Sobchack

            Vivian Sobchack explains what she argued for 25 years ago regarding violence in the beginning of her essay, “The Postmorbid Condition”. She made this argument after new movies were coming out that brought an entirely new meaning to the word violence. Since then, these types of movies have progressively gotten worse in regards to violence. Years ago death served more of an honorary purpose, and was more recognized. Sobchack uses Saving Private Ryan a great example. She states “graphic physical damage and the violent “squandering” of bodies and lives is “redeemed” to social purpose and meaning, its senselessness made sensible by its (re)insertion in a clearly defined. . .moral context”(432). This explains that death was at one point given meaning and justification. Sobchack uses technology as a source to understand how society now views death, especially in the media. In most movies today you will find countless numbers of brutally murdered bodies, but the issue is that no one is taken back by the shameful killing. People just die and we move on. Technology has brought the brutality in films to a whole new level. Sobchach mentions “grotesque realism” and how it is a careless treatment of violence used throughout films (431). People are not only utilizing technology because of all the intense graphics, but are unaware that they are the victims of it as well because of the overwhelming and unnecessary violence. This brings her to talk about “postmorbid condition” which she relates it to “postmodern condition”. When she talks about this she explains that life and death lose its meaning. People are no longer emotionally impacted by these tragic events due to technology in the media.