THE PROBLEM WITH VIOLENCE

The problem with violence in TV and movies is not that it leads to leads to violent behavior, in my view; the problem with violence is that it leads to bad public policy. We are inundated with a media culture of violence, and, consequently, we are willing to listen to politicians who play on our worst fears and propose punitive policies such as "three strikes" laws and mandatory minimum sentencing.

Depictions of sex have no similar public policy implications. Imagine if every violent act you had ever seen on television had instead been an act of love. You'd probably be a happier person, perhaps even a little too happy. . .