I watch the killing that’s taking place around the world and ask myself why? How can someone be so intolerant that they can kill another person over their beliefs? How can someone be so angry that they’re willing to take the life of an innocent child to advance a cause? How can someone be so confused that they refuse to honor and value a life? There’s no simple answer to the horrific crisis that we face, but I’m convinced that a contributing factor is the poisoning of our minds.
We are bombarded with hatred, intolerance, and violence every day. The entertainment industry incorporates hate, intolerance, and violence into movies, music, comedy routines, and video games in order to increase sales. The news media hypes violence to boost television ratings. Politicians appeal to our dark side to win votes. These acts are desensitizing our personal values, polluting our minds, and corroding our culture.
We prohibit smoking on the silver screen and outlaw cigarette advertising on television because we know that those practices reduce consumption. Why, then, do we permit hatred and violence to masquerade as entertainment? And why do our leaders continue to foster intolerance in our society?
While violent and hateful stimulation do not affect everyone, repetitive, negative stimulation may confuse an already deranged mind and cause that mind to snap — just as steel may break if bombarded continually at its weakest spot.
The time has come to recognize that just as toxic waste can pollute our rivers, the constant negative stimulants that we are exposed to are contaminating our culture. Reducing violence in our society requires us to react with both crisis prevention and crisis response. Leaders, businesses, and role models have a critical role to play in this effort — they can choose to use their celebrity and influence to provoke the good or the bad in people. As Barbara Mikulski, the U.S. senator for Maryland, once said, “Each one of us can make a difference. Together we can make change.”
Follow Your Conscience. Sleep Well.
Do You Feel The Poisoning of Our Minds is a Factor?
Additional Reading:
Protect Yourself From Bad Information
Did You Know Dogs Can Fly?
How to Have a Fresh Perspective
Is It News or Propaganda?
Prejudice: “All” Is an Ugly Word
If you like this article, subscribe to our blog so that you don’t miss a single post. Get future posts by RSS feed, email or Facebook. It’s FREE. Click your favorite option (top right).
I have nothing I would add to what you’ve shared here, Frank. Great questions and points made.
This is one of my main reasons for having cut back on my television consumption. The media would have us believe there’s nothing we can do to improve the world. But, I believe the total opposite. Like you, I believe there is plenty we can do. However, it’s going to take a collective joint effort from each of us to accomplish such a feat. That’s where the real work must begin. Unifying ourselves and reaching a place where tolerance for one another’s beliefs and differences is firmly established.
This was a wonderful read. Thank you for sharing it.
Hi Deone,
Thanks for your kind words. I applaud you for wanting to make a difference. Yesterday, I heard that several TV programs were being postponed, for a month, because they contain too much violence. The networks are afraid that there could be a backlash against them. I believe that the people who are polluting our minds will only listen when we call them out. It’s important to note that there must be a comprehensive solution to this problem –– I’m only highlighting one aspect.
Have a wonderful day!
Best,
Frank
Totally on target, Frank. Only thing I would add is that many parents have abandoned their responsibilities. It is much easier for parents to turn off the TV, confiscate the iPads and monitor computer use of their kids to ensure that they don’t become addicted to the entertainment industry’s poison you aptly describe. But they (the parents) often are too busy engaging in their own poisonous activities like extramarital affairs, gambling, boozing, over-working–whatever happened to coaching Little League?
Hi Peter,
I understand exactly what you’re saying. It’s really tough being a parent, today, and keeping it all together. It certainly doesn’t make it easier when their kids can’t escape the bombardment of hate and violence. It’s remarkable to me that these culprits are turning their backs on our kids –– all in the interest of fame and fortune. It’s time to wake up their conscience. (That is, if they have one)
Have a great day!
Best,
Frank
Let’s take it a step further. Let’s all commit to make at least one change in the new year to show less support for the outlets of these societal toxins. What will you do? I will pledge to not support any TV show, movie or celebrity that promotes and/or glorifies negative behaviors. I will also write negative reviews on such actions when possible.
Hi Cathy
I love your attitude. It’s one thing to talk about a problem, yet another to do something about it. I will continue to use this forum to speak out about the importance of personal values. My hope is that more people like you will join us in making a difference in any way they can.
Have a Merry Christmas.
Best,
Frank
Way too many minds are poisoned. I’m reading this article a few days after the Mass Shooting of students in school. I strongly feel assault rifles and strick guns laws are needed NOW. Some minds are poisoned by money, greed, and lack of empathy. The poison symptoms of anger, revenge, and other negative qualities explode. Guns become an expression of hateful behavior. We need to make a change now and not wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow is an excuse to do nothing.
Joanne
The tragedy in Florida is sad beyond words. My hope is that we come together as a nation, put our differences behind us, and begin to solve the problem in a comprehensive way. As you say, “Tomorrow is an excuse to do nothing.”
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Best,
Frank
Honestly I’m tired of rape scenes in movies they make me sick there’s enough garage in the world why do we constantly need to watch a woman being graphic ally raped for entertainment it’s disgusting and inexcusable enough
I wholeheartedly agree with you, Lynne.
As I said in the post, “The entertainment industry incorporates hate, intolerance, and violence into movies, music, comedy routines, and video games in order to increase sales. The news media hypes violence to boost television ratings. Politicians appeal to our dark side to win votes. These acts are desensitizing our personal values, polluting our minds, and corroding our culture.”
Shame on them!
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank