Analysis of the Idea of Violence in Postmodern Cinema - Research Paper Example

Violence in post modern film In the multi-mediated world, in which, s, signs, as well as symbols tend to merge, loop, and intertwine in a somewhat endless stream presentations and simulations, criminal justice alongside crime are fundamentally the mediatised phenomena. (Greer 8). Arguably, almost all-human experience in a postmodern era is inseparable from the mediatized experience. As widely cited, there is an increasing trend of violence related cases instigated by young people in America. However, one thing that remains unclear is whether or not this form of violence in the media in the postmodern era- is not the sole factor contributing to increased violence by young people in America. This paper endeavors to illustrate the nature of this assertion, and it is, therefore, of the view that other than media, there are various other factors contributing to increased violence by young people in America Proponents of this debate cite the nature of young people to imitate what they see in the media; especially in film and television content (Singer et al., 25). This arises from the psychological makeup of human beings. Young people of certain ages are bound to be impressionable. As a result of this, proponents continue to assert that these young individuals will end up being less sensitive to the pain and, consequent suffering of fellow human beings (Lutzker, 58). However, there is no conclusive substantiation to support this claim. It is unrealistic that young people will adopt the violence in the media in extension. There is no study whose findings illustrate the psychological impact of postmodern film and television on young people that has been documented. As such, it should be regarded as a baseless conjecture whose content is not viable. Proponents further proceed to cite several researches that have been conducted on young people after being exposed to violent films. They failed to take into reflection the fact that young people behave differently, in fact unnaturally, when subjected to laboratory conditions. Additionally, proponents tend to be selective in their approach. This stems from the fact that their reasoning focuses on particular forms of fictional violence. It amounts to prejudice to characterize all media violence as wrong. It should first be analyzed according to the context of the story line. This rationale is sourced from the fact that, the context within which violence in postmodern film and television is presented has a direct correlation with its impact on the viewers (Zimring, 42). There is no conclusive evidence that proves that, there indeed is a connection between postmodern violence and violence attributed to young Americans. Simply put, no causal relationship has been found to relate violence in the media and violent crimes. This assertion is further cemented by the fact that long before the invention of current media, that is film and television, violence still reigned. Violence preceded the invention of all forms of media, specially film and television. Evidently, the human race has coexisted with violence since time immemorial. As such, it is a trait that should be embraced so as to effectively handle and hopefully have it eliminated. Violence in the media is no different to sexism and romance in film and television. Sexism and romance is widely evident in postmodern film and television, but it does not contribute to increased sexism in the society. In the same context, romance in the postmodern film and television does not lead to increased romance in the society. Then by extension, violence should in no way impact the society. In regards to expounding on the dependent relationship between two variables of interest, the appropriate avenues to pursue entails showing that in the absence of one variable, the other dependent variable will either be non-existent or experience a decrease in its recorded outcome. As such, if there is a relationship between these variables then, in the absence of violence in postmodern film and television then violence in young Americans must drastically reduce. This assertion seems farfetched. When an individual partakes in violent actions, it does not essentially imply that in the absence of media violence, the individual could not have committed the act. Still by extension, then non-violent films should then decrease violence in young adults. This, however, also seems implausible. With passage of time, media content is increasingly becoming violent while rate and extent of violence in the society is either constant or even decreasing. The second reasoning rests on the premise that, it is within the nature of human beings to act with violence (Pizzato, 21). All human beings have the capacity to act in a violent manner. However, it necessitates need for restraint not to act irrationally while in provoking situations. It is this capacity to restrain oneself that is lacking in violent young Americans. Not all persons act violently, but only those with a disposition for violence. Thus, violence is already a self perpetuating act in the human society Just as movies influence technology it also influences violence. Communication devices used in star trek were the motivation of the current Bluetooth devices. However, despite this fact, it does not mean that in the absence of the movies the technology would have been non-existent. Though a lot of time could have been wasted, the technology would still have been invented. Therefore, violence in young Americans would still have existed even when violence in postmodern film and television was non-existent. The verity of the matter is that, man is still learning how to coexist with each other. As such, violence cannot be completely eradicated. This rests on the postulation that it is a symptom of an already dysfunctional society. The last rationale that will be employed to propagate this debate will be that entailing violence is as a result of other causes, and not the content of postmodern film and television. Violence in young Americans most likely results from poverty, prejudice, hatred, racism and abuse of alcohol. Proponents, however, chose to willingly ignore the impact of these instigators on the psychological health of young Americans. These are in fact the real motivation for violence. The impact of violence in media cannot be classified in the category of alcohol abuse, poverty, hatred and prejudice. It will be more fruitful to address these vices rather than limit the exposure of violence in postmodern film and television. To further support this assertion, one has to look at the situation in areas where access to postmodern film and television is restricted. According to proponents of this discussion, then these areas must be characterized by very few cases of violence. However, this is not often the case. The most violence prone areas are regions in the world where postmodern film and television is almost non-existent. Thus far, it is crystal clear that society is pursuing the wrong avenue in handling this issue. Tackling violence by young Americans as a result of violence in the media will not yield any forthcoming results. However, for results to be attained, society must find the best way to deal with violence by young people and not the converse. Directors and producers choose to incorporate violence into postmodern film and television with the sole purpose to develop the story line. They do not do it intently to corrupt the moral and psychological decency of young Americans. Often, violence in film is employed to propel the protagonist from one quandary to the next (Sharrett, 207). In conclusion, though proponents might be viewed as being correct from certain point of view, it is argued that their efforts might be misplaced. Their adopted stance is a result of poor research and deliberation on their part. They endeavor to rid the society of violence same as the critics of this discussion. However, the appropriate avenue to pursue entails tackling the issue, of violence by young Americans, head on and not deviating to flawed causes akin to violence in postmodern film and television. Violence by young Americans can easily be attributed to other, more genuine, causes; ranging from alcohol abuse, poverty, hatred to prejudice. Additionally, it is within the makeup of human beings to act with violence. This stems from the fact that it is inborn and can only be controlled and not abolished. No connection has conclusively been made regarding the relationship between, violence in postmodern film and television and the violent nature of young Americans. Irrespective of all the revamp measures that could be carried out on the postmodern film and television, it will not rid the society of its violent trait. As such, research should be conducted to ascertain the real factors instigating violence in young Americans. Work Cited Black Homicide Victimization in the United States: An Analysis of 2004 Homicide Data. Washington, D.C: The Center, 2007. Internet resource. Greer, Chris. (Ed.). Crime and Media: A Reader. London: Routledge. 2010. Print. Lutzker, John. Preventing Violence: Research and Evidence-Based Intervention Strategies. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2006. Internet resource. Pizzato, Mark. Theatres of Human Sacrifice: From Ancient Ritual to Screen Violence. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2005. Print. Sharrett, Christopher. Mythologies of Violence in Postmodern Media. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1999. Print. Singer, Dorothy, and Jerome Singer. Handbook of Children and the Media. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage Publications, 2001. Print. Zimring, Franklin. American Youth Violence. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998. Print. Read More