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| "The Scream" by Munch |
When I first watched the movie several years ago with my older kids and my best friend’s family, my first reaction was nauseating. I wanted to close the shutters I didn’t have and disconnect my cell phone, while tossing every electronic device we owned into the garbage. Anything that might be linked or accessed by the outside world, even remotely, was not essential to our well being, in fact, it was detrimental!
The seed was planted in my subconscious by Hoblit's 2008 macabre thriller Untraceable. The film exposes the darker side of the human psyche as a serial killer uses cyber technology to make the public active participants in the slow torturous murder of his victims. Through the killer’s website, which is fed by human interaction and propelled by the number of hits it gets, the people are able to control the speed at which the victims succumb to the killer’s gruesome scheme.
Now, the suffocating feeling I experienced was not as a result of the actual psychopath’s scheme, or from his ability to engage the public in such dark manipulation. Instead, my heart sank at the thought of people continuing to be involved as conspirators of the hideous crimes, despite knowing the ghastly outcome of their participation.
And so, I ask the question – is it really possible for our society to become so desensitized that people are willing to witness, and even participate in horrific crimes, without feeling some degree of remorse or responsibility? Perhaps I’m taking this question a bit too far, but it is not far-fetched to declare that in general terms society has become less empathetic - particularly as it relates to social issues.
I believe that mass media plays an important role in this phenomenon and must assume a great deal of the blame. Although it is the vital mechanism that keep us informed and connected in extraordinary ways, studies demonstrate that too much exposure to certain negative messages, such as violent crimes, desensitizes consumers and can eventually bring about compassion fatigue. The pervasive nature of media and the way in which it is delivered not only causes such burnout, but also accelerates it.
A study about desensitization, conducted by Kinnick, Krugman, and Cameron (1996), suggests that as people are overexposed to negative news through multiple layers of mass media, particularly as it relates to violent crimes, they tend to become less sensitive to the topic - even if it is a serious social problem. As the public becomes emotionally overwhelmed, they tend to withdraw from the issue resulting in failure to recognize its relevance to them. Other similar studies highlight that persistent delivery of negative news tends to normalize certain social problems and leads to a diminished shock factor.
So then, why do people react to certain horrid news with such enthusiasm? The study of how we consume social media might reveal the psychology behind this observation. For example, why did it take a fatal “planking” accident to popularize this trendy and illogical past time in the US? Why was March 11, 2011, the day of the Japan earthquake, the most active in terms of Tweets? And why did March 12, the day after the quake, yield such exorbitant numbers of Twitter registrations?
Have we become so desensitized, as a result of mass and social media over-stimulation, that only catastrophic news has the ability to really engage us in a profound manner? If so, perhaps we should start thinking of ways to counter these effects, before it is too late and we all find ourselves glued to our computer, mobile phones or iPad screens rooting for the next victim to appear…and just as easily be extinguished...with the simple stroke of a key.
The seed was planted in my subconscious by Hoblit's 2008 macabre thriller Untraceable. The film exposes the darker side of the human psyche as a serial killer uses cyber technology to make the public active participants in the slow torturous murder of his victims. Through the killer’s website, which is fed by human interaction and propelled by the number of hits it gets, the people are able to control the speed at which the victims succumb to the killer’s gruesome scheme.
Now, the suffocating feeling I experienced was not as a result of the actual psychopath’s scheme, or from his ability to engage the public in such dark manipulation. Instead, my heart sank at the thought of people continuing to be involved as conspirators of the hideous crimes, despite knowing the ghastly outcome of their participation.
And so, I ask the question – is it really possible for our society to become so desensitized that people are willing to witness, and even participate in horrific crimes, without feeling some degree of remorse or responsibility? Perhaps I’m taking this question a bit too far, but it is not far-fetched to declare that in general terms society has become less empathetic - particularly as it relates to social issues.
I believe that mass media plays an important role in this phenomenon and must assume a great deal of the blame. Although it is the vital mechanism that keep us informed and connected in extraordinary ways, studies demonstrate that too much exposure to certain negative messages, such as violent crimes, desensitizes consumers and can eventually bring about compassion fatigue. The pervasive nature of media and the way in which it is delivered not only causes such burnout, but also accelerates it.
A study about desensitization, conducted by Kinnick, Krugman, and Cameron (1996), suggests that as people are overexposed to negative news through multiple layers of mass media, particularly as it relates to violent crimes, they tend to become less sensitive to the topic - even if it is a serious social problem. As the public becomes emotionally overwhelmed, they tend to withdraw from the issue resulting in failure to recognize its relevance to them. Other similar studies highlight that persistent delivery of negative news tends to normalize certain social problems and leads to a diminished shock factor.
So then, why do people react to certain horrid news with such enthusiasm? The study of how we consume social media might reveal the psychology behind this observation. For example, why did it take a fatal “planking” accident to popularize this trendy and illogical past time in the US? Why was March 11, 2011, the day of the Japan earthquake, the most active in terms of Tweets? And why did March 12, the day after the quake, yield such exorbitant numbers of Twitter registrations?
Have we become so desensitized, as a result of mass and social media over-stimulation, that only catastrophic news has the ability to really engage us in a profound manner? If so, perhaps we should start thinking of ways to counter these effects, before it is too late and we all find ourselves glued to our computer, mobile phones or iPad screens rooting for the next victim to appear…and just as easily be extinguished...with the simple stroke of a key.
@Maria -I've really come to enjoy your writing, and this topic is thought provoking. Yes, it may seem like an over-the-top question to many, but there is so much truth in what you say. I was exposed on the weekend to my nephew wanting to show me a youtube clip on his phone involving a prank that turned bad, with somebody being given a fright, running out the door, and being hit by a car. I declined the look, and was amazed at how the teens were all sending it on-personally the thought sickened me. If this is the point teens are at now, can you imagine the desensitization in years to come.
ReplyDeleteThese things are too readily available to view, which was just more motivation for me to know as my kids get old enough for cellphones, they will be started on a more basic Tracfone, with a smaller minute package monthly-not just to save me money, but to restrict what they are taking in. Does it really enhance our lives in any way to see all the negativity bombarding us on a daily basis?
@both, I am really concern with the teens out there that has cellphones and use it for that purpose of scaring someone to death. I have a known friend that her son was suffering from depression an a similar incident happen to him and the son committed suicide. The friend, despite the incident said that it he was just joking not trying for him to commit suicide. In this case he has an Iphone and now the mom purchase a Tracfone with not a lot minutes, can't log in to any sites, and he is only 14. For now no more computers or fancy phones. For that kid and his family may he rest in peace (also 14).
ReplyDeleteAs an older member of society, I am only too happy to have not been exposed to what the youth of today are exposed to. I can still get so much pleasure out of small things in life, and still get to experience so much emotional feeling to new situations. For me, that's what makes life exciting. I pity the kids who have seen it all(and often through other's eyes or experiences), and never experience the feelings of awe or anything getting them passionate about a subject. Funny how we have made it through some of the centuries most stressful times, without the depression the youth of today experience. I'll stick to my love of watching uplifting and positive news items and movies, and my little SVC phone, whose simplicity I love, not because technology is too much for me, but because it keeps me protected from all the negativity, and I'm not forced to pay a fortune for that negativity on a monthly basis!
ReplyDeleteI think that the media molds our youth's minds and it is very difficult as a parent to be able to protect your kids from the negative impact. Movies are becoming more bloodthirsty, TV shows screen violence,sex and horror. I think that if you greatly modified the levels of these negative influences on our society that our future generations will become more sensitive once again.
ReplyDeleteI also believe that the kids of today get everything they want easily compare to my father who grew up in the war years where they had to make their own toys from wood, make their own kites and go-carts from old wooden boxes.
As a concerned parent I try to limit the amount of TV my kids watch to 2 hours a day, they only have a simple $9.99 tracfone phone with no web browsing and I let the kids browse on the web on my laptop when I'm sitting with them.
If any of you mom's have any other ideas about how to limit the negative effect the media has on our children please will you share this with us.
This is an age old argument. I remember when the argument was whether or not kids should be allowed to listen to the radio. As we get older we adopt the position that our particular youthful time was the correct time to grow up. Earlier than that, out folks were deprived and old fashioned, later than us, they are spoiled and out of control. Having said that, I am happy that I am not a part of the modern madness. I have my simple SVC Tracphone that I can call and text on, and that is enough for me. I do know, however, that you cannot change human nature, and people love their toys, so this will only carry on and get worse.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I first saw this movie. Kinda creepy how you are never safe! As long as you are tied down to a plan, they have all of your information. Do you think this theory holds true to prepaid cell phones as well?
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be a double edge sword, do you allow your child the option to access things like youtube and hope that all that you have instilled in them will count when they choose to view video's, OR, do we get a bare bones/basic cell phone from place's like Straight Talk and run the chance of them hating you for not trusting them enough for them to make an informed decision.
ReplyDeleteI believe we're over thinking this too much. Every time a new technology comes out, I feel like people are worried about how it will impact the children or desensitize our youth. It happened with the radio, the tv, the internet, and now our phones. While I agree that information can be accessed much easier than ever before, we can't overlook the good that having a phone could do. Many of the apps that my nephews use on their new straight talk android help them study or keep them on task. Yes, they could be youtubing a violent boxing match or some ill influencing video, but they don't! Having technology is a privilege, and we should trust in our youth to use it correctly.
ReplyDelete