Ep 22. The Violence Paradox

In NOVA season 48 episode 22, titled "The Violence Paradox," viewers are taken on a fascinating journey exploring the history, psychology, and social factors that contribute to violence in our world. This episode presents a paradox: despite what we see in the media and news, violence actually appears to be decreasing across the globe. NOVA attempts to uncover why this is the case.

At the start of the episode, viewers are introduced to the concept of the "New Peace," which challenges the traditional idea that violence is innate and inevitable. NOVA presents contradictory evidence - while it is true that there are numerous instances of extreme and violent acts occurring all over the world, there are also examples of peaceful interactions. In fact, when looking at long-term trends in human history, there is a clear decrease in the number of violent conflicts.

To explore the apparent paradox, the episode delves into multiple facets of society that have contributed to the observed drops in violence. The first factor discussed is human psychology. Researchers in this field have discovered how certain cognitive biases can play into violence and aggression.

NOVA explores the role of empathy in mitigating violence. In one study, children were taught to think about how others would feel if they were on the receiving end of bullying or other negative actions. Incredibly, over time, the subjects who had undergone this training showed improvements in their attitude, becoming more compassionate and less aggressive.

Another factor examined is the role of social media in shaping our perceptions of violence. NOVA examines how media consumption has shifted in recent years and how our exposure to horrific acts of violence via social media could leave us feeling like the world is filled with danger, leading to feelings of fear. In reality, this perception is not representative of the progress made in the reduction of violence.

The role of institutions and international politics on violence is also explored. NOVA unveils how governments can use diplomacy to deescalate conflicts, looking at the example of Colombia, a country that has seen a remarkable decrease in violent unrest over the past few years. In addition, NOVA examines the complex network of institutions that work to mitigate violence around the world. Such institutions include the United Nations, which has numerous programs aimed at conflict resolution, as well as NGOs and other civil society organizations.

NOVA also interviews experts on the topic of mass shootings, a particularly relevant topic given the number of these tragic events that have occurred in recent years. The episode examines the relationship between gun ownership and violence, as well as the social factors that lead some individuals to carry or use firearms. Experts also explore the impact of mental illness on mass shootings, asking why some individuals with mental health conditions are more prone to resorting to violent acts.

"The Violence Paradox" packs a lot of content into its hour-long runtime, effectively weaving together different threads of research and analysis. The episode is a great primer on the current state of violence in global society, presenting not only information on how different factors contribute to escalating or mitigating violence, but also offering recommendations for what we as a society can do in the future to continue moving towards a more peaceful world. Overall, "The Violence Paradox" is a must-watch episode for anyone interested in psychology, sociology, international politics, and public health.