MacGyver is a state of mind.
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KiwiTek
Posted: 4 October 2012 - 03:20 AM                                    
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For some time now I've been thinking about how many aspects and ideas we could incorporate into our lives, and indeed our communities, from MacGyver and how it might be interesting to discuss these in depth as well as incorporate them into local and international events and look at how we, as a person, a community, a nation and race can better ourselves by applying some of the aspects and ideas we see in MacGyver.

Interestingly, Lee Zlotoff has the same idea. As he tells anyone who will listen, the world needs MacGyver. But he doesn't mean that so literally as he means we need the attitude, the way of thinking and looking at problems and how to solve them. For a while now I've had a tag line at the bottom of my posts which reads "MacGyver is a state of mind" and that line is something I made up (or at least I think I made it up) to reflect this very idea. When you really get down to it, the essence of MacGyver is about the way he thinks. Not only the way he solves a problem and thinks his way out of a situation, but also the way he thinks about other people, his surroundings and ways to improve things.

So the idea of this "blog" is to put my ideas and thoughts around this stuff out to everyone and then discuss them with you guys/girls. I think we can get some really interesting discussions about some of this stuff, so lets start the ball rolling with some of the things I've mentioned already. smile.gif

MacGyver is a state of mind. It's how you think, react and do.

macsak.gif



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MacBeth
Posted: 5 October 2012 - 08:16 PM                                    
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I'm going to be (possibly) egotistical and quote my own writing here. When I write MacGyver, obviously, I'm trying to get inside his head; and one of the most fascinating things that can go on in there is the mental process of MacGyverism itself. Capturing even part of that in prose is a compelling challenge -- especially since, in fiction, it has to be done without slowing the narrative pace to a crawl.

This was my first attempt at it, in Up a Long Ladder. This passage followed that well-known line "I got an idea."

It never really felt different, this special way of thinking. It wasn’t even thinking at all. It was perception; objects acquired an abstract dimension, something that was always there but not always noticed. Everything was a resource: shapes, sizes, materials and properties, potential combinations . . . it had been like that since before MacGyver could remember.


So that's the kind of 'state of mind' it is for me, more than anything else: a state of perception. Inherent in that state is a willingness to be open to possibilities, to accept different ways of thinking and seeing and doing. There's optimism -- the willingness to try -- and curiosity: the wish to add to an already considerable grasp of the world. There's also pragmatism: what you have to work with is what you've got, and you make it work, or at least try.

And there's persistence: you don't give up just because you don't have the 'right tools', or the right resources. You look at the existing resources, and figure out how to get them to be the right ones.



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KiwiTek
Posted: 5 October 2012 - 10:04 PM                                    
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That's a pretty good explanation actually.




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Jediferret
Posted: 6 October 2012 - 09:30 AM                                    
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To me, MacGyver has always been a way of life. I never really knew just how much that show had influenced me as a child. It wasn't until I re-watched it that I understand where I got a lot of my views and interests from.

For instance, I know I got my views on friendship from the show, not to mention my interest in science, computers and technology from the show as well.

I often remember talking with my sister (who is also a big fan of the show) about getting a Jeep Wrangler just because MacGyver had one.

The funny thing is that a lot of my friends think I'm weird because of my views. They like it, but don't understand it... and none of them have ever watched MacGyver. I wish they'd give the show a chance, but they refuse because it's apparently too dated, which is why I'm glad Zlotoff is trying to bring it back.

MacGyver has always been something special because of his attitude. It's that "we're in this together, so have some faith and don't give up" mentality mixed with his selfless caring of others (including those trying to kill him) that makes the show so good and unique.

Unfinished Business is a good example of this. Even though Deborah had tried to kill him several times, captured and hurt his friends, he still risked his life to try to save her. I thought it was a powerful statement that she says that she failed because she couldn't find anything in him to hate and that she let her feelings for him get in the way.

I also like how he talked to Ray and used Physics to beat him at a game of pool in The Challenge.

Kinda makes me think of the phrase "with great power comes great responsibility". MacGyver didn't just use his brain to save himself in tough situations, he used it to help others in day to day situations.

He's a great role model... and if I ever had kids, he would be a role model I would use. I know a lot of it goes to Zlotoff for creating the character and RDA for breathing life into MacGyver. I just love how human they portray him... RDA falls on his butt, instead of retake, they keep it in.

Anyway, my two cents... XD




"Walk in love. Walk in service. And you will walk in honor." (Good Knight MacGyver)
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein
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MacBeth
Posted: 6 October 2012 - 10:54 AM                                    
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Jediferret, I think you need a wider circle of friends!

I like to think the show if 'retro' rather than 'dated'. wink.gif Of course, that means I also get to be retro rather than an old fogey.



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KiwiTek
Posted: 6 October 2012 - 01:45 PM                                    
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QUOTE (Jediferret)
Kinda makes me think of the phrase "with great power comes great responsibility". MacGyver didn't just use his brain to save himself in tough situations, he used it to help others in day to day situations.

Very well said. I hadn't actually thought about it like that, but it's so true. biggrin.gif






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MacGyverGod
Posted: 9 October 2012 - 12:35 PM                                    
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Wow, this is something hard to reply to but here's a go.

What I think of with 'MacGyver is a state of mind' is the next:

'Nobody knows what you're going to do next. Including you.'

That is something that has effected me lately. Usually I don't know who, what or why yet. Will I go to this place or that place, yes and no. And some times something happens spontaneously. But not constantly enough though.

Also what comes to mind is 'choosing the locked door'. It's very tempting and common to choose the obvious. But I often notice peoples concluding it's out of the ordinary and that you shouldn't do it if you can choose the open ones.

Thinking like MacGyver is a very hard thing to do or maybe harder than you think. Though it should be something everybody is able too. Each on his own level. If you want to reach his level, I think you better hit the books and get (re)-educated. Or in his words: 'Self-taught.' I think you can think MacGyverish by simply logical thinking. He sees things and options other peoples don't see and now this comes to mind:

'How do you come up with this stuff?'
'The stuff's already there, I just find different ways to use it.'

Though logical thinking might be troublesome for some peoples. Put me in a situation or let me do something that requieres some thinking and I will come up with some way of doing things. Maybe it's not for most people the obvious, heck not even for me but it is a way of doing something. Usually when I'm about to finish up something, I can suddenly see another way which could've been better or faster or easier. Sometimes it can make me go crazy and think: 'why didn't I see that earlier?' If somebody points out it could be done differently I can't help but think: 'what's wrong with my way?'

He has his way of thinking about other peoples, surroundings and ways to improve things through his selfless care. Sometimes I like to try that and in a little amount I try that at work. Pulling through no matter what or at least do what I can to help. And to make sure whatever I do is finished or done in the best and most possible way. The problem with that of course is that if you're always trying to help out others no matter what, peoples will or try and take advantage of that. And if you know how things are going at my job... well I think I better say no more. There is one person there however who can always count on me. I consider her as a good friend, but we have our differences too but when she needs me, I'll be there for her. Because I know I can and above all want to help her out.

Maybe his way of trying to think should be tried by more peoples and it all starts by the little things and ourselves.



I think the poison that was used was applied to this knife, passed to the mutton when it was cut and then activated by the wine. - MacGyver.
Sometimes you just have to die a little inside to be reborn and rise again as a stronger and wiser version of you.
It's better to be a little sad than to be fake content.

 
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Joe SAKic
Posted: 17 February 2013 - 08:46 PM                                    
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We all immediately become (at least )10% more efficient human beings- as soon as the concept of MacGyver infiltrates and coats our cerebral pipes and his mentality begins to work in tandem with our own.

Don't get me wrong - our parents, spouses, coaches and teachers are all pretty special and strong positive influences too - but Mac's stress free and soothing narrative pumps our tires and confidence level in a way few others can. Then, not only does he talk the talk, he walks the walks too and in the most innovative of ways.

Admittedly, attempting to solve such extremely difficult problems with limited resources under adversity and with ridiculous time constraints is something that most of us will only face (and fail at) in bad dreams. But ..... eveyday life is chock full of dilemmas, issues and sticky situations that require MacGyver-like executive decisions and there's nothing like a little mental gymnastics and practice to make things perfect!

MacGyver teaches us over and over that chance favors the calm, cool and prepared mind and thus turning seemingly impossible situations around in one's favor is, more often than not, quite doable.




The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man's determination.

Whether you think you can or you can't .... you're probably right!

"Nature often addressed our problems much better than the doctor." - Henry Miller

"So shut up, live, travel, adventure, bless and don't be sorry." - Jack Kerouac

"No one is remembered for being normal" -- Albert Einstein

 
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Rocket
Posted: 20 March 2013 - 04:47 AM                                    
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For me the MacGyver state of mind is to see everything from the point of view
'How can we do it?' instead of 'Can we do it?'.

I agree that hitting the books and trying things out are important for this, because the more information you have in your cerebral attics, the better at 'how' you become macsak.gif



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YopeGyver
Posted: 20 March 2013 - 05:01 AM                                    
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Exactly, Rocket! smile.gif Which is why I've started studying more physics and chemistry.



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Mela_007
Posted: 20 March 2013 - 07:29 AM                                    
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QUOTE
We all immediately become (at least )10% more efficient human beings- as soon as the concept of MacGyver infiltrates and coats our cerebral pipes and his mentality begins to work in tandem with our own.


I think you got it just right!! I am finding that the more I watch and become "infiltrated" by MacGyver, the more my thinking is tending that direction. Especially in the areas of finding creative solutions to a problem.

QUOTE
I agree that hitting the books and trying things out are important for this, because the more information you have in your cerebral attics, the better at 'how' you become


Exactly and Mac hit the books several times during the series!



Ok, I previewed the post and it looks just like the editing version. I will try posting it anyway to see if it works. If not, then I'll edit it further. I have never put a quote box into a post before, so it's time to learn something new...hitting the "books" so to speak. laugh.gif

Well, it didn't work the first time...maybe this time? doh.gif unsure.gif

Woohoo, the preview looks right!! (I think) hmm.bmp



"I think if you try hard enough and make the best of a situation, the situation won't get the best of you." -MacGyver

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Joe SAKic
Posted: 20 March 2013 - 05:24 PM                                    
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I grasped the 'concept' from day one and have used in my repertoire since 1985. What that 'concept' is and how much it is a part of me is yet to be fulled defined. Having watched the first season recently, I can't say (at this point) that I am or was not as a big fan of the script/writing as I was of the character himself.

That may change however as I delve deeper into the series. What I can tell you is that the 'concept' helps to keep my mind complete, confident and calm in any situation that I face. I fully believe that there's a solution to any situation, problem or adversity not matter how daunting it may seem - if only I just take a deep breath, review my options, resources and then put some serious, concentrated thought(and often humour as well) to the issue at hand.

I'm not a religious man at all but I'm certain that the 'concept' is analogous to the same energy/power/feelings/benefits that religious devotees draw from their various Gods.



The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man's determination.

Whether you think you can or you can't .... you're probably right!

"Nature often addressed our problems much better than the doctor." - Henry Miller

"So shut up, live, travel, adventure, bless and don't be sorry." - Jack Kerouac

"No one is remembered for being normal" -- Albert Einstein

 
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Scwilson
Posted: 31 July 2013 - 06:26 PM                                    
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sak.gif MacGyver as a state of mind, I admit that watching the show as a kid had a influence on me as it did most people who were fans. The fact that we are talking about a show almost thirty years old on a site devoted to it proves that Mac changed are thinking. Most TV shows of the eighties were cops and robbers whose heroes used guns and violence to resolve the episodes conflict. Mac found alternate methods to solve problems. Minimal violence, use your brain not your muscle. I took more of an interest in science such as geology and astronomy. I found school shop useful and took technology more seriously. Mac was 007 who made his gadgets. I try to see problems as Mac would when the easy solution is not available find an alternative one. Mac was a positive role model as a kid and my mom did not mind that I watched it, she even liked it after a few episodes.



 
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Mr Duct Tape
Posted: 3 October 2015 - 08:55 AM                                    
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I maybe repeting what others have said in the thread, but I feel like the character MacGyver is the perfect example of a role model present in the showbusiness. He's the best friend you could have, because he really cares for others around him, many times putting other's interests/well being first and then his own.

And relating to myself, I sometimes try to think like MacGyver would in many situations when trying to find a solution to some problem.



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Posted: 7 August 2016 - 02:39 AM                                    
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This topic is the main reason why I'm here on this forum.

So thank You KiwiTek and all of you for insightful thoughts about it !

MacGyver as a" state of mind" or "way of live" or even philosophy is very important to a lot of people as I can see. I'm glad to see that
thumbup.gif

My live motto came from motto of my Alma Mater - Jagiellonian University- PLUS RATIO QUAM VIS, and means: " Reason before force" or "less force more reason". Don't you think this could be a good motto for MacGyver ? smile.gif

I could not be more agree with you MacBeth:


QUOTE (MacBeth @ 5 October 2012 - 08:16 PM)
I'm going to be (possibly) egotistical and quote my own writing here.  When

It never really felt different, this special way of thinking.  It wasn’t even thinking at all.  It was perception; objects acquired an abstract dimension, something that was always there but not always noticed.  Everything was a resource:  shapes, sizes, materials and properties, potential combinations . . . it had been like that since before MacGyver could remember.




It's all about perception and asking right question, as KiwiTek said in another topic: " Any situation can be helped if not solved by asking What Would MacGyver Do?"



"Any problem can be solved with a little ingenuity." MacGyver

"Eureka!" Dobromir

 
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