Between Fear and Fierceness

"Can a man be brave if he's afraid?" 

"That is the only time a man can be brave"

One of the most famous quotes from the enthralling series Game of thrones. Given the time period and scenario that the show depicts, the quote is very relatable at all instances of time and space.

People talk about the ones who make "brave" decisions. How can we define a step as brave or cowardly? The difference is negligible as the above quote surely states. Bravery is not the spontaneous outburst of courage. None of the brave men were dropped from the heavens as heroes and saviors, ignoring the superhero movies of course (no offense to Justice league fans). A step, a clarity and the unfaltering determination is all that it takes to become BRAVE.
The courage to fight and get above fear is essential.And that's bravery. How is any of this related to us? you may wonder. It is very much related to each one of us. "You are at a very crucial stage in your life" is all we heard, the entire year.It is right I admit, while we need to work hard and focus at our goals. But we need to take time off to reflect upon ourselves. Because this year is not entirely based on the results, it is more importantly based on the decisions we make. The decisions that are going to define us for the next 50 years at least. Why not make it count? Let our choices be free from any influence, criticism,and preconceptions, let it be ours entirely. 

Ironically, as huge and chief our choices are going to be, they will be equally flexible. There is no hard and fast rule on who and how each one of us should be. Then why do we believe that careers and life goals are very firmly fixed?The possible answer: We are afraid of making the wrong decision. We are so taken aback by fear, that it stops us from exploring our personality and the possibilities that comes with it. But then what better time to be brave than, when you're afraid?

As preachy and clichéd as it may sound, it is the reality: Be who you want to be. Success does not come to those who take the safe sought after path, it comes to those who love the path that they chose. What are you afraid of? Of taking the wrong decision? Even if you do, at least it'll be yours; yours to analyze and learn from. Life is too short, but it is long enough to make mistakes and learn from them. Believe in yourself, then you will have the courage to bounce back from mistakes and to make new ones, because 

"By seeking and blundering, we learn"- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

If you are afraid to fall

Do not be fear's slave,

Always stand tall,

Be YOU-nique and brave!


By
Sneha Sivakumar.

(Photograph by: Tushar Barot)

                           MEDIA AND VIOLENCE 

 Media plays a very imperative role in shaping our beliefs, perception, ideas, and behavior in society. It is a powerful entertainment and education tool for us in abundant ways; however, media can have a negative impact on children and adolescents and sometimes even on the adults. We watch action movies, horror movies, thriller and fiction which may not have such a huge impact on the adults, specifically educated and sensible people but does have a major effect on the kids and the people who blindly believe whatever is being displayed on the “ Idiot Box”. It’s true that people need to know about everything that’s happening around the world but on the other hand we can’t deny the fact that certain things should not be exposed to the children and adolescents. Nowadays, children and adolescents are very much exposed to violence, profanity and much more in media. To parents, over-exposure to violence in media is seen as a threat to their children’s behavior.

Not just the movies but also the cartoon channels that kids watch everyday play a major role in fueling aggressive behavior and violence. For example – When a child watches an action movie like the “Superman” or “Spider man”, he/she starts believing that even they can have those super powers and can perform difficult stunts very easily.

Therefore, on a concluding note we can say that it’s very important to pay attention on what’s being shown on the television, particularly to the younger people as it may sometimes have a wrong effect on their tender minds.

MOVIE REVIEW: ANOTHER CLASSIC CASE OF STYLE OVER SUBSTANCE-"KABALI"

India's Biggest Superstar, Sir Rajinikanth is back with a movie whose trailer had literally broke all the records before. I was so impressed by that same trailer that I had watched it at least 15 times in a day. 'Kabali', coming after 2 not so successful films of Sir Rajini, had got audience rooting for it beyond skies. Since the first look, marketing has been brilliant and Sir himself looked stunning. Whatever may be the package, all that matters is the content and 'Kabali' falls short of content to say the least.

Pa Ranjith, after directing a successful Tamil film Madras, had signed on one of the biggest projects of India. Though he had a lot to offer, it seems that he had lost the track of it. The first half sails on with no struggle although there are some unnecessary sequences. Second half brings up a real test for the audience. Though the attempt of showing that a Don like Kabali is ready to go any distance to meet her wife is appreciable, the story just drags between all those sequences. Couple of miscasts doesn't help too. Few supporting actors pulls your focus away from the movie and that too not in a good way. The climax is probably the worst part of the movie. Ambiguous ending seems just forced when there is absolutely no need for that.The two female protagonist i.e Radhika apte and Dhaniska have done a commendable job.

Highlights: 

• Rajini Sir, Radhika Apte, Dhansika
• Costumes
• Flashback Episode
• Cinematography

Drawbacks:

• Story
• Second Half
• Miscast
• Screenplay
•  Climax   

Audience reaction:

What does Kabali do best?
               Rajini Sir is a feast to eyes. Kabali is a proof that he's still young and is still got it in him.
What does Kabali do worst?
               Too long! At least 30 minutes of the movie can be chopped off effortlessly. Story seems fresh out of a 60's movie.
What had helped and also contributed to the fall of the movie is marketing. Or should I say false marketing?! The movie was marketed as a movie of Gangsters and the re-rise of a long forgotten Don whereas it was a philosophical journey of a man for his family. That was the first nail in the coffin.

Verdict: An average flick that almost got saved by Rajini Sir!

INFLUENCE OF MEDIA VIOLENCE

Evidence is steadily accumulating that prolonged exposure to violent TV programming during childhood is associated with subsequent aggression. Not only TV programming but all such kinds of media which demonstrate violence affecting a range of individuals.

Research on violent television and films, video games, and music reveals unequivocal evidence that media violence increases the likelihood of aggressive and violent behaviour in both immediate and long-term contexts.

Violent media often portray violent acts and situations but rarely represent the consequences of violence.  it may also desensitise individuals to other violent images and emotional stimuli. This also increases aggression which may result in future conflicts.

 Media violence is a highly complex and nuanced issue. So, there are clearly concerns with regards to violent media content such as age-appropriateness, saturation, desensitization, and instilling fear or unease in viewers.

After all views, responses and research we can conclude that media violence leads to real world violence.

Media violence

  MEDIA VIOLENCE

While violence is not new to the human race, it is an accumulative epidemic that is taking over today’s society. With firearms, ammunition and explosives becoming more accessible, this is resulting into more violent behavior and less serious consequences. Violence in the media plays an imperative role in the etiology of violent and hostile behavior in the world today. While it is difficult to determine which age group have experienced more televised violence, studies have shown that the consequences of aggressive and violent behavior have brought a great deal of human agonizing, suffering, pain and financial destitution to our society, as well as an atmosphere of apprehension, distress and doubt. Research indicates that violence in the media has not just increased in quantity; it has also become more explicit, sexual and sadistic. Most acts of violence in media and on television are laughed off and there are no consequences for these actions. 

In extremely recent current events of this past week the spreading trend has come to pass yet again. In the suburb of Santee, California a 15- year- old high school freshman shot and killed two classmates and wounded 13 others. The shooter, Charles "Andy" Williams smiled as he reloaded the revolver with only revenge on his mind. Hopefully this event, among several others, will spark the call for more gun control for the sake of the children and future generations. Because of the right to bear arms, it is possible for anyone old enough to walk to have access to destructive weapons. Andy had access in his own home with plenty of ammunition. The result is a breeder of violence has been released to the rest of America's children ("Tragedy at Santee" 2001). 

                       

Several precautions exist currently to help with the media violence issue and there are various more things that can still be done. Parental advisory labels, television rating systems, movie ratings, and video game content labels are fluent and abundant. Unfortunately, several items of restricted material are in the hands of an underage possessor due to the lack of enforcement. I doubt that various people take this issue seriously, and the majority of parents are not involved in a child's life enough to know the type of content their child is being exposed to. Parents and adults who own weapons that a child at any age can have access to is just begging for some type of disastrous accident to occur. Future generations need more enforcement and protection from media violence.

The content of television is becoming increasingly vulgar and makes me wonder if all of it is even necessary. Murder, rape, sex, profanity, crimes of all varieties as well as abuse are displayed on television, in movies and in music just for the purpose of entertainment. The media would help the violence explosion by editing content in the things children are the main supporters of. The damage that violent and vulgar content execute on children should not be ignored or denied for one life is to many to lose because of violence. 

In my opinion violence in the media, video games, rated R movies and music has a major impact on the younger generation and something needs to be done to protect our youth. 

- VARSHINI KALKERE

                         

Salman Khan in Dabbang 2

Portrayals of Violence in Film and Television

Media is a biggest source of entertainment mainly because of cinema and television films and shows. These media forms along with entertainment also portrays violence in the form of action scenes and stunts. Some of the action movies like Dabbang 2, Singham and Sultan shows action which influences the media audiences also and they get attracted towards (especially the children and the youth) it. All of these sources seem to have an effect on people in general, however the effect leans more towards children. It has become evident that children are almost becoming a target by the violence for financial benefits through marketing.  Compared to how entertainment was portrayed in the past, there is much more violence out today than there was 50 years ago. According to one study, it was found that between 1993 and 2001 incidents of physical violence increased by 378 %, and television shows in 2001 averaged about 40 acts of violence per hour. With the development and changes in technology there has been more and more violence in media with demand for action and stunt sequences it has resulted in more money for media persons and losses for the normal people. After seeing this media they also wish to be part of such violence things which affects their mental and Physical Stability.

PORTRAYAL OF VIOLENCE IN FILMS AND ON TELEVISION

At a young age, children's minds are sponge-like, absorbing everything that surrounds them, which makes them easy targets in terms of manipulation and victimized by the medias(like films,television etc.,) constant influence. By the time of adulthood, individuals are already under the influence of the mass media. Society appears to have a subconscious fixation with the mass media, resulting in individuals becoming desensitized to violence and to be detrimental effected. Psychologists, sociologists and anthropologists all obtain different beliefs to provide reasons to why violence continues to be a predominant factor in today's culture. Violence is a primary component of several individuals lives, especially in the youth culture, as many turn to the media for a sense of direction, resulting in them resembling the images they view, shaping their behaviours.

Researchers found that those who as children were exposed to violent T.V. shows or Films were much more likely to later be convicted of crime.Researchers said that girls who watched more than an average amount of violence in films and on television tended to throw things at their husbands.Boys who grew up watching violent media (films, tv etc.,) were more likely to be violent with their wives.

Researchers concluded in Developmental Psychology that,"Every violent TV show, Films increases a little-bit the likelihood of a child growing up to behave more aggressively." 

The medias portrayal of violence has resulted in many individuals becoming fixated on violent productions, causing them to believe violence is a key factor within our society. Humanity is gradually accepting violence, due to the mess media desensitizing viewers, who are detrimental effected, but the negative imagery. Psychologists, sociologists and anthropologists all attain dissimilar viewpoints and objectives to why violence persists on being a major aspect in today's civilization. In several contexts, the media can be held accountable for glorifying violent behaviour. If the media continues to use violence as a major element in cartoons, films, music and sitcoms, violence will continue to increase.