I watched a documentary movie the other day titled "The Mean World Syndrome." This term was used and developed by a man named George Gerbner, a professor of communications, for the condition where violence shown in the mass media causes viewers to think that we live in a more dangerous world than it really is. We have become more fearful for ourselves.
We all see violence on TV news, shows, commercials, sports, reality shows, etc. and movies. Even shows like America's Funniest Home Videos has violence. It turns out that people who watch the most TV are most fearful.
A few points from the movie:
1. A child sees 8,000 murders by the time they finish elementary school.
2. By the time they turn 18 they have seen 200,000 acts of violence.
3. Over time the violence in the media has increased significantly. In general we as the public in the USA believe we live in a less safe world. However, violent crime is at a 30 year low.
4. Local news is the greatest culprit for portraying meanness with 61% of the leadoff stories reporting crime, fires, disasters and accidents.
Does this surprise you? Number 3 surprised me! The movie is worth watching. By becoming more aware of reality, it may improve your outlook on life with your neighbors and your town.
A trailer for the movie that was released last year is on the right side of the link below. However, just below the trailer, you can watch the whole 51 minute movie as a Preview.
http://www.mediaed.org/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=143
Watch it if you get a chance.
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