The influence of music, news, film, and television on the mood and behavior of our society is enormous. Numerous studies and common sense tell us that people mimic the behavior that they see repeatedly. What they see often becomes socially acceptable behavior. Is this a good thing? Yes and no, it depends on if the underlying message of the media is positive or negative. If you are currently working in the entertainment industry or planning a career in it you must consider the effect of your creation on society as a whole. You must understand the power you posses to influence people. Media is not just "mindless", or "fun", or "doesn't influence me". People often make those statements when what they are watching or listening to is called into question. Opinions, beliefs, knowledge etc. are formed through what we read, listen to, and watch. This is true of what we see in the real world and the entertainment industry. The question you need to ask yourself is "do I desire to make the world a better or worse place by my creation?"
Authors C. Barbour, N.H. Barbour, and P.A. Scully write that "today, the visual and auditory stimuli of the new media bombard most homes and communities. Some of this exposure is educational, positive, and directed at an appropriate level for young children. A considerable amount of current fare, however, is violent in nature, is provocative, and is presented in ways unsuitable for children’s level of maturity (DeGaetano, 2005; Levin, 2005). With the rapid expansion of electronic transmission devices, young people are exposed more than ever to both good and bad influences.Producers and advertisers expand successful films and television shows by flooding sales counters with associated toys, clothing, and DVDs. Similar marketing comes from developers of video and computer games. These games influence individuals’ values, compete for children’s attention, and certainly reduce the amount of reflection and interaction time children have with both adults and peers (Singer & Singer, 2001). Although some maintain that such games are opportunities for children to “let off steam,” others insist that there are better ways of achieving this goal."
There has never been a period of history where entertainment creations were available so easily to so many. This indicates the ability to influence people has never been greater but influence them how? When I was growing up the majority of programming on television was positive in nature. Bad guys were clearly defined and negative behavior was shown to be undesirable. There was usually a positive message in the content of the programming. Time marched on and characters and messages became more blurred. Heroes on TV and in the movies today are often extremely flawed characters but are shown in the highest possible light and rarely suffer consequences for their negative actions. It is simply not a realistic portrayal. Entertainers who were adulterers, addicts, or became a criminal had their careers ended if the behavior became public knowledge. Is there any behavior that would end the career of an entertainer today? Drug use won't do it? Beating a woman will not do it? Having a criminal record is only going to increase your album sales. Where are the consequences for individuals negative behavior? What is the impact on our society when we constantly see entertainers escape serious consequences for their behavior?
What would happen if music, movies, television, and film portrayed people in better fashion and showed serious consequences for on screen drug use, criminal activity, adultery etc.? What would happen if the pernicious ladies of film and screen were constantly impacted by STD's, abusive men, and other real life consequences of living that life style? The high school girl who has grown up in a world of The Jersey Shore and pornography certainly acts differently then the generations who did not grow up watching that style of programming. The girls of The Jersey Shore often date men with rage, drug, alcohol, and other issues. The actors of the show have been richly rewarded for this negative behavior. What about all the shows where getting pregnant as as teacher leads or being a self-centered, mean-spirited, and demanding spoiled brat leads to you being featured on MTV? Check out the allegedly serious journalist of ABC News covering MTV's most watched show.
When you create a song, show, book, or movie try to influence people in a positive manner and watch how the world's issues become just a little bit smaller.
I've decided to add a song for every new blog post. Here is The Gorillaz with their version of Crystalised.
