out of breath at the end of it! I said out loud to my computer screen "Wow, who wrote that?" And it was you! I laughed, said to my computer screen "I should have known" and then came right here to tell you "THANK YOU".

OK, so I'm kind of a dork. Who talks to my computer. But thank you anyway. I'm very serious in my compliment!

Thanks, blusilva - - It's a angle on the subject that I've been wanting to put down for some time. :)

Again, Merlin Jones continues to rock. I concur with blusilva - that was one of the very best things I've ever read about the current situation. Having read a number of biographies of Walt when I was younger, many of Walt's comments were not altogether unfamiliar to me, but seeing them here does leave a greater impression. I must admit that it gives me hope that the Vision can be recaptured. The question, however, is when?

Some of us who lament the current crisis in the company and go on forever about Walt often get dismissed as a bunch of "cranky old-timers who just want to live in the past", when it fact, what we want is for the very essence of Walt's dreams to be brought back front and center to the company.

Truly awesome, my friend. That essay should be published and read nationwide. I strongly suggest a book. Your voice desperately needs to be heard.

Well I agree with the other comments. I read the essay at SaveDisney.com and thought, well written, wish I could respond. Well here I am at Mouseplanet and here is the thread.

Merlinjones, you may be a scrambled egghead but you've got it, you've hit the nail on the head. Disney should be run by people like you, not by the no talent bums that are in control now.

You GET it. You totally get Disney, and what Walt was all about. You know what the company should be about, and what we miss about it, and you know how to put it into words.

You've written so many great articles and they all ring true, and this latest one was GREAT.

You should be directing the Walt Disney Company.

Here, here, anyone second the motion?

Until then keep up the good work. You're now officially my favorite Disney commentator.