Prompt 12

Violence is often used in media to elicit a strong emotional response, a pathos. Cronenberg uses violence in his film to argue against the use of this particular technology, as violence is closely associated with it. The film becomes increasingly more violent as the film progresses, and, as Videodrome takes hold. Violence makes for a very strong reaction, most of the time negative. In our society, we view violence as generally shocking and ultimately negative because of the displeasure it causes us. Cronenberg uses this natural reaction to persuade the audience to his argument. Another aspect of the violence Cronenberg uses is sexualized violence. By inserting aspects of sexual pleasure, as in the character Nikki, with this violence, the director gives the audience another level to be disturbed. Not only is the physical violence disturbing, but a perverse response to such violence from a character also serves to disturb. The audience is disturbed by Nikki’s reaction, as human beings are supposed to be disturbed by violence, not taking pleasure in it, and certainly not the even more perverse sexual pleasure in it. Since it disrupts the natural order of things in such way, makes a greater impact and it brings the audience’s response to an even deeper level. As for the plot of the movie itself, and using the violence of Videodrome to penetrate the mind, I think it was a fairly logical choice. Violence is already seen as negative, and since it does elicit an emotion response, as compared to more mainstream television programming, one can reason that perhaps it might alter the brain or spinal cord in some way. Those who enjoy violence are often seen as perverse by society today. Thus, those who would be watching Videodrome is their perfect target audience. Overall, the strong negativity associated with violence allowed Cronenburg to communicate his argument effectively.