TV,movies... You are what you watch!?

[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...

[JimOfferman]

I'm definitely not what I watch...

I did not harbor any dark thoughts after seeing SAW. Movies are just like rollercoasters: a big adrenaline rush that lasts as long as the ride, but with no lasting effect.

[Geiger]

Withouth thinking too much about harming myself on a deeper level or (possible) lasting effects - I've noticed that after seeing some movies I feel happier, and after seeing others I feel unhappier.

It took me quite a while to understand that I actually don't have to watch movies that makes me unhappy.

Weird it took so long...

[metamorph]

Originally Posted by JimOfferman

I'm definitely not what I watch...

I did not harbor any dark thoughts after seeing SAW. Movies are just like rollercoasters: a big adrenaline rush that lasts as long as the ride, but with no lasting effect.

I am not saying the movie turns us into sadist, but did you enjoy watching the movie? If so, what did your subconscious mind or ego or whatever we call it, got out of it? Why did you associate pleasure with it rather than pain?

[sheffy4]

I definitely think that movie violence has affected me in a negative way. I often have fears and imagine horribly violent things happening to me at random times, and if I hadn't seen stuff like that on TV or in movies, I doubt I would have these visions.
I used to be able to watch horror movies, but now I can't, especially with this new "torture porn" style of movie.
Now I try to stick to comedies and movies that are well made. Some movies have violence, but I think they are great, like martial arts movies, and movies like 'The Patriot.' Anyway, I'm babbling now!

[Jcs]

Originally Posted by metamorph

I am not saying the movie turns us into sadist, but did you enjoy watching the movie? If so, what did your subconscious mind or ego or whatever we call it, got out of it? Why did you associate pleasure with it rather than pain?

Virtually all movies are fictional. Why feel pain when someone get killed in a movie, it's all fake. Being afraid of getting raped, killed, whatever at night after watching a horror movie is totally unsubstantiated (hope I got this word right =)).

[Remiel]

Depends on how much you consume. I believe everything we watch, hear, touch, read, and think about is a source of fuel for us. If all we do is watch TV and movies then yes we are impacted heavily by it. Just like if all we did was play video games then we'd be impacted by the video games. Some sources of fuel are harmless in small quantities but hazardous in large quantities. So things like watching a movie once a month probably won't have much of an effect. Watching every movie that comes out 4 times in the theater and 2 times when it hits DVD then yeah we probably would be impacted.


@JCS just because its not rational doesn't mean movies don't impact us . Heck growing up I was reading Jurassic Park and I had to finish the dang book before I could sleep. I got halfway through by 12:00am and tried to sleep but I was so spooked I had to finish it before I could sleep. I personally think that alot of this ties into our talents and how we receive different things. That is a conversation for another time and place though.

[metamorph]

Originally Posted by Jcs

Virtually all movies are fictional. Why feel pain when someone get killed in a movie, it's all fake. Being afraid of getting raped, killed, whatever at night after watching a horror movie is totally unsubstantiated (hope I got this word right =)).

The "facts" may be fictional (we now the actors do not die or are really raped), but the "energies" or "emotions" that are portraied are still "real". As "real" as the energies in our so called reality (just depends on if you are prepared to look beyond the surface). My question is does our "pain-body"(Tolle) feed of the energies transmitted via movies?

[JimOfferman]

Originally Posted by metamorph

I am not saying the movie turns us into sadist, but did you enjoy watching the movie?

Yes.

Why did you associate pleasure with it rather than pain?

For the same reason that I enjoy a roller coaster ride: it's experiencing something scary, without being in any real danger.

[Dannyboy1]

I think when we watch action movies and the bad guy gets the ♥♥♥♥♥ kicked out of him, we enjoy it. Even though, and I agree on this point, the movie is a "roller coaster"... aren't we feeding the worst side of the ego, even if it doesn't outwardly show? I personally don't want to feel pleasure in kicking someone's butt, to envision it when I get upset with someone, etc. because realistically no good can come out of it in real life. It will only serve to reinforce the negative patterns of thinking inside me, won't it? Obviously, I will never act on these aggressions, but still... Doesn't it impede enlightenment? It certainly can't help.

[Jcs]

Originally Posted by Remiel

@JCS just because its not rational doesn't mean movies don't impact us . Heck growing up I was reading Jurassic Park and I had to finish the dang book before I could sleep. I got halfway through by 12:00am and tried to sleep but I was so spooked I had to finish it before I could sleep. I personally think that alot of this ties into our talents and how we receive different things. That is a conversation for another time and place though.

But you didn't feel like you were about to get eaten by a dinosaur I hope. Doesn't it differ from person to person? I don't want to say it doesn't impact us at all. But to say we feed on bad energy then dare I say you (and me included 99% of the time, but not from movies/books) cannot control your feelings very well.

Originally Posted by metamorph

The "facts" may be fictional (we now the actors do not die or are really raped), but the "energies" or "emotions" that are portraied are still "real". As "real" as the energies in our so called reality (just depends on if you are prepared to look beyond the surface). My question is does our "pain-body"(Tolle) feed of the energies transmitted via movies?

If I'm watching a movie "the 'energies' or 'emotions'" are definitely not real me. Not to the point that they interfere with "my" reality when the movie stops. That said, I rather watch Discovery then movies/sitcoms/etc. Into the Wild, that's a story that moved me. But definitely not your average tube material.

Also, Tolle's reality isn't everyones reality.

[metamorph]

Originally Posted by Jcs

But you didn't feel like you were about to get eaten by a dinosaur I hope. Doesn't it differ from person to person? I don't want to say it doesn't impact us at all. But to say we feed on bad energy then dare I say you (and me included 99% of the time, but not from movies/books) cannot control your feelings very well.

If I'm watching a movie "the 'energies' or 'emotions'" are definitely not real me. Not to the point that they interfere with "my" reality when the movie stops. That said, I rather watch Discovery then movies/sitcoms/etc. Into the Wild, that's a story that moved me. But definitely not your average tube material.

Also, Tolle's reality isn't everyones reality.

You are right about Tolle not being the know-all. That's why I raised the question.

Don't you think TV and media have a profound impact in conditioning us: changing our opinion (=the way we feel or think about something).

What is the difference between you being very attracted to let us say Angelina Jolie in a movie and being attracted to a "real" woman that passes by in a car? Isn't the "feeling"/ sensation the same?

So once a movie ends, it has no impact on you at all? Let us say you watch a horror movie where someone kills people with a kitchen knife in dark corners of the city at night. Did you ever walk trough a dark park at night after watching a horror movie? How did you "feel"?

[jenlili]

Offerman's response that the thriller flicks are fun like a rollercoaster is fun sounds right on to me. I personally have no desire for that kind of action and won't ride a rollercoaster, though I've seen a couple slasher flicks, just for the dark comedy of it. I like the old ones. Because they're campy. Some of the cemetery scenes in Night of the Living Dead were filmed in my local cemetery. I didn't watch that movie until it was almost 40 years old and I lived 3000 miles away. But by then I found the movie hysterical.

I like some of the cop shows on TV. But what I watch them for is the human drama, the relationships among the coworkers, and the forensic stuff, the way they figure out things with their chemicals and computers and all that.

I don't know that I buy into that notion that TV shows and video games are making us immune to violence. I think that's wishful thinking. Like, if we eliminate cop shows, violence in our schools and streets would decrease.

But still there are some shows that are too creepy and I don't need those images in my mind and wish I hadn't seen them. What scares me is the supernatural stuff, the unexplainable. I never watched X Files. I did watch Twin Peaks...I just liked too many of the characters. But that show freaked me out...the wind blowing through the pines and the implication that something evil was lurking out there. Man that stuff was scary.

[metamorph]

Originally Posted by JimOfferman

Yes.



For the same reason that I enjoy a roller coaster ride: it's experiencing something scary, without being in any real danger.

But isn't real life like this. Every day an emotional rolleroaster ride without being in real danger (at least most of us are not in real danger most of the time).

My point is, this forum is called "emotional mastery" and many of us are committed to maximising this. We try to stay away from "negative people" and try to take accountability of what we let into out life and what we entitle to influence our feelings.

[InterfaceLeader]

Some 'negative' movies that make us feel unhappy are actually waking us up to the state of certain problems though? I don't mean horror movies like SAW etc. which are pretty grotesque and horrible, and which I cannot watch on any level at all. But there are movies that make me cry, or make me angry, usually because they portray injustice or situations that DO occur in real-life, quite often.

Being aware of a problem, is often the first step to correcting it, right? If nobody had ever created media showing how it was wrong to 'own' someone based on gender or race, we would probably have never broken away from that state of society, and many people would be stuck in lives of extreme suffering thanks to skin colour or gender (or disability).

Even some action movies explore darker questions occasionally, although not often enough.

I think it depends on the movie, and what's being portrayed. If we are taught to identify with, and like someone who is being treated unfairly, then the movie might inspire us to change that situation. On the other hand, if it glorifies vengeance killing and pointless gore then at best it leaves us unaffected, and at worst it makes us revel in it.

[Remiel]

Originally Posted by Jcs

But you didn't feel like you were about to get eaten by a dinosaur I hope. Doesn't it differ from person to person? I don't want to say it doesn't impact us at all. But to say we feed on bad energy then dare I say you (and me included 99% of the time, but not from movies/books) cannot control your feelings very well.

*sheepishly grins* uhhhh I did feel like there were velociratpors hiding out around every corner waiting to get me . One thing to realize is that I have a very very active imagination so to me my mind was racing with possiblities.

[Dannyboy1]

Originally Posted by InterfaceLeader

Some 'negative' movies that make us feel unhappy are actually waking us up to the state of certain problems though? I don't mean horror movies like SAW etc. which are pretty grotesque and horrible, and which I cannot watch on any level at all. But there are movies that make me cry, or make me angry, usually because they portray injustice or situations that DO occur in real-life, quite often.

I don't think we need to watch saw to understand the brutalities that are occuring in the world. Just watching the news will suffice.

On this topic, there really are some movies that I believe have just no value whatsoever. I didn't see the first one, but "Hostel 2" for one was just grisly, brutal, and horribly apathetic about human life. There was no point at all. It was just gratuitous torture scenes only a horribly dysfunctional person would enjoy. And I'm pretty liberal.

[metamorph]

Originally Posted by Dannyboy1

I don't think we need to watch saw to understand the brutalities that are occuring in the world. Just watching the news will suffice.

On this topic, there really are some movies that I believe have just no value whatsoever. I didn't see the first one, but "Hostel 2" for one was just grisly, brutal, and horribly apathetic about human life. There was no point at all. It was just gratuitous torture scenes only a horribly dysfunctional person would enjoy. And I'm pretty liberal.

That is actually a good example. I did not watch Hostel 2 because I already felt like this about the first movie. (and I used to be an absolute action/thriller/horror guy in the past).
What emotions do these movies feed? It just can't be good for your "emotional mastery".

[JimOfferman]

Originally Posted by metamorph

But isn't real life like this. Every day an emotional rolleroaster ride without being in real danger (at least most of us are not in real danger most of the time).

Sure, but real life is not like the movies - so I get different things from it.

I really enjoy shooting down hordes of aliens in a computer game, but I would never sign up for the space marines in real-life.

My point is, this forum is called "emotional mastery" and many of us are committed to maximising this. We try to stay away from "negative people" and try to take accountability of what we let into out life and what we entitle to influence our feelings.

Yes, that's why I do watch movie violence and don't watch the news. The news is full of negativity, but movies are just pretend and make belief. Again, they have no influence whatsoever on my feelings beyond their running time.

Well, there are a few movies that do have such influence, but those really are the exception and they tend to be less about adrenaline rushes and more about profound ideas. Actually, these few movies only affect me, because I choose to be influenced by them.

[Dannyboy1]

Originally Posted by metamorph

That is actually a good example. I did not watch Hostel 2 because I already felt like this about the first movie. (and I used to be an absolute action/thriller/horror guy in the past).
What emotions do these movies feed? It just can't be good for your "emotional mastery".

It could only feed our baser emotions of revenge and domination. It's just plain worthless and detrimental to watch. Those images have no value or use. They can only be a scar in your mind.

[metamorph]

Originally Posted by JimOfferman

Sure, but real life is not like the movies - so I get different things from it.

I really enjoy shooting down hordes of aliens in a computer game, but I would never sign up for the space marines in real-life.

Same with me in the past. And you are sure this is not a "civilised" way to vent your aggressions or covert anger ?

Originally Posted by JimOfferman

Yes, that's why I do watch movie violence and don't watch the news. The news is full of negativity, but movies are just pretend and make belief. Again, they have no influence whatsoever on my feelings beyond their running time.

I agree most news nowadays focusses on negativity, but some is necessary to learn about deficiecies that we could improve (climate, poverty, starvation, war etc). So watching news with an aware mind to understand the facts and mechanisms is valuable for me. But in your movies or videogames you give up awareness consciously for the sake of the emotional ride.

[JimOfferman]

Originally Posted by metamorph

Same with me in the past. And you are sure this is not a "civilised" way to vent your aggressions or covert anger?

Nope. I don't have any bottled up aggression or anger that needs venting... I play video games because it is fun, not as a form of therapy.

I agree most news nowadays focusses on negativity, but some is necessary to learn about deficiecies that we could improve (climate, poverty, starvation, war etc). So watching news with an aware mind to understand the facts and mechanisms is valuable for me.

I don't need to watch the news to be aware of anything. In fact, tuning out the news helped me become more aware of things that really matter. Less noise means a better signal.

But in your movies or videogames you give up awareness consciously for the sake of the emotional ride.

I don't think so. Taking those emotional rides does not diminish my awareness - quite the opposite.