Necessary Flashing.

We too live in a universe everywhere strangely similar to the original-- here things are duplicated by their own scenario. But this double does not mean, as in folklore, the imminence of death-- they are already purged of death, and are even better than in life; more smiling, more authentic, in light of their model, like the faces in funeral parlors.

-Jean Baudrillard, Simulations

Manipulation by an authority or form of higher power than ourselves encourages false, yet positive interpretations of negative stimuli?

This is a War.

Be aware there is about 60-70 seconds of flashing in the middle of the video. seizure hazard-type.

This video was a continuation of a photo project, A War Zone, that included small toy army men in a mini war.

Unlike A War Zone, I had a child play with and set up the toys and tell me what he was doing with them. This increased the originality of the play 'war' setup that I discuss in the previous post. Along with the child's simulation (play) of war, I added his commentary to demonstrate his sheltered view on the realities of war. The flashing light sections portray the feelings of uncertainty, distress, and possibility of death that are present during battle. I also include ambient noise from WWII to display a realistic soundtrack to war compared to the child's (recording source of ambient noise unsure, but the tracks were found on YouTube.)  

Many children's toys mimic real world scenarios, people, places, animals, and all sorts of other things. Obviously, these toys were meant to be used to mimic war. Problem is they only mimic one vision of war. The image the toys depict is one in which everyone in the war is still alive, appearing physically well, and eager for battle. The jets and tanks are undamaged and new. No one has yet died from a gunshot wound, sickness, or is saturated with fear and anguish. The only death or injury that can be portrayed is by these toy army men is by being knocked over or in the case of the ones already laying down, they would have to be flipped over.

The sheltered realities that children believe in can be attributed to what society has deemed appropriate for children. Many parents follow what society deems appropriate for children to be exposed to by their age. This affects what truths they are exposed to and which ones they have to figure out on their own as they age and experience new things. This child's world is one in which war has 'bad guys,' but there is no killing. Shooting, crashing, and smashing are still prominent without much injury. Society has decided that children may be allowed to be exposed to the idea of war. This idea is very idealized and almost fantasy-like. If only war was not as gruesome and violent.
 What if soldiers did get all geared up, ready for battle, but never really shot anyone or died?  (Just like what if people after death looked even half as good as they do after they died as with all the makeup on for the open-casket bit?)
Are these changes and manipulations of reality necessary due to the inevitable moment during which children figure out the truth regarding people, places, scenes, and things their toys are representing?