Secrets of the Entertainment Industry

The word "entertainment" seems inherently modern, conjuring images of flashy movies and addictive video games. But its origins lie surprisingly far back, in the ancient halls of Rome. "Entertainment" comes from the Middle French "entretenir," which means "to hold between" or "to keep up." This, in turn, traces back to the Latin verb "intertenere," formed from "inter" (between) and "tenere" (to hold).

However, a more nuanced translation of "intertenere" in this context might be "to maintain a connection." This shift highlights the deeper meaning hidden within entertainment – the act of creating a connection between people, a shared experience and pathways of being in alignment with the spirit of the age.

This connection takes on an almost religious dimension when we consider the true role of entertainers. Throughout history, storytellers, musicians, and performers have served as cultural priests, interpreting and reflecting the spirit of their times – the zeitgeist. Their job is to connect you with the spirit they serve. That zeitgeist itself is a common disposition towards the true powers that be, existing beyond the naked eye, but often hiding in plain sight. Just think, until today, you may have never thought of entertainment as anything but fun, while the literal meaning is akin to "holding on to your insides, your heart and soul." Think of the ancient Greek playwrights whose dramas explored themes to captivate their audiences or the medieval minstrels who spread news and stories that influenced culture. Today, filmmakers, athletes, and musicians continue this tradition, albeit through different mediums. Spectators are taken on otherworldly journeys that expand the imagination, but along the way they experience entrainment for certain pathways of thought.

This connection isn't just metaphorical. Research shows that entertainment, from watching a thrilling football game to getting lost in a captivating movie, triggers neurological changes in viewers. In fact, when top level athletes watch other top level athletes perform their sports, their bodies experience the same neurological changes and increases of efficiency as if they had performed the activities themselves. It is also said that the subconscious mind does not know the difference between what we do and what we observe others doing. So watching is the same as doing as far as the mind is concerned. With habitual viewing, your mind will find ways to make it easier for you to do that activity. Also, dopamine, the pleasure chemical, surges during moments of excitement or laughter. Oxytocin, the bonding hormone, is released when we share a powerful emotional experience with others. Entertainment, in essence, creates a neurochemical cocktail that fosters connection, belonging and creates an internal environment where it is easier to try to do what you have watched. Let that sink in. You are literally becoming like what you watch and consume through entertainment.

So, the next time you settle in for a movie night or cheer on your favorite team, remember – you're not just passively consuming entertainment. You are being ministered to and there is a spirit behind everything you see. You're participating in a ritual as old as Western civilization itself, a shared experience that binds you to the spirit of our times.

Today, it is becoming easier and easier to see that the spirit of this time is in direct opposition to the principles of Adonai and his instructions. If you feast on the meal set before you at the table of your enemy, you will reap his reward.

Yeshua Chai,

VeMalkuto L'Olam Vaed