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scaredsquirrel
04-25-2006, 03:01 PM
Vicarious is clearly about the inherent human need for destruction of some sort.

My question is how far can we extend this? Is there a need, like the song says, to see destruction on a personal level (tragedy)? Is there something worth looking into as to why the 9/11 bombings are the #1 most watched T.V moment?

We have loved tragedy ever since way back in the day, with the greeks making their great tragedies in theatre, and in mythology, like with Icarus and his waxen wings. However one could argue that that particular myth was a warning created whether consciously by the governing body or subconsciously (gods) to people who would aim too high, who have ideas above their station.

We are thrilled by tragedy, and it is eerily entrancing to watch in disbelief as those planes complete their journey.

Is this need part of our instinct and therefore linking to that thread in socialise called "destructive glee!" (I found it weird that that thread came about around the release date of Vicarious) and if it is instinctive, does watching it serve as a sort of catharsis, and as therefore serving as a vent for our destructive nature?

Or is it far more effective to LIVE the tragedy, like Nietzsche says, by "living dangerously", and therefore explain why some people are attracted to those who have the most potential to harm them (thinking in terms of destructive relationships)...?

We all feed, tragedy is like blood to a vampire.

Do we NEED tragedy?


Also, on a less serious note

Duran Duran.

"Vicarious
Vi,Vi,Vi...Vi-carious!

I feel fine about it..."

tehe

usa4jer
04-25-2006, 03:13 PM
Well on a basic level I think tragedy in the lives of others can't help but make us feel better about our own. You just go laid off, your girl just dumped you, you've got the squirts, whatever....at least you're not that poor shmuck who got sucked into the plane engine.

Perhaps it's also an intinctive need to know of the dangers that lurk and that have befallen others so that we're more aware of our surroundings. It could just be a perverse survival mechanism.