2. The desensitizing caused by the internet and shows like AFV
Alright, how many of you laughed or snickered or smiled when you saw this image? If you did, it's not your fault, it's due to:
1. Your brain 2. The desensitizing caused by the internet and shows like AFV I'll explain more later, but first I ought to tell you my inspiration for this blog. I was watching AFV with my dad (until he changed the channel to basketball reruns) and I noticed that as the show progressed, often times I'd be laughing really hard, and my dad would be saying things like "That's terrible!" or "My gosh!" and I started to realize that the people who performed these stunts must actually be in some serious pain. My dad and I began to analyze the show and how it edits out the part that could possibly cause some sympathy in the audience, such as people wailing or crying after wiping out, or the peer pressure beforehand. I also realized that the difference in our reactions were due to how often I had watched this show or how much time I spend amusing myself on YouTube compared to my dad, who really only uses the interet for practical things and facebook. What these shows and videos are doing are causing our brains to take injury and pain less seriously due to the fact that your brain has processed the information so many times that itno longer thinks much of it. That's one theory, now let my apply the Vsauce theory. In this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddV6jyDeCKA He explains that laughter is often the cause of the brain learning something new, so that would explain why we would laugh if we saw somebody just randomly fall over, flailing their arms about. In this case, your brain has now learned that perhaps "Oh, there's a bump in the carpet there," or "Wow, if she hadn't flailed her arms so wildly, she might've avoided that faceplant." This concept probably won't make much sense to you unless you watch the video, which I highly recommend. (It's informative and hilarious at the same time!) Have you ever been in that awkward situation where you see a friend fall and hurt themselves, and you know that you should feel concerned, but can't help but laugh? I absolutely hate that. Feel free to share any of those experienced
4 Comments
Conor
2/11/2013 04:24:39 am
We also laugh because the people are usually doing really really stupid stuff
Reply
Maura
2/13/2013 06:45:24 am
I know, I like AFV except the parts that are, like, babies falling off of bikes or morons falling off of roofs... I do agree with Conor though, I still laugh at the ones that are people being dumb
Reply
Emily
2/17/2013 11:27:16 am
I agree, however I do have to wonder how many of those video submissions that shows like AFV receive are people who are willing to hurt themselves purposely (and make it look accidental) just to get on TV.
Reply
Franklin
3/11/2013 09:33:48 am
First of all, that guy going off the roof on a tricycle asked for it.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorChris R Archives
October 2013
Categories |