TV VIOLENCE AND SHOW BLOCKING

I was watching some MMA (mixed martial arts) fighting on TV this week and it hit me that this is probably the most violent, bloody thing that is shown on regular cable. There are many different MMA associations out there now, as violence has proven to be a reliable ratings draw. There is Pride Fighting, UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), and I think a few others that I can't name off the top of my head.

For those who haven't ever watched a MMA match, it is a primal, ultra-violent experience. The two fighters wear barely-padded gloves only to prevent breaking their own hands when punching their opponent. And unless there is a broken bone or a wound is gratuitously spraying blood, the fight is not stopped by the medical official. I have seen matches where both fighters' faces and torsos are covered in blood. And the fight goes on until the rounds are complete, someone is knocked out, or someone "taps out" (gives up due to a submission move).

After our discussions of media effects this week in class, I couldn't help but wonder if programming like this is making our society more violent. There is definitely an element of flash and sensationalism attached to it. There always seems to be high profile celebrities in the audience and scantily-clad women everywhere, glamorizing these fighters, essentially advocating the violent, bad-boy brawler-type.

But I do admit that cable and satellite TV providers have done a good job with being able to block certain shows. Parents can block these shows or only allow them to be viewed with a secret code. But how do children always seem to know the code, or figure a way around it? Is show blocking enough? Or if one is of the mind that media doesn't affect our behavior could it be deemed unnecessary? To me "show blocking" seems like a selling point and not much else.