Movies often reflect a symbiotic relationship with the government, where filmmakers are provided resources such as aircraft carriers or uniforms in exchange for script approval. This collaboration influences the content of films by avoiding sensitive topics like PTSD or sexual assault in the military. Additionally, government agencies derive ideas from fictional portrayals, leading to the development of technologies showcased in spy movies. Notably, movies like Mission Impossible 7 have influenced real-life security measures, as seen with President Biden signing an executive order after viewing the film. Action and geopolitical movies serve as a reflection of national anxieties, demonstrating what people and governments could potentially worry about in the future, often staying ahead of the headlines.
What we see on screen has this way of influencing our perception of the world, which makes sense because the average American spends 2 hours and 51 minutes watching movies and TV each day. That’s a whopping 19 percent of our waking hours. Walt Hickey is a data journalist and author of a new book called You Are What You Watch. In it, Walt makes a case for how much film and television shapes us as individuals and as a society, far beyond what we give it credit for.
You Are What You Watch
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