Social function of entertainment

It is hard to imagine what kind of society modern society would become without the mass entertainment provided by mass media. In the United States, the role of the cultural industry in the economy can be compared with that of the military industry, accounting for about 13% of the total US exports. According to statistics, from 1996 to 200 1 year, the growth rate of American media and entertainment industry was as high as 6.5%, while the average growth rate of American economy in the same period was 3.6%. In 2002, American entertainment industry exported US$ 88 billion, making it the largest export industry (Bizminer, 2005). The huge business opportunities of the entertainment industry can show that entertainment is not only an opportunity to enjoy, relax and escape the pressure of work. Sociological research shows that entertainment and survival labor are negatively correlated. In other words, the better the working conditions in a society, the higher the remuneration. The shorter the working hours, the higher the demand for entertainment, and entertainment is closely related to economic prosperity rather than economic poverty.

In the United States, the emphasis on entertainment is regarded as the embodiment of pursuing a "better life". Mendelssohn's research shows that one of the values that modern America transcends all classes is the yearning for a "better life"-carefree. A life that is not trapped by demand and labor is characterized by having enough money and time. We can regard mass entertainment as an integral part of a better life, rather than a safe haven for labor or other difficulties. Because in trouble, people often seek spiritual support (such as religion) instead of entertainment. The famous sociologist Gans also holds the same view. His research on poor communities in Boston shows that most people don't think that the purpose of using mass entertainment is to escape, but to pursue the yearning for life. There is no denying that mass entertainment has the same function of "seclusion" as alcohol, tobacco, violence and sex. Nevertheless, the imitation theory put forward by sociologist Van Buren also believes that the goal of the economically poor is often not just material wealth. They all look forward to the leisurely life of the leisure class, and take their colorful life as the imitation object. The mass media put the entertainment that once belonged to the royal nobility on the mass stage, and entertainment was transplanted to the social category from then on. People no longer need to hire court musicians and worry about not being able to afford opera tickets. Television broadcasts all sports competitions and musicals, and modern technology enables people of different economic classes to enjoy the same entertainment. The main contribution of this social order is to bring the lifestyles of all walks of life closer. The shortening of this distance makes the society with economy as the dividing line gradually transition to the society with status as the dividing line.

Another social function of mass entertainment is that group sharing is more frequent and close, which is reflected in watching, discussing and commenting on the experience and fate of TV drama protagonists, the success or failure of ball games, the performance of singers and so on. Mass entertainment undoubtedly provides a lubricant for the creation and maintenance of social relations. In most cases, because mass entertainment has nothing to do with the real life of the audience, the topic of entertainment makes the communication between people easy.