The Gray Area with Sean Illing We Are What We Watch
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Oct 30, 2023 
Walt Hickey, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of "You Are What You Watch," delves into how our media consumption profoundly impacts our physical and mental states. He shares fascinating insights, such as horror films triggering physiological responses and how a classic movie like 101 Dalmatians can boost pet adoptions. Hickey emphasizes the value of reflective media consumption, the portrayal of women in popular culture, and the societal role of storytelling in helping us process fears and anxieties.
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Not a Warning, an Observation
- "You are what you watch" is usually a warning, but Walt Hickey views it as an observation.
- Pop culture affects us, and we should examine those effects instead of just what we consume.
Experiencing Media
- Media consumption is an experience, not just passive viewing, affecting our bodies and minds.
- Physiological responses to movies, like blood coagulation during horror films, demonstrate this.
The Rise of Blockbusters
- The blockbuster era wasn't solely started by Jaws' success.
- Tax law changes eliminated smaller film financing, leaving only big-budget studio films.
