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I agree and I think we've lost the ability to be our own heroes. We're all walking around with massive anxieties and not facing them only makes us more anxious

I agree and I think we've lost the ability to be our own heroes. We're all walking around with massive anxieties and not facing them only makes us more anxious. And don't get me wrong; there's a place for escapism. Everybody needs and deserves a break every now and then. But what I think most people don't realize is that facing those anxieties and fears is far more rewarding and enriching than watching a movie for 90 minutes. It's ironic that we choose to watch something impossible like a guy who can shoot rays out of his eyes because we think overcoming our own fears is impossible.

RHSeeger 7y ago
> It's ironic that we choose to watch something impossible like a guy who can shoot rays out of his eyes because we think overcoming our own fears is impossible. But... we don't. I watch him shoot rays out of his eyes because it's fun and relaxing. I'm literally going into surgery tomorrow so they can cut out part the bone behind my eye, by sticking a knife up my nose, so that I don't go blind. I'm anxious above that but I'm doing it because it needs to be done. You know what I'm not going to do tonight? Try to face my own fears. I'm going to watch TV with my wife and relax. Because not every moment of my time needs to be facing my fears. Down time is _good_ for you.
- Zelphyr 7y ago
  What would happen if you spent some time paying attention to that anxiety? Noticing where you feel it in your body? Is it in your chest and shoulders like it usually is for me? Where in your chest and shoulders? What thoughts do you notice you have around the anxiety? And then I'm curious how you'd feel an hour after that exercise? A few hours? Yes, down time is good for you. That's why I said "Everybody deserves a break sometimes." But most people don't take a break sometimes. They take a break most of the time. Our minds and bodies have something to tell us and nothing good comes from not listening. In other words; paying attention to that is a form of down time. A very very useful one. I truly wish you the best with your surgery, though. Ask the doc to fix it so you can shoot rays out of that eye while he's in there. ;)
- wutbrodo 7y ago
  There are comments like this defending escapism all over this thread, and I think theyre missing the point. Escapism is fine, just as dark, depressing, morally revelatory films are. The comment is about the degree to which one type of movie is relatively dominant in mass culture: the corresponding concern would be equally valid if (eg) brooding meditations on the nature of evil grabbed as much of our cultural mindshare as shallow escapism does today. Its not a commentary on the individual taking a moment to relax, but rather on a shift in tendency across the population

RHSeeger 7y ago

> It's ironic that we choose to watch something impossible like a guy who can shoot rays out of his eyes because we think overcoming our own fears is impossible. But... we don't. I watch him shoot rays out of his eyes because it's fun and relaxing. I'm literally going into surgery tomorrow so they can cut out part the bone behind my eye, by sticking a knife up my nose, so that I don't go blind. I'm anxious above that but I'm doing it because it needs to be done. You know what I'm not going to do tonight? Try to face my own fears. I'm going to watch TV with my wife and relax. Because not every moment of my time needs to be facing my fears. Down time is _good_ for you.

Zelphyr 7y ago
What would happen if you spent some time paying attention to that anxiety? Noticing where you feel it in your body? Is it in your chest and shoulders like it usually is for me? Where in your chest and shoulders? What thoughts do you notice you have around the anxiety? And then I'm curious how you'd feel an hour after that exercise? A few hours? Yes, down time is good for you. That's why I said "Everybody deserves a break sometimes." But most people don't take a break sometimes. They take a break most of the time. Our minds and bodies have something to tell us and nothing good comes from not listening. In other words; paying attention to that is a form of down time. A very very useful one. I truly wish you the best with your surgery, though. Ask the doc to fix it so you can shoot rays out of that eye while he's in there. ;)
wutbrodo 7y ago
There are comments like this defending escapism all over this thread, and I think theyre missing the point. Escapism is fine, just as dark, depressing, morally revelatory films are. The comment is about the degree to which one type of movie is relatively dominant in mass culture: the corresponding concern would be equally valid if (eg) brooding meditations on the nature of evil grabbed as much of our cultural mindshare as shallow escapism does today. Its not a commentary on the individual taking a moment to relax, but rather on a shift in tendency across the population