Violence: Daredevil, Ironfist, Etc.

Having watched the 3 seasons of Marvel's 'Daredevil' I was stunned by the amount of over-the-top violence. Don't get me wrong here I enjoy action-adventure as much as the next person.

However, the gore shown in this programme can be hard to take for many. Indeed, many have been turned off this programme because of the darkness and violence.

One cannot but wonder why such violence sells. You can find such violence in electronic games played day in and day out by advocates. None of these games contains such concepts as mercy it is just violence and destruction for violence and destruction's sake.

The question has to be asked have we become more violent in what entertains us? Consider what passed for action adventure a few decades ago. Yes, in some cases some of the violence probably was over the top. However, compared to today it was mainly tame and left largely to the imagination.

It's not only violence that is more to the fore now with progs like Daredevil. Swearing and sex scenes are more in your face. Again is this what people like watching? Do they get their kicks from this?

What about kids? How much do adults control what their kids can and cannot watch? I would imagine the situation is mixed. Some parents will be very mindful of what their kids are allowed to view. While others will not give a toss and are more concerned with themselves. Certainly, the availability of screens on various devices makes controlling what youngsters watch very difficult indeed.

Some would say, however, that programmes like Daredevil, Ironfist, The Punisher, etc, show true life. Yes, the concept of people with special powers is largely a myth but the society shown is a reflection of the world today. And certainly, being realistic has its merits just look at any soap opera. Look at British soaps like Eastenders, Coronation Street, etc. People just love to watch these miserable programmes about characters who live troubled lives. Maybe, they see their own lives reflected especially in this troubled world we live in now. However, surely you would want some escapism and engage with something more positive for your entertainment. But no, these viewers seem to watch and enjoy something deeply negative.

The character of many superheroes seems to be from disturbed backgrounds. Whether DC or Marvel the consequences of these fictional characters' backstories are often deeply dark. Daredevil as a study shows a deeply disturbed man. By day, Matt Murdoch is a lawyer helping those who cannot afford extortionate legal fees. By night he dresses in black or red fighting crime often getting hurt and injured in the process. Trained in martial arts Murdoch often wrestles with his Catholic Christian faith. Murdoch does not kill those he comes up against and largely shows mercy. However, situations and people around him sometimes force him to cross a line.

The above forgetting the superhero moniker could be a story in all our lives. Many of us regardless of our station in life try to do what is right. That can be the case whether you hold to some faith or not. Life today is tough, especially for those at the bottom of the pile. For those with material wealth, life is comfortable and they can largely fend off the trials of life. But for those without this life can be hard and people like that are often faced with stark choices.

It seems there has been a sea change in what entertains us. Violence, sex, or call it realistic life as shown in electronic games, tv shows, etc, seems to be entertainment for many.