I used to be eager to watch or read darker stories and music. As I've gotten older, I tire of seeing all the darkness in our society, and I do try to avoid that sort of thing these days. Doesn't mean I'll never lean into it again, or that I don't appreciate the art.

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I hope this gets written about because I'd like to hear from actual experts on what might happen if we, as a culture, just stop processing feelings like grief via art and media. Is it good or bad for emotional resilience? For empathy? I have guesses but I'm just a game show host.

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But it doesn't do anybody any good to conflate actual trauma with "things that make me feel sad." We all have that! You weren't actually "scarred" by the horse dying in Neverending Story. You just felt big, grown-up emotions (maybe for the first time). And it happened in a safe, low-stakes setting.

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I do think this is a possible endpoint. The language of mental health now deployed for "Wait, you won't condemn art that has imaginary tragedy as an element? Get help."

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Sorry Ken. The posters of Bluesky demand at least 12 months of research and a dissertation before any and all takes. Do better.

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