brave [little] meme

I saw this headline and died a little on the inside. The very fact that we live in a culture where this sort of study is even undertaken makes me want to punch someone in the face. An excerpt for your consideration:

—

“The entertainment industry has improved its portrayals of walking, cycling and boating in movies aimed at children, but half of scenes still show risky behaviour, U.S. researchers found.

In the 2003 Christmas movie Elf, for example, actor Will Ferrell gets knocked down by a taxi while crossing the street. He gets back up without a scratch, but at least he was was walking in a crosswalk.”

—

And this this is ‘serious’ research, not some kind of joke. Come back Tom & Jerry, all is forgiven!