Is there harm in having unfulfillable expectations?

Padawanbater2

Well-Known Member
This is something I think affects us all growing up. The things we see throughout society in the media and in film tend to create these situations on TV and in movies that aren't actually real in real life, that none of us actually experience. The whole prince charming fantasy little girls grow up with watching Disney movies, even to a certain extent monogamous marriage. After reviewing the rates of divorce, how could anyone argue it's not a fantasy?

Do you think these fictional portrayals of relationships in pop culture, the media and society do more harm than good, or do you think, in some aspect, they give us something to strive for?
 

Metasynth

Well-Known Member
Damn bro, you believe everything you see on TV? I think they do a lot of good actually....Makes it easier to identify the sheeple(not like they make it very hard to begin with), people are fucking idiots.
 

Nutes and Nugs

Well-Known Member
Lowered Expectations.

I loved Deb Wilsons humor.
Glad to see her back on tv doing that jeans commercial at an airport.

[video=youtube;xyhTJXFBPyg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyhTJXFBPyg[/video]
 

Padawanbater2

Well-Known Member
Damn bro, you believe everything you see on TV? I think they do a lot of good actually....Makes it easier to identify the sheeple(not like they make it very hard to begin with), people are fucking idiots.
Kids aren't equipped with the filters required to identify fiction from reality. I've dated a few different girls who I felt had this unrealistic expectation of relationships, it's a real issue that can't be dismissed so easily
 

Metasynth

Well-Known Member
Kids aren't equipped with the filters required to identify fiction from reality. I've dated a few different girls who I felt had this unrealistic expectation of relationships, it's a real issue that can't be dismissed so easily
Go into a little more detailed definition of your idea of these unrealistic expectations please. I wanna know why you're so jaded on love and life.
 

Metasynth

Well-Known Member
That's not a fucking answer. So you think the idea of two people being in love with each other and growing old together is unrealistic? Sorry you feel that way.
 

Metasynth

Well-Known Member
OR...you could answer the question the first time, instead of replying with some cryptic idiotic response that doesn't solve anything. Hence the reason I ASKED YOU TO GO INTO DETAIL ABOUT YOUR IDEA OF THESE UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS. I wasn't being daft, I was trying to have an actual conversation, since the other thread had taken a weird turn. Whoa...you really don't get it, do you?
 

Padawanbater2

Well-Known Member
OR...you could answer the question the first time, instead of replying with some cryptic idiotic response that doesn't solve anything. Hence the reason I ASKED YOU TO GO INTO DETAIL ABOUT YOUR IDEA OF THESE UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS. I wasn't being daft, I was trying to have an actual conversation, since the other thread had taken a weird turn. Whoa...you really don't get it, do you?
OK, OK, relax.. I admit, I hate when people do that, too.. So I'll explain what I mean..

The expectation of having a perfect relationship, hardly any arguments, wonderful kids, white picket fence, etc. I didn't literally mean that sort of shit is physically unattainable, I meant that having young kids grow up with that sort of expectation in mind seems like, to me, a little bit unreasonable. To put it in another perspective, consider a kid growing up having his every call catered to, until he turns 18. Then the real world hits and he has to get a job and work like everyone else. Now, would that kid be better off facing the real world having lived his entire life in luxury, or would a kid who grew up knowing the value of a dollar and the effort behind hard work?

The same premise applies with relationships and, namely, women (as that's the demographic that's marketed to). They're given this unobtainable expectation early on in life, and when most of them don't attain it later in life, they're left with feelings of guilt, inadequacy and unfulfillment..
 

Metasynth

Well-Known Member
It's all in the parenting. My favorite childrens movies were attack of the killer tomatoes, the princess bride, and who framed roger rabbit. Maybe throw in The Goonies, a little Stand By Me, and call it a night.

I never grew up under the pretense that any of the dribble I saw in movies or tv was actually accurate to reality. I guess I had very down to earth parents, but I always knew the difference between happily ever after, and not being able to pay the mortgage on time.
 

Padawanbater2

Well-Known Member
It's all in the parenting. My favorite childrens movies were attack of the killer tomatoes, the princess bride, and who framed roger rabbit. Maybe throw in The Goonies, a little Stand By Me, and call it a night.

I never grew up under the pretense that any of the dribble I saw in movies or tv was actually accurate to reality. I guess I had very down to earth parents, but I always knew the difference between happily ever after, and not being able to pay the mortgage on time.

Do you think that would be an accurate assessment of an average American kids childhood? In other words, do you think pop culture, movies, media, music, etc. play a significant role in influencing your average American adolescent?

I think someone like you would likely be the exception, leading to shit like this;


[youtube]8xg3vE8Ie_E[/youtube]
 

Metasynth

Well-Known Member
Personally, I think EVERYTHING influences who you are throughout your entire life. More so when your young, because by perspective, you have less life experience to compare it to. I don't get your Taylor Swift video, but I cant watch that kinda stuff without hitting myself in the head with a hammer, and I can't seem to find my hammer anywhere.
 

Metasynth

Well-Known Member
I didn't have a normal upbringing, and I wouldn't know what a "normal" upbringing is...But I DO know I ALWAYS had filters in place to distinguish between media/fantasy and reality.
 

Hemlock

Well-Known Member
This is something I think affects us all growing up. The things we see throughout society in the media and in film tend to create these situations on TV and in movies that aren't actually real in real life, that none of us actually experience. The whole prince charming fantasy little girls grow up with watching Disney movies, even to a certain extent monogamous marriage. After reviewing the rates of divorce, how could anyone argue it's not a fantasy?

Do you think these fictional portrayals of relationships in pop culture, the media and society do more harm than good, or do you think, in some aspect, they give us something to strive for?
IMO they are unrealistic. But then again the life we all lead by growing isn't exactly Leave it Beaver type of living. We are the Fringe. And I say wave your freak flag high.
 

Pinworm

Well-Known Member
[video=youtube;lLvsnkQtZLI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLvsnkQtZLI[/video]

Starved for __________. We make the colors go.
 

Padawanbater2

Well-Known Member
Personally, I think EVERYTHING influences who you are throughout your entire life. More so when your young, because by perspective, you have less life experience to compare it to. I don't get your Taylor Swift video, but I cant watch that kinda stuff without hitting myself in the head with a hammer, and I can't seem to find my hammer anywhere.
That video is exactly what I'm talking about..

I have a 21 year old sister who watches MTV, nothing but bullshit. Anytime I'm around while she's watching it I ease drop on the dialogue and can't help but realize the producers are creating this "product" to elicit these emotional responses the viewer likely isn't even aware of. It would be one thing if it were real, but it's 100% manufactured, meaning someone (likely a team of people) is behind the scenes creating this image of what people this age should care about with the only goal of fueling their product financially. I get it, it's business. But at what cost? A standard question any ethical business has to ask itself.. The cost, I believe, is perpetuating a nonsense lie to, mainly, young American girls who are led to believe a healthy relationship should be this way. Instead of mental health professionals or doctors informing young women how to live healthy lives, we've got marketers and teams of people just trying to make as much money as possible off this backbone of lies, which leads to those feelings I was talking about earlier..

I agree, everything influences you as you grow up. But, do you think we as a society should enable such influences?
 

Metasynth

Well-Known Member
That video is exactly what I'm talking about..

I have a 21 year old sister who watches MTV, nothing but bullshit. Anytime I'm around while she's watching it I ease drop on the dialogue and can't help but realize the producers are creating this "product" to elicit these emotional responses the viewer likely isn't even aware of. It would be one thing if it were real, but it's 100% manufactured, meaning someone (likely a team of people) is behind the scenes creating this image of what people this age should care about with the only goal of fueling their product financially. I get it, it's business. But at what cost? A standard question any ethical business has to ask itself.. The cost, I believe, is perpetuating a nonsense lie to, mainly, young American girls who are led to believe a healthy relationship should be this way. Instead of mental health professionals or doctors informing young women how to live healthy lives, we've got marketers and teams of people just trying to make as much money as possible off this backbone of lies, which leads to those feelings I was talking about earlier..

I agree, everything influences you as you grow up. But, do you think we as a society should enable such influences?
Honestly? I don't fucking care one way or the other...If someone can't figure out that they've been force fed bullshit for their entire life through the media, then I really don't care what happens to them. Sad, really....But, I don't have a lot of friends, so maybe it's just sad for me....lol
 
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