Response to: Examples of Media Violence

See At: http://mrsfreud.blogspot.com/2007/09/examples-of-media-violence.html

Hey Loz,

That clip of cartoon violence is pretty intense. Like Clare and Mark I didn't really notice how violent 'family guy' and 'drawn together' were. I'd always been aware that they pushed a lot of social boundaries, which is often their appeal, but seeing a compilation like that was an eye-opener.

I agree with Clare that a mixed message about death is being sent to children, when cartoon characters die and come back to life, however i think it should be remembered that the cartoons in that video are aimed at an adult audience. The Loony Tunes' Coyote in Roadrunner also died and came back several times each episode, in a program aimed at kids. I'm not sure if there was outrage when these cartoons began, but it has certainly ceased and these cartoons are now seen as family favourites. Is this an idication of society as a whole being desensitised? Or was that compilation just really effective in highlighting the extreme violence in those cartoons?

I think the more important issue with violence in the media, is not so much content, but like the second video says, who sees it. There is no disputing that violence in the media affects children in a number of ways, by desensitising them, and setting them an example. I'll always remember being banned from Teenage MutantNinja Turtles for fly kicking everybody I saw. It's probably lucky I hadn't seen Drawn Together and had access to a big knife or my sister might have been a bit sore...

If TV shows, movies and computer games aren't meant for children, then more needs to be done to prevent children from getting access to them. Drawn Together aired at around 9pm on SBS. This is late to prevent most children, but surely not all. And I believe Foxtel has a parent lock out system, we can only hope and assume parents are using it.

Then again, kids can always watch the news... and to quote Alicia Silverstone's ‘Cher’ in all her brilliance in Clueless.

"...even if you took out all the violent shows, you could still see the news. So, until mankind is peaceful enough not to have violence on the news, there's no point in taking it out of shows that need it for entertainment value..."

Who knew that movie could be so insightful?

Very interesting videos and topic in general Loz. Should be fun exploring it.

-Dave