Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id DAA10262 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Sat, 27 Apr 2002 03:47:53 +0100 X-Originating-IP: [137.110.248.206] From: "Grant Callaghan" <grantc4@hotmail.com> To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: Re: Media and Violence Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2002 19:42:01 -0700 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Message-ID: <LAW2-F68vR0AWIeEGi4000017fd@hotmail.com> X-OriginalArrivalTime: 27 Apr 2002 02:42:01.0427 (UTC) FILETIME=[1BBB8A30:01C1ED95] Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>To: <memetics@mmu.ac.uk>
>Subject: Re: Media and Violence
>Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2002 20:52:31 +0100
>
>Hi Wade
>
> > Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2002 09:15:06 -0400
> > From: "Wade T.Smith" <wade_smith@harvard.edu>
> > Subject: Re: Media and Violence
> >
> > On 04/23/02 18:48, Steve Drew said this-
> >
> >> Rome did the same if I recall.
> >
> > Rome, like other civilizations, was not desensitized to their spectacles
> > of violence and death, they _wanted_ to see just that. The audience was
>a
> > living and enjoying entity in these pageants of blood.
>
>They did but in some sense they were led to it. The gladiatorial contests
>were ones of skill, and to the death at private funerals to honour the
>memory of the departed. Julius Ceasar hit upon the idea of making them
>public affairs, initially as ones of skill, though not necessarily to the
>death, as well the chance to execute criminals in public spectacles.
>
>The problem with looking at Rome is when we think of the Romans as blood
>thirsty. The reality is somewhat different.
>
>Skill at arms, bravery and a certain elan could gain the loser his life, or
>die with dignity and have a decent funeral. The main point was how a man
>faced up to danger and fear. Don't forget they had an afterlife at stake.
>Religion causes people to do funny things :-)
>
>Yes it degenerated in to a bloody shamlbes over time as people sought to
>out
>do each other in staging ever more lavish productions. The people had been
>desensitised to the extreme violence in the games. They had been told by
>their leaders that the games were good, and made attendance virtually
>obligatory.
>
>If people are repeatedly told that something is good, and that cruel and
>unusual punishments meted out to criminals act as a deterrent to the might
>of Rome, then there would be a tendency for people to follow this view
>point
>(And the hangers and floggers are still around!)
> >
> > The bull fight is a pale imitation.
>
>And a disgrace that it still exists.
> >
> > The appetites of the human species are strong, and should never be
> > discounted.
>
>Indeed they should not!
> >
> > - - Wade
>
>Regards
>
>Steve
>
Tomorrow I plan to watch American gladiators representing Scotland and
Germany fight it out in the Football arena. The gladiators will move from
there to the U.S. and participate in the greater spectacle that will end in
the Superbowl at the beginning of next year in San Diego. The Roman
spectacle is still with us. We've just managed to make it relatively less
bloodless. But the spirit is the same.
Cheers,
Grant
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