Comments on: The Horseradish of Julien Smith http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/10/22/the-horseradish-of-julien-smith/ Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:05:57 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Whitney Hoffman http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/10/22/the-horseradish-of-julien-smith/comment-page-1/#comment-1345 Whitney Hoffman Mon, 22 Oct 2007 11:40:44 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/10/22/the-horseradish-of-julien-smith/#comment-1345 Actually, there's some interesting research going on about mirror neurons in the brain. This system is what allows us to mentally mimic motions we see in our brains, helping us anticipate the actions of another before they happen. This is also the system that seems to have problems in kids with autism spectrum disorders, who can't "see" and process the emotional reactions of others. I believe a lot of the violence we see or hear in the media has the same effect on these mirror neurons; after a while, this desensitizes us to the true horror of violence, and it becomes easier to perpetrate, because you've been unconciously rehearsing it for years. Or at least it's a possibility. And it's my biggest worry and concern, that makes me much more cautious of what sort of games, videos, movies and cartoons I expose my kids to. Actually, there’s some interesting research going on about mirror neurons in the brain. This system is what allows us to mentally mimic motions we see in our brains, helping us anticipate the actions of another before they happen. This is also the system that seems to have problems in kids with autism spectrum disorders, who can’t “see” and process the emotional reactions of others.

I believe a lot of the violence we see or hear in the media has the same effect on these mirror neurons; after a while, this desensitizes us to the true horror of violence, and it becomes easier to perpetrate, because you’ve been unconciously rehearsing it for years. Or at least it’s a possibility. And it’s my biggest worry and concern, that makes me much more cautious of what sort of games, videos, movies and cartoons I expose my kids to.

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