Flight from Death

The studies done in the video “Flight from Death” support many aspects of the claims made by both Farhad Manjoo and Stuart Ewen. The key focus of the studies in the film was to find out how emotions lead to irrationality within the human mind. Many theories such as Sigmund Freud’s back up this hypothesis; however, when we bring the element of death in we see an unquestionable reaction. In addition to Freud and Edward Bernays’ theory that people are irrational and driven by sex and violence, this study exhibited that people are also driven by death, religion and nationalism. The study also had some abstract connections with Anthony Giddens’ book- “Modernity and Self Identity;” self-expression was shown to be uniquely tied to modern institutions. The fact that few people in the study would use either the flag or the cross for simple tasks for fear of desecrating them was of utmost importance.

Ewen’s book- “PR!” is a stronghold for understanding the social psychology of America over the last century. As the book discusses both conscious and unconscious emotions, we see that since Freud’s theories were developed, a profession has been built around appeasing the public’s emotions. Much like appealing to the publics unconscious desires to influence their ideas and behavior, the study on mortality subconsciously appalled the minds of its subjects and caused them to react negatively toward anyone with different beliefs.  This study furthers Bernay’s work by showing that not only do emotions cause specific behaviors; personal, core values such as high-context religious beliefs are central to ones behavior.

The films “Terror Management Theory,” the emotional reaction to mortality, also plays straight into Manjoo’s book- “True Enough.” As the subjects of this test proved, even when reminded subconsciously of death (or any strong, negative emotion), people tend to hold more to their individual values and get hostile toward other beliefs. This becomes much like Manjoo’s ideas about consonance and dissonance. Other studies have also been done on the effects of 9/11 with somewhat contrasting results.  Many people (especially in more rural areas) have a tendency toward particularized trust, especially when faced with negative emotions. What was interesting about the aftermath of 9/11 was it instantaneously brought Americans together for the common goal of retaliation. Soon after however, negative emotions along with an overwhelming amount of media fractured the patriotic structures that were built. Manjoo (and Stephen Colbert) do an excellent job of explaining “truthiness” as ability to decide your own reality based on who and what you trust. The studies in the movie provide an exceptional example of this.

Currently I am also studying brain-death and organ donation in a medical anthropology class. Even within the class, there are many opposing views and perceived realities. This has provided me with an up-close and personal view of similar evidence as is present in the film. Two underlying factors that are brought up far more in “Flight of Death” than in Majoo or Ewen’s books are culture and social norms. Manjoo and Ewen focus more on how media outlets and campaigns are shaping America and pose the question: is there any feedback or has America transformed from the democratic, public sphere back into the masses? My answer to this is that human nature, no matter how ugly it can be, will always be at the core. It may be possible to tame and manipulate (as we have seen) but it is the one thing that binds us together.