Sunday, January 7, 2018

naked nurse 15

SOOTHING OUR SOCIAL/SEXUAL/SPIRITUAL STRIFE

Dear naked nurse,
What's the deal with horror movies?? I'm not talking "The Exorcist", i'm talking slasher pics. There's a million of them, with a million sequels each! I tried to get through one, for my boyfriend's sake. It was horrifying, and not for the reasons they intended! Who's watching these things (aside from my soon-to-be ex?)???
-alarmed in Alameda

Dear alarmed,
There are two main realities. The first is desensitization reinforcement. Living in this culture requires that we socialize many natural feelings out of our children, in order to prepare them for the fear and loneliness and violence that permeates this world. In order to make those things feel "normal", we have to stunt our children's natural empathy. Even though we've succeeded in this beyond anybody's wildest nightmare, humanity has a way of forever trying to re-manifest, so slasher films are a form of dehumanization reinforcement. If we can watch a fake beheading or disembowelment and not be affected, then we'll certainly be able to stand by while those around us descend into depressions or addictions or aggressions against others (or themselves).
Secondly, horror films are a substitute for our own fears and traumas, but one which we can completely control (this is where slasher and horror perform the same social function). We know when the film starts that WE won't be killed, and that even if the monsters get away with unending murder, there will always be at least one plucky survivor (who is a proxy for us, the viewer). Horror films tap into our subconscious need to survive this brutal, unfeeling real world in which we all live.
I understand your desire to flee your slasher-loving lover. That's a sane response. But try to remember how much subconscious pain they're in. These films are their coping device.
watching "My Dinner with Andre",
the naked nurse

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