Now that it has become so commonplace, we rarely blink an eye at camera footage framed by the crosshairs of a sniper's gun or from the perspective of a descending smart bomb. But how did this weaponized gaze become the norm for depicting war, and how has it influenced public perceptions? Through the Crosshairs traces the genealogy of this weapon's-eye view across a wide range of genres.
Focusing on the concept of the weaponized gaze, this book examines how images captured from military drones, smart bombs, and sniper scopes shape public perception. By analyzing various media forms such as news reports, action films, and video games, Roger Stahl uncovers the implications of these visual representations on societal understanding of warfare and violence. The exploration highlights the interplay between technology and media in framing narratives around conflict.
The book explores the concept of "militainment," revealing how contemporary American culture transforms war into entertainment. Roger Stahl argues that this new interactive form of militarized entertainment actively engages audiences, positioning them as virtual-citizen soldiers. Through provocative insights, it examines the implications of this trend on public perception of war and its representation in media.