Escapism

:This article is not about escapology, the art of escaping physical means of restraint.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Escapism is mental diversion by means of entertainment or recreation, as an "escape" from the unpleasant aspects of daily reality.

Related Topics:
Entertainment - Recreation - Daily - Reality

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Escapism has occurred throughout time. Some believe that this diversion is more inherent in today's urban, technological existence because it de-facto removes people from their biologically normal natures. Entire industries have sprung up to foster a growing tendency of people to remove themselves from the rigors of daily life. Principal amongst these are fiction literature, sports, films, television, roleplaying games, pornography, recreational drugs, the internet and computer games. Many activities that are normal parts of a healthy existence (e.g., eating, exercise, sexual activity) can also become avenues of escapism when taken to extreme.

Related Topics:
Fiction - Sports - Film - Television - Roleplaying games - Pornography - Recreational drugs - Internet - Computer games

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the context of being taken to an extreme, the word 'escapism' carries a negative connotation, suggesting that escapists are unhappy souls, with an inability or unwillingness to connect meaningfully with the world.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Social critics warn about attempts by the powers controlling society to provide means of escapism instead of actually bettering the condition of the people.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In one of the interpretations of the famous quote by Karl Marx "Religion is the opium of the people", religion (specially religions that promise an afterlife) is presented as escapism that distracts the oppressed from taking conscience.

Related Topics:
Karl Marx - Religion is the opium of the people - Religion - Afterlife - Taking conscience

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Two fictional escapist societies are the Eloi of The Time Machine and the one in Fahrenheit 451, focused in visual entertainment.

Related Topics:
Eloi - The Time Machine - Fahrenheit 451

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~