I do not understand why the media insists on providing their audience with graphic details, images, and videos of inappropriate material. For instance, a friend posted on a social media site of her same dilemma not too long ago. This friend was upset that a spam post was encouraging people to click on the link, which in turn the person had to 'like' the page in order to view the video. The trick was to get your information. However, the original content of the video was about a recent celebrity saying goodbye. First of all, who would want to see that? The death was difficult, and very shocking, enough as it was. Why would someone want to see that?
I remember when my grandmother was ill from cancer. She was admitted into hospice. I remember this time very well because it was not only heartbreaking to know she was on her way out of this world in physical form, but to watch her transform from what I was used to seeing, to a memory I wish to delete from my brain. Remembering this time makes me wonder why anyone would want to see the explicitness of a crime or situation. Granted, my experience is personal and media news is not as personal, but I still would not want to see it.
Now there is a video going viral of the St. Louis, Missouri crime scene just after it took place. (In case you were wondering, no, I did not click on the link to watch the video. Seeing the post of the video still was too much). I was deeply offended that a news station would even consider posting this on a social site. I know in their eyes, they are seeing 'ratings', but seriously, where are the editors? Where is the voice inside their head? Does no one have a conscience anymore? Do they not comprehend what is good and bad; what should be displayed and what should be refrained?
I will admit, I do look at an accident when driving by. Although, in the back of my mind, I realize there is a chance I may see something I do not want to see. This I contribute to the natural curiosity of the human race. I cannot fathom why anyone would willingly watch a video of a person saying his last goodbye's before taking his life. I cannot grasp why any person would want to see a video of a dead person lying on the street. To me, this is not human curiosity. Again, in my opinion, this is morbid. Have we lowered our standards as a human race to such horrific thoughts and indulgences?
I think we have just become desensitized to it now. Images that used to horrify us are now intriguing. From the meat industry to the movie industry - no one is immune from grotesque images and blood everywhere. We've all heard the term morbid curiosity but I think some have taken it too literally.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Wendy. It has been taken too literally. Sad as it is, but it is true. It is a good thing I do not conform!
ReplyDeleteThis curious nature comes from Americans mundane drab lives. It also comes from a long slow increase (or rather decrease) to our senses since the onset of television. More, more and even more blood, death, murder. We've become numb to it all. We live like rats in giant cage of dull life and the frenzy of death seems to excite the many. It then isn't just the death, but we want to see it for the thrill to take us out of the blah for a moment. Gives us something to talk about and gives the media that opportunity to hook us. That is a whole other topic. I say 'us' not meaning you and I so much as the American human life itself. The worst part of all this is, it is only going to get worse, more graphic, more horrifying. Worse then that is there will become an even more dulling of the sense to the loss of human life. An apathy that the loss or taking of another persons life will become total meaningless.
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