What really caught my attention was the suggestion of being back in Jr. High - and reliving that kind of trauma. Yet so much of what I saw on TV (back when I had a TV) had a sense of "abuse" to it - just like Jr. High. It reminds of a story by Ray Bradbury called "The Playground".
One of the ways that the media have attracted audiences is using "shock". "You won't believe the shocking new revelation about _______." But Mills suggests that the ability to shock is a gift. Maybe the shock comes in the form of a Compassion International video showing starving people in terrible need. Maybe the shock comes in the picture of a rotting body found on a field of war. But these have a point - a challenge to better ourselves and the lives of those around us. Using (overusing!) shocking behavior and abusive language for a laugh or for ratings is not a positive direction for us.
I agree. We need that shock to put us in motion but if we are laughing instead or simply watching passively, our shock has no outlet and the energy it was mobilizing is dissipated without us engaging the shocking injustice or evil or hurt.
ReplyDeleteNot good.