Are people too desensitized to violence now?

[Brem]

Growing up I was scared of a lot, but I think the way media like movies, TV, books, music, video games and even art has desensitized me. As in seeing gruesome things is becoming easier. So horror movies these days do not scare me, haven't for years.

But the difference for me, is that real stuff still gets to me. If I see video of someone dying for example, it still bothers me. I know a horror movie is fake, I'm already sort of taken out of the film knowing it's a horror movie. But real life is so much scarier at times.

And with the endless violence in the US, it's desensitizing new generations of people. Are you worried for future generations who seem to be inheriting a messed up world? It also doesn't help that so many have an interest in true crime. From podcasts and YouTube videos discussing recent crimes, to Cop body cam footage, to even special series that discuss a infamous serial killer.

People seem fine with true crime. But what about the victims of it? I can't imagine they are happy to see their families stories told over and over. What do you think?

Also sorry if this topic is all over the place. It's a tough subject to talk about.

 

[uptrendfinancialsignal]

That's true. These days, you go see some accident videos and people would be laughing or dropping meme. Back then, things like that can ruin your mood for the whole day. Now, it seems things like that don't even have effect on us again. Too much exposure from movies, news, and social media has make us numb. It’s scary , because once empathy die, society loses its heart. Everything will turn to content and cruise.

 

[Teri W]

It seems like we have come to normalize violence normal as a part of life. That's why people don't really feel anything about violent acts anymore. It is because there have been too many violent news everywhere and the people are already expecting violent news. And this is a very terrible development.

 

[Hazel]

With how often violence appears in media, games, and news, I think people have become somewhat desensitized. We don’t react as strongly because it’s normalized in entertainment. But real-life violence still shocks us, it’s just that our threshold for what feels “extreme” has shifted.

 

[Nomad]

Exposure to violence in media, such as games, movies, TV shows are making people insensitive to actual violence. There have been a lot of studies on this topic and almost all studies are pointing to the fact that exposure to violence is desensitizing people. According to American Psychological Association, exposure to violence lowers empathy for victims, normalizes of violence, and might increase aggression

 

[Ravenfreak]

Absolutely, I know I am one of those people unfortunately. When I was a kid my parents let me watch the film Hellraiser, which is not kid friendly. It's very gory and disturbing so I'm honestly surprised I was allowed to watch it when I did. I also looked up gore sites when I was a kid, only once since one of my cousin's told me about it and we stumbled across rotten.com. Yet again I was too young to see content like that, I was 13 or so. I really think this affected me in a way that seeing violence doesn't phase me like it should, of course I have empathy for the people involved and think it's terrible. I would never engage in violent acts against other people. Social media doesn't help with the desensitization of violence.