Violence in popular entertainment has been cited for every social ill that has been on the rise in recent years. So why is violence in entertainment so enduring and seemingly immune to reform? This collection of essays offers insights by anthropologists, historians, psychologists, film critics, and others to analyze our fascination with violence. The book traces public blood lust from the days of Roman gladiators to medieval jousts that crossed the line between war and games to the modern-day fascination with violence in sports, entertainment, and the news. Theories on social behavior are examined, including the purported cathartic release of watching violence and its possible link to increased aggression. Contributors dissect the appeal of violence in a wide range of entertainment venues, from sports and children's toys and games to movies and even religion. This well-researched book offers insightful analysis and extensive references.
Vanessa Bush
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"This well-researched book offers insightful analyses and extensive references."--
Booklist"At long last we are finally 'fessing up to the obvious: the attraction of pretend violence is deep and broad. The first question we usually ask is how to wean Junior from consuming massive amounts of preposterous violence. However, that should be the last question. The first question is, and
Why We Watch: The Attractions of Violent Entertainment boldly asks it: why are violent scenarios so alluring that their delivery and consumption is a major part of American (and international) popular culture? This stuff is not foisted on us; for a time in our lives, we--especially males--actively seek it out. We have pretended otherwise for long enough."--James Twitchell, University of Florida
"This is an extraordinarily rich and wide-ranging collection of essays on one of the most important--and controversial--subjects of the day. The book is both a trove of information and a consistently fascinating read. I found something provocative on virtually every page."--Harold Schechter, Queens College, City University of New York
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Why We Watch is a great read--something I never thought I would say about a scholarly edited volume. Goldstein and his colleagues provide the perfect antidote for the toxic political correctness that has poisoned the atmosphere of aggression studies, and of behavioral science generally. It's not what we'd prefer to be true that counts, but what is true, warts and all. The authors of these essays deserve our thanks for keeping that in view."--Melvin Konner, M.D., Ph.D., author of
The Tangled Wing: Biological Constraints on the Human Spirit and
Why the Reckless Survive, and Other Secrets of Human Nature
