Despite what was previously stated in "is Television the Enemy," there an issue exists in contemporary methods of crafting stories. Seldom watching films in theaters several action, mystery, horror, television shows and novels develop a questionable underlying message.
Recommendations recommend protagonists and antagonists should be larger-than-life. Successful stories place characters in unlikely situation with incredible obstacles. The issue of exposing people to scenarios they will never experience is one issue; however, the issue I want to address is how the protagonist and antagonist have similar activities.
It is okay when people shout, "Boo," after a villain shoots someone. Why is it different when a hero shoots someone? Someone was shot without clear explanation; therefore, it is wrong. People watch action films for the thrill of violence, yet the line between good guy and bad guy is smudged when they both shoot everyone without explanation.
Batman was an excellent hero. Bill Finger wrote dialogue for the specific purpose of explaining Batman only captures criminals. A jury will decide their innocence or guilty, along with punishment for crimes. Jackie Chan also explained how he runs away from villains, because he only uses martial arts in self-defense and does not want to endorse killing anyone.
Why do people cheer on the protagonist when they kill someone suspected of terrorism or kill someone in association with a villain? Killing anyone without proof is a serious flaw. We cannot kill people because of instinct or a criminal profile. What is the difference between murder, justice or execution?
Someone who steals did not kill anyone. The crime is not punished by death. Thieves go to court where damages and punishment are assessed. Theft over $10,000 is a felony; however, execution is reserved for First Degree Murder.
Even if someone died by another person's hands, the prosecutor has to prove it was not an accident or self-defense. In self-defense, a person protects themselves with equal force. Sometimes people make mistakes and an attempt to defend themselves results in death. This is Second Degree Murder; wherein, though someone died the punishment is not death; therefore, all instances of self-defense in a violent situation are questionable.
Who are these "heroes" going around thinking violence equals justice? If they attack an innocent person or the action was unnecessary, they are behaving like a villain. That is what villains do. They prowl around looking for victims. The correct action is to call the police, so they may resolve the issue in a professional manner. People cannot know if someone is guilty or punish anyone according to what they thought happened.
I am tired of people disturbing the peace or committing assault and battery, because they declared themselves as the heroin the storyline. If a person wants to be a protagonist in their life story and other people's life stories stop being a jerk to everyone. Handle issues with words and intelligence. The best heroes are humble in recognizing they do not have all the facts and everyone is entitled to a civilized life. As for people harassing or destroying a villain's life because they think it is fun, they need to realize from the harassed person's perspective, they are a villain. Truthfully life is rarely as simplistic, fore real-life does not have an author to decide how the plot-line unfolds. Only our actions and concern for all human life determine heroism.
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