The news these days is packed with stories that make you scratch your head and wonder about the state of humanity. Take, for instance, the instance of the quadruple amputee who’s been accused of a fatal shooting. There’s security footage of him doing a headstand against the wall, snorting cocaine, and somehow operating a semi-automatic rifle. When questioned about his bizarre behavior, he simply replied, “Because I can’t play tennis.” It’s hard not to chuckle at the audacity, but it raises serious questions about how such individuals come to possess firearms. It seems like the underlying issues are often more convoluted than they appear on the surface.
On a lighter note, teen birth rates in America have reached a record low. This, undoubtedly, is a relief to many hopeful parents who would have preferred their teenagers to focus on algebra rather than afternoon delights. Perhaps Hollywood could learn something from these statistics – that not every story needs a scandalous subplot. Sometimes, simplicity and responsibility sell themselves.
And speaking of seemingly nonsensical endeavors, a pet company in New York is reportedly offering up to $1,000 an hour for someone to sniff dog breath. It’s a job with a very particular niche, right? It’s comforting to know that for every traditional career path of lawyers and engineers, there’s always a quirky left turn onto something as peculiar as the Assistant to Joy Behar. Yes, the economy is showing its adventurous side!
Meanwhile, in Detroit, the city is willing to shell out $15,000 for anyone brave enough to relocate there. It’s enough to cover – forgive the dark humor – potential funeral costs. But who can resist the allure of Motor City with its rich history and ongoing revival efforts? If only they’d throw in a car as well.
On the entertainment front, a movie like “Project Hail Mary” has taken the box office by storm, banking nearly half a billion worldwide without the unnecessary baggage of politically charged messages. Not forcing a social agenda allows audiences to relax and simply enjoy space epics without interruptions from the cultural battleground. It seems the old-fashioned art of storytelling for the sake of pure entertainment is having a nostalgic comeback. A little escapism, free of lecture, is a novelty today.
When the TV and movie industries veer away from overt political overtones, it seems they find more success. Enough with every blockbuster feeling like an undergrad social studies debate. Movies should be a realm of imagination, not a platform for ideological sermons. If audiences wanted a constant barrage of personal politics, there’s CNN for that. Hollywood should take note from classics that endure because they tell universal stories – tales of good versus evil, hope, and dreams that don’t feel like a strained TED Talk.
In a world where everyone has something to say, it’s about time entertainment took a breather from real-world squabbles and delivered on its fundamental promise to amuse and inspire. As helpful as it might be to some, no one really needs a lecture from a caped crusader or a starship captain on the latest socio-political trends. Here’s to the hope that storylines can go back to just saving the world without parachuting in strangers’ supper table politics.
