I have recently been discussing 'distractions' and how we no longer seem to live at a slow pace. We are bombarded with flashing images, and presenters finding it necessary to wave their hands about to make a point (it seems to be assumed that we will not 'get' the point unless they use extreme gesturing). Are these really necessary?
I think it was Brian Sewell, in a recent article and, in his excellent autobiograpy, questioned something along the lines of, why it should be necessary for a documentary-maker to follow him driving along a road when he is going somewhere to be filmed talking about art. Perhaps the viewers, would prefer to just hear the information as the piece of art is being discussed but of course the journey, or a presenter walking about being filmed, means a longer programme. We are not being given much opportunity to view at a leisurely pace.
This leads me to ask whether the constant bombardment of unnecessary 'exciting' images from television programmes, including the news and factual programmes are leading to a problem where we will no longer know what it is to relax quietly, even to enjoy an educational programme in a more congenial fashion.
My book was recently given its first one star review from a reader who found it 'boring' because she felt nothing 'exciting' happened. Perhaps this is because it is not one of the popular genres of gangland crime, tragedy or childhood misery. I deliberately decided to write, with gentle humour, a simple story told through the voice of a modern-day male and throughout the story we see his slow development and hear his philosophical thoughts via his witty observations.
But it seems it is no longer enough.
Do we really need 'excitement' in every book to warrant a four or five star review? I think not. Some of the most enjoyable books I have read, and I include, 'The Catcher in the Rye', Brideshead Revisited, and 'The Remains of the Day', are simply stories of human life unravelling as you read. These books allow you to use your own imagination and the reader is not waiting for something 'exciting' to happen.
I would like to see the television companies taking into account that some of their viewers do not always need to be distracted by exciting images - let us be given the time to listen and look at what is being discussed without the need for flashing imagery, hand-waving, or other distasteful distractions.
If you have a moment please take look at a free sample of my book here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/MAZ-AND-ME-Sharon-Loveday-ebook/dp/B00CHNLR6E
I think the problem is that many people no longer have real-life excitement in their dull existences. You go to work, come home, watch TV, go to bed. Weekends you do some housework, then go down the pub or watch the match. Never before have people's lives been so busy doing nothing.
ReplyDeleteFor many, TV is the only excitement, soaps the only human life, quick-flash imagery the only interest. The rest is just padding as a hundred channels try and hold audiences, to sell then on an 'experience'. You see, it's not an experience to just see the work of art, so you go on the whole 'journey' actually (almost) WITH the guy who will see it for himself, yet are able to do so from the comfort of your sofa in 1080p High Definition. You can even pause the experience to go get some junk food snacks from the kitchen. It's the ultimate non-experiential experience!!
Once they have that experience, their televised overexposure renders them bored and they need the next fix of quick-flash imagery. They need something to talk about when they're doing nothing down the pub, after all...
Ever notice how anything advertised is always an 'experience', too?
Cussons is the ultimate tanning experience. Herbal Essence is the ultimate hair-washing experience. Charmin is the ultimate arse-wiping experience.
Saving someone's life is an experience. Surviving for a week in the wild is an experience. Flying an aircraft yourself is an experience. Wiping your own backside with a piece of slightly softer than normal paper... is not. Yet that's the most exciting thing some people are likely to experience today.
Thank you for your lively comment and the humour.
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