Once we got to the States, there was a lot of pressure for me to watch tv. I already felt like a freak so maybe everything is more pronounced in my memory. I just remember feeling really left out because I wasn’t watching any of the shows the other kids were and had no clue about the characters. When 90210 started, that’s when I started sneaking in tv whenever I could. I have a tv now, but rarely have time to watch it. I go home to sleep, shower and change clothes. I suppose I should turn it on now and then to find out what’s going on in Santa Barbara… I’m usually the last to know about fires, rain, workers striking. Oh well.

Once we got to the States, there was a lot of pressure for me to watch tv. I already felt like a freak so maybe everything is more pronounced in my memory. I just remember feeling really left out because I wasn’t watching any of the shows the other kids were and had no clue about the characters. When 90210 started, that’s when I started sneaking in tv whenever I could. I have a tv now, but rarely have time to watch it. I go home to sleep, shower and change clothes. I suppose I should turn it on now and then to find out what’s going on in Santa Barbara… I’m usually the last to know about fires, rain, workers striking. Oh well.

on violence
one of the recent conversations that Jessie and i had (after Indy, if i recall correctly) was prompted by the question “what would action/adventure movies be about without danger, and how can you have danger without violence?” in short, i did not consider bodily harm done by animals or nature TO humans to be “violence”, since i use the term to denote intent. as far as i can tell, humans are the only ones who intend to harm other humans usually without planning to eat them or in order to protect their young. so what would movies be like indeed? i suppose they’d be more “adventure” on the order of “Into The Wild” (which i did not yet see), and much less “action”.

on “children’s” programs
cartoons are not exempt from violence by any means. in fact, it could be argued that the brief time-slot and simplified nature of this particular media actually INCREASES the use of black-and-white, good-or-bad absolutes, which often lead to or are fueled by violence of many types. how can you tell a cartoon’s gender at one quick glance? check out the color of the outfit and whether the hips or shoulders are the widest part. my five-year-old sister has long had the ability to tell whom the “bad guy” is in a cartoon based on HIS (it’s almost always a male) facial features and expressions, voice, outfit, and whether he takes most of the beatings (after all, the “good guys” always win, and they do it by beating people up).

on violence
one of the recent conversations that Jessie and i had (after Indy, if i recall correctly) was prompted by the question “what would action/adventure movies be about without danger, and how can you have danger without violence?” in short, i did not consider bodily harm done by animals or nature TO humans to be “violence”, since i use the term to denote intent. as far as i can tell, humans are the only ones who intend to harm other humans usually without planning to eat them or in order to protect their young. so what would movies be like indeed? i suppose they’d be more “adventure” on the order of “Into The Wild” (which i did not yet see), and much less “action”.

on “children’s” programs
cartoons are not exempt from violence by any means. in fact, it could be argued that the brief time-slot and simplified nature of this particular media actually INCREASES the use of black-and-white, good-or-bad absolutes, which often lead to or are fueled by violence of many types. how can you tell a cartoon’s gender at one quick glance? check out the color of the outfit and whether the hips or shoulders are the widest part. my five-year-old sister has long had the ability to tell whom the “bad guy” is in a cartoon based on HIS (it’s almost always a male) facial features and expressions, voice, outfit, and whether he takes most of the beatings (after all, the “good guys” always win, and they do it by beating people up).

I’ve slowly brought some of these films back into my life, but with a very critical eye for what it may be doing to my consciousness and well being. I mean, how could I not see The Matrix??

Great to have you in conversation.

I’ve slowly brought some of these films back into my life, but with a very critical eye for what it may be doing to my consciousness and well being. I mean, how could I not see The Matrix??

Great to have you in conversation.

last year, i made a public declaration that i’d seen my last violence-as-entertainment film (as opposed to violence in a historical or awareness-building context). however, Jessie and i have come to a new agreement: we will continue to be VERY selective in the films we watch, and we will take full advantage of the opportunities afforded us by the presence of topics or actions that run counter to our values by using them as jumping-off points for engaged and analytical conversation after the film. we have tried this twice, after Ironman and Indiana Jones, and it has proven VERY intellectually rewarding. of course, it helps to have a very intelligent and insightful reviewing partner.

Noa has not yet completed her first trip around the sun, so i’m sure we will continue to analyze our media intake. as it stands now we’re on a VERY light television diet, and when it’s not in use the black hole is covered with a beautiful blanket.

last year, i made a public declaration that i’d seen my last violence-as-entertainment film (as opposed to violence in a historical or awareness-building context). however, Jessie and i have come to a new agreement: we will continue to be VERY selective in the films we watch, and we will take full advantage of the opportunities afforded us by the presence of topics or actions that run counter to our values by using them as jumping-off points for engaged and analytical conversation after the film. we have tried this twice, after Ironman and Indiana Jones, and it has proven VERY intellectually rewarding. of course, it helps to have a very intelligent and insightful reviewing partner.

Noa has not yet completed her first trip around the sun, so i’m sure we will continue to analyze our media intake. as it stands now we’re on a VERY light television diet, and when it’s not in use the black hole is covered with a beautiful blanket.