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I think a good example of this is the film "Doctor Sleep". I bought the DVD a few days ago and was looking forward to updating the old Stephen King story. It was creepy from the outset, but that's okay. But then the film showed the torture and murder of a child...and that crossed a line for me. I turned off the DVD and threw it in the trash.
I think media can shape attitudes - for example, if people are commonly exposed to content that portrays a particular demographic in a negative way, they might care less about whether that demographic is mistreated, and people who have pre-existing violent tendencies might feel emboldened to act against that group.
I also think violent media can give people who already have violent proclivities ideas for what sort of violence to commit. But it's not like there are any shortage of other sources of inspiration for that.
Overall I think violent media is much more a mirror than a catalyst.
I don't think it can turn someone decent into someone indecent.
And let's not forget song lyrics. Remember the filthy fifteen, back in the 80's? Although that was more about sex, drugs and rock n roll, as opposed to violence.
I kind of think people like scary and creepy movies for the thrill of the scare. Which is similar to the thrill of a roller coaster ride, or something like that. That jump or startle, but then you know you're safe. But I don't think it's necessarily for everyone.
I'm not a big fan of the horror genre, but my husband likes horror movies, and so sometimes, I'm a 'captive audience'. SOME stuff just creeps me out too much. Like the show American Horror Story. That show seriously spooks me and gives me nightmares. I'm not wired for that stuff. When I was a kid, I couldn't even watch Godzilla movies, they scared me too much. lol And heck, at some point when I was a kid, I gave up watching The Wizard of Oz because the flying monkeys freaked me out. I didn't watch it again until about 20 yrs old.
In other words, I'm a wuss about scary shows and movies
But I think other people like the thrill. I have a theory that everyone has their "danger thing". Something that gives them their adrenaline fix. Some people like to parachute out of airplanes. Other people like to race cars, etc. I would LOVE to be a storm chaser. And maybe some people get their fix watching scary and creepy shows.
Which is a great question to ask a date. Which film genre they enjoy and which ones are a stomach Turner.
I dare say one of my social friends is as sweet as can be ...she honestly can't say a bad thing . She is Mary sunshine.
Her outlet is gore movies and dressing up at Halloween for her haunted house she works at. I sincerely think that is her dark side. And I personally don't want to get in that shady area.
Now I myself love true crime books...more so how they solve it or gather the information. I find no joy in the method of the criminal. But how science or instinct solves old cases... fascinating!
My wife and I watched a rather disturbing movie the other night called "The house that Jack built". It was about a serial killer and it was particularly gruesome. At one point I thought about shutting it off and I like horror movies. My wife does not. She made it about half way through before she got up to go watch some happy house wife show.
She believes that a movie that features killing and especially cold calculated murder of innocent people that was highlighted in this movie and almost made normal as the main character devolved into his own personal hell could actually inspire people to kill and torture others.
She can and has watched movies like the John Wicks and anything with Liam Neeson generally has a high body count but those are usually quick almost cartoon like killings.
She just thinks it is terrible what people have gone through at the hands of murderers and torture. There is enough of this real life horror happening that we don't need a movie made about it.
Do you think that movies can inspire people to commit murder?
No. The sole responsibility for criminal acts, if there is any to be had, lies with the criminal. Its really just that simple. The person may have an explanation for why no one can be responsible, such as self defense or if the person cannot form the necessary mental state, but that is really it. .
Such movies only give inspiration to the method in which the acts will be carried out, to the motivated. Then, there are separate cases where people get injured or killed trying to replicate a scene from a movie.
I think it would take a lot to prove that a movie alone was enough to not only inspire the method, but motivate someone to harm someone they otherwise would not. Even then, to what end? Any such evidence will not absolve someone of the responsibility for the act. There is a different set of circumstances on which they are either held liable or not held criminally (and civilly) liable.
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