Heros and Anti-Heroes

I've gradually stopped watching mainstream TV as more and more programmes have become subject to the continuous decline in standards - more and more gritty, visceral, dark, twisted plot-lines and so-called "adult themes" (it seems that adults aren't allowed to enjoy innocent or benevolent ideas in their entertainment these days). The excuses given are that the new brand of TV programme better reflects "what people want" or "more accurately reflects real life". The truth is it only reflects what is bad in everyday life - the marriage break ups, the promiscuity, the murders. Even the cop shows usually have dark anti-hero (read sinful) "heroes".

Last night a young friend was chatting to me about various films he'd watched in recent years. I inquired about the heroes in those films with a touch of dread in my heart. I know from chats with other people too that film is walking the same path as mainstream TV.

It seems people no longer want heroes. Tales of good overcoming evil are considered corny or derided as childish these days. The so-called hero in so many films will actually be the bad guy. Why is this?

I'd have to put it down to a simple lowering of standards. People don't want good heroes any more because they don't want their role models to be better people than themselves. They want flawed heroes because they make it acceptable to be flawed. The darker we make our heroes, the less good we have to be. Pretty soon we're rooting for the bad guy.

So instead of aspiring to be saints we aspire to be sinners. And people wonder why the world is going to pieces and why darker, more gritty, visceral "adult themes" "better reflect real life". Be careful what you wish for.