Laura Ciampa 08/11/97 09:43 AM Although I don't necessarily believe that television/film violence makes people more violent or inspires specific violent acts, I give a lot of credence to the theory that the high volume of violence in our entertainment media desensitizes us to real violence. I also believe it promotes the ideology of violence as a means of "solving" problems. We learn from television about events and situations which we do not necessarily experience firsthand. In that way, it promotes certain ideologies and affects our perception of the world. Regarding the comments on "NYPD Blue," I also believe there is a big difference between "cartoonish" violence and realistic violence, in which the consequences are shown to the viewer. I find it extremely disturbing to be in a movie theater and have people laugh when someone is killed (especially when there are children present and doing the laughing). Does anyone have an opinion on the studies which show that people who watch a lot of violent television believe that the crime rate is higher (and the world, in general, is a more dangerous place) than those who don't? Laura Ciampa ---- To sign off SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]