It doesn't seem to matter what form of entertainment you choose. The biggest theme of entertainment is escape. I don't mean that it is the primary theme. Usually it is hidden, usually, it is just your reason for choosing entertainment. We want to escape our daily lives, we want to experience something else. We want escape. For me that escape is usually paired with an adrenaline rush.
I posted on Facebook last week, my excitement at how my book is coming along, the fact that I was reading some of the last chapters I had written and shaking with excitement, and then how I was slapping my legs and going where is he rest? That is how I felt tonight, but not reading my book, but finishing the 5th book in the Lorian Legacy novels, and by the way the next one won't come out for another like 5 months. I was sad to see that my escape had to take a reprieve, in the middle of their escape. Yet I was on such an adrenaline high, my heart pounding in my chest that I ignored my voice of reason telling me to go to bed and instead watched the new episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Let's just say that did not help. I finished the episode 20 minutes ago and I think I am still shaking and my heart is most definitely still pounding. It is exactly this feeling that caused me to watch the entire series of the Tomorrow People in two days a couple weeks ago. It is that feeling that drives me to write, because believe it or not, my most common form of escape, is writing, it's my own imagination.
I'll be honest. Writing is very slow going and isn't quite the roller coaster I experience with books or movies (which is why I still read books and watch movies) but it is fulfilling, and I can use my imagination even when it seems like it would've impossible to escape. For instance, in the middle of class. The only way I was able to survive tests, and I mean the state standardized tests that are two hours each and boring as watching grass grow, was to use my imagination. Most often, I would imagine I was a teacher helping a student answer the questions in front of me. I'm not sure, but o believe there was even some mouthing of words, and I'm pretty sure I called myself a stupid kid a few times. (I think it is a good thing I decided I didn't want to be a teacher anymore. Those poor kids would not learn a thing from me.) now, the only way I survive he hour of doing carts outside, is by making up stories (oh yeah, doing carts has inspired a new series that I will probably do 10 years down the road.)
Basically, if I seem distant, it's because I'm in my own world. Maybe literally.
I think escape is what keeps us sane. The world has gotten quite depressing, and each and everyone of us finds our own way to cope, to escape the pain. Some people just numb their selves with drugs and alcohol. Some people bury themselves in work. There are video games, music, TV shows, movies, and books. In my opinion some are better than others, as in my opinion, impairing your brain function to escape doesn't solve any problems, it just creates more. By choosing a coping method that sparks imagination, we increase brain function, and we actually increase our ability to solve problems in the real world.
That is if we don't over do it.
There is always the problem with escape that sometimes people lose contact with reality. Everything in moderation, I believe works well here. Watch a little news, to keep up on current affairs. Be aware of what is going on the world, because ignorance is not an option either. Escape every once in a while, whether it be a good book or just creating your own stories. But mostly, be happy to exist in your day to day activities. I may be described as an optimist, but there is always something positive that can be pulled from any situation.
Everyone wants escape. Find yours, and your view on life might improve too.
Not to mention, you can read, or maybe write some awesome stories.