Cartoons and Child Innocence

[NoNameProphet]

This is inspired from a comment Heinous Dude made on a post I made elsewhere.. The theme of this post is :
"Cartoons : Brainwashing Child-Programming.... or Protector of Innocence?"

I'll start us off with my opinion.

Personally I think it's brainwashing, mind-dulling, child-programming. We teach people to mindlessly obey the law, never ever resolve conflicts with violence, or sometimes always resolve conflicts with violence, and we teach concepts of good and evil, black and white. We also preach defense of the country, to constantly hold patriotism.

Lets look at these piece by piece.
Mindlessly obeying the law has obvious pluses for the gov't if the they retricts children shows from displaying a moral other than this... because then they can do whatever the hell they want.
Why shouldn't we obey the law without question? Well the LAW is a HUMAN CREATION, which means it has faults. Take a look at slavery in the US in the past, or Hitler's laws against the Jews. Obviously we should RATIONALLY think about the law in question before we obey it, then do what is JUST, not what is LAWFUL.

Violence and Conflict Resolution
Due to the black and white nature of cartoons, there are two ways cartoons are allowed to portray violence. Either in the superhero way of "Always resolve conflicts with violence", or the "Violence is always wrong" deal.
This latter leads to the creation of many people like the uninformed anti-war protestors (Not saying all are wrong, just many are uninformed). Sometimes violence is needed to defend yourself or your friends. The government has reason to promote this one so people do not cause riots to fight their laws.
As for "Violence is needed", I'll explain that along with patriotism, and black and white situations.

Patriotism and Violence
You've seen cartoons where big American flags fall out of the background as the good-guy makes his speech after bashing the "Bad Guy". This is an example of Patriotism used as a tool to brainwash, and black and white situations.

The government supports the use of superheros (especially ones like Captain America) because it sends a message that government is always right. And if there are only good and bad guys in the conflict (as cartoons always show), then whoever your government is against must be shady evil-doers.

If you disagree you are a terrorist, and unpatriotic abomination of your country, a bad guy. This has INCREDIBLY obvious pros for the government to potray, because yet again it gives them a massive base of uninformed and blind followers. Words leaders like Bush use such as "Axis of Evil" may set off some of the child-programming within us, and is an easy tool for them.

CONCLUSION
Maybe it's just a side-effect of parental censorship, or maybe it was a mix of that and the government seeing a way to make use of it. It's a hard thing to prove, but all these coincidences DO make me suspicious.

Overall though, there's one thing I know. These cartoons dull the minds of their viewers, and suck out free-will and free-thought, just like how censorship sucks out free-will and free-thought. People should be given more freedom in what kind of cartoons they can create.

Newgrounds is a PERFECT example of cartoon freedom. Only excessive and needless pornography is banned. I see this as an excellent example that needs to be followed throughout the world! =P

[Commander-K25]

You may be watching too many cartoons. I doubt that they are part of some government propaganda program.

[TheloniousMONK]

I agree that they are mind-dulling... I mean, no plot, nothing changes, and constant exposure to the same violent behavior must do SOMETHING to the mind. As far as your other points, they are moot considering they are not true. Children watching cartoons are not going to grow up always following the law doubting nothing. Anyone remember the "good ol' days" when they would have stuff like Bill Nye or Beakman on television and they would teach you all kinds of cool science stuff like physics and chemistry.

*sigh* It would appear those days are lost. :(

[NoNameProphet]

At 3/21/03 10:57 PM, Commander-K25 wrote: You may be watching too many cartoons. I doubt that they are part of some government propaganda program.

You're a smart guy, I am sure you could back that up with something right? I wanted to start a debate here. And hey, I did miss Bill Nye too ;(.

[NoNameProphet]

At 3/21/03 10:57 PM, Commander-K25 wrote: You may be watching too many cartoons. I doubt that they are part of some government propaganda program.

I doubt the writers are in on it, but the SOME group might be using censorship and filtering through only certain cartoons for a reason.

There's just so many pluses for a government ((and specifically a dictator)) if they filter things in the way they are that I have to be suspicious. Try to give a reason why this is not possible, but also remember that I have two points... mind-dulling, and possible manipulation.

Just incase you're wondering, yes I do believe that those New World Order theories have a CHANCE of coming true. And I am not against the war, despite the Bush example I used above. They are using propoganda and manipulation to steer the people towards an action they think is right. They don't trust the American people to make the right decision if it's against theirs. But they might be right. Saddam needs to be taken out of power and since the people can't do it, someone has to. ***I can make much more indepth statements but this is NOT a war topic.***

[mysecondstar]

i honestly think your imagination is running away with you. your conspiracy theory seems very far fetchesd, and Commander may be right in saying that you are watching too many cartoons.

[NoNameProphet]

At 3/22/03 01:01 AM, mysecondstar wrote: i honestly think your imagination is running away with you. your conspiracy theory seems very far fetchesd, and Commander may be right in saying that you are watching too many cartoons.

It could be alot further fetched, trust me. If you can keep an open mind it can make some sense. If not, prove it to me with evidence rather than calling me crazy.... That's what has happened to countless inventors and theorists before... You might even be saying that's just dellusions of grandeur but it isn't. Those who are obviously wrong, can be proven to be so.

[ichbincow]

and you belive in santa clause and space aliens too huh?

[NoNameProphet]

At 3/22/03 01:12 AM, ichbincow wrote: and you belive in santa clause and space aliens too huh?

-.- ... Don't patronize me, fool. Prove me wrong. Debate it. Do something other than think you're greater than me.

[mysecondstar]

At 3/21/03 10:53 PM, NoNameProphet wrote: This is inspired from a comment Heinous Dude made on a post I made elsewhere.. The theme of this post is :
"Cartoons : Brainwashing Child-Programming.... or Protector of Innocence?"

I'll start us off with my opinion.

Personally I think it's brainwashing, mind-dulling, child-programming. We teach people to mindlessly obey the law, never ever resolve conflicts with violence, or sometimes always resolve conflicts with violence, and we teach concepts of good and evil, black and white. We also preach defense of the country, to constantly hold patriotism.

Lets look at these piece by piece.
Mindlessly obeying the law has obvious pluses for the gov't if the they retricts children shows from displaying a moral other than this... because then they can do whatever the hell they want.
Why shouldn't we obey the law without question? Well the LAW is a HUMAN CREATION, which means it has faults. Take a look at slavery in the US in the past, or Hitler's laws against the Jews. Obviously we should RATIONALLY think about the law in question before we obey it, then do what is JUST, not what is LAWFUL.

what is an example from a specific show so that we can debate the point.

Violence and Conflict Resolution
Due to the black and white nature of cartoons, there are two ways cartoons are allowed to portray violence. Either in the superhero way of "Always resolve conflicts with violence", or the "Violence is always wrong" deal.
This latter leads to the creation of many people like the uninformed anti-war protestors (Not saying all are wrong, just many are uninformed). Sometimes violence is needed to defend yourself or your friends. The government has reason to promote this one so people do not cause riots to fight their laws.
As for "Violence is needed", I'll explain that along with patriotism, and black and white situations.

you are honestly delusional enough to believe that cartoons cause people to form opinions based on cartoons? you see the reason they are uniformed is because they stubbornly want to believe what they want to believe without any proof of it. in that case it is called ignorance.

Patriotism and Violence
You've seen cartoons where big American flags fall out of the background as the good-guy makes his speech after bashing the "Bad Guy". This is an example of Patriotism used as a tool to brainwash, and black and white situations.

The government supports the use of superheros (especially ones like Captain America) because it sends a message that government is always right. And if there are only good and bad guys in the conflict (as cartoons always show), then whoever your government is against must be shady evil-doers.

If you disagree you are a terrorist, and unpatriotic abomination of your country, a bad guy. This has INCREDIBLY obvious pros for the government to potray, because yet again it gives them a massive base of uninformed and blind followers. Words leaders like Bush use such as "Axis of Evil" may set off some of the child-programming within us, and is an easy tool for them.

child advocacy groups are actually trying to get rid of super-hero type cartoons because of the fact that they always use violence to resolve issues. also it simplifies problems for younger children because they don't understand that sometimes there is grey areas where the good guy may actually have some sort of hidden agenda. and that would just be beyond a child so it kind of kills complicated polt lines etc.

CONCLUSION
Maybe it's just a side-effect of parental censorship, or maybe it was a mix of that and the government seeing a way to make use of it. It's a hard thing to prove, but all these coincidences DO make me suspicious.

Overall though, there's one thing I know. These cartoons dull the minds of their viewers, and suck out free-will and free-thought, just like how censorship sucks out free-will and free-thought. People should be given more freedom in what kind of cartoons they can create.

i believe cartoons do a good job getting kids to realize what is wrong and what is right. beyond that and it's entertainment value, it doesn't do too much. it's more of a stepping stone to further independent thought. that's why they ask parents to watch TV with their kids so they can discuss what happened. but you know how often that happens...

[NoNameProphet]

you are honestly delusional enough to believe that cartoons cause people to form opinions based on cartoons? you see the reason they are uniformed is because they stubbornly want to believe what they want to believe without any proof of it. in that case it is called ignorance.

Oh no, I do not think they form opinions based on cartoons. The mood and mindlessness makes such a thing close to impossible. The effects on the individual I believe are practically at a subconscious level.

[TheMDude]

Blah blah blah, maybe we should just throw every child into a padded cell until 18....

[flamewolf]

Heres a brief summary of cartoons.
They are mindless creations made to keep children entertained for hours on end so you don't have to listen to them.Simple,isn't it? Due to the fact that children don't really even understand what they are watching, as their minds are yet to develop enough to understand what they are seeing.Therefore all of the above is untrue.

[NoNameProphet]

At 3/22/03 01:18 PM, flamewolf wrote: Heres a brief summary of cartoons.
They are mindless creations made to keep children entertained for hours on end so you don't have to listen to them.Simple,isn't it?

Children's cartoons yes; this is a common stigma attached to cartoons as a whole. It's why anime was filtered into the crap you see comming into the US. People think it's only for kids. But that's another topic.

Due to the fact that children don't really even understand what they are watching, as their minds are yet to develop enough to understand what they are seeing.Therefore all of the above is untrue.

ARRGHH... Apparently no one has heard of, or believes in subliminal messaging! They don't need to understand to be affected. It's just pre-proggraming that's set off by certain 'triggers'.

It HAS been proven though!! Just look at how big companies try to stick food ads into textbooks by paying off schools!! They know people aren't easily convinced by OBVIOUS simple and stupid ads.... but studies have shown it affects their tendencies anyway. THE VERY MEANING OF SUBLIMINAL MESSAGING. It doesn't make total sense, but it is there!

[NoNameProphet]

At 3/22/03 01:18 PM, flamewolf wrote:

They are mindless creations made to keep children entertained for hours on end so you don't have to listen to them.Simple,isn't it?

Is it really that hard to believe that this was only what we were told was the reason for that type of funnelling? Is it really 100% impossible that it could be brainwashing?