SpongeBob Squarepants who lives in the pineapple under the sea has brought much joy to us and the kids. But honestly, I don’t think this cartoon is good for kids, particularly those kids who are creative,  brave, and have big dreams.

I have watched quite a few cartoons since childhood. Most of them tried to teach me something, either it’s loyalty, bravery, happiness, or most valuable to me personally, creativity. SpongeBod also tried to deliver a message, that is: always be happy. Even if your boss is bossy, your coworker hates you, your neighbour is Squidward… nothing could bother you, you are just a yellow, square, happy sponge! Well, that could make sense to kids. But as an adult audience, I don’t think that is true! And I don’t think that should be true!

There’s nothing wrong about the message of “always be happy”. What I don’t understand is why:

- Why is SpongeBob happy about working like a machine while making tiny little money?

- Why he’s always nice to Squidward even Squidward treats him terribly?

- Mr. Krabs is obviously avoiding recognizing SpongeBod’s contribution to Krusty Krab restaurant, but why is SpongeBob ok with that?

I actually have many more questions for SpongeBob, but let’s just stick with the above three.

I guess the only answer to these questions are: SpongeBob has a childlike enthusiastic personality. I would buy it if I was a child. But I’m an adult. And I don't have an answer to it. However, I see a lot of us living our lives just like SpongeBob, only less happy, more struggling.

If you have worked in a company, big or small, as long as it has been in the market for over 10 years, you will notice that the company is operating in a highly mechanized system. They have a proven successfully efficient working system, within which each employee fits perfectly in his/her assigned role, conducts exactly the same tasks day after day. Once mastered the skills of the position, you can just follow the procedure and beat the day. it’s stable, predictable (if there’s no surprises happening). You don’t need to understand how the entire business runs, just focusing on the tasks you are assigned to—— like SpongeBob, alway flipping Krabby Patties.

Is there any problem about that? Of course not. It’s how we were educated: we study from school, find a job and work till old. In SpongeBob’s case, flip Kraby Patties till old, if he really do gets old. The world has been emphasizing the importance of “finding a job”. But in my opinion, “finding a job” is only one way of creating value to this world. What’s more important is that how are we creating values in our limited life?

SpongeBob’s happiness is valuable, indeed.

But I want my kids to understand that SpongeBob is a fun character, not a life model. Always look for better ways to fulfill your own dreams, and you will be happy.

P.S. Flipping Kraby Patties life long is not a good idea.