The Media is the Message

Does the Media simply reflect popular tastes, "giving people what they want", or are peoples taste for mindless entertainment produced by the makers of our t.v., movie, and music industries? When trying to unearth such a vast array of influences in the media today we need to look at the content of what is being spoon fed to the public. First and foremost the media only puts out what they know the public will devour and consume. Which makes me wonder, would major news networks report on issues that really matter such as poverty, education, and global warming, if we all demanded it? Would theatres take a chance at box office sales playing only films like an, “Inconvenient Truth”, an issue that will affect everyone much more than The Bourne Ultimatum?
The issue of the media being the transmitter of information reminds me of the book “The Medium is the Massage”, by Marshall McLuhan. In this work he cites the inventions of the typewriter, television, and computer as instruments that have all altered our natural way of thought. McLuhan’s book looks at the concealed effects of these mediums as an intoxicating hypnosis, which is something that rings true especially in today’s media. For instance during the countries tragedy of 9/11 we were shown a Terror Alert Monitor in an array of different colors meant to convey what the level of terror was in the country on a particular date. In some way shape or form this rainbow of terror was controlling the country even if we unconsciously put it in the back of our heads for the day.
Our “news networks” seem to be anything but these days which makes me wonder why they aren’t required to put up warning bulletins that say,” proceed with caution, anything and 90% of everything youre about to hear is completely bogus”. This summer CNN ran a short segment about a racially fueled incident now being called “The Jena Six”. The story, stemming from three nooses being hung in the courtyard of the school ultimately resulted in six African Americans students being charged with aggravated assault even though many white students had also added fuel to the flame. The story was aired with little coverage and then boom, Paris Hilton was let out of jail and all the news networks could talk about was the heir head. Tell me, when we live in a country where we are spoon fed “breaking news” about someone who is going to do very little in contributing to the world, what does this say about us? Obviously they know that a story like Ms. Hilton’s will get them high ratings but when all they care about is ratings shouldn’t we then just turn the damn thing off? Actually realizing that our media is controlled by networks out for ratings and not substantial coverage of important earth changing events why do we still allow the public to consume it day after day.
Kaiti g.