In the movie "The mean World Syndrome", narrator and Professor of Communication at Umass-Amherst, Michael Morgan takes us through the work of renowned Communication Professor Gearge Gerbner. The Documentary focuses on the theory that despite, popular belief, violence in the media doesn't create violence in the real world but instead leads people to believe that the real world is more dangerous than it really is. To paraphrase Gerbner, it is not that people are going to walk out on the street and start to mug others but rather people are afraid they will be mugged.
This “Mean World” idea is derived from Gerbner’s Cultivation theory. This theory discusses the idea that the media, through persistent violent images in movies, television, video games, and the news with specific emphasis on local news.
For me this film was very intriguing. As a Communication major this was a theme and a theory that I have become very familiar with. However, I have never seen the movie in its entirety till now. I very much enjoyed the film and felt the way in which it was shot did a lot to enhance what we were being told. The constant news clippings and cut scenes from popular films and television series really worked to drive the point home. It really isn’t till you see compilations such as those do you realize how much is really out there.
I found the example about the rising rate of gun purchases to be particularly striking. Statistics show that despite the violent crime rates steadily dropping over the past twenty or so years, people have the perception that it has gone up. This has led to the skyrocketing gun ownership in the country in the same time that violent crime rates are dropping.
I would absolutely suggest watching this film to most anyone. I feel it is imperative that we are aware of our surroundings and in this day and age mass media makes up a large portion of surroundings. As well I think it is important for people to realize what they are seeing and not blindly absorb the images in the media.
