Dwight explains how “the eyes are the groin of the head,” in season four, episode 10 of “The Office.”
The original context relates to self-defense strategy. Nonetheless, it remains true that, like one’s pelvic region, it is prudent to think actively about what we expose to ?our blinkers.
This is especially true where television and film ?are concerned.
With few exceptions, one can pretty easily gauge the personalities of others by what they choose to watch. I don’t think it’s controversial to state that we are affected by the activities to which we dedicate our precious time. I’d like to also extend this claim — the material we watch also affects us.
I am not going to go so far as to endorse the “hypodermic needle” philosophy of media that argues that we are influenced so literally by our content. If that were the case, everyone who watched “Criminal Minds” would become mindfully criminal, and everyone who watched “The Bachelor” would become a divorcee after a ?five-month marriage.
But there’s something to be said that what we watch does, in part, become infused into our identities. Environmental factors can’t be totally irrelevant, so perhaps instead of a hypodermic needle it’s more of a caffeine patch or ?a dehumidifier.
Let’s face it — someone who reads the newspaper daily is probably going to be more sophisticated and in touch with the world than someone who diligently keeps up-to-date on everyone’s Snapchat stories.
So why can’t the same be said for someone who’s favorite movie is “The Grand Budapest Hotel” versus his peer who attended the midnight release of “Dumb and Dumber To?”
The media that a person pursues is reflective of their values, aspirations, sense of humor and taste.
And the manner in which a person engages with the show is also of major ?importance. Someone attempting to court me once explained that “South Park” was his favorite show. I responded that I wasn’t a massive fan but still recognized that it does important work where satire and social ?critique are concerned.
It was apparent in his response that this aspect of the show hadn’t occurred to him before. Why was this his show of choice, then? Was it that the cartoons said naughty words or perhaps the bright colors? This revelation shut down the sexual part of my brain faster than a health inspector can shut down a restaurant with an all-cockroach staff.
Inversely, many people intentionally watch something generally agreed to be of lesser quality out of ironic pleasure. This is definitely better, as it often means one is still engaging with it beyond the superficial. There is some brain stimulation occurring, but it’s still a ?slippery slope.
Those of you who like your garbage guilty pleasure television and movies might be protesting. You might say you lead a stressful life and rely on crappy shows to unwind and take your mind ?off things.
Fine, but please have some moderation. Think of it as a media diet of sorts. It doesn’t take an expert to know that hours of chocolate cake and vodka aren’t the best for you.
Get some fleshed out characters with emotional stakes. They’re your ?complex carbs.
That healthy helping of intricate plots and moral dilemmas can be your meat and potatoes.
And that underappreciated independent web series? That stuff is straight from the farmer’s market.
gmleeds@indiana.edu
