Mayhem: Violence as Public Entertainment

by Sissela Bok

Book Overview

What is the effect of long-term media violence on our national character? Do we want four-year-olds watching slasher films? Who should decide?While almost everyone has a strong opinion about the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0201489791
• ISBN13: 9780201489798
• Release Date: April 1998
• Publisher: Perseus Books
• Length: 194 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Apple pie

Violence is as American as apple pie. The book considers media violence, its impact, and problems of censorship. Romans feasted on violence. Communal violence was connected to sacrifice. Vicarious terror can be pleasurable. There is the matter of catharsis, a therapeutic good. Heavy TV viewers, (therefore viewers of media violence), believe that the outside world is filled with threats. Middle class families have an inordinate fear of kidnapping. Children are kept in lockdown. Numbing absorption in media violence may cause an inability to feel the pain of others. There is something the matter with learning not to feel a thing. Children need to develop their souls. As stated, the book deals with problems of censorship. Parents, of course, may use the on and off button to control the television viewing of their children. The author does an adequate job of dealing with the topics presented. The book is fairly academic, (but is free of jargon). There are both notes and an index.