The Point Of Criticization: A World Of Desensitization

A World of Desensitization “You ruin your life by desensitizing yourself” (Sparacino, n.d.). This quote by Bianca Sparacino (n.d.) points out the gravity of the impact desensitization can have on someone. When the word “desensitization” comes up, people tend to think of an emotionally insensitive or callous human. Although this is true, desensitization involves much more than most realize. Whatever leads someone to the point of desensitization takes hold of their emotions, actions, and mind. The term “desensitization” can be defined as overstimulation to the point of indifference, a lack of empathy, and a conditioned response.

Overstimulation to the Point of Indifference Desensitization has a variety of causes that can result in feelings

One instance is when Kurtz died, all Marlow did was watch, “He cried in a whisper at some image, at some vision – he cried out twice, a cry that was no more than a breath: ‘The horror! The horror!’ ‘I blew the candle out and left the cabin” (Conrad, 1990, p. 116). Marlow’s inability to express sympathy for Kurtz was revealed when he abandoned Kurtz after Kurtz died. A person with a normal capability to convey their emotions to others would not have been able to deviate from someone they watched die. This issue of being desensitized to the emotions of people still exists all over the world today due to the media, “People exposed to media violence become ‘comfortably numb’ to the pain and suffering of others and are consequently less helpful” (Anderson & Bushman, 2009, p. 277). In the modern world, people are continuously exposed to violence and begin to think it is normal, so they lose their concern for the feelings of other people. Desensitized people clearly lack the skill to empathize with other

It would have been too dark – too dark altogether” (Conrad, 1990, p. 130). Marlow’s trained response was caused by the appalling experiences he went through in the Congo. His desensitized mind was overridden by his heart in that split second. This is evident due to the lack of time he had to create a response. Another key point on how desensitization is a conditioned response is based on societies egregious reaction to violence. Violence can be found everywhere in modern day culture, whether real or fake, “We have raised a generation of barbarians who have learned to associate violence with pleasure…a phenomenon I call AVIDS – Acquired Violence Immune Deficiency Syndrome” (Grossman, 1999, p. 70). Exposure to violence has led to the desensitization of multiple generations. They have seen so much violence their brains have been conditioned to view it as a normal, acceptable behavior in their everyday lives. A conditioned response is brought upon by a person’s everyday experiences that repeat themselves until they become