Gregg Easterbrook

In the following viewpoint, Gregg Easterbrook, a senior editor at the New Republic magazine, argues that the movie industry glamorizes violence by portraying murder as a thrilling, daredevil “sport” and by associating firearms with sexual potency. For viewers who are impressionable or mentally imbalanced, Easterbrook contends, these glamorized images of violence may encourage aggressive behavior.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. In what ways does the movie industry portray murder as sport, according to Easterbrook?
2. As cited by the author, what does research show about the relationship between media violence and actual violence?
3. What solution does Easterbrook offer to the problem of media violence"

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