Resorting to Retorting
Catch phrases and punch lines are what it all boils down to. Audio and visual, everything is a truncated version of the story, due to our short attention spans. We only seem to want the abridged version of what is going on in the world, whether it is ancient history or what is happening right this very second, if it last longer than a few minutes we lose track of it all. Unless of course it is complete fiction and then watch out because we’ll believe whatever story you want to tell us. Hell, we’ll even make up parts of it after you’re done, just so it does not end there. We will gladly transform it into to this behemoth thing that comes at you like an avalanche that gives you no time to get out of the way. You either let it consume you and become part of it or you are erased all together.
Then again it seems as if even the so-called news of the day is in fact fiction. One prominent news station gives you a poll lets say on something trivial so no one gets upset, so it will be for how many stars a star studded Sneetch is allowed to have. Channel “A” reports that 90% of the people polled said only one star, while 9% said as many as they liked and then finally, 1% just didn’t care either way. We quickly grab the remote control and switch the yet another prominent news station that is broadcasting something, blah, blah, blah, WHAT! They are talking about the VERY SAME POLL! But channel “B” is reporting that 90% of the people polled about Sneeches said that they should be able to have as many stars as they like and 9% said that they should only have one and finally, there is that 1% that still, just doesn’t care.
The only thing that I can figure is that we like being lied to; or maybe we are just too scared to face the reality of what some would call “the Truth”. Unless something is sensationalized in the media, we as a society do not seem to care. It all seems to be filler to keep our minds away from the real issues. One of these issues is how they have divided and conquered. There are more labels in our society than a compass has points and when I say labels, this time I mean strictly in a political sense. We have every color of the rainbow and then some new, made up colors as well. We are led to believe that we are all so very very different and that our belief structures are the complete opposite of the “others”, when in fact, we all not that different at all.
We can blame the media for part of this but they should not shoulder all of the blame. The rest lies with us, the people of the world. I say world because I am certain that this isn’t merely an American problem. Again with the catch phrases: “Fair and Balanced”. But they are anything but that. Should a news station be giving us “both” sides of the story and when did reporting the so-called news become just another opinion, op-ed piece? The news is the news, period. I do not want “spin”; all I want is the event that happened, reported to me as it took place. I do not need conjecture; we do not need it to be sensationalized, we just need the story and the facts that go with it.
What do we expect since every station that has news is owned by a bigger corporation and then that bigger corporation is owed by a mega corporation? They are in it for the ratings and the AD time revenue. They could care less about character assassinations. Screw getting all the facts, lets just ruin some lives . . .FOREVER! Sadly, this seems to happen a lot but what does not happen a lot is that once all the facts are found out, we never seem to hear an apology from the media. “And in closing, we would like to extend a shallow, black-hearted apology to Mr. So and So. We, the Corporate News of America, are sorry for totally buggering up your life. We hope you find a job soon and that your wife takes you back. This just in, Britney Spears is making her 10th comeback. Good night America and sleep well!”
You’re still here? Well, I guess I can come up with some filler for you then.
I guess I will close with the fact that I find it amusing yet pathetic that I can get more actual news from The Daily Show or The Colbert Report than I can from mainstream media. A show mocking pretty much anything and you can get more facts from them than from what the ACTUAL news gives us. If you don’t believe me, then watch them some time and see for yourself. And no, I receive no kick backs (yet) for the above mentioned shows. But this is the world that we created; this is the world that we have to live in and sadly it seems that a large portion of our society is perfectly okay with that. I mean, dysfunction is one thing but this is a train wreck inside of an insane asylum and the conductor stole all of the lithium. For proof of out of sight, out of mind or SASS as I call it (Short Attention Span Syndrome), see the Dead Kennedy’s. More specifically, the Chappaquiddick Incident and how Ted got away with manslaughter. Why, oh why do we praise someone for being something that they never were?
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When it comes to any thing that requires time and some degree of intellect, most will opt for Cole’s Notes rather than seek its unabridged source, choosing a soundbite over the full exposé. And when it comes to mass media ~ there always being a spin, a shift from one side rather than a clear view of it and its opposite, it begs the question; is there such thing as an objective, well thought-out opinion? How can we even attempt to ascertain the truth when not given access to its every point?
It’s gotten to the point where I no longer read the newspaper because having worked for one, I was made all too aware who controlled what went into print and why; the what was meant to sell papers to stir the local populace, and the why always came down to the almighty dollar, the advertising one.
I don’t watch television news for the same reasons; if you look closely long enough you’re going to see some kind of agenda. “Don’t pay attention to the man behind the curtain…”
Media ~ now no more than mere tabloid press, treats any and all the same; let us build you up so that we can tear you down! A hero today, a disgrace tomorrow. A heathen today, tomorrow’s entrepreneur. There’s no such thing as bad press. There’s no such thing as dirty laundry ~ because it’s all dirty, and no matter how many times you try to wash it, nothing ever comes out clean.
Cole’s Notes? Is that our equivalent for Cliff Notes?
What an excellent comment and all valid points.
The spin the news like its a freaking dreidel and when the spinning stops it always seems to come up “hey”.
Meaning we only get half the pot. Of course most of the time we get even less than half of the real story . . .
Yes, Cole’s Notes are the same as Cliff Notes ~ a published “cheat” for those who do not wish and/or want to read whatever assigned novel.
As long as “media” remains on its sensationalized tangent rather than opting for integrity of content & quality, said tangent will only spiral downward t’il all mass information reads like the once shunned National Enquirer.
Cliff notes, Cole’s notes…..that wouldn’t be half bad….more like sound bites….FEED the HEADLINES. I am amazed on a daily basis how many buttholes don’t even get past a headline in a news paper, and think they know what was written ( of course it is strictly an opinion, there hasn’t been real NEWS in 20 years) The last real TV news caster died Walter Cronkite. (even though he was a super liberal he kept his opinion out of his reports.) If you believe anything you hear by any of the so called media news reporters, no matter the media, then nurse Ratchet is too good for you. Every one in politics lies. (that is the job description) See how Mr Obama did a 180 after being elected. He is a black Clinton. (Everyone in his cabinet fell out of Clinton’s ass) What Obama knows about the economy you could put in a thimble and still have room for a cup of coffee. Yeah put me on the misanthropic highway.
Welcome aboard Rob, make sure to wear your seat belt, it gets a little bumpy. But you already knew that my friend.
As for the media, yes, you hit the nail on the head with not being able to leave one’s personal opinion and beliefs out of the news.
I’ve said it so often that it has become prosaic but, “Meet the new boss, same as the old boss”.
Thanks for stopping by, you are always welcome here buddy.