It’s really interesting to read how 100 years ago, when a drama on stage included a shooting or murder, audience member would often faint or scream in shock. Such a visceral response. Meanwhile, our movies are shockingly graphic in their depictions of violence and it just washes over us.
PICTURE: Glenn Carstens-Peters/Unsplash
In the same way I wonder if we have also become desensitised to moral horror.
Actions that should produce moral outrage and disgust in us – indeed, should induce in us a moral crisis – are so routinely depicted as being the normal fare of the master villian that they become common and expected, almost morally ambiguous.
We’re not shocked at the callous murder of innocents, that’s just what villains do.
I’m not sure it’s a healthy thing for us to desensitise our moral compass.
Paul Clark’s musings can be heard on radio across Australia and at atthetop.org.au.
