[tfigueroa]

This explains feelings I’ve had watching Euphoria. I’ve noticed a worsening physiological response just watching the show, so haven’t finished season 2.

Initially I felt there was some catharsis to get out of it, but I’ve had to stop myself and ask what the effects really are. More cortisol? Less shock from real trauma? I’m not sure.

Yet I was drawn in by the trauma, and the thought - formed somewhere in my mind - that these dark, traumatic things were more authentic, and so there was something real and authentic to get out of watching it. But so far, there isn’t much of a thesis, or something, to really think about and learn from. So I’m done for now.

edit: formatting

[kizer]

You're right. It's a low-effort, cheap way to add "authenticity" to a work without putting in the effort to construct a relevant allegory or something else whose "authenticity" is born out of its elucidation of the truth.

It's just violence transformed to scratch even more of that itch for the modern generations.

[odessacubbage]

so much of modern tv just feels like misery porn.

[ravenstine]

That's why I stopped watching it entirely, and so can you.

My hypothesis as to why most TV is misery porn goes beyond just that people can relate to misery. I think it's the combination of misery and violence, whether it's physical or verbal.

The modern world is so tightly controlled that the average person knows that they can't commit much if any violence in real life, for any reason, good or bad, without either facing penalties or extreme misunderstandings. Sure, there's mentally unstable individuals who attack every now and then, but the law can't do anything about them and we just shrug and think "that's just what they do," more or less.

Secretly, or subconsciously, part of many everyday people wants to be the character who puts people in their place, or stabs people, or cooks meth, or shoots people, or beats the ever living shit out of people, and so on. Even if they have a moral compass of some kind, and don't even have the balls to do any of that, they've got some brain cells that gets excited from seeing people do things they know they could never even think of doing.

Even if it's not physical violence, people clearly like the fake or instigated drama on reality and cooking shows. They've all wanted to say "fuck you" to their boss at some point, but only by living vicariously through fiction can they picture it happening.

Of course, these nefarious characters in media must be miserable somehow, or the world around them had to make them who they are in some way, else the illusion can't work.

[dan12ha]

Jordan Peterson talks about the internal feeling of having a giant scary bear inside you is nescessary for being in the world with confidence. I can't remember the exact phrasing but it's something to do with humans living on the edge between chaos and order. I think it was the book 12 Rules for life.

[cbogie]

i can relate personally to the ’will to violence’ domination sentiment you shared, but on the other hand, there are a few people in my life with whom i’ve discussed this topic with, and really don’t experience these sorts of thoughts or impulses.

[kayodelycaon]

Along these lines, modern dramatic TV makes me incredibly anxious. I shouldn’t need to take medication to watch a TV show.

[goatlover]

There's a third and fourth spinoff of The Walking Dead coming out if that's your thing.