Not only are they more violent, but they have less plot! The trends in Hollywood are similar to the general trends in American society: less substance, more sensationalism. As a former cinema manager and projectionist, I have been increasingly disappointed with each year's releases. At this point, I pretty much only bother with the summer block-buster comic-book movies; and I only watch them because they remind me of being a kid.

Great Article! Too often, when discussing technological changes, the human cost is ignored in favor of the "business advantages" that are afforded. Usually the human workers involved in the changes hate what it does to their job, like the dock workers and ship's officers mentioned.

That's definitely how I feel this morning!