It's everywhere. The breakdown of civil discourse. The rise of righteous indignation. What makes a human behave the way they do? I have no idea. But I wonder why knowledge and the search for knowledge is treated like a liability and not an asset? It's strange to me how violence has become so commonplace that most people tend to ignore it unless it directly relates to their own little bubble in which they live. For many years, critically lauded films like "The Exorcist" and "Straw Dogs" were banned in Great Britain because of their violent content. Here in the free world, the appetite for destruction has never waned and, in fact, keeps growing. I was a young child at the dawn of home gaming systems when your so-called enemies were merely dots on an otherwise pitch black screen. Today, video games are striving to be more and more realistically violent. Why? What does it really matter? Does seeing that silver bullet piercing and then ripping through someones' virtual but bloody body make a difference on how many points you receive versus how many points you would receive if these lifelike vessels where nothing more than the dots I had previously mentioned?
I find it odd how so-called reality television has taken over the increasingly depressing airwaves. Couples bickering about what house is better worth their $375,000 when very real people are wondering where they will be sleeping tonight. Housewives trying to outdo each other in worldly possessions when very real people are struggling to find their place in the world. Is this really escapism? Is it voyeurism? Again, I have no idea.
I know this pondering is unlike my previous posts but it really does have a connection to my previous and seemingly irrelevant ramblings. The game shows of my youth were strictly for fun. Maybe you won a few thousand dollars in cash and/or prizes. Maybe you had the chance to meet someone somewhat famous. Maybe you had a decent time as a winner or even a loser. Maybe the show host looked and acted a bit fake but was nice to you anyway. All this is just not enough today.
Today's shows are strictly an all or nothing situation. No parting gifts if you lose. The newer hosts are mostly comedians who are more concerned about their performance and less concerned about the actual contestants or the few rules of the show. The stakes are so high and/or ridiculous, it's a wonder that the contestant doesn't have a myocardial infarction right there on stage. This is fun? This is entertainment? Does everything have to be morphed into the 'Bigger Better Faster More' mindset? Do we really need everything coming at us at mind-boggling lightning speeds?
Speaking as someone with a very small but concerned voice, I sincerely hope not.
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