|
2.1 Criticism of the mass media
One of the big topics Groening criticises is the mass media.
2.1.1 The brutal comic strips of "Itchy & Scratchy"
He chiefly criticises the violence in TV shows, mainly expressed by the comic strip "Itchy & Scratchy", the favourite comic series of Springfield's kids, especially of Bart and Lisa, which is presented during every show of Krusty, the Clown.
Itchy, a small mouse, continuously fights against his opponent Scratchy, a cat. The mouse tries to kill its opponent always, but not always the same way. As the cat has to die differently each time. In a billboard advertising the first Itchy & Scratchy movie, "Steamboat Itchy", which parodies the first Mickey Mouse movie "Steamboat Willie", Itchy slams a movie camera into the back of Scrachty's neck, causing his head to fall off and blood to spurt everywhere. The blood lands on a couple of newlyweds in a convertible. They look up, horrified, until they see the blood is from the billboard and laugh.
In another episode Itchy plays the role of Pinocchio (in the episode he is called "Pinitchio"). He has to promise his creator - Scratchy - that he will never hurt him anymore, so Itchy promises that but lies. As in the well-known story his nose grows and pierces through Scratchy's eye.
But although Scratchy dies in an episode he is alive in the next one only to get killed yet again.
The movies seem to be similar to cartoons like "Tom & Jerry", the scheme is also the same. As in other animated cartoon-shows the violence and brutality of these fights are represented in a very funny way which does not correspond to reality.
The concept of these shows targeted at what pleases children. So it is no wonder that the broadcasting time of these comic series is mostly during the afternoon, at a time when mainly children are watching TV. They are exposed to violence without the ability to distinguish between reality and fiction.
Bart and Lisa laugh at the show all the time not realising how brutal it is. In one show Itchy kills Scratchy by a hammer. The little baby, Maggie, also watched this movie. After that she hits Homer with a real hammer in the belief it would be only funny but could never really hurt him .
Even the intelligent girl Lisa does not realise this. It is only when she becomes a vegetarian that she claims that "Itchy & Scratchy cartoons put over the idea that violence against animals is funny" , but rejects this opinion not much time later.
The reason for this need for violence can be often a desire for diversion.
"Grund für die Bevorzugung gewaltvoller Medieninhalte ist der Wunsch nach Ablenkung. Mit der häufigste Anlass dafür, Computer oder Fernseher anzustellen ist zweifelsohne Langeweile. Medienkonsum soll Zerstreuung bieten und gute Gefühle produzieren. Bei Computerspielen wird das zunächst durch spannende Geschichten und ausreichende Handlungsmöglichkeiten erreicht. Damit das mit Spielanfang erreichte Erregungsniveau nach einiger Zeit aber nicht absinkt, wird die Spielerin konstant durch virtuelle Gewalt bedroht. So bleibt das von der Spielerin als positiv empfundene \"mittlere Erregungsniveau\" erhalten. Ähnlich funktionieren Action- und Horrorfilme. Auch hier nutzen Produzenten/tinnen Gewalt, um \"in einem relativ kurzen Zeitraum eine spannende Handlungssequenz aufzubauen und zu einem einsichtigen Abschluss zu bringen.""
2.1.2 Action films with "Rainer Wolfcastle"
Another genre of TV films Groening criticises are action films.
In America millions of people watch this kind of film. Every year Hollywood produces many action films that cost millions of dollars - and they are popular! Nearly everybody knows "Action Heroes" like the Austrian, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who played the main protagonist in films like "Terminator" etc. These kind of films must not have a real message, they just have to show a lot of action and gigantic special effects. And the violence and brutality is shown in an entertaining way for the viewer and not very realistic.
Scientists see a danger in these films. They think that these films are responsible for the growing readiness for violence people show in America. Especially children try to imitate these "heroes" by being violent against other without recognising reality. The violence is presented in a way that is adjusted to the taste of the viewer.
"Gewalt wird jedoch nicht in jeder Form von den ZuschauerInnen als angenehm erregend empfunden. Die nackte Realität von Gewalt wäre unerträglich und damit inakzeptabel. Aus diesem Grund wird die in den Unterhaltungsmedien präsentierte Gewalt dem Publikumsgeschmack entsprechend aufbereitet: Das bedeutet, dass die dazu verwendeten Objekte (Waffen, Kriegsflugzeuge, Kampfschiffe) als schön und begehrenswert inszeniert werden und die schmerzhaften Folgen von Gewalt nicht gezeigt werden, wie überhaupt negative Konsequenzen ausgeblendet bleiben. Der Zuschauer kann den Gebrauch von Gewalt durch das Ziel, das meistens darin besteht \"das Böse\" zu bekämpfen, legitimieren. Insgesamt wird Gewalt als erfolgreiches Mittel gezeigt, um erwünschte Ziele zu erreichen. In dieser ästhetisierten Form macht der Gewaltkonsum Spaß und die Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass der jeweilige Rezipient in seinem weiteren Nutzungsverhalten weiterhin auf gewaltvolle Medieninhalte zurückgreift, vergrößert sich."
Groening has created also an Action Hero called McBain (it may be a coincidence that the protagonist of the action film trilogy "Die hard", played by action superstar Bruce Willis, is also called McBain), played by Springfield's superstar Rainier Wolfcastle, who comes, whether by accident or not, from the same origin country as Schwarzenegger. Wolfcastle seems to be very stupid and naive - an attribute that is often ascribed to action-stars. McBain always fights alone against a lot of opponents and all the time wins in the end. As in cartoons, a lot of unrealistic violence is shown but it is played down.
It also shows the competition between film producers - everybody has to make a bigger film than the others with the most-wanted and over-paid actors, more action and the most expensive special effects, and that is why the cost of those films is so exhorbitant.
Groening handles this topic in a very satirical way. In one episode McBain talks about his new film:
McBain: " This film is just me in front of a brick wall for an hour and a half. It cost 80 million dollars."
Jay: "How do you sleep at night?"
McBain: "On top of a pile of money, with many beautiful ladies."
As you can see the film has no real story, it is just McBain in front of a wall telling bad jokes. After he realises that the audience dislikes his jokes he pulls out a big machine gun and fires at the people. And this film is supposed to cost 80 million dollars!
2.1.3 Summary
All in all Groening criticises television as a medium which abuses its power to influence people -and especially children- in a very bad way by showing them a totally unrealistic version of violence and crime that produces a false impression in their minds, just to earn more and more money.
2.2 Criticism of industry
2.2.1 Criticism of Nuclear Power
2.2.1.1 Production and use of nuclear energy
During the last century there was a continuous discussion about the production of energy. Nowadays the most criticised aspect is the production of atomic energy in a nuclear power station. Particularly the physical aspects stand here in the foreground. Caused by the nuclear-core-meltdown, atomic radiation arises which can cause very bad physical damage if protective measures are not taken. A sad and horrible example is the atomic accident in Tschernobyl in 1986 when thousands of people (25 000 people )were contaminated by radioactivity and died.
Although this accident should be a good reason to shut down all the nuclear power plants, most countries went on building them, which cannot be accepted and supported. Also the difficult and expensive disposal of nuclear waste is a reason that speaks clearly against this form of energy production.
\"Vierzehn Jahre nach der größten Katastrophe der zivilen Atomnutzung wird die tickende Zeitbombe Tschernobyl endlich entschärft(...).Aber trotz des Desasters von Tschernobyl setzen viele Staaten noch immer auf die Atomenergie. Die Abschaltung des Unglücksreaktors sollte aller Welt klar machen: Atomenergie ist nie vollständig sicher, sie ist und bleibt ein Verbrechen an der Umwelt und sie ist ersetzbar.\"
Groening also wants to show this problem in "The Simpsons".
The SNPP, the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, is the only source of energy Springfield has. Under the leadership of the most powerful man, C. Montgomery Burns it is Springfield's major employer and at the centre of public life. But that is more or less the only advantage the SNPP brings with it.
Safety measures are seriously lacking in the Power Plant and there is a great risk of leakage of nuclear fallout in the construction and operation of atomic power stations.
The method of construction was very cheap, and Mr Burns does not see any point in restoring the Plant as long as it works. That is an attitude which is often ascribed to powerful industrialists. The health of the employees does not stand in the foreground but the only priority is to achieve a profit that is as big as possible.
The security equipment of the employees is also very bad or rather non-existant. The expenditure, in Mr Burns' eyes, would be to high. That is also a reason why the workers in the Power Station are not really instructed in their job and are not specialists but normal citizens of Springfield, unqualified to do such a dangerous job.
This is true of most other countries, not just the USA.
2.2.1.2 Consequences of nuclear energy
The consequences of this way of energy-production can be disastrous. In particular health problems have to be considered.
A sad example is once more Tschernobyl. 25 000 people died and thousands of others are still contaminated. Radiation causes very serious health damage like cancer etc.
But that is not the only consequence. It also causes genetic mutation.
2.2.1.2.1 Blinky, the fish with three eyes
A result of the disposal of nuclear waste in Springfield is "Blinky", the fish with three eyes. It has mutated because its habitat was the power stations effluent which is of course contaminated.
When Bart and Lisa went fishing there the event made big headlines, enough reason for a Washington regulatory committee to send a team to investigate nuclear waste coming from the plant. "Despite Mr. Burn's attempts at bribery, the team told him to clean up his plant or they would shut it down" Burns tries to convince the people that the third eye is a development of nature but does not succeed.
The story ends with a failed attempt by Mr. Burns to become governor. The attempt fails because he has to eat Blinky within the scope of his election campaign, something he baulks at.
In another episode Homer's sperm count has been damaged due to radiation exposure. One sperm has even a third eye like Blinky, the fish. In the fear of a lawsuit Mr. Burns gives Homer 2000 US $ in exchange for a legal waiver.
Another result of damage to health caused by nuclear radiation is the green shining the bodies of the workers show and that is shown in many episodes.
2.2.1.3 Summary
This all shows that the conduct of powerful industrialists is only of a profit-seeking nature. The security of the employees and their health does not play a role in their considerations. Their only concern is how they can earn more and more money.
2.3 Criticism of the security system in the USA
The American security system is a topic of interest to the whole world.
2.3.1 The right to bear arms
2.3.1.1 Criticism of the right to bear arms
The law that enables Americans to bear arms without any qualification or any training is controversial all over the world. The wave of reports about massacres of Americans who shot their family members or friends is never-ending.
Violence in America was very high, the police were helpless, considering the high number of offenders, and so the population tried to protect itself - by buying a gun or a rifle.
More than 40% of all citizens in the U.S. are owners of a weapon. "(.) Millions in the U.S. believe passionately that their liberty, their safety or both are bound up with the widest possible availability of guns." The consequences are horrible.
News about the youths who run amok in schools of cities like Paducah in Kentucky, Jonesboro in Arkansas, Springfield in Oregon or Richmond in Virginia shocked the whole world. Nevertheless the American government stands to its amendment to allow Americans the possession of firearms. "There are still as many firearms in the U.S. as people - 235 million."
Homer decides to buy a gun after Springfield's citizens fight amongst themselves after a boring soccer match. He has no problem in buying a gun, the only thing he has to do is to accept a five-day waiting period, because his identity has to be checked.
The following scene describes the qualification of Homer; it takes place in the gun shop:
(Homer grabs for the gun, but the cashier of the gun shop holds onto it)
Cashier: "Sorry, the law requires a five-day waiting period. We've got to run a background check."
Homer: "Five days? But I'm mad now!"
(The cashier pulls the gun away from Homer)
Homer: "I'd kill you if I had my gun."
Cashier: "Yeah, well, you don't."
After Homer has got his gun he shows it to Marge.
Homer: "It's a handgun! Isn't it great? This is the trigger, and this is the thing you point at whatever you want to die."
As this quotation shows Homer, an average citizen like hundreds in America, has the possibility of buying himself a gun although he is not able to use it at all. He attends NRA meetings but "the members kick him out when they see how recklessly Homer uses his pistol".
Marge wants Homer to get rid of the pistol. Homer does not want to so he tries to hide it in the fridge, where Bart finds it and takes it to play "Wilhelm Tell" with his friend Milhouse, but not with an apple on Milhouse's head, but in his mouth!
After Marge prevents a tragedy she asks Homer why he did not get rid of the gun. Homer tries to explain it to Marge: ".this gun had a hold on me. I felt this incredible surge of power, like God must feel when he's holding a gun."
Homer abuses the power he has because of the gun. He shoots out the light, opens the beer can with his pistol or shoots at the television, for example. For him his gun is more or less a useful tool to make life easier.
He really cannot estimate the danger a gun can cause. And that is a feature many people in real life share also.
|
