Thought-provoking media

The power that the media has over emotions is well documented and understood. In our discussion of music we examined how aggressive music tends to produce increased aggression, music can help shape identity, and it has an immense impact on us. I like how media can influence us, and particularly how it can make us think.

As an example, take genderbent Disney (when the genders of the characters are swapped). I find it fascinating when I run across these to think about how they are transgressive in regards to socially accepted gender roles. It bothers me to think about my own knee-jerk reactions, “that doesn’t work”, “males can’t be that vulnerable in movies”, etc. Which annoys me, because I like it when men show emotion and can be sensitive, and when girls can show initiative and not just be decoration. I appreciate how this makes me evaluate my own cognitive patterns and my opinion of societal trends.

It’s the same with other forms of art; I am very conservative in what I consider good art, but I was exposed to the artist Bansky lately and I find it fascinating as well, because their art is thought-provoking.

I appreciate the influence that media has to make me think.