The Human Mind In All Its Splendor

Yeah, you like that title? I'm f-ing tired and I just read a blog that was better written than mine. You know what that means....Erica is gonna use big words and talk about weird shit.

First of all, I really never thought of my film obsession as a bad thing. Since DVR came into my life I'm watching more movies (see previous blog post) and Andrew is also making random comments about me watching too much tv (I only DVR Sex and the City, Howard Stern, and Reno 911). I don't watch THAT much tv.

Anyway I know everyone says "tv rots your brain" which I whole-heartedly agree with in certain circumstances. If a 15 year old watches 6 hours of random shit every day instead of playing sports or hanging out with friends or reading, then yes it is rotting their brain. However I am a 23 year old girl who has already gotten a bachelors degree and I have no (proximate) friends, extra curricular activities, or computer at the moment. So I watch tv/movies. If someone would donate a piano to me I would spend much more time playing that.

I also seriously think that the fields of psychology and film appreciation are connected. To really enjoy cinema you have to get into the characters on the screen, or if you don't do that you have to at least think about their motives for doing what they do. Anyone who has taken a film class knows that to critique a film properly you must delve deep into the psychosis of the director's mind. Studying Hitchcock's films is much different than studying Orson Welles' films, but both require looking beyond what is on the screen. For example: Welles was full of himself from a young age. His gargantuan Citizen Kane (which really IS one of the best films ever) showcased his egomania perfectly. I could go on with this forever but I'll move on.

Ever since I started studying psychology I analyze people. I try to get to know everyone I come in contact with because I just find people fascinating. I love the question "why". Why do people do what they do? It's the most interesting question that exists. Even when I'm watching a show like Howard Stern I analyze the people and think "why" and it interests me. So instead of rotting my brain, tv and movies may be simply heightening my psychological awareness of others. Or so I like to think. *sigh*

God I'm tired.

Comments

Anonymous said…
For an excellent argument as to how television, videogames and movies are in fact GOOD for you, check out "Everything Bad Is Good For You," a new book that was featured on the Daily Show. Its brilliant! Plus, it'll make you feel better, I promise.

-Mike
1:33 PM, October 26, 2005
Erica said…
Hmmm sounds interesting! Especially if it also says that bacon and cheese and candy are good for me.
4:43 AM, November 02, 2005
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