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Cryptic_Skies t1_j63y19o wrote

Reply to comment by straightloco44 in Men gathered around sign reading “Police.. We need your protection... not your harassment, Garfield Teen Organization,” on Columbo Avenue, Garfield: April, 1968: photograph by charles "teenie" Harris. by Yinzerman1992

i dont watch videos such as these (never watched any of the beheading videos either) nor did i ever watch any of the Phases of Death vhs series back when video tape rental was a thing.

consuming these videos both desensitises and anesthetises people to the point of acceptance. it doesnt happen all at once, but eventually one's compassion, sympathy, and potential empathy is eroded away.

i think the same people who watch these videos should ask themselves if they would buy tickets to an execution without knowing the context of why and how.

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Jumpy-Natural4868 t1_j64xg5i wrote

Faces of Death, right? Not phases.

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livefast_dieawesome t1_j655ft0 wrote

I disagree with the desensitization angle purely based on the national reaction to the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent protests across the country and even internationally. I'd go so far as to suggest that people were/are very sensitive about it when they see these videos of violence against innocent people.

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straightloco44 t1_j647n8y wrote

I do agree there is a degree of desensitization that comes along with regular viewing of such things. However, it's not as black and white as that. I viewed many of those things over the years, whether for curiosity sake or to just be informed. While there's a sense of the shock value being lost, my compassion has not waned. Nor has my desire for change. Those who refuse to watch any of the things you reference, including police brutality videos, are no more likely to initiate change or to feel more compassion for victims of violence. I'm 45. I've seen a lot. A whole lot. I have yet to become numb.

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Cryptic_Skies t1_j648sfq wrote

i'm a year younger than you and our experiences are clearly very different.

> those who refuse to watch...are no more likely to initiate change or feel more compassion for victims of violence.

nice job there thinking i sit on my hands with my head in the sand while the world burns.

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straightloco44 t1_j64ae7c wrote

Wasn't looking for a reddit argument today. How did I imply that you sit around on your hands? I said people who don't watch or no "more" likely to act or have compassion. Not less likely.

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Cryptic_Skies t1_j64bm98 wrote

i quoted you verbatim and stated in my post i dont watch these videos. by stating i'm no more likely to have compassion or act you inherently imply less likely.

i dont have any desire to argue with anyone on reddit either.

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straightloco44 t1_j64c84j wrote

Sorry you took it that way. I in no way meant to imply that. I know plenty of people, compassionate and active in social justice, who would not choose to watch. I don't hold that against them. I meant to say that for myself, I am an example of somebody who has not become less compassionate or empathetic for watching those things. In fact, I believe in some instances it has made me more so.

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straightloco44 t1_j64ajvz wrote

And no, I wouldn't buy a ticket to an execution. Especially since I'm against the death penalty

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Cryptic_Skies t1_j64c87t wrote

> does anyone else find it disturbing we are sitting around waiting to watch like a goddamn movie premiere

> i wonder what affects...this has on the populance

> what a weird, sad day

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