[metamorph]

What do you think about the significance of TV on who you are and what your emotional states are? Tolle and some others make a point saying that the ego feeds on the aggression, violence, and public displays (big brother) presented to you on TV. I admit I am (or was) a typical guy who enjoyed watching action movies, martial arts movies and even the "new horror" movies (the ring series etc). I think most agree that we can differentiate between movie/fiction and reality and we will not turn into mad gunman shooting people at random because of TV or video games. But, beyond this shallow level of not turning into criminals, do we harm ourselves on a deeper level? Don't we secretly find "entertainment" or "enjoyment" while watching movie violence(the fact that we find it entertaining means that we get something out of it, doesn't it?). Does it not subconsciously affect how we live our lives or our states? Can we "enjoy" movie violence, if we truly believe and are committed to love and compassion for other people. Can we successfully fight our own dark side or anger, and at the same time enjoy brutality on TV? What about humour/comedy? Some say humour is always cruel, because it is always at someone's cost. There is always a certain "gloating" or ego or labeling involved. How about "romantic movies" that are never like in real life. Does it not create an inner tension towards reality if we find more joy in the unrealistic romance than in the real love life?

I realised in myself, that I get more distanced towards action movies, and I stopped watching horror movies. I "liked" the first SAW movie, but when I started the sequels, I just felt as if I am taking joy in sadism...