18 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday February 22, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Fighting back against media desensitization By Daniela Gysler GRADE 12, APPLEBY COLLEGE M y Monday morning starts off in psychology class. We usually begin by discussing current issues in the media that, coincidentally, always have some sort of psychological or social issue in tow, such as the soldiers in Iraq or even Britney Spears' mental state. We are currently diving into the heaviest of topics, such as the Jonestown massacre, Hitler Youth and many other malicious cults and epidemics. When taking a step back, and peering into my class with an objective perspective, it is astounding how a class of senior students can absorb heavy and sometimes disturbing content first thing in the morning and not be affected once the bell rings and class is over. Is youth desensitized by the world's current events? It seems as though the severity of torture ascends while human compassion for others descends. The media has certainly been the leading cause of desensitization. The news we watch daily, sometimes hourly, differs to that of just 30 years ago. In the 1960s and '70s, it was difficult to find disturbing images. People are also desensitized to other aspects such as sexuality because of the number of sex scenes that occur in Hollywood films. Another issue to which we have become desensitized is the mistreatment of others. These days it is too easy to become surrounded by the sight of torture, war and death. It is horrifying to know that any Internet user is easily capable of finding numerous videos relating to torture on YouTube. It is even worse to imagine the thousands of people who can watch these videos and be able to move on -- as normal -- afterwards. For example, after watching such videos, including one of Adolf Hitler addressing the Hitler Youth, our class easily moved on to discuss group dynamics and how they affect soccer teams, school projects and/or family relationships. Should 17 and 18 year olds be able to absorb the sight of human torture and then simply move on? Should it be that easy to end the class on a lighter note and just push those images into the attics of our memories? The media has not only impacted and altered the reactions that people have, I believe it Upper Oakville Shopping Centre Oakville's Original Lifestyle Shopping Centre has also drastically affected the rate at which we age. The number of teens who are deciding to engage in illegal activity has grown exponentially over the years due to the increase in violence, sex and drug abuse in the media that smothers us daily. Some teens feel they can't keep up with the media and feel forced to alternatives such as drugs and even suicide. Movies, music videos, commercials and billboards play a constant role in constantly imprinting our minds, but the new leading influence lies within the celebrities and their entourage of paparazzi. The most current fad is the obsession with gossip columns and magazines that follow and share every movement the stars make. The state of our desensitization begs the question: Is there any possibility of reversing the effects of the media? The desensitized world in which we live can only foreshadow what we will become in the near future. As the media begins to come at us from every angle, there appears no chance of fighting back. Correction The Kids Speak Out School News column published in the Friday, Feb. 15 edition of The Oakville Beaver, The Challenge of Asperger's, incorrectly identified its author. The column was written Marlo Forget, Gr. 11, T.A. Blakelock. The Oakville Beaver regrets the error and any inconvenience it may have caused. WIN THIS FRAMED HAND-PAINTED GORDIE HOWE JERSEY AUTOGRAPHED BY MR. HOCKEY HIMSELF Czech Boys choir here in concert The Oakville Children's Choir is performing Saturday, Feb. 23, The concert is at 4:30 p.m. at Clearview Christian Reformed Church, located at 2300 Sheridan Garden Dr. It will feature The Boni Pueri Czech Boys' Choir in a program of Stories and Song in Canada and Beyond featuring Canadian and international folk songs. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 905-337-7104 or visit www.oakvillechildrenschoir.org . Tickets can also be purchased at the door. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $15 for seniors and children under 12. Tickets are $10 each, available at The Niblick Pub. The draw will be held on Feb. 29th, 2008. All proceeds will be donated to charity. Shopping · Health & Lifestyle · Dining BERTIN STABLES Winter Lessons and March Break Camps · Weekday Lessons 4/$107 or $35/Lesson · Saturday at Farm 10am-3pm $40 (Children 5-12 yrs.) (905) 827-4678 www.bertinstables.com