Untraceable has got to be one of the scariest movies out today. Not because of any blood or violence (although there is some), but because our society today might easily allow the events of this movie to really happen.
This is a story of the hunt for an internet serial killer who kills his victims by allowing online visitors to do his "killing" for him. The more people who log onto his untraceable website to view a video of a person getting tortured to death, the quicker the victim dies. The movie shows us how FBI agent Jennifer Marsh (Diane Lane) seeks out this horrible viral perpatrator, even when the killer tries to fight back and makes it personal for her.
What is most disturbing strangely isn't the serial killer, but rather the thousands of voyeuristic web users who allowed it to happen.
Do you think that people wouldn't allow that to happen?
Sadly, it already does happen. Because the general public is addicted to reality television and celebrity gossip, so many lives are ruined. If the public wasn't willing to buy tabloid photos or log onto all-access websites, the paparazzi would have nothing to do. But it's because people are so obsessed with seeing every angle of the rich and famous that they are allowed to flourish.
The unfortunate underbelly to the internet age is our lazy ability to sit at our computers or television sets and watch the world go by in front of us. Are we that bored with our lives that we need to invade others? How responsible have we, as a society, been with the blessings of the virtual world?
As we sit and watch people getting humiliated on reality television or actors and actresses getting chased by obnoxious photographers, or even as we sit and watch YouTube videos of the strangest things, are we using the gift of the internet as we ought to? And does the laziness, lethargy, and voyeurism actually hurt people? It probably does.
In the 21st Century, we are called not only to be compassionate, loving, and aware of one another in person, but also in the virtual universe as well. We must ask ourselves how we can extend gospel values in how we deal with people through email, websites, and what we watch on our television. Let us pray that we will not be culprits in a crime in one way or another, and let us help others to avoid that fate as well.
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1 comment:
Paul,
After reading your post again, I think that it is quite easy to step in the trap of the age of media and the internet. I think I have done it myself and am going to try and be more cautious about how often I let things "go to my head."
Though it is slightly off subject,
I had one more thought -
I was reading the newspaper and came across a letter to the editor that really made me feel like the world is a sad place. A boyfriend and girlfriend were out to dinner and the girl had gotten up from the table to get some more bread. When she returned, the boyfriend had a strange, blank look on his face. He put his hands on his neck, as he was now choking. The girlfriend ran to try and find help, but found none. She screamed for somebody, but even people who were eating their meals ignored her plea. She tried to perform the Heimlich to the best of her ability, and thankfully the food was loosened. She said that he easily could have died right there in the restaurant, because no one came to her aid.
With so many people suing other people, maybe nobody felt that they could step and help,without fear of being sued. I think it is sad.
What do you think about that?
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