Broadcast economics limit televised conflict to physical violence between persons

Evidence

In one writer’s taxonomy of conflict, “man against man,” which usually takes the form of physical violence, is the only viable option for television: Man against nature. “This is usually too expensive for TV.” Man against God. “Too intellectual for TV.” Man against himself. “Too psychological, and doesn’t leave enough room for action.” Man against man. “This is what you usually end up with.” (Baldwin & Lewis, 1972) High-decibel action is also a means of attentional control. — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 949

Categorization

• CANDY: The conflict taxonomy (man vs. nature/God/himself/man) with the industry’s one-line dismissals is genuinely funny and tweetable.
• SHARE: Send to anyone who works in or studies TV writing — the taxonomy of why only man-vs-man survives is a great craft insight.