Going to see escapist musical theater has never been more
horrifying than in Moscow.
Over three days, hundreds were held hostage in a theater, ending
when a Russian team raided the building. People who wanted to see a
spectacular show actually got one, as the real life event was
“just like in the movies.”
Those seem to be the words of choice when people decide to
describe something that’s real. When the World Trade Center
burned down, you tried to hold back your tongue, but it slipped
out, “It’s just like a movie.” When Bush is
building up support for the war, it’s no mistake that video
games of the Gulf War are coming out making it seem cool to blow
away Iraqis. This reminds us that going to war is “just like
a video game.”
Entertainment used to promote being a good person. Old movies
often had the overbearing distinction of sending messages of being
nice to others, being involved in the community, and taking
personal responsibility for crime. They showed normal people trying
to get along.
Now entertainment argues that’s not enough. Movies show us
that in order to be a good person, you must have Matrix-like
abilities and a James Bond IQ to match.
Commercials show us that even our most noble actions are somehow
disingenuous. Just as TV can take a big event to your small screen,
so too can it take the trivial Jerry Springer-esque material and
blow it out of proportion. That’s why Sept. 11 TV coverage
was without commercials; the advertisements would take away from
the seriousness and realness of the event.
Networks didn’t realize (executive heads and their
wallets) that commercials always trivialize things and getting rid
of them for Sept. 11 was not only an appropriate move, it’s
one that makes TV permanently better (PBS and the BBC, for
example).
In light of media inundation, movies and TV shows now are
required NOT to coincide with corresponding real events. The movie
“Phone Booth” was pulled from Nov. 15 release because
it was about a sniper similar to the Maryland sniper. Instead of
art imitating life, life is imitating art.
But thank goodness there’s entertainment out there that
reminds us of real reality. I mean the kind where people may not be
perfect but try to do their best, the kind that happens as North
Campus students explore their talents for expression.
C-SPAN may be the only truly real “reality TV” out
there. You see the people you elected into office, and the footage
shows you just how inarticulate and duplicitous they really
are.
Go watch the NASA channel, which may be government propaganda
for the space program, but it also provides beautiful imagery.
Watching cloud formations above the earth gives you a window to the
world. I’d leave it on all night when I was in the dorms as
the calm before falling asleep.
Yes, that’s what’s missing, calm reality. For the
one hour you’ve gained due to end of daylight savings, try
calmness. It’s not like a movie, but it’s your sanity
that counts.
Ho’s North Campus Avenger column runs every Monday.