List of Previous Titles

Sunday, January 26, 2014

The impact of television on War

Entertainment in the early ages

Throughout the early history of mankind, before the arrival of widespread use of electricity, when men had far too much time to think, their choice of entertainment was to simply go and attack their neighbour's village, kill the men and capture the women. With the onset of travel facilities allowing for overseas journies, the idea spread to other primitive people who went out and invaded countries and claimed them for their own. One such country claimed it had stolen so many other people's countries that the sun never set on its empire!

The research I have done reflects that deep and wide thought has been given to the impact that television has on all aspects of our lives, but the question in my mind has not been addressed specifically. That question is: is the entertainment value of tv so powerful that it keeps men at home, and our minds sufficiently occupied as to promote peace among nations?

We see very clear examples of life in the developed countries compared with third world countries where fighting has continued for decades. Even those countries where it once was fashionable to invade other people's countries have moved to give those countries back to the people. The sons have wondered what the hell were our fathers thinking?

Television is all invasive and influences everything about our lives. In war, it may indeed avoid conflict by keeping people at home. Where there does exist fighting it is shown in all its horror. There is nothing glamourous about war, and the old image of young men eager to go off to see action was always misguided.

However, television can also be the instrument that ignites conflict. It is thought that the Arab Spring is a result of people in the countries having been able to see for themselves how free people live. Perhaps life in the free countries is not utopian, but if you are an oppressed person it may look far better that it actually is. That may indeed be worth  fighting for!

So, the next time you and I might think there's nothing worth watching on the box, we perhaps should pause to reflect that the boob tube might be the very reason for our peace and tranquillity.

 There's always tomorrow night's programming! Tonight, we can read.

Copyright (c) 2014   Eugene Carmichael