What you See is What you Get!

Clicking through the line-up of the 2013 TV fall offerings I could not help notice, especially on some stations, the large number of programs given over to violence. To use an ancient colloquial, there seems to be a high percentage of 'cops and robbers' listings. The usual conversational chatter seems to suggest that these are the programs most favoured by men or at least, they don't fall into the category of "chick flicks"!

Recently, while driving to New Brunswick from Ontario, the trees, hills and valleys along the way presented us with a magnificent kaleidoscope of reds, yellows, gold and green. Surrounded by such natural beauty it is next to impossible to be filled with violent thoughts. "Every person who chooses to come to our beautiful country," I thought," should be given the opportunity to take a similar drive." Living in some parts of our cities without ever experiencing the beauty of our land can become the breeding place of anger, violence and unhappiness. Of course beautiful trees alone will not solve this human trait!

I read somewhere that social violence and aggression is on the rise in our country, especially in our cities. Stories of cyber-bullying manages to make its way into the news almost daily. A surprising number of teen-age boys have been shooting at each other in some parts of Toronto this past summer. Around the world innocent men, women and children were recently gunned down in a Kenya Mall by militants.  The chemical warfare in Damascus reminds us of WW I. The list of refugees grows and grows. And television keeps serving up violence every night. Prime time is awash with death. As the old song goes - when will we ever learn?

For years the experts have been discussing the question as to whether violence is natural or is nurtured.  Years ago Stanley Milgram, a Yale professor, attempted to show that anyone of us is willing to engage in violent actions if told to do so by an authority figure. (Obedience to Authority 1974) Sixty-five percent of his volunteers seemingly were willing to act in a manner that was in conflict with their conscience.  I remember thinking at the time how scary that thought was but it might have explained  the violence of the Nazi regime. Of course if his investigations were accurate!

Anger is probably a defence mechanism we possess as humans when there is a real threat to our very existence. On the other hand it could be the result of severe abuse, exposure to violence, rejection or even some form of neurologic deficit. In the end I suppose violence has both a little of nature and a lot of nurture. How we act with one another often depends on the situation in which we find ourselves say some. A little verbal abuse here, an insult there or a sarcastic remark may help you feel better but it can sure 'screw up' interpersonal relationships.

But when we have the opportunity to reach out into the beauty that surrounds us in nature, to truly open our eyes and be aware of what is there for us to enjoy, it becomes rather difficult for our negative side to show itself. Well, at least....

That's Dick's View of the World this Week.