In the beginning, man's time was devoted completely to pro-creation and gathering or hunting food, survival. As the task of obtaining food become easier and less time consuming, suddenly man found there was time to do other things. How he discovered that he and others could say or do things that would amuse him or stir up emotions in pleasant ways is unknown. The capacity was probably always there but no time was available to use it. Entertainment in the form of story-tellers, musicians, dancers, magicians, acrobatics and comedians became common place. Sometimes even brutal spectacles such as the gladiators became a form of "entertainment".
My question is why have these various forms of fantasy and distraction become so overwhelmingly attractive to people everywhere? Their popularity demands an intensity of interest which world shattering events cannot seem to match. The abilities and talent of the entertainer can be appreciated but the importance he plays in the lives of many is bewildering.
When all the achievements of man are considered, many requiring the intellect of geniuses and the strength of Hercules, entertaining must be at the bottom of the list of importance and yet, at least today, is the most profitable. Although entertainment serves a purpose, I don't see it as a vital necessity and compared to the farmer who grows our food, almost useless. Why then is entertainment such a big part of our lives?
The variety of entertainment forms runs the gamut from the most vile to sublime, appealing to nearly every emotion and instinct we possess. I believe that man has many appetites, both physical and emotional, and many are not satisfied by every day type of events. Just as hunger must be satisfied, these appetites somehow are fed through the medium of entertainment. These appetites are not all beneficial and some should probably be starved yet, it seems that more and more, entertainment has turned toward feeding only the worst of them and are neglecting the more noble ones.
The saying used to be that art reflects reality. Today art influences reality. When art appeals to man's baser instincts, he becomes more base. When the good instincts are fed, he becomes better.
My question is why have these various forms of fantasy and distraction become so overwhelmingly attractive to people everywhere? Their popularity demands an intensity of interest which world shattering events cannot seem to match. The abilities and talent of the entertainer can be appreciated but the importance he plays in the lives of many is bewildering.
When all the achievements of man are considered, many requiring the intellect of geniuses and the strength of Hercules, entertaining must be at the bottom of the list of importance and yet, at least today, is the most profitable. Although entertainment serves a purpose, I don't see it as a vital necessity and compared to the farmer who grows our food, almost useless. Why then is entertainment such a big part of our lives?
The variety of entertainment forms runs the gamut from the most vile to sublime, appealing to nearly every emotion and instinct we possess. I believe that man has many appetites, both physical and emotional, and many are not satisfied by every day type of events. Just as hunger must be satisfied, these appetites somehow are fed through the medium of entertainment. These appetites are not all beneficial and some should probably be starved yet, it seems that more and more, entertainment has turned toward feeding only the worst of them and are neglecting the more noble ones.
The saying used to be that art reflects reality. Today art influences reality. When art appeals to man's baser instincts, he becomes more base. When the good instincts are fed, he becomes better.
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