Misery Sells..

[Billyc]

Hi All,

just felt a bit inspired and thought I’d stream a thread about how Misery becomes a

product for public consumption.

movies, songs, novels, plays poems to name a few.

i dont know if anyone would be intrested in this but thought it might help distract from our woes..

its a discussion about anything regarding selling mystery..

feel free to share, I love reading others thoughts on this

[quirkywords]

billy

I feel there is a time for sadness if not misery in movies and books as long as there is hope. Misery with out hope is very depressing.

Life is full of misery for some,

I like movies and books that make me think and that are educational. historical movies about misery that offer hope I find very worthwhile,

Quirky

[Billyc]

Agreed Quirky, and it’s a very artful to achieve a narrative in a story, book or film to illustrate the hope that comes from a sad story..

I find that really interesting.

I watched a movie called “closer” a while ago that followed the lives of 4 individuals that crossed one another’s lives and not all was a happy and hopeful ending.. in not sure if you’ve seen it? But it was clever in not creating and end to a story but rather a an end to a section of their lives and through their actions they either ended the movie sad, happy or content.. it’s not really fairy tale endings anymore, but even saying that I start thinking of super hero stories between good and evil.. and the evil always loses..

[Summer Rose]

Hi Billyc

I don't mind a sad narrative, especially one based on a true story. These stories often give us an insight and understanding into the suffering of others that we would otherwise never have.

For example, the book Still Alice made me really think for the first time about the impact of early onset Alzeihemers disease. The Glass Castle was another thought provoking piece of work about a dysfunctional family.

But what I loath is the news media exploiting misery for profit. Trotting out hurting people for ratings is not okay (think commercial TV). I acknowledge that some people have the strength to use the opportunity for good (think Rosie Batty) but mostly I believe it does more harm than good.

Interesting topic, thank you.

Kind thoughts to you

[Billyc]

Thanks Summer,

I watched still Alice, Insight is a good word you used to describe why these stories are told and illustrated. It’s not a manual on how to deal with afflictions like Alzheimer’s, far from it, it’s a portrayal of experience shared with others much like what happens in this forum. theres a lot of empowerment that occurs, and that is hope colourfully illustrated..

I agree with your sentiments on a lot of misery being publicly shown for ratings boosts.. at the end of the day there are so many stories to tell in news, and they only have a small slot to fill.. it becomes a choice which is driven by the dollar.