# What movies or books do you take the "wrong" thing away from? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 11, 2010, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movies-or-books-do-you-take-the-wrong-thing-away-from/553402 "2010-09-11T14:01:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![67java89](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/aeb1de/32.png) [@67java89](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/67java89)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2011, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movies-or-books-do-you-take-the-wrong-thing-away-from/553402/161 "2011-06-19T14:48:44Z")
> [@FordTaurusSHO94](#): > > A lot of people thought this story was inspiring. Maybe I got the right message and they were the ones that were wrong. My husband found the movie to be inspiring in a “he lived his life on his own terms” kind of way, but I had the opposite reaction. Starvation is a horrible way to die. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2011, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movies-or-books-do-you-take-the-wrong-thing-away-from/553402/162 "2011-06-19T14:51:16Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > **Derleth** -My point about the wedding being all about the bride was somewhat tongue-n-cheek. Sorry, my bad for leaving it vague. > But I stand by my firm believe that school is training for the “real” world, i.e. work. The Real World goes far, far beyond work. Always has, always will. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movies-or-books-do-you-take-the-wrong-thing-away-from/553402/163 "2011-06-20T15:51:31Z")
**The Life of David Gale**. I think I was supposed to take away the idea that the death penalty is flawed and courageous David Gale gave his life to shock the world that an innocent man was executed. Instead, I took away the idea that a jackass with an agenda can get himself executed if he conceals evidence. If you want to show that capital punishment is flawed, you have to show that an innocent person can put on a solid, strenuous defense, argue all available facts, and still be executed. Getting yourself executed on purpose by concealing evidence proves nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movies-or-books-do-you-take-the-wrong-thing-away-from/553402/164 "2011-06-20T16:24:21Z")
> [@67java89](#): > > My husband found the movie to be inspiring in a “he lived his life on his own terms” kind of way, but I had the opposite reaction. Starvation is a horrible way to die. Yup, he weighed about 67 lbs. That’s not a “living life on your own terms” fate; that’s a “I really screwed up” fate. Plus with just a tiny bit of preparation, like bringing a compass or map, he could have made it out easily. Among other things, he was a quarter-mile from a hand-powered tram that would get him across the river he’d been unable to cross. McCandless killed himself as a result of hubris. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movies-or-books-do-you-take-the-wrong-thing-away-from/553402/165 "2011-06-20T17:15:03Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > The Real World goes far, far beyond work. Always has, always will. But you need the $ you make from working to enjoy/function in the Real World. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movies-or-books-do-you-take-the-wrong-thing-away-from/553402/166 "2011-06-20T19:24:46Z")
> [@SecretaryofEvil](#): > > Speaking of Disney cartoons, how about the message from Beauty and the Beast? Chicks really dig it when you kidnap them. Belle clearly had Stockholm Syndrome. Not to mention his transformation at the end. The Beast’s _true_ self is handsome; good thing, because we couldn’t have a Beauty like Belle end up with a man who wasn’t in her league, looks-wise. But wait, isn’t the point supposed to be that looks _don’t_ matter? And I’ll add \*Snow White \*to the mix: Girls, it’s OK if you do nothing proactively to take charge of your own life and get yourself out of trouble. Just wait for a man to come along and make it all better! ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movies-or-books-do-you-take-the-wrong-thing-away-from/553402/167 "2011-06-20T22:18:34Z")
> [@x-ray\_vision](#): > > _American History X_ is loved by many racist skinhead types. It’s easy to see how this movie can come off to some as a pro racist movie disguised as the opposite. I doubt that’s what the makers of the film intended, but the transition of Edward Norton’s character from racist to one who saw the light is weak and contrived. I’ve always thought the weakness of the transition was semi-intentional to show how stupid racism is – even a little bit of exposure can overcome the obstacle of race. But it definitely comes across as a bit on the oversimplified. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movies-or-books-do-you-take-the-wrong-thing-away-from/553402/168 "2011-06-21T14:28:50Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > **Catcher in the Rye** - rich kids have boring problems. And whiners suck. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movies-or-books-do-you-take-the-wrong-thing-away-from/553402/169 "2011-06-21T18:20:16Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > But you need the $ you make from working to enjoy/function in the Real World. 😕 What part of that implies you should spend all of your school years preparing for a job? People who really enjoy their professions are obviously going to focus on them quite a lot, but, even in that case, being a good person that people actually want to spend time with more-or-less requires you round yourself out with interests that go beyond what you do for a living. On a more practical note, most people in the First World don’t need to work all the time simply to survive. In fact, if you aren’t a complete dumbass, you can likely find a job that leaves you with plenty of time where you simply don’t need to work to maintain a good lifestyle. What do you intend to do with that time? ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movies-or-books-do-you-take-the-wrong-thing-away-from/553402/170 "2011-06-21T18:49:20Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > What part of that implies you should spend all of your school years preparing for a job? People who really enjoy their professions are obviously going to focus on them quite a lot, but, even in that case, being a good person that people actually want to spend time with more-or-less requires you round yourself out with interests that go beyond what you do for a living. > > On a more practical note, most people in the First World don’t need to work all the time simply to survive. In fact, if you aren’t a complete dumbass, you can likely find a job that leaves you with plenty of time where you simply don’t need to work to maintain a good lifestyle. What do you intend to do with that time? UMM-Work MORE so I can get MORE stuff? 😕 Really **Derleth** , I don’t get why you don’t understand how our system works. I’m not arguing that this is a GOOD development, I’m just telling you how Western society works, and continues to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movies-or-books-do-you-take-the-wrong-thing-away-from/553402/171 "2011-06-21T18:55:37Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > UMM-Work MORE so I can get MORE stuff? 😕 Really **Derleth** , I don’t get why you don’t understand how our system works. I’m not arguing that this is a GOOD development, I’m just telling you how Western society works, and continues to do so. I don’t think Derleth is the one who doesn’t understand the world works… ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movies-or-books-do-you-take-the-wrong-thing-away-from/553402/172 "2011-06-21T19:22:55Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > I don’t think Derleth is the one who doesn’t understand the world works… How’s that? 😕 I understand PERFECTLY that life is about making money so you can, you know, SURVIVE! Surviving necessitates: food,clothing, shelter. And how do most people acquire these things? They use money. And how do they acquire this money? They get a JOB! :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movies-or-books-do-you-take-the-wrong-thing-away-from/553402/173 "2011-06-21T19:34:01Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > How’s that? 😕 I understand PERFECTLY that life is about making money so you can, you know, SURVIVE! Surviving necessitates: food,clothing, shelter. And how do most people acquire these things? They use money. And how do they acquire this money? They get a JOB! :rolleyes: Yeah, but making enough money to survive does not involve making your job into your life. I work 35 hours a week and that is it. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movies-or-books-do-you-take-the-wrong-thing-away-from/553402/174 "2011-06-21T19:49:48Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Yeah, but making enough money to survive does not involve making your job into your life. I work 35 hours a week and that is it. **Justin** -You don’t hunger for more “stuff”? If not, you’re unusual by Western standards IMO. Awesome for you if you’re happy. It just seems “more, more” is indoctrinated in us at an early age. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movies-or-books-do-you-take-the-wrong-thing-away-from/553402/175 "2011-06-21T19:52:57Z")
Um. I only work 35 hours, too. And no, I don’t hunger for more stuff. Sure, sometimes I think “Wouldn’t it be nice if…” but most of the time I am quite content with everything I have. Why not? I have enough to put food on my table, have a nice place, have clothes, a car, and a little extra for luxuries and vacations. I don’t really ask for much more. You can overcome indoctrination. Trust me on this one - I had East and West both indoctrinating me! ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movies-or-books-do-you-take-the-wrong-thing-away-from/553402/176 "2011-06-21T20:04:10Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > **Justin** -You don’t hunger for more “stuff”? If not, you’re unusual by Western standards IMO. Awesome for you if you’re happy. It just seems “more, more” is indoctrinated in us at an early age. Of course I want more stuff. I’d like a 42" TV, I’d like a redone bathroom, I’d like a Blu-ray player. But I also like my job and I have no desire to get a different one and work like a dog just to buy those things right now. I am perfectly content not having as much stuff as I’d like, but that was to be expected, I chose to be a librarian and we don’t get paid much. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movies-or-books-do-you-take-the-wrong-thing-away-from/553402/177 "2011-06-21T20:13:38Z")
**Justin** and **Ana** -Do you live in Europe by any chance (I ask because you both mention working 35hrs/wk) I absolutely agree about appreciating what you have, and accepting the financial limitations of your chosen vocation. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movies-or-books-do-you-take-the-wrong-thing-away-from/553402/178 "2011-06-21T20:16:29Z")
No, I live in NY State. I work 35 hours. I don’t get paid a lot, but I get uber amounts of vacation and days off - almost every national holiday, 21 vacation days, 4 personal days, more sick days than I could ever use, etc. It’s a trade-off. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movies-or-books-do-you-take-the-wrong-thing-away-from/553402/179 "2011-06-21T20:36:56Z")
**The Pursuit of Happyness** , a father has a responsibility to give up selfish pipe dreams and work at McDonalds if he has too in order to feed and shelter his family. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movies-or-books-do-you-take-the-wrong-thing-away-from/553402/180 "2011-06-21T20:59:19Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > No, I live in NY State. I work 35 hours. I don’t get paid a lot, but I get uber amounts of vacation and days off - almost every national holiday, 21 vacation days, 4 personal days, more sick days than I could ever use, etc. It’s a trade-off. Ditto, except I think I get 23 vacation days. But otherwise, the same. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movies-or-books-do-you-take-the-wrong-thing-away-from/553402.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movies-or-books-do-you-take-the-wrong-thing-away-from/553402.md?page=10)