The mass media causes sexual misdirection: It prompts us to need something deeper than what we want. This is why Woody Allen has made nebbish guys cool; he makes people assume there is something profound about having a relationship based on witty conversation and intellectual discourse. There isn't. It's just another gimmick, and it's no different than wanting to be with someone because they're thin or rich or the former lead singer of Whiskeytown.
In his book "Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto," Chuck Klosterman explores the idea that mass media often leads to sexual misdirection, encouraging people to seek deeper connections than their genuine desires. He argues that media representations create an illusion, making ordinary traits, like intelligence or wit, seem more significant in romantic relationships than they actually are. This cultural shift can distort our understanding of attraction and connection.
Klosterman uses Woody Allen's films as an example, highlighting how they portray neurotic characters who engage in intellectually stimulating relationships. He suggests that this trend is merely another marketing tactic, akin to valuing partners for superficial qualities such as wealth or fame. Ultimately, he posits that the search for profound connections, as portrayed in media, can lead to unrealistic expectations in real-life relationships.
