If a purpose of a media/medium is to entertain, what do you do with all the underlying possible moral implications that the entertainment poses to "you" the viewer?"
An example of this might be a movie in where you see someone help out a villain, unaware of the purpose of the villain, and then in the end when the good Samaritan isn't looking, gets brutally murdered in some way that is shocking and alarming to the viewer (you). There are scenarios like this I could probably point out in many movies, shows, news articles etc. These mediums are presenting a possible reality and then giving the viewer a result that the viewer accepts.
At the time of watching this episode it is accepted by the viewer that this was setup for the effect of shock and thus some entertainment because it moves the viewer to feel something, i.e. horror. The other possible intended OR unintended result is the viewer seeing someone help another human being and then the end result being bad for the Samaritan. Does anyone think that the next time "you" the viewer sees someone in need of help, in real life, feels a little fear for your own safety and is part of this fear spawned by episodes like this? You can say it doesn't but your mind is now full of images and scenarios (albeit brief) that solidify fear, distrust, and thus an apprehension to help your fellow citizen. And the most effective part of the episode is that it's purpose was not to teach you this but rather to entertain you or in the case of a news article to inform you.
How many scenario's like this go on in a day in the media that in one way or another encourage or advertise selfishness with good results or maybe even vice versa?
I guess this thought/idea popped in to my head based on something I read in a book called the Abolition of Man a long time ago. Lewis is much more clear on explaining this idea and his example is explained in a way that explains how well hidden a point can be...
How much of what we take as truth is exactly taught to us intentionally by our parents? and how much is the media, in one way or another, taking the place as ethical tutor?
I'm more thinking out loud than trying to make a solid point I guess. This is just one of those thoughts that pops in to my head that causes me to distrust much of mainstream thinking. I'm your typical skeptic and pretty much think everyone is jaded no matter what side of the fence they sit. I have to admit that I especially can't stand certainty and ideologues.
A well told story is not only powerful but possibly also dangerous. I suppose the next propaganda machine could be veiled in the sheep's clothing of some sort of soap opera (considering their popularity).
I guess here's my point: Pay attention.
5 comments:
I've been thinking about that recently. Real life stuff scares a person to be less all out helpful. I knew someone who was beaten and robbed when he stopped to help some people along the highway!
My mom used to feed hobos that rode the trains (rode the rails) that went through our town. They seemed to know where our house was. Different times I'd come in and see a strange man eating at the kitchen table and I knew he was a hobo just passing through town. I remember them as quiet, respectful but kept to themselves - They were just there to eat.
I have to admit I'd be scared to death to have a stranger in our house now like that. We hear about too much stuff. Too bad. Probably self preservation is the culprit. Some might call that cowardly...and maybe they'd be right.
The entertainment industry is no friend to society. Even though some of them think they are.
I just feel compelled to say that I agree with your statement of "I have to admit that I especially can't stand certainty and ideologues." I'm with you on that one, and speaking for myself - I have come to terms with many ideas/truths that those loved/trusted ones passed down and I'm sure some (if not many) forms of media contributed as well and have struggled (or am currently struggling with) finding my own meanings and definitions for how it is I want to live my life and how I want to move around in this world, including therefore how I interact with and respond to others. I know that you are not looking for anything here in this post, and I am only offering my own personal ponderings. For whatever reason, this post hit me and I felt the need to contribute...at one time or another I think I "bought into" a certain way of thinking that directly affected my friendships, relationships and family and I am quite franky disgusted at how easily I followed. I know that I for one am definitely trying to pay attention more.
I think I may have missed the drift of your post. What I commented earlier was just what it made me think about when I read it.
Now I'm seeing something else that you may have been thinking. "Pay attention" wasn't a bad thing to end that with - even though we may be looking at it in a different light.
HD525,
I think we've all bought in to something when we were young that we now wish we hadn't. I suppose that's all part of the education that life gives us. To come to a place where you/we can admit mistakes from the past is a good thing.
I still wonder how much of what I think "now" is still screwy. Finding truth is hard to do. I've thought certain ideas were truth in the past and now I'm not so sure.. which makes me unsure of so much now. It makes it tough to make any movement without accepting something and just acting...
There are some things that I know are obviously wrong but I still find myself being pulled in to them... i.e. materialism, laziness, disinterest... Life needs action.. I should take my own advice but indecision can make that hard...
Ha! I shouldn't have started typing. Now I'm frustrated! Stupid inner thoughts!
jp
I don't think you missed any point because I rarely have just one. I'm not good at central themes...
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