This might be a little off-topic, but I think that in tough economic times all is fair. First off, let me direct you to this interview with Jim Cramer and Jon Stewart. Now, now, I know Jon Stewart hosts a show that is notorious for having viewers who are pot heads and liberals (or worse....both!), but I think Stewart is probably one of the most level-headed political analysts out there, with a hilarious wit to boot (if you thought Colbert was funny, just pick up some literature by Stewart). So, please, sit down and watch the interview, as I really, really enjoyed what the two tackled in their conversation.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/index.jhtml?episodeId=220533
But let's put things in perspective here: we all know that the government should have transparency to its citizens, because after all, people should not be afraid of their governments, governments should be afraid of their people (hey, thanks, V for Vendetta!). But people like Cramer leave a lot of room for criticism, which of course goes without mentioning those lovely folks at AIG, Bernie Madoff and oh the list just goes on. When is it time for citizens of America to start taking control of their own economy? It seems so much like we're sitting back and going for the ride as government and the economic giants get to take action themselves. Additionally, Barack Obama is here to save us, right? Now I'm not going to be one to say that government needs to control the media. But why is it that we allow economics to become entertainment? I don't think it's ironic to think that C-SPAN is boring as hell. There are always political shows out there to voice opinions on political issues, which is fine. But when it comes to economics, you'd think things might be a bit more black and white. And, finally, the lack of oversight on the bailout money should enrage us as a nation.
What Stewart has to say about the media making bucks off of economics as entertainment reciprocates just as much to the people who watch these shows. What can the citizens of America do to these media giants to demand that they not toy with our money, and quite frankly, our livelihood? There are plenty of ways to do your own research to find who owns what company and what their political views are (there's a whole fiasco concerning a guitar company called Danelectro, for instance, and many people are boycotting their products indefinately because the owner is donating so much money to support California's Proposition 8). Perhaps there should be a "media in the sunshine week," because I think it's very obvious how much impact the media has on each and every one of us, despite how we like to point fingers at it, as well as the government.
I'm not going to sit here and say that I have the answer of how to fix media irresponsibility, especially considering their apathy for the well-being of their viewers. Nor do I really have the exact means of how to fix problems regarding the bailout, government oversight, and so on. But I think that it's really time more Americans had a voice, and I think Stewart's words in the interview have the capability of being that spark that us Americans need.
3 comments:
It is very interesting to see how the media influences the general public on all types of topics. Politics of course is a large issue presently because of our country’s position in the economic crisis, but what stops the people from doing their own research and formulating their own opinion. So many people take the word of mouth and use that as their stance on an issue because they are given the translation of facts by someone else. Let’s face it, you can watch a show or listen to the radio and engage in a conversation and seemingly present yourself as educated. On the other hand perhaps that is a blessing for people who just don’t have the time. It is tough to distinguish someone else’s opinion if you do not know that facts yourself, and such as Stewarts comical expression of the political system it is great. You get the facts, personality, and comical entertainment….gotta love the U.S.
I wouldn't necessarily call C-SPAN boring as hell. I like watching it. Purely for the fact that its me interpreting the information as I see it. They also have a lot of folks from academia and the private sector on panels to critically think about policies and issues around the world. I feel like if people took the time to watch it they'd understand the political and economic turmoil we're going through a lot better.
Absolutely agree with you, Lindsay. Except for the fact that many people just can't sit through it because they simply have no interest in it. People who can watch it are a rare breed. It's even rarer when people who watch it enjoy it.
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