ENTERTAINMENT
What is the role of entertainment?
Speaking of entertainment, one of England’s best, Noel Coward, described his art as “a talent to amuse.” And amusement can be important, as a relief from tedium, or boredom, or tension. On the other hand, the insistence on constant amusement as the price of attention can degrade public discourse into the superficial and the cynical (Postman, 1985). The key to the beneficial consumption of entertainment is knowing both “how much is enough” and “just because something is possible doesn’t make it desirable.”
What does limiting entertainment to “enough” amount to? An occasional laugh can be quite refreshing, but continuous hilarity can be very tiring, both for the audience and the performer(s). Aristotle recommended a middle way between extremes for good reason – too much of a good thing can become a bad thing. Marshall McLuhan called this The Reversal Effect – humanity has a tendency to overuse all forms of media to such an extent that what begins as a benefits eventually ends up as a detriment. Our problem is that we don’t have the wisdom to only use our contrivances up to the point where they continue to provide benefits, and then to stop using them thereafter. Instead we over-do it, leading to inversion and disillusion. We amuse ourselves into idiocy.
What does choosing to forego entertainment when it is “inappropriate” amount to? “Making fun” of important issues or serious problems will not likely win a person much understanding or support. However you may view your own tribulations, “laughing at” the hardships of others is more likely to incur wrath than applause. I once know a man who recommended that Christmas Salutations be sent on toilet paper rather than greeting cards, except that “most people didn’t have the sense of humour to appreciate it.” In many ways he was a very smart guy, but this sort of attitude won him very few friends and very little respect. And although Machiavelli advised leaders that “it was better to be feared than loved,” it is never desirable to be loathed!
How is entertainment used?
Entertainment can be a distraction from too much seriousness – but to be acceptable it is best to change the topic as well as trying to change the mood. Of course, great drama can be just as entertaining as amusement, but to do so it requires, amongst other things, a particular decorum – both the issues in the material itself, and the audience’s sensibilities must be respected. Again, as Aristotle said, it is a play’s audience that decides what is worthwhile, rather than the actors, or directors, or producers. Provocative performances using offensive humour (sexist or racist jokes, demeaning caricatures, or ethnic stereotypes) deserve any hostile reception they encounter.
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