Rich Media, Poor Democracy 2/26/17

        I have always been a skeptic in regards to the news/media, simply because I grew up with my dad constantly reminding me that the news is bullshit.  ((He's the smartest person I know so I always value his opinion.:))  Although I don't believe much of what the news puts out and tries to fill my head with, that's not to say I don't follow it or watch it- even if it's only to amuse me.  The news today is pretty much a joke.  The term "fake news" has been thrown around recently and a lot of it has to do with our new president because whatever press he disagrees with, he dubs it as "fake news."  He just recently called the media "the enemy of the people."  I'm sorry but, WTF!!?  It's quite sad with all the confusion that has taken place before, during, and after this past election.  Most people turn to the news for guidance in their opinions on certain matters and I think we can all agree that the majority of people do not know who/what to believe. 

        In a link provided by Dr. Barry, (http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/dont-get-fooled-by-these-fake-news-sites/) it provides 22 fake news sites, many of which I have come across at some point or another.  I was astonished to read some of the things these sites have presented for us to absorb.  For example, #15 which was from Burradstreetjournal.com.  It says verbatim, "Burradstreetjournal.com ran this erroneous pre-election headline: "Obama Declares His Family Will Move To Canada If Trump is Elected."  Well, we know that is some b.s.  It was utterly shocking to read through those examples and see what nonsense is actually being put out there for the public to view and consume.  Social media is now making this nonsense easier to access.  Now everyone is sharing this babble and people's sources are becoming weak.  

        I don't believe that a lot of journalists are really taking a stand to decipher what is true and what is "fake" when it comes to what claims our political leaders are making.  These journalists honestly might not know for themselves what to think or they may not be able to keep up.  Donald Trump has already backpedaled so much in these last few months, I couldn't image trying to figure out what in the hell he is talking about and at the same time trying to make it sound pleasing to their audience.  We can only hope that free press will never be taken away from us because as Dr. Barry noted, "if there is no freedom of speech or the press, we will not have an informed public.  The result will be the absence of a meaningful democracy."

       

Joystick Warriors 2/19/17

        There is no doubt in my mind that the violence shown in most video games today is distorting young teen's minds.  Violent video games are designed to humanize violence and normalize gun use.  This is helping these young teens to be familiar with advanced weapons and ammo.  Boys and men can relate to each other with a form of connection that is made through the violence of certain video games. 
        The video game industry and gun industry are intertwined in the fact that they work hand in hand to produce more gun sales.  I learned that the military is right up there with them!  Military personnel are hanging out at video game conventions with hopes to recruit these young people.  The U.S. army even created their own video game, America's Army, which can be used as a marketing and recruitment tool.  This game is rated T for teens so that they can target 13 year olds and catch them early with the desire to brainwash them.  These war games are designed to be appealing and make war seem cool when they are really numbing us to violence.  

        In the words of George Gerbner, "Who can do what to whom and get away with it?"
             --Who are the victims and who are the perpetrators? 

**  "The psychological group reports that more than 90% of children in the United States play video games.  Among kids between the ages of 12 and 17, the number rises to 97%.  More important, 85% or more of video games on the market contain some form of violence." **

(http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/25/health/video-games-and-violence/)

Happy Violence 2/12/17

        After watching the documentary entitled "The Mean World Syndrome" I learned what happy violence is according to George Gerbner.  He describes it as violence being shown as cool, swift, humorous, and effective.  My interpretation of happy violence is violence that is shown in either television shows, films or video games that is understood as being acceptable and/or lacking any repercussions from that violent act.  These violent acts mostly involve some humor or wit to make people the viewers feel satisfied with whatever is being portrayed- usually when a bad guy is being killed and therefore good overcomes evil.  

        An example of happy violence that I have been exposed to recently is in the show "The Walking Dead."  This t.v. series, shown on AMC, is in a zombie apocalypse and they must take down every single zombie they encounter in order to survive.  I just started watching this series (a little late on the bandwagon) but every single episode is extremely gory.  While this particular example lacks the humorous side of happy violence, it certainly makes it seem like it is OK to go around armed with a weapon while being looked at as heroic for every kill that you make.  I understand that it seems necessary to survive but if a child were to tune in to this television series, I would be worried on how they could process these graphic scenes. 

Eliminating Television 2/5/17

        I am happy to say that I have cancelled my cable within the last few months!  At first it was an adjustment.  I wasn't able to come home after a long day and turn on the television only to consume whatever garbage was on.  I would call it mindless t.v.  I certainly knew that it was all trash but I enjoyed the fact that I could flip through the channels and begin to let my mind wander and wonder how in the heck people could live like this??  I'm referring to reality television as those were the channels I would often turn to.  Not to say that I skipped over the news channels.  I would make it a point to tune in to see "what was going on in the world."  I wouldn't last very long watching the news because it would either make me sad or sick to my stomach (especially during the months leading up to the election.)  I did however enjoy watching the discovery channel along with the history channel as I felt it was somewhat informative and perhaps I could even learn a thing or two.  I must admit that I do not miss having cable, at all.  I still have a netflix account so I am able to watch movies and documentaries but I watch those in bed with my apple t.v.  My cable box was only downstairs in the living room so I don't miss falling asleep on the couch and waking up at 2 in the morning to infomercials. 

        I was curious to find out who owns and controls the Bravo network.  That was the one and only guilty pleasure channel that I hate admitting I enjoyed to watch.  I learned that Bravo has been around since 1980!  After being owned by a series of companies, NBC bought the network in 2002 for 1.25 billion and then merged with Vivendi Universal Entertainment in May 2004 to form NBC Universal which it remains today.  In the early 2000's, Bravo became focused on pop culture, aka reality shows, which is ultimately how their popularity skyrocketed.  Bravo is also extremely recognized by gay consumers  and their age demographic ranges from 18-54 years old.  I wasn't able to find a specific name for the head honcho in charge for what specific messages are broadcasted onto the network but I do know there is a team of editor's that work together to keep their image and reputation alive and current.