I can see the argument against it, but I really think it is a matter of interpretation.
I've loved that movie since I was a kid, so maybe their is some sentimental attachment to it. Or maybe I'm just coming at it from the rational viewpoint of someone who doesn't want to be shot for liking a silly movie
It's just that I can see soooo many things that are far worse than Forrest Gump, in terms of teaching people that intelligence and skill don't matter: almost all reality TV for example.
What's set up in Forrest Gump is pure fiction. It may have a historical context, but ultimately, he is a fictional character.
Jersey Shore is comprised of real people, with no discernible talents or intellect, who have become ACTUALLY rich and famous. Their "entertainment value" is apparently worth thousands of dollars per episode.

Which one is more damaging to society? The movie in which a good guy strikes it rich, or the reality show in which real people act like idiots and are compensated handsomely for it?

HanLolo has her work cut out for her.

I don't think Forrest Gump is that bad. I'm not fond of its message, and I think Zemeckis had already spent all his talent making THE AWESOMEST MOVIES EVER MADE, but Hanks is a fine actor, and so is Gary Sinise. There are things to like in that movie.

Not so with Jersey Shore. Forrest Gump being a successful movie doesn't make sad. Jersey Shore being a successful TV show does.

I like the way you're talkin'.

But would Jersey Shore have happened had Forrest Gump not paved the way?

Answer me that.

Bubbles is right you guys.

I had no idea Robert Zemeckis was behind Forrest Gump. Interesting. Does not really change anything though.

It changes things a little. Admit it.

Not really. Does not really matter who was responsible for the movie, all that matters is the final product.

Fine, don't admit it.

I am not denying anything. Zemeckis being the director for a movie I feel ambivalent towards is trivia, and fitting in with his overall decline in quality over the last few decades culminating in crap like "Beowulf" and "The Polar Express."

The fact that I am just kidding around is clearly not getting through.

I got that. I'm just bored.

Are you?

Are you really?

I'm glad someone else shares in my hatred of Beowulf.

He's not.

But he'll never admit it. If history is any indication.

I'm sure y'all woulda just LOOOOOVED Forrest Gump if, instead of living through a bunch of crazy shit, he used a pimped out Delorean to go back in time and change history.
Haters.

I only caught ten minutes of Beowulf on cable.

I did hate it, though.

Well, yeah.

yeah, me too actually.

I think most people share your hatred of Beowulf. I never even bothered seeing it, the trailers just screamed "Total piece of shit."

So we all agree: Forrest Gump would have been way better with a DeLorean time machine.