Consuming War: How Pop Culture Captures Our Attention and Fuels Forever Wars

Costs of War’s Consuming War research series showcases how, every day, Americans are inundated with cultural products promoting militarism. From movies and video games to sporting events, our attention is often captured by messages that glorify combat while obscuring the deadly realities of war. The entertainment we consume obscures the costs of war. It often normalizes the military’s central purpose  — war-making — by framing it as a shared value, preventing reflection about the choices behind the use of the U.S. military, the treatment of military personnel, and the consequences of U.S. militarism. This project examines how the Pentagon influences cultural creations to promote an ever-growing war machine.

When we are aware of how we are consuming cultural messages, we are better able to resist their effects and ask critical questions about how the U.S. engages in the world. Over the coming months, look for Consuming War reports on the militarization of video games, social media, fashion, music, toys, and sports.