![](/static/253f0d9b/assets/icons/icon-96x96.png)
![](https://hexbear.net/pictrs/image/673c9921-6682-4d6a-9416-3009e8bbd756.jpeg)
Is that media literacy though? They’re not reading the show’s message wrong, they’re completely failing to process reality.
People have known there’s a separation between actor and character since the dawn of storytelling when we were still killing each other with sticks and rocks. It’s like… A worse than dog-brained comprehension level - if I wear a scary mask and approach my dogs, they’re not so sure, when I take the mask off they’re like ‘ohhh it’s you!!!’ - even they’re able to make some sort of distinction.
Then again, perhaps it is media literacy in the sense that they don’t realise an actor acts, on behalf of the writer and director, on behalf of the production company, and so on. But really? Maybe in very poor very rural countries, but anywhere with TV - people beyond a certain age know that there’s an actor and a director. I’d say people have a much better understanding of that dynamic now more than ever - you only have to look at Pro Wrestling for example, where 50 years ago people would physically attack the bad guy given the opportunity because the felt it was real. Even in the late 80s and 90s people were often tricked by moments, wondering whether rival company WCW was really invading WWF. Nowadays, everyone but the kids are in on it.
I think it’s willful ignorance in the pursuit of personal catharsis. G*mers are savvy enough to know that Rose is acting for Rian Johnson, who is directing for Kathleen Kennedy, who is owned by Disney. They just want a place to displace their anger (and like you say feel powerful in relative anonymity behind a screen).
I think it depends. In the case of this Game of Thrones example - those people commenting strike me as having an awareness that it’s a character. One person even addresses his character rather than him. Though he might be taking it to be harassing, I think it’s an expression of what you’d call ‘heat’ in pro-wrestling. It’s good for business. They’re recognising his character work (and the writing of the show). I don’t think any of those people mean what they say harmfully. I think it’s all quite tongue in cheek.
I think your other examples are just willful ignorance in the pursuit of personal catharsis. G*mers are savvy enough to know that Rose is acting for Rian Johnson, who is directing for Kathleen Kennedy, who is owned by Disney. They just want a place to displace their anger (and like you say feel powerful in relative anonymity behind a screen). They’re weird nerds looking to vent misogyny in defense of their obsession with either star wars or the culture wars in general. It’s pure anger and hatred. It’s especially prevalent in a world where the peoples power has been reduced, and where most interactions for a lot of people happen online.