February 24, 2012 04:00 PM
C&L on The Point with Cenk Uygur: The Oscar Edition
Mimi Kennedy (actress, Midnight In Paris) makes a point about how Hollywood exports violence abroad, and Jordan Zakarin (writer/editor, The Huffington Post) shares his thoughts on the cozy relationship between the film industry and the Pentagon. The final point is on what may be the most controversial moment in Oscars history involving Marlon Brando and Native Americans. Cenk Uygur (host, The Young Turks) leads the discussion with Mike Farrell (actor/activist/writer - president, Death Penalty Focus), Tina Dupuy (managing editor, CrooksandLiars.com), and Ed Rampell (film critic and author, 'Progressive Hollywood').
Back in 40 minutes. How much is that in inches?
Edit: starship troopers, best movie ever. FACT!
Bite my shiny metal ass.
http://www.startalkradio.net/
I think listening to people say that movies desensitize people is a lot like the people who argue that video games desensitize kids. Sociologists have shown studies saying the effect is minimal, there hundreds of other variables that contribute towards desensitization, if there is, in fact, any desensitization at all. Trying to point at one medium as "the" culprit is simplistic.
If you're looking for someone who's GOAL is desensitization, you may look at the various projects the US military has put together to try and combat rampant suicides. A lot of their means include purposeful desensitization, to make soldiers more "robotic" when it comes to war.
They would also argue, ironically, that these modern-day soldiers are much more sensitive to war and violence than ever before in history.
In other words, Tina Dupuy is awesome.
it is that the media downplays the violence and storyline in a way to make it seem artificially entertaining; in turn, creating a disconnect between the viewer and the actual reality on the ground--this is not desensitization.
and if there is going to be discussion on desensitization due to video games and movies, then get psychologists to spout off about what studies have found to be statistically significant so that there is a data trail to reference, not casual observance nor something based on belief. i understand that jordan is just giving his opinion, but what is he basing his opinion on to state it as if it were the accepted reality?
Another thing is, desensitization doesn't equal apathy. Kids today not may be as "grossed out" by horrible photos and footage of war, as they may have in the past when such visuals were more frowned upon, but that doesn't mean they can't be disgusted by the act.
It's not just the US exporting mind-numbingly violent movies, and it's not just now. I'm actually a huge fan of zombie movies, and when it comes to excessive violence and gore, nobody beats the Italians of the late 1970's and 1980's. And yet, in spite of my steady consumption of Lucio Fulci flicks, and in spite of the temptations offered by right-wing TV, I have never yet had the desire to tear out anyone's entrails and eat them.
But something like "Transformers 2", which leveled some of the greatest Middle Eastern cultural landmarks in the interest of Blowin' Stuff Up Real Good... which suggested that the magnificent city of Petra was just a front for an alien robot storage facility (and then knocked it down)... that's mindless, violent, culturally offensive and stupid on a whole different level.
I don't want to see the movies get censored according to my particular feelings or politics, but I do wish we could encourage more critical thinking among the viewers... that would go a long way toward preventing the most toxic of ideas from getting such a huge, undiscerning audience. But that's a matter of education,and I'm afraid the current system actively discourages critical thinking.
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