In entertainment, the term "torture" is used very
loosely. It is used as a form of comedy in games like Grand Theft Auto, it is
seen as a motivation in movies like Deadpool, and it is spoken on very lightly.
While this may be seen now as a “social-norm”, in its literal context, it is
far from “normal”.
In movies, torture is taken in a more literal sense and
shines its true meaning. Its heaviness is shown in movies like Deadpool and
Zero Dark Thirty, in the sense that they show the depth and brutality of this
act in these cinematic art forms.
In video games like Grand Theft Auto, it is portrayed as
humorous and also as a necessity. Torture in video games, I feel, can be seen
as more dangerous than that in movies. While movies are influential, most of
these have ratings and they then give off warning that the material might be
too traumatizing in some sense for a child under the age of eighteen. Video
games, while some have an age limit, can be bought and re-gifted to any age.
Also, in most video games like GTA, the player is the
narrator and can execute any action he/she desires. In GTA, you are the one in
charge, which can be influential to the young audience that plays this game.
While there are more than just this one issue in the sorts
of video games, this one is the most controversial, it takes a vulnerable
global issue and plays it as a mockery and displays it as a comical scenario.
It can be argued that games like these aren’t meant to target
younger audiences, however, regardless of age, torture should not be a term or
situation taken lightly or used to produce or allude to comedy, nor should it
be expressed as something that is normal or necessary in any circumstance.
Source(s): Deadpool Zero Dark Thirty GTA
Enticing introduction. Great point claiming that torturetainment in video games is more harmful than torturetainment in movies since as a player, you are almost identifying yourself as the torturer, whereas in a movie you are only observing the situation. I like that you acknowledge that this harmful side effect is not their intention, but regardless, should be something that isn't taken lightly.
ReplyDeleteThe introduction provides various examples and an intro to a strong op-ed. I wish your thesis would be right at the beginning, but it is still powerful either way. I like your perspective because it provides a more specific point of view to torturetainment which not many people would write about. Your opinion is clear throughout and consistent, as well.
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