“White Noise” and the Journey to Ease & Grace- For the Disruptors

As I watched White Noise, a comedy-drama, I was drawn into the considerable depth of its meaning. A 2022 film, it was adapted from the 1985 novel with the same title by Don DeLillo. Critics and audiences have reviewed it favourably, mostly. Personally I did think it was too long.

A blended family, with four children from a number of marriages, with both parents obsessed with a fear of death, sets the scene. Jack is a Professor of Hitler studies, whilst his colleague Murray specialises in Elvis studies, the two sharing a competitive spirit between the courses, whilst drawing parallels between the two. I will not spoil the plot for you further.

My Observations on Human Nature

Part of the dark comedic appeal of this film is the extent to which the characters are programmed, desensitised, in denial. Though they share a common fear of death, (around 85% of us wake up feeling bad), obvious to me was the extent to which our society, as a whole, has devolved.

This microcosm (family), goes about their daily life in complete denial about what is happening around them. Whilst operating as programmed by society, in busyness and chaos, the seams begin to burst, with hidden addiction for example. Even when the News is blaring danger, they simply do…