In Thailand, double the TV violence
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For the first time in years I have read a commentary in the US news media that comes close to identifying the root cause of problems in the US today. Entitled "Hollywood movies can (mis)educate us" (CNN, December 25), it is just as relevant to Thailand in
The commentator wrote about US lawmakers’ concerns that the film “Zero Dark Thirty” could cause viewers to become supportive of the idea of torturing prisoners, and about the US gas industry’s concern that the film “Promised Land” teaches viewers that fracking poses environmental risks. (Fracking is a new form of oil and natural gas extraction.)
Is that it, CNN?
What about viewers of US films and US television shows being taught religiously how to maim and kill with bombs and guns?
Hollywood and US television networks are like murder instruction schools for the entire world, and somehow the news media keep missing that crucial point.
In Thailand it’s worse: not only do we get the Hollywood films and US TV shows that teach Thai children how to murder, we get the Thai equivalents also.
Is that entertainment or societal self-destruction?
Guy Baker
Bangkok
