What kind of a program makes statements about the human condition like, “war is the only thing we understand”. I tried watching Altered Carbon, a series on Netflix, focused on violence, portraying violence as the only way of the world. That violence exists I do not argue, but it is not all, and I doubt it ever will be. I do see though, that for some humans, it is all they see, or want to see. Why are there so many fatalistic themes in entertainment at this juncture in human history. Is someone(s) trying to bring the acceptance of violence into the lives of the young? Television and movies began to change in the 90s, when I first began to notice the theme of intolerance, contempt for others, and violence seeping into media entertainment. Now much of what is on offer on Netflix and Prime Video is either violent, or portrays ruthless ambition, almost glorifying these aspects of human nature. It is disturbing.
I guess the thinking is, what is the harm in it, it is only entertainment. Until you start thinking about the escalation of mass shootings in the US, by young people, and then it is difficult to believe there is no connection at all, between the portrayals of reality, and the reality that is developing.
I will be watching something other than Altered Carbon.
The morning began with bright sunshine streaming through the windows. Soon after daylight had established itself, the clouds rolled in. Late in the morning, snowflakes fell. There weren’t enough of them to accumulate, they all melted as soon as they reached the earth. The clouds continue to track the sky, allowing the sun to peek through from time to time.
The list of things I wanted to get done today was apparently too ambitious for reality. One of the projects involves setting up the sewing machine. Mist cottage is small, there is one table, it is the only working surface. In order to setup the sewing machine I will need to completely clear off the table. Th items on the table need to be moved. The place, where the items on the table will be moved to, needed to be cleared. And so on, and so on. After getting to the point where I could clear the table, so much time had elapsed that it seemed a waste of time to setup the sewing machine for only an hour or so. It would be better to begin again in the morning, leaving the whole day to work on the project itself.
The rest of the day consisted of small chores, like unloading the dishwasher. Who could complain about unloading a dishwasher! Not I. The dishwasher is a much appreciated appliance around here, particularly since there is very limited counter space here at Mist Cottage.
And that is Monday, as another week begins.
Worldly Distractions
Weather
2°C
Date: 2:00 PM EDT Monday 2 April 2018
Condition: Mostly Cloudy
Pressure: 102.0 kPa
Tendency: Falling
Temperature: 2.0°C
Dew point: -3.7°C
Humidity: 66%
Wind: S 26 km/h
Visibility: 24 km
Quote
“If we attend continually and promptly to the little that we can do, we shall ere long be surprised to find how little remains that we cannot do.”
Samuel Butler
1835 – 1902
Altered Carbon wasn’t great, but having seen the whole series, I can tell you that it does come right in the end. It’s not something I would have watched on my own, but the spousal unit plays the television constantly.
I agree with you. The world is violent and cruel enough on its own without inviting into one’s home in the name of “entertainment.”
I despaired with Altered Carbon when we first started watching it. Seeking some optimistic outcome, I looked at the reviews on it. They gave poor ratings for the first 5 episodes and then said it got much better. I prayed they were right and DH and I continued watching it. At episode 5 the tenor changed. Much less blood-soaked and darkly negative. The characters began developing relationships. We watched all 10 episodes and while the future is a darker one in some aspects it’s not all that different from the seamier side of the undercover world we see today with Russian ex-spies being nerve-gassed. I ended up caring about the main characters and found that they did have positive attributes and came to care about one another, including a computer-generated individual being supportive of some of the flesh and blood characters.
I heartily recommend you watch Heartland. It’s a true feel good series with an admirable family of characters that are trying their best in their ranch life, while learning and growing.
Wendy, I am glad to hear it comes right in the end, I might be tempted to see what that actually means, 🙂
There is a reason I am watching reruns of My Favorite Martian!
Teri, thanks for the review of Altered Carbon, I might give it another go. I do appreciate the suggestion of Heartland, I haven’t seen it, so it will be on my for sure list now!
Honestly life’s too short to watch and wonder over programmes that just don’t seem right.
Easter Monday was fine and dry here in Melbourne. True Autumn weather – cool overnight warm in the 20s during the day. Won’t be long before we take our four day drive to Far North Queensland to escape Melbourne’s winter.
We stay in a place called Bowen – 2hrs north of Mackay and 2hrs south of Townsville. It’s far enough north to be in the tropics but not far enough to have the humid weather. Hence it’s classed as Dry Tropics
Cathy, yes indeed, life is too short for such things! If I watch violent programmes, I have nightmares and I sleep poorly, not really worth it. Sometimes, I try watching the violent offerings in the early morning, which gives my psyche a whole day of activity to digest before trying to sleep.
Your day sounds lovely! Our temperature during the day has not yet risen above 10C, and probably won’t for the next two weeks, boo hoo.
Thanks for the details about where you winter and why!! I will be looking up all the places you mention on a map. Fascinating!
I haven’t a clue about that program you wrote about. We just watched a DVD I got for a couple of bucks called “Ode to Billy Joe” (or is it “Billie Jo” ??) anyway, they made a movie about the song written and sung by Bobbie Gentry so many years ago. I heard an interview done on it and they said it was moving. They were right. I was all set to not like it, and we sat here enthralled with it for 2 hours (?). It was well done and was moving. Glad we went ahead and saw it.
Bex, the programme Altered Carbon is a new one on Netflix, I live in hope of finding new programs that are heavy on character and story, and low on violence and ruthless ambition… the film you describe sounds very good! The song is quite moving, so a film along the same story line would be as well.
I don’t like to watch violent shows either. I’m still mad about a movie I saw years ago which did not end with the good winning. “Sin City” was awful, just awful. I sympathize with you on the clearing of the sewing machine table. I have an industrial sewing machine at home, which has its own table. That table is covered with Stuff, so much stuff! (Fortunately, if I do all the prep work at home, I can sneak in my own tasks at work and not have it take long.) Thus I was, shortening the sleeves of two blouses yesterday! (Just short sleeves, getting shorter, no plackets, etc., so simple and quick.)
I do have a big project I’ll need to do at home, I’ll have to clear the table for that… another day! 🙂
Joan, my mind cataglogues the ugly bits of these programmes, then feeds them back to me in dreamland… the violence is not entertaining in my view.
I’ve seen some of the costumes you have created, amazing! I do sew, but don’t really enjoy it, but I do enjoy the results! This morning, Teusday, I managed to get the sewing machine up and running shortly after Attila left for work, the sheers for the bedroom are already hanging on the rod, and I am eyeing the curtain material that will substitute for doors on the top of the closet. I am fine once I get started, it is overcoming inertia that is challenging.