Because We Like It!

Let's begin this blog with a confession. I did not go to the theatre to watch "Star Wars: The Force Awakens". Like many tales that have a happy ending, General Luke Sky Walker succeeds in rescuing the beautiful Princess. I did see, whether I wanted to or not, the many trailers and newscasts promoting the film. Unfortunately, these short snippets emphasised the lightsaber battles and civil war in the galaxy. So I missed the love story theme and was  turned away by the outer-space violence. Nevertheless, thousands loved this return of Star Wars. It should be noted that the young female fans questioned why Rey's replicas were not available on store shelves before Christmas?

Those trailers got me wondering if most of us have  some kind of a morbid curiosity or an attraction to violence? We may be driving along a highway and suddenly the traffic slows down. The accident in the opposite lanes attracts the rubberneckers, perhaps hoping they might see some horrible mess they can report to friends when they arrive home.

Then, of course, there is violence on T.V., in the movie theatre,  and, for those who like them, many video games. I believe it was around 1972 when the U. S. Surgeon General warned about violence in games leading to violent behaviour. But our attraction to violence seems to have become worse!

Carl Jung talked about an unconscious part of our psyche where animal instincts and desires lay hidden in what he called a "shadow of self". Perhaps many of us really don't want to admit that some of the things we do may be harmful in the end...smoking, extreme skiing, watching violent professional sports, boxing, speeding, jay-walking etc. On the other hand, we usually do something because there is a reward. We get points, praise from others, excitement, a pat on the back, across the street sooner, a healthy release of emotion or just exciting entertainment.

With all due respect to the Surgeon General, it's not that simple. I doubt the entertainment industry agrees with him! On the  other hand, when it comes to advertising on our devices, the industry firmly believes they can change  our behaviour. Can they or can't they?

There are many reasons we are attracted by real or vicarious violence. It  might be the desire for power, religious extremism, bullying, imitation, cultural background, upbringing, poverty, mental illness, survival, or home environment. Violence is a very complex problem caused by many different factors. But it is also part of everyday life.

What about the average person? We see more and more of it in professional sports and, because of that, the fans are coming out in larger numbers. Could the ultimate reason for violence be that we like it?

Google Images

J. Gottschall is quoted in an article in the National Post (April 2015) saying, "We all say we hate violence. But we are shovelling it in our faces consuming a huge diet of violent video games and sports, and so I think we should admit it; something in us likes violence."

That may be true. But for the majority,  there is a limit to what we can ingest. Perhaps by the time "Star Wars: The Force Reawakens" I might drag myself to the theatre.

And that's Dick's View of the World this Week

Did Yoy Know?

The Islamic State not only depends on oil to survive, but also on selling sex slaves, ransoming hostages, stealing farmland and whatever else they can get their hands on. Results: they can keep fighting for some time to come.