The Jotun of Norse myth represented the forces of nature. They were something far beyond the ability of humans to control or even fully comprehend. Thor had a more important role to play in Norse myth than as a warrior or The Thunderer, he was God of Smiths. With his brother god Loki, who was Fire, and Odin, who was Cunning and Leadership, he protected human civilization and helped it to prosper. (At least as much as a fictional entity can.)
Today we have The State, PACs, MegaCorps, and Disease. People casually assume that things like energy and space travel will be solved in due time. What will crush you, kill you, your family and all that you have done in the modern era are caused by humans.
What is protecting us? Humans. Ordinary, run of the mill, not particularly attractive, humans.
The State, PACs, MegaCorps, and Disease
I was thinking along those lines for modern giants. Plus tech, markets, etc. And even though these things may not crush us literally they might crush our spirits. I see this as one reason ordinary men look to the divine for help. Since these things, especially the state, PACs and MegaCorps, ARE men, I think there's something we look to within ourselves to protect us from those workings.
Not related, but I wouldn't equate Loki with fire. He was pitted against fire (logi) in Utgard and couldn't match its appetite -- at least according to Snorri. Loki I see as more of an epitome of that part of the human character that likes to stir the shit. When you know somethings bad but can't help yourself and do it anyway. That kind of thing. It's no coincidence he's largely responsible for the end of the world through the giants he fathers.
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