You Are What You Watch

1. Movies affect our bodies physically, from blood curdling to brain chemistry

"You're watching a movie in a theater when on-screen, out of nowhere, a serial killer attacks. Because you're scared, your body increases the amount of coagulant factors in your bloodstream, causing your blood to literally curdle."

Physical reactions to films. Our bodies respond to movies as if the events were real, despite our conscious awareness that they are fictional. This includes:

• Increased heart rate and blood pressure during suspenseful scenes
• Release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline
• Changes in brain chemistry, including dopamine release during rewarding moments
• Alterations in breathing patterns and muscle tension

Measurable environmental changes. The collective physical responses of an audience can even be detected in the air:

• CO2 levels in theaters increase 2.5 to 6 times during a film
• Airborne isoprene spikes during tense moments as muscles tense
• Over 100 trace gases in theater air fluctuate based on the emotional content of the film

2. Our brains process films uniquely, utilizing visual shortcuts and attention manipulation

"Your brain is able to keep up with it because it's just quicker than the time it takes to turn a brain cell on and off."

Visual processing shortcuts. Our brains use several mechanisms to create a seamless viewing experience:

• Persistence of vision: The brain perceives a series of still images as continuous motion
• Saccadic suppression: Brief moments of "blindness" during rapid eye movements are filled in
• Attentional focus: The brain suppresses peripheral information to enhance the focal point

Directorial techniques. Filmmakers exploit these cognitive processes to guide viewer attention:

• Strategic lighting and framing to draw the eye
• Pacing and editing to control the flow of information
• Sound design to create emotional resonance and direct focus

These techniques allow directors to create immersive experiences that feel real, despite being constructed from a limited set of visual and auditory cues.

3. Pop culture shapes our identities, behaviors, and societal norms

"Because, it turns out, you really are what you watch. And you might just like yourself more because of it."

Identity formation. Media consumption plays a significant role in how we see ourselves and others:

• Characters serve as role models and avatars for self-exploration
• Narratives provide frameworks for understanding social dynamics
• Representation in media influences perceptions of different groups

Behavioral influence. Pop culture can inspire real-world actions:

• Career choices (e.g., CSI effect on forensic science enrollment)
• Fashion trends and consumer preferences
• Social movements and political engagement

The stories we consume shape our understanding of the world and our place in it, often in subtle but profound ways. This influence extends beyond individual choices to broader societal norms and values.

4. Media consumption influences our perceptions and actions in surprising ways

"Violent movies reduce crime."

Counterintuitive effects. Research has revealed unexpected impacts of media consumption:

• Violent films correlate with reduced violent crime rates during showtimes
• Horror fans showed greater psychological resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Exposure to diverse characters in media can increase empathy and reduce prejudice

Practical applications. Understanding media effects can inform policy and social interventions:

• Using entertainment education to promote public health messages
• Leveraging popular media to increase interest in STEM fields
• Designing media literacy programs to mitigate negative influences

These findings challenge simplistic notions of media effects and highlight the complex relationship between entertainment and real-world behaviors.

5. The business of entertainment drives creative decisions and cultural trends

"Like it or not, art has always been defined by commerce. But in many ways, commerce can also be defined by art."

Financial imperatives. The entertainment industry's profit motives shape content:

• Emphasis on sequels, reboots, and adaptations due to lower financial risk
• Merchandising considerations influencing character design and story elements
• Global market demands leading to culturally "neutral" content

Creative constraints and opportunities. The business model of entertainment both limits and enables artistic expression:

• Studio systems providing resources for large-scale productions
• Streaming platforms enabling niche content for targeted audiences
• Crowdfunding and indie productions offering alternatives to mainstream fare

The interplay between art and commerce creates a dynamic ecosystem where financial success and creative innovation are often intertwined.

6. Nostalgia and familiarity fuel the success of reboots, sequels, and merchandise

"Nostalgia sells incredibly well, that people want the things that brought them comfort as kids when they feel alone."

Emotional appeal. Nostalgia taps into powerful psychological needs:

• Comfort and security in familiar narratives
• Connection to personal history and shared cultural experiences
• Sense of continuity in a rapidly changing world

Marketing strategy. Leveraging nostalgia has become a key business tactic:

• Reboots and remakes of popular franchises
• Retro-styled products and "throwback" editions
• Cross-generational marketing appealing to both parents and children

This trend reflects both the emotional power of nostalgia and the financial incentives for studios to exploit existing intellectual property.

7. Cultural exports serve as powerful tools of soft power and global influence

"If you rely on battleship tactics long enough, eventually you're going to encounter someone with a bigger battleship—or with smaller, faster, scrappier ships that overwhelm you. However, if you make your society and its stories and desires compelling, interesting, and worthy of exchange, a battleship won't do much, because you've already won the hearts and minds of the people."

Cultural diplomacy. Entertainment exports can achieve diplomatic goals:

• Promoting national values and ideals through media
• Creating positive associations with a country's culture and way of life
• Fostering international goodwill and cooperation

Economic impact. Cultural exports contribute significantly to national economies:

• Revenue from international film and TV distribution
• Tourism inspired by popular media (e.g., Lord of the Rings and New Zealand)
• Demand for language learning and cultural products

Countries like the United States, South Korea, and Japan have leveraged their entertainment industries to enhance their global influence and economic power.

8. Creating and engaging with art has measurable benefits for individuals and communities

"Doing creative things has been shown to be good for those who do them."

Personal benefits. Artistic expression and engagement can improve well-being:

• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Enhanced cognitive function and problem-solving skills
• Increased self-awareness and emotional regulation

Social impact. Art fosters community connections and social cohesion:

• Shared cultural experiences creating bonds between diverse groups
• Public art installations revitalizing urban spaces
• Participatory art projects promoting civic engagement

Research shows that both creating and consuming art can have positive effects on mental health, social relationships, and overall quality of life.

9. The structure of creative industries impacts the quality and diversity of entertainment

"The ability of talented creators to make things is defined by the health of the ecosystem they inhabit, and that the ability to be creative and do your best work is extremely dependent on the context in which you're trying to do that work."

Industry dynamics. The organization of creative industries affects output:

• Consolidation leading to fewer, larger productions
• Independent scenes fostering innovation and diverse voices
• Digital platforms enabling new distribution models and creator-audience relationships

Creative ecosystems. Supportive environments are crucial for artistic development:

• Mentorship and collaboration opportunities
• Access to resources and training
• Spaces for experimentation and risk-taking

The health of creative industries depends on balancing commercial interests with the conditions necessary for artistic growth and innovation.

10. Enduring stories tap into universal themes and adaptive storytelling techniques

"Garfield will last ten thousand years."

Universal appeal. Lasting stories often address fundamental human experiences:

• Love, loss, and personal growth
• Good versus evil and moral dilemmas
• The hero's journey and overcoming adversity

Adaptability. Enduring narratives can evolve with changing times:

• Reinterpretation of classic tales for new audiences
• Flexibility in medium (e.g., oral tradition to written to digital)
• Ability to incorporate contemporary issues into timeless frameworks

Stories that stand the test of time often combine archetypal elements with the flexibility to remain relevant across cultures and generations.

Last updated: March 11, 2025