Have We Lost All Sense of Morality in Modern Media?

This is a frequent problem we now possess in the modern era, and yet many people are oblivious to it.

One aspect is that the film and television entertainment media are not giving us characters that we can not only relate to but also look up to.

In the past, we had characters like Atticus Finch and Andy Taylor who were portrayed as the best we could be.

But also in the past, it was easy to depict what was good and what was evil, and what was morally corrupt and acceptable.

We knew that in “Star Wars,” the Galactic Empire and Dark Lords of the Sith were ruthless and tyrannical, and the Jedi and Rebellion were the good guys.

In “Transformers,” the Decepticons were obviously evil tyrants who always had to be stopped while we rooted for the Autobots to save the day.

In the “James Bond” franchise, we knew that James Bond had to accomplish his mission to stop whatever maniacal plan S.P.E.C.T.R.E. or another villain had.

And we knew heroes like Batman were formed to combat the dark seedy underbellies of crime.

But now we live in an era where the line between good and evil has been blurred, transcending into a morally gray area, and this will have a profound impact on generations going forward.

Understandably, in the realm of fiction, the morally gray area is a fantastic sandbox to play in. Sometimes, the most exciting character and story possibilities are created in the morally gray area.

However, the moral gray area is not the greatest when looking up to a virtuous mentor, father or grandfather-like figure.

One of the recent “Star Wars” series, “Andor,” is a terrific show in its own right (especially since a lot of Disney-Star Wars is kind of crap), but the Rebel cells and the Galactic Empire are portrayed differently than before.

The Galactic Empire, while still portrayed as tyrannical, now features more “sympathetic” antagonists like Syril Karn. While he is relatable, do remember that the Empire is still supposed to be the bad guys.

Additionally in the realm of Disney, do consider the remakes/readaptations such as the “Cruella” and “Maleficent” movies. Also, consider that these were the primary antagonists of the original stories FOR A REASON.

Cruella De Vil was a maniac who wanted to kill dogs for fur coats, and now we are expected to sympathize with her for some reason?

Then there is the first “Joker” movie, another example of something that is well-made but also questionable at the same time.

The Joker character always contrasted Batman with chaos and anarchy while the hero represented order and justice.

But now we are given a scenario where we as the audience are given a new origin story for the comic-book villain, and we are supposed to sympathize with him.

Sure, his origin paints him as a tortured soul treated poorly by society but do recall that his following actions were not the best way to solve his problems. Shooting down the Wall Street men and Robert De Niro? Sure, that will totally do it.

Now, I do not want to sound like the old complaining Grandpa fussing once more about how the new generation is terrible and how things were better in the old days (that part is at least true).

This could be a legitimate concern going forward, and the effects will be consequential as a result.

The media has always been something that has been criticized as a tool to manipulate the masses and corrupt the youth (though isn't that an inherent risk of utilizing expression and free speech)?

Back when film first began, it was criticized for being something “corruptible.” When television was created, it was deemed to be too “mind-numbing” but also had the possibility of manipulating its audience through sheer visual power.

When video games started expanding in the 1990s, they were “always too violent”, which would affect children negatively. Then social media and TikTok got flak for similar reasons as stated before.

This is certainly nothing new, and these complaints have transcended countless generations, but seriously blurring the line between what is moral and immoral does not bode well for the future.

In all seriousness, demoralization can take about a generation or two to initiate fully. Moral integrity is put into question, creating subversion by implanting doubt in the minds of the youth.

The manipulation of the media enhances this subversion to influence younger people. True facts will no longer matter, and creating new perceptions and ideas will be of paramount importance.

As the younger people embrace a new ideology, the older generation slowly loses control. As the elders pass, the morals of the old will also fade away, becoming only memories of a distant past.

Beyond the morals, natural national history is rewritten and re-defined to fit the new intended model and create “new values.”

Hence, why decades-old IPs such as “Star Trek,” “Star Wars” and “The Lord of the Rings” are always “subverting expectations” by being “reimagined for a modern audience.”

That would be a very descriptive way of putting it, but you get the point. It's horrible... something Orwellian perhaps? Are we already at this stage?

Whether that is the case and whether this moral quandary is something in a singular phase that will come to pass is also debatable.

The moral attitude of the world could make a 180-degree turn and revert to the understandings and ideas of the past.

But the ways of the old world are indeed fading and what remains are almost distant memories. The media will continue to subvert and influence as it always has been.

We as human beings must also remember that in uncertain times such as these to remember what was good and what is bad. Virtuous morals are inherently important for not only the media but also the survival of humanity.

Logan M. Sharp is a fourth-year majoring in film production. To contact him, please email lxs5590@psu.edu.