The thesis of this somewhat philosophical paper is that violence is increasing in American society because for the past 20 years, we have been immersed in a formation system for violence. The foundation of our society is gradually being eroded. The principal means of formation for the American public has been the television. The pervasive effects of television have permitted products to be divinized and sacred texts to be turned into clever advertising copy, representing very dangerous by-products of a society where consumerism has gone wild. Television tells society the meaning of success and value, which choices assure fulfillment, and creates the illusion that the worst problems can be solved in an hour's time. Compared to the extravagance of television, reality is boring. The authors offers evidence of the problems presented by the increase in violence, for the most part gleaned from pertinent books and articles, and urges contemplation to lead society to conservation instead of exploitation to discover what is really important in life, to rediscover the essence of our humanity, our soul. The study discussed in the paper upon which the author's conclusions were based was paid for by the National Broadcasting Company. 45 footnotes