Be it books, movies, documentaries, or even music. I feel like I have people around me whom wish to fight violence with violence, with mentalities like “we should just counter-invade and show them who’s boss” or “I’m not afraid to fight for what I believe in”, showing a clear intent against an “enemy”.
“The enemy” is such a dehumanizing perspective, and only breeds further animosity. I wish for them to see that we all manage to find justifications for our actions, but that doesn’t make it worthy of just any sacrifice.
I recently saw the Norwegian movie Max Manus, which is about real events during WW2.
Tap for spoiler
He survives, but with almost none of his friends, and after the war he struggles with alcoholism and nightmares for the rest of his life.
It left me with a feeling of despite “victory”, many people paid with more than just their life. And this is the feeling I wish others to feel, just for a bit, and ponder if “doing the right thing” really is the best thing.
No one should want conflict, and I wish to emphasize just how much we really should try and avoid warmongering. I’ve seen uncensored videos from modern wars, been in the military, had a great grandfather who fought in WW2 (who also struggled with nightmares and PTSD until his natural death), and all of it makes me dread the potential of the horrors that happen to everyone involved in an armed conflict, especially the innocents and the kids…
So, any suggestions for media that conveys this in a way that makes one really reflect?
It’s definitely a tight rope. I was a bit of a “gun nut” as a teen. Mostly by way of fiction and research.
But the difference, and why I’m probably alive and with all my fingers today, is my dad constantly and heavily emphasized safety alongside exposure in controlled environments. They were something to fear and respect, but not be afraid of.
I worry about this as a soon to be father myself. We might be in a situation where arms become necessary, God forbid.
An interest can be healthy, but we definitely need to put the ridiculous carelessness and violence-porn power fantasies into the “outrageous stupid entertainment in moderation” box, rather than glorifying it as a core part of our culture.