Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines "mature" as "Ripe; perfected by time or natural growth; as a man of mature age. We apply it to a young man of mature age.... who has arrived to the age when he is supposed to be competent to manage his own concerns; to a young woman who is fit to be married; and to elderly men who have much experience."

How does this apply to mass media that are said to have "mature" content? The answer is: Not in the sleightest. A news story this evening talked about the latest Grand Theft Auto video game, in which the game player plays a criminal who does all manner of terrible things to everyone else. The Saw movie franchise is about a criminal who does all manner of terrible things to everyone else.

What's worse than the fact that someone actually writes and produces this stuff? That someone buys it. It's nothing but immature trash, for there's not one truly mature person I know who goes for it. Thankfully magic is an art form that encourages its practicioners to be mature. The magician thoughtfully manages his props and his audience, and hopefully grows through time to the point where he can help his audience achieve a desired state -- astonishment.

Let's all get out there and be more mature, and I bet the worst of mass media will vanish quickly as a result.