Why do people enjoy violence?

Why is it an ejoyable experiance when people watch violent movies or kill people in video games?

Because it makes us feel powerful, and it's legal to do it in movies and games.

Human crave violence. Without violent video games, I'd be stabbing people for the lulz.

Violence is a natural visceral emotional outlet. It is not tolerated in civilized society so we get our rocks off through movies and video games, or by joining the military, which is an acceptable form of societal violence. It is a primitive and undesirable form of emotional expression, hence why the Military and military history is such a popular subject of study and involvement, yet frowned upon by academic institutions.

I think it's that longing to be considered a "man". Like you have to fight somebody to be a man or something. I disagree though. Wrestling around with friends counts for that.

Violence is as much a part of humans as love is.

I have a dark sense of humour. Dead rising is a perfect example of humour and gore. I have a hard time imagining how someone can rip a zombie's head off with a scythe or chop one in half with a katana and not smile.

No clue. I was never allowed to watch any when I was young so I can't handle any now. It bothers me to no end and I sometimes get a bad impression of things that need violence to attract viewers (or players or whatnot).

I'll go with the evolutionary theory:

Ancestors were probably more likely to spread genes if they were encouraged to be violent.

It's probably similar to why we find sex enjoyable.

Because its funny and awesome!!

It's enjoyable until it happens to you I suppose, I don't like violence, even though I play violent games I don't find the violence entertaining, I just view it as an element of the game that had to be put in in order to express a point.

because it's awesome

Violence really isn't fun though. And if someone gets in a real fight. Guess what, somebody usually goes to jail. My sister got into fights. She also got expelled a few times. Nothing good came from that.

I was in a real fight too. Scary stuff. My head was bleeding down my shirt. I almost had to choke the guy who attacked me. Nothing good came from it.

Most of you have said because its funny. Please elaborate, why is it funny? l0ve

I googled your question and found this, if you are willing to trust the article there's your answer.

Human nature XD4NTESINF3RNOX

I don't enjoy it. But it's hard to find things that don't have a sharkle nit load of violence.

[QUOTE="XD4NTESINF3RNOX"]Human nature weezyfb

You guys try to be deep. You should condemn violence in all of it's forms or fashions. That's what I do.

Most of you have said because its funny. Please elaborate, why is it funny? l0ve

You guys try to be deep. You should condemn violence in all of it's forms or fashions. That's what I do.

narlymech

Because deep down inside we are animals, and violence appeals to our animal instincts.

You guys try to be deep. You should condemn violence in all of it's forms or fashions. That's what I do.

[QUOTE="narlymech"] I am serious.JustPlainLucas

Why is it an ejoyable experiance when people watch violent movies or kill people in video games?

l0ve

I figured out a while ago that there's a reason I don't like romantic comedies: The lack of consequence. In most of the movies I like (Lord of the Rings, Gladiator, Aliens, Braveheart, Apollo 13, so on), the consequences for failure are that people die. That's a pretty big consequence. What happens if the protagonists in a romantic comedy fail? Some people don't hook up.

Lots of people, like me, enjoy high stakes in their fiction. We want heros who overcome huge obstacles where the consequences for failure are immediate (the hero dies) or overwhelming (the Dark Lord takes over the world). It's pretty rare that you can create a situation with those kind of consequences without violence. It can be done; for example, I listed Apollo 13 as one of my favorite films, which contains no violence. But for the most part, you need violent situations to create a sense of tension, at least for people like me.

It's a very human thing to be entertained by violence. Violence has entertained people for centuries.

I'm not stoning anyone. I'm suggesting that people not be so casual throwing around justifieng violence. That's when it becomes fashion. It's a bad idea in general.

narlymech

I like watching fights and stuff to pick up moves and how to defend against them.

It's art, creativity and I like to see where it's intended. I can say an example but I been through these conversations before a zillion times and the other guy will then say that the message can be brought through other ways and I can't be bothered to comment back because I don't understand why some people want to cage themselves into a society with as many restrictions as possible, what are they trying to protect themselves from?

I'm not stoning anyone. I'm suggesting that people not be so casual throwing around justifieng violence. That's when it becomes fashion. It's a bad idea in general.

[QUOTE="narlymech"] Nah, there's nothing wrong with all that at all. I'm talking more of a violence in culture. The fashion and fear of violence is AS BAD or often worse than the actual violence. Maybe I just live in a fashionably violent area. Yes, this is a video game sight though. So, maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree.JustPlainLucas

[QUOTE="XD4NTESINF3RNOX"]Human nature weezyfb

The id is violent, according the Freud.

We needed it during evolution. How else would we have killed those tigers?bobaban

The id is violent, according the Freud.

-Iconoclast-

The id is violent, according the ESRB:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Id_software