In the past ten years, it feels like there has been this explosion of reality tv shows coming to the forefront. No longer was it all about The Price is Right, or even soap operas. There came a change towards the teenage-early twenty year old lifestyle. Many people call this the "MTV" generation, which has been around since the 80's. However, I think that even more recently the MTV reality shows have really started to have there impact, with potential repercussions.
The cultivation theory, which believes that tv is a main influential factor on how people will grow up to percieve the world. It allows them to develop a culture in their own minds how things can and will work out for them. It seems to me that shows like The Hills and the Real World are turning more into a lifestyle each season than a show. Both of these shows are just so far past the actual reality of things that it would almost seem impossible for someone to think that anyone can just start living like those characters. For instance, The Hills, shot in southern California, follows a group of girls that belong to the 1% of families that make millions of dollars a year. They get cars expensive cars bought for them, designer clothes and purses, and don't even get me started on the Ugg boots. And lets be honest, do they really pay for all of it with there tanning salon job? No, mom and dad get the bill at the end of the day, and this is what's scary to me. The cultivationg theory is being seen very clearly in my generation. Girls hold these characters to the highest importance, going out and trying to buy what they do and act like they do, 11 year olds getting the new iPhone before I do (and im not bitter about that at all). And the craziest thing is, parents, at least in northern jersey, just seem to throw the money at them. It's almost like they can't say no to being in debt to make their child happy, instead of telling their kid to go work for it. And guys aren't off the hook either, getting the hand outs, and especially expecting dad or his friend to hit them up with a high paying job right out of college.
The Real World is probably the farthest thing from it. Its a group of college kids that live in a house together and have challenges and basically sit in couches until the next dramatic blow up between two or even three people. Come on everybody, does that sound anything like the real world at all? People honestly beleive that things will just be handed to them without any work at all?
This theory was mostly developed and is centralized around how violence and sex on tv can affect a child growing up and watching. However, I think that this is going to be the next application towards this theory--- laziness. It's creating a generation that is going to be looked upon as the 'handout' generation. Our parents and their parents worked to live and lived to work, and it seems like mine just lives to play and it's a scary thing. Slowly but surely the real world and the hills are trying to formulate themselves into a lifestyle that everyone thinks they can live, and its going to be disappointment to all of them when they realize this isn't reality, when that first bill comes in the mail or when their car craps out and THEY have to fix it. Then we'll be the complaining generation, which I'm not sure if that's an improvement. Wake up everyone, this isn't southern cali, and all we have is mountains, no hills.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Bill O'Rielly-- The "Extreme" Conservative
After watching Bill ORielly's program, I think it would be safe to say that his views take that of a conservative, a very far end of conservative party at that. If his view on Obama, the economy, and Wall Street wasn't enough, than the fan mail that he chooses to read at the end of his show should. Obviously, the Factor is a way for the Republican party to be heard.
So how exactly does ORielly come off as being right winged? Well, calling the new economic stimulus package "Obamaeconomics" is a start. Also, saying that Wall Street is now worse off than it has ever been, even moreso than before Obama was elected definitely shows that he is not a fan of what our Commander in Chief is doing in office. It's not so much the topics that ORielly talks about that gives it away. I mean, if you turn on any news channel right now, you are going to hear the same news, over and over again. However, its the demeanor that the host has while doing the show that really shows which way the program is leaning. ORielly has had a history of going off the deep end, so to speak, when it comes to having Democrats that may argue his points on his show. This is shown to the extreme when he asks a question about a topic, and completely attacks the guest before he/she even finishes a statement. Obviously, when you call every Democratic guest "dumb" or "ignorant", that shows their opinion really doesn't matter.
Also, it's the guests that the Factor continues to bring on the show that really emphasizes which side they are trying to appeal to. Most of the time, it is a Republican expert in some field, and agrees with everything ORielly has to say. Even some Democrats make it on that may be againts their own party's decision making. Never do you see Bill yelling at someone that agrees with him on a topic. Instead, his attitude turns more towards an interrogating one: asking questions, building on responses and appreciating their information.
However, the biggest thing that I believe is really defining whether or not a show is right or left wing is the viewer feed back. Especially now, with all the different types of media allowing for viewer/listener interaction, there is a wide spectrum that news groups can use to base their fan base on. At the end of the show, ORielly took fan mail on what their response to the issues were. All of them were about how bad Obama is doing, how they don't see how this is going to help the issue, how the government is making things worse, etc.. It's in these comments that allow the viewers to really feel and agree with what is being said. Even if its not their email being read, it still gives them the opportunity to hear what people all over the country are agreeing upon. Its a chance for the Republican party to sit down, and have the satisfaction of knowing that there are other people out there feeling the same way that they do. It's not so much the host of the show that determines the position of the news program, it's the response of its listeners.
I am a registered Republican, and I do share many of the ideals and views that are seen on the Factor and other right winged programs. Do I think that ORielly goes a little overbored sometimes? Of course. Do I think that problems get resolved by berating another party constantly instead of building ideas for problems? Not a chance in hell. But I will still sit down and turn off CNN and go to the Factor. Sometimes it isn't so much what we really need to hear that turns us on to a show, it's what we WANT to hear, and news channels are capitalizing on that fact.
So how exactly does ORielly come off as being right winged? Well, calling the new economic stimulus package "Obamaeconomics" is a start. Also, saying that Wall Street is now worse off than it has ever been, even moreso than before Obama was elected definitely shows that he is not a fan of what our Commander in Chief is doing in office. It's not so much the topics that ORielly talks about that gives it away. I mean, if you turn on any news channel right now, you are going to hear the same news, over and over again. However, its the demeanor that the host has while doing the show that really shows which way the program is leaning. ORielly has had a history of going off the deep end, so to speak, when it comes to having Democrats that may argue his points on his show. This is shown to the extreme when he asks a question about a topic, and completely attacks the guest before he/she even finishes a statement. Obviously, when you call every Democratic guest "dumb" or "ignorant", that shows their opinion really doesn't matter.
Also, it's the guests that the Factor continues to bring on the show that really emphasizes which side they are trying to appeal to. Most of the time, it is a Republican expert in some field, and agrees with everything ORielly has to say. Even some Democrats make it on that may be againts their own party's decision making. Never do you see Bill yelling at someone that agrees with him on a topic. Instead, his attitude turns more towards an interrogating one: asking questions, building on responses and appreciating their information.
However, the biggest thing that I believe is really defining whether or not a show is right or left wing is the viewer feed back. Especially now, with all the different types of media allowing for viewer/listener interaction, there is a wide spectrum that news groups can use to base their fan base on. At the end of the show, ORielly took fan mail on what their response to the issues were. All of them were about how bad Obama is doing, how they don't see how this is going to help the issue, how the government is making things worse, etc.. It's in these comments that allow the viewers to really feel and agree with what is being said. Even if its not their email being read, it still gives them the opportunity to hear what people all over the country are agreeing upon. Its a chance for the Republican party to sit down, and have the satisfaction of knowing that there are other people out there feeling the same way that they do. It's not so much the host of the show that determines the position of the news program, it's the response of its listeners.
I am a registered Republican, and I do share many of the ideals and views that are seen on the Factor and other right winged programs. Do I think that ORielly goes a little overbored sometimes? Of course. Do I think that problems get resolved by berating another party constantly instead of building ideas for problems? Not a chance in hell. But I will still sit down and turn off CNN and go to the Factor. Sometimes it isn't so much what we really need to hear that turns us on to a show, it's what we WANT to hear, and news channels are capitalizing on that fact.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Talk Radio- A "Lost" media
In the world of media types that we have today, it can somewhat be overbearing as to which one you should choose to base your information on. Many people still choose to watch the evening news to get their daily updates. However, with the onset of the Internet, the world of information technology was changed forever. Many people use this medium to get news that may have occured just minutes ago, reading brief exerpts on a developing story. Talk radio is one media that I believe goes overlooked today. If you ask anyone in my generation if they listen to talk radio, they will most likely reply with Z100 or 95.5, or any FM station that offers news and music. Talk radio has always been something that I took as a very influential part in my views on the world today.
Especially with Rush Limbaugh, whom I would definitely catagorize as a right wing conservative, has impacted my life. In high school, my father would pick me up and on the way home, every day, we listened to Rush, and also Michael Savage. It was through Rush's uncensored view on the daily news that really was influential. The evening news seems to just give you the main facts behind a story, but talk radio allows for the host to completely dedicate his/her entire show on one issue if they chose. This lets the listener get a deeper understanding to what's going on, something I hold to be very valuable. Even listening to hosts that may be on the opposite spectrum with left wing ideas intrigues me. I feel like I can get a more rounded view on issues, rather than pretend to know just one side of the story.
However, I think th most valuable part of talk radio would be the listener interaction that they can have. Many times, a host will give a number to call for listeners to give their opinion on what is being talked about. The best is how the host seems to have a free range as to what he can say to these opinions, either agreeing or completely opposing to a view and starting a debate. Rush is definitely one of the least aggressive when it comes to viewer's calls, but other hosts will completely cut a listener's opinion down if they wanted to.
I think, especially in these times, listening to all types of media for information is very important. The best way to stay ahead and protect your future is to be knowledgable, and the ability to form your own opinions through this information is key. Talk radio gives you a chance to listen in, and either agree or disagree. Either way, it's calling an individual to question, which still gives me hope that we haven't been brainwashed into believing everything we hear or say.
Especially with Rush Limbaugh, whom I would definitely catagorize as a right wing conservative, has impacted my life. In high school, my father would pick me up and on the way home, every day, we listened to Rush, and also Michael Savage. It was through Rush's uncensored view on the daily news that really was influential. The evening news seems to just give you the main facts behind a story, but talk radio allows for the host to completely dedicate his/her entire show on one issue if they chose. This lets the listener get a deeper understanding to what's going on, something I hold to be very valuable. Even listening to hosts that may be on the opposite spectrum with left wing ideas intrigues me. I feel like I can get a more rounded view on issues, rather than pretend to know just one side of the story.
However, I think th most valuable part of talk radio would be the listener interaction that they can have. Many times, a host will give a number to call for listeners to give their opinion on what is being talked about. The best is how the host seems to have a free range as to what he can say to these opinions, either agreeing or completely opposing to a view and starting a debate. Rush is definitely one of the least aggressive when it comes to viewer's calls, but other hosts will completely cut a listener's opinion down if they wanted to.
I think, especially in these times, listening to all types of media for information is very important. The best way to stay ahead and protect your future is to be knowledgable, and the ability to form your own opinions through this information is key. Talk radio gives you a chance to listen in, and either agree or disagree. Either way, it's calling an individual to question, which still gives me hope that we haven't been brainwashed into believing everything we hear or say.
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Super Bowl- Americs's Unofficial Holiday
What is it about the Super Bowl that intrigues all of America? Maybe not all, but the millions of viewers that choose to watch it every year increases, and the amount of pre-game and post-game media seems to increase, as well. People around the country go out and get as much snack food as they can, liquor stores have lines out the door and invitations to parties are sent out weeks in advance. Even non-football fans choose to sit down with their families and friends, making it more of a social get together than a football game.
When it comes to media, other than the inaugaration, I can't think of any other event that calls all types of medias into play. Of course, news channels have coverage on the sports slot for the event, showing highlights of pre-game shows and practices. ESPN has its 2 week coverage of the Super Bowl, letting us know if any of the big name players do as much as sneeze. However, its the other media that you wouldn't suspect to have coverage that is really showing how media is constantly changing for the masses. iTunes offers the entire game to be bought to put on a video iPod, the Weather Channel had coverage of the weather that would be occuring at the game every twenty minutes and newspapers had the game front page before it was even played.
I guess the Super Bowl has become much more than just a football game, it's American heritage. It's a way for all of us to get together and enjoy something. The game is a way to allow for social connection and interaction, to give us all something to talk about before and after the game is played. I think, however, the most important aspect of the Super Bowl is its reliablilty. Every year, at the end of every football season, there is going to be a Super Bowl. There is going to be a way for everyone to sit down and enjoy all types of media, whether watching it on the internet, updates on a cell phone, or live on tv. And even if you missed the game, you can still pick up a newspaper the next day with a full recap and pictures.
Especially during these uncertain economic times, the Super Bowl is a way for everyone to sit back and relax for one Sunday, watch some football, and maybe laugh at a couple of commercials. Maybe it's all as Super as they say it is.
When it comes to media, other than the inaugaration, I can't think of any other event that calls all types of medias into play. Of course, news channels have coverage on the sports slot for the event, showing highlights of pre-game shows and practices. ESPN has its 2 week coverage of the Super Bowl, letting us know if any of the big name players do as much as sneeze. However, its the other media that you wouldn't suspect to have coverage that is really showing how media is constantly changing for the masses. iTunes offers the entire game to be bought to put on a video iPod, the Weather Channel had coverage of the weather that would be occuring at the game every twenty minutes and newspapers had the game front page before it was even played.
I guess the Super Bowl has become much more than just a football game, it's American heritage. It's a way for all of us to get together and enjoy something. The game is a way to allow for social connection and interaction, to give us all something to talk about before and after the game is played. I think, however, the most important aspect of the Super Bowl is its reliablilty. Every year, at the end of every football season, there is going to be a Super Bowl. There is going to be a way for everyone to sit down and enjoy all types of media, whether watching it on the internet, updates on a cell phone, or live on tv. And even if you missed the game, you can still pick up a newspaper the next day with a full recap and pictures.
Especially during these uncertain economic times, the Super Bowl is a way for everyone to sit back and relax for one Sunday, watch some football, and maybe laugh at a couple of commercials. Maybe it's all as Super as they say it is.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The Age Of MP3 Players
What would music enjoyment be without my iPod, or any mp3 player in that case? Five years ago when burning technology first came into households, I never would have imagined that mp3 technology would increase as much as it has. I can put all of my cds onto my computer, and pick and choose which ones are my favorite and take them with me wherever I want to go. Not only did this update cd players, but it doesn't require you to carry a 120 case of cds everywhere you go.
Along with this technology came the ability to buy mp3s online. Huge libraries, especially iTunes, allow me to look through a huge variety of music genres. This lets me search for my favorite music, and at the same time, it allows me to preview new music that may lead me to be a fan of bands I would never have heard of otherwise. Also, P2P programs, or peer to peer, such as Limewire allow people from anywhere with internet access to share there music with others.
At first, I'll admit I was a little skeptical of the entire idea of being able to carry your music in your pocket. I thought that alot of the sound quality would be lost, and the enjoyment of going to a cd store and browsing through albums would be lost. However, after my girlfriend got me my first mp3 player, the iPod touch, my perspective of mp3 players completely changed, as well as a huge part of my life. I was able to carry around all of my favorite music, movies and games right in my pocket, and had the choice to listen whenever I wanted.
Within the past couple of years, this technology has changed the music industry and how consumers can access media and listen to their favorite bands or watch their movies, or even access the internet. Every year they seem to add something else to the picture, yet again changing ways I can enjoy my music. I am always trying to keep up to date on the latest news about what Apple or Sony are looking to do next, and its almost become a hobby of mine to experience this new technology that has occurred in my generation.
Along with this technology came the ability to buy mp3s online. Huge libraries, especially iTunes, allow me to look through a huge variety of music genres. This lets me search for my favorite music, and at the same time, it allows me to preview new music that may lead me to be a fan of bands I would never have heard of otherwise. Also, P2P programs, or peer to peer, such as Limewire allow people from anywhere with internet access to share there music with others.
At first, I'll admit I was a little skeptical of the entire idea of being able to carry your music in your pocket. I thought that alot of the sound quality would be lost, and the enjoyment of going to a cd store and browsing through albums would be lost. However, after my girlfriend got me my first mp3 player, the iPod touch, my perspective of mp3 players completely changed, as well as a huge part of my life. I was able to carry around all of my favorite music, movies and games right in my pocket, and had the choice to listen whenever I wanted.
Within the past couple of years, this technology has changed the music industry and how consumers can access media and listen to their favorite bands or watch their movies, or even access the internet. Every year they seem to add something else to the picture, yet again changing ways I can enjoy my music. I am always trying to keep up to date on the latest news about what Apple or Sony are looking to do next, and its almost become a hobby of mine to experience this new technology that has occurred in my generation.
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