cherryzombs

There are always shifts in what is villainized in films based on current real-world concerns. I think overall people are just more aware of the nuance that things aren't as black and white as 'good guys vs bad guys'. Which I think leads to more interesting characters and stories. That being said, there's still plenty of violence and baddies (some the article mentions like Rogue AI.) They mention specific 'bad guys' of the past where they're demonizing a specific nationality... which they answer themselves why those are less:

Presumably part of it is down to a diminishing appetite for the flatly racist caricatures that occupied the attentions of Stallone, Seagal and co for so long. Part of it too is down to simple economics: with mid-budget films having been all but squeezed out of existence, and the threshold for box-office success now absurdly high, global takings have become pivotal to whether a movie sinks or swims. In other words, Hollywood isn’t just courting America any more.

Selling stuff worldwide means not pissing on those audiences.

Who is this article even for?

I really enjoyed Dark Matter. It got a little wild as the story went on, but the premise was very good, and I enjoyed a lot of the characters. (Especially the Android)

I do something like this, but instead listen to recordings of the animals from where I grew up. (Frogs chirping, rain in forest, and Barn Owl calls. Really relaxes me.) Also, I have found that if I watch a bunch of something that will make me laugh before laying down it helps. (Stand-up, comedy panel shows, Try Not to Laugh videos, etc.)

For the adrenaline aspects... I had insomnia for years from anxiety+ issues. I know it might sound silly, but doing breathing exercises helped me calm my heart rate down to have a better chance to fall asleep.

I do a version of the 4-7-8 Breathing Exercise at this site: https://www.verywellmind.com/abdominal-breathing-2584115 (I do more of a 4-5-5 and don't bother with tongue placement. Just alternating nose/mouth breathing and holding breath in between.) It was recommended to me by a therapist and it helped my issues. I haven't tried the other exercises on there though.