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Location: On the "Left Coast", somewhere in "the Land of Fruits & Nuts"
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Movies have become increasingly "creative" about depicting violence and death, including elaborately choreographed fight scenes and killings in every gruesome manner possible. "Zombie" movies in particular seem to make a whole art form out of gore. And it's not just movies, even the news now sensationalizes violent crimes and events wherever possible. Yet any depiction of sexuality is usually handled with 'kid gloves', along with all sorts of public fretting and handwringing over the occasional 'wardrobe malfunction', 'twerking', whatever. Meanwhile porn availability still remains controversial (even though it's only a click away online), yet we vigorously defend easy access to guns and other weapons, which you can even buy at the local Walmart (though the porn not so much).
Seems to me that is a reasonable question...however like most things, there are many points of view.
The escalation of gore bothers me more than I can say. When watching a older movie or program I realize that often being scared silly because of what my imagination filled in was much more 'entertaining' than the graphic violence which turns my stomach. My solution is to usually turn it off or not go to those movies.
But it seems to me that much the same is happening relating to sex, at least regarding movies and television. There is seldom a process of eluding to what may happen, now it is shown and/or discussed, often with pretty graphic language. I find that too to be disappointing.
The language seems to be getting progressively more foul, f-bombs dropped as frequently as the word 'the' and I ask myself, why? For effect of course, to get attention, to make a statement. To be honest, the language probably bothers me as much or more than the rest. Maybe because I think people are more able to pay attention when something is creatively expressed and swearing is used here and there - or not at all.
These changes seem across the board. I'm not a believer in hiding or pretending certain things don't happen, however I prefer not to see and hear it all in a movie or tv program. I want to be able to sit with my family and watch something, without anyone squirming. Yes, opportunity for plenty of conversations...
Just another point of view of course. I absolutely respect yours and as for me. Well, I find myself indulging my passion for reading more often. Yes, this includes violent and sexy books. Making different choices regarding movies and tv programming as well. Quite deliberately selecting those that entertain me, without disgusting me.
The condoning of sex in TV and movies coupled with the preponderance and acceptance of graphic violence is mostly an American dynamic.
Anyone who has ever spent some time in Europe and watched their TV knows that it is pretty much the opposite over there: they tend to censor extreme violence while they allow much more sexual content and nudity than the American FCC does.
And many Europeans--especially the French--will tell you that they have long considered it a funny trait about us: how we indeed seem to be a country of hypocrisy, or at least a paradox. In that as far as our society goes we are proponents of personal liberties and freedom, yet we sometimes seem almost puritanical when it comes to nudity or sex on TV or film.
We are the same way with out politicians: condemning them for sexual dalliances. Europe laughd out loud at us for our crucifixion of Bill Clinton back in the 90s because of affair with, oh, what was that tubby chick's name? Oh..Monica Jewinsky.
Because, see, in Europe they accept and almost expect that of their leaders: to have mistresses. It has been going on for centuries and they realize it is just the nature of the beast, so to speak.
I too have always found it odd how, say, on TV they will blur out the middle finger of a guy flipping the bird (really?) but then show a movie like Rambo III with a body count in the hundreds. LOL
Well, I'd posit the way it is portrayed by most forms of mass media is to amplify conflict and control people. Healthy sex / nudity / eroticism tends to require closeness, understanding and comfort to illicit such behavior, while violence / gore tends to depersonalize / dehumanize other humans and to create conditioning that looks at others in a combative fearful way.
As others have said, it is mostly a USA thing. Could be for variety of reasons usually combination of (puritanical roots of ancestors / a military industrial complex whose clandestine agencies have used the media as behavioral conditioning and propaganda recruitment vehicles / and general overall desire to keep people of opposite genders apart from understanding each other at a more intimate personal level to, in turn, $ell them something to make them feel more complete.
By making sex / nudity / eroticism a control marker flashpoint it enables ease in selling all manner of stuff. See Bill Hick and George Carlin's sketches on advertising they cut right to the point in crude way to illustrate these 'triggers'. See if people were conditioned to a more healthy sexual outlook and comfort they would not be as 'Pavlovian' in reacting to the advertising stimuli.
I've posted the following before in forum threads when apt and it would seem so here. Watch the video from the 8:00 through 32:00 minute mark, and I think you'll get the gist (conceptually) as to why this is.
Location: On the "Left Coast", somewhere in "the Land of Fruits & Nuts"
8,865 posts, read 10,400,492 times
Reputation: 6670
^ ^ Thanks for posting that clip! And it's hard to imagine how truly revolutionary, folks like Reich and Kinsey really were, especially when you consider the conformity and context of their times. BTW, American psychotherapist Alexander Lowen also used Reich's theories on 'bioenergetics' and 'character armoring', in his book "Narcissism, the Denial of the True Self".
And it's no secret that we're also becoming an increasingly narcissistic & alienated culture, always seeking consumer products to cope with how we feel ("buy this, to feel younger, more attractive, confident, intimidating, happy, successful, whatever…")!
Its an interesting topic. How is it almost any form of violence can be shown in movies, yet show a penis or a vagina, of which everyone has one or the other, right away its labeled x-rated or its equivalent. What really surprises me is that, from what I've read, some movies are still being censored for the USA market. Who decides this? The whole thing really makes you wonder. In fact, surveys have show that is a large percentage of US citizens would be in favor of topless or nude beaches, yet we have very few in the whole country. Its hard to figure? Its no wonder some people think there are a few very powerful people running the whole country.
Look at those areas of Lust and Wrath around LA, MS, and surrounding areas. Then look up how many violent, criminal blacks flood these areas. Also, look up the education level in these areas. There's much of your answer, not religion. Before you call me a racist, simply research the statistics and you'll find my statement to be true.
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