Ask A Genius 689: Future Entertainment
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen and Rick Rosner
Publication (Outlet/Website): Ask A Genius
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2022/01/16
[Recording Start]
Rick Rosner: Let’s delve into the topic of the nature of future entertainment and how it caters to minds filled with information. Think about how humor has evolved. Decades ago, jokes were simple and widely comprehensible. Henny Youngman’s ‘Take my wife, please!’ is a classic example. Humor was based on straightforward scenarios. But over time, comedy became more personal, with Lenny Bruce pioneering a style that reflected the comedian’s personality and experiences.
In the 1960s, we saw the emergence of a generation gap in cultural values and knowledge. Nowadays, this gap seems to have shifted, with a divide between those entrenched in right-wing media and everyone else. This divide is influenced by geography, social circles, and family.
Reflecting on modern entertainment, I recently revisited ‘Suicide Squad’ and am watching ‘Peacemaker’, its sequel. These belong to the DC Comics Universe, akin to Marvel’s. Once considered children’s entertainment, comics have evolved into major cinematic productions. Superhero movies, like ‘Deadpool’ and ‘Suicide Squad’, often parody their own genre. They’ve become our version of Bollywood films, mixing various elements to appeal to a broad audience.
‘Suicide Squad’, inspired by the 1967 film ‘The Dirty Dozen’, features supercriminals on a suicide mission. It’s ridiculous yet filled with action, good versus evil narratives, and doesn’t require extensive knowledge of the DC Universe. ‘Peacemaker’ continues the story of the surviving characters in an absurd manner. For example, the opening credits feature a dance number by the cast in costume, which is quite unconventional.
I also think about how my perception of entertainment has changed since my youth. Back in the 1970s, I’d watch reruns of ‘The Brady Bunch’ and ‘Star Trek’, often finding them unsatisfactory. Comparing that to today’s shows, the level of content and graphics would have been overwhelming. I recall my gradual exposure to more explicit content, from playing cards to books and eventually magazines. Today’s entertainment, particularly in shows like ‘Peacemaker’, is far more graphic and explicit. The use of CGI has also revolutionized how violence is depicted, making it gorier and more exaggerated.
The incident with Alec Baldwin has sparked a debate about using real guns and ammunition in filmmaking. I support transitioning to CGI for such effects, as it’s safer and offers more creative possibilities. However, this shift means that violence in movies is becoming increasingly graphic.
So, what’s the point of all this? It’s that audiences have become desensitized to extreme content, leading entertainment to constantly outdo itself. Contrary to some sci-fi predictions, technological advancements haven’t led to a more sanitized, well-behaved society. Instead, our entertainment is becoming increasingly wild and outrageous.
[Recording End]
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