Discussions concerning minorities in the media can get touchy along with painfully politically correct. Race often takes center stage when discussing minority groups and topics like class and wealth receive less attention while dominating our television and film industries.
If there’s one U.S. minority that gets constant airtime, it’s the wealthy. Most Americans aren’t millionaires, decked out in designer clothes, driving Range Rovers—even if primetime TV portrays them in that light.
Primetime can’t get enough of rich people. Big Shots follows four extremely wealthy, country club men. Dirty, Sexy Money is about the Darlings, a New York business tycoon’s family that, shockingly, has so much money it causes continual problems.
Gossip Girl revolves around wealthy, New York prep school kids featuring fashion trends that most high school students can’t afford. Attractive doctors in L.A. live comfortable lives on Private Practice. Even shows like the former Gilmore Girls about a single mother raising a daughter brought money into the picture in that she came from a very wealthy family. The list goes on.
Even shows that don’t blatantly discuss money, like friends, portray lifestyles that are financially unrealistic. Average people can’t afford enormous apartments in New York City, yet Friends makes it seem pretty run of the mill.
With all the wealth, it’s not too surprising a recent study found that 74 percent of college seniors believe they will be millionaires. Not that TV alone caused this—it’s just too bad that one of the few minorities in the limelight is the rich.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Movie Effects
One of the first scary movies I remember watching was The Shining , a 1980s psychological thriller based on a Steven King novel. I watched it with my best friend—we didn’t react too much during the movie, but it definitely left its mark.
Throughout the movie, the director, Stanley Kubric, made good use of excitation transfer, which involves arousing the viewer with different techniques before scenes to enhance a reaction. What made The Shining was the music. Whenever the young boy experiences trauma, all you hear is this heartbeat in the background.
I never realized how much this one feature impacted me until a few years ago. Around the time I saw the movie, I started having nightmares where all I heard was my heartbeat. Nothing really horrible even had to happen in the dream to make it horrifying. Every time I would wake up in a sweat.
After I learned in school about film techniques people use to captivate audiences, scary movies haven’t had too much of an effect on me, but I don’t think I’ll ever really forget that heartbeat.
Throughout the movie, the director, Stanley Kubric, made good use of excitation transfer, which involves arousing the viewer with different techniques before scenes to enhance a reaction. What made The Shining was the music. Whenever the young boy experiences trauma, all you hear is this heartbeat in the background.
I never realized how much this one feature impacted me until a few years ago. Around the time I saw the movie, I started having nightmares where all I heard was my heartbeat. Nothing really horrible even had to happen in the dream to make it horrifying. Every time I would wake up in a sweat.
After I learned in school about film techniques people use to captivate audiences, scary movies haven’t had too much of an effect on me, but I don’t think I’ll ever really forget that heartbeat.
Nagging Fear
I’m a natural worrier. When I was 2, I would scream when my parents tried to put me in sand. At 4, bugs terrified me. For years I had a serious phobia about my teeth falling out. Fears seem to follow me, and any medium that highlights old or new worries never ends well for me.
Right now I’m reading a fictional book about leprosy. Now, this is a disease with an actual cure, yet I still get the creeps and secretly have started thinking about any possible way I could contract the disease.
It’s sad how paranoid I am. After reading about new studies in the health section of the news, I find myself avoiding foods or activities doctors link to cancer or some other health problem. When I was around 12 years old I remember seeing on the news that strawberries were said to cause some cancer. I gave up one of my favorite fruits out of fear.
I would love if journalists could lay off the scary health and safety topics because I really can’t handle them. I tell myself that I’m an adult, so worrying is pathetic, but all my logic flies right out the door the second I hear about some new scary aspect of the world.
So, I don’t watch or read enough news as I should as a journalist major. Now, in all fairness, injustice and harm from corruption does not scare me. I just hate hearing constantly about health problems and crime.
Right now I’m reading a fictional book about leprosy. Now, this is a disease with an actual cure, yet I still get the creeps and secretly have started thinking about any possible way I could contract the disease.
It’s sad how paranoid I am. After reading about new studies in the health section of the news, I find myself avoiding foods or activities doctors link to cancer or some other health problem. When I was around 12 years old I remember seeing on the news that strawberries were said to cause some cancer. I gave up one of my favorite fruits out of fear.
I would love if journalists could lay off the scary health and safety topics because I really can’t handle them. I tell myself that I’m an adult, so worrying is pathetic, but all my logic flies right out the door the second I hear about some new scary aspect of the world.
So, I don’t watch or read enough news as I should as a journalist major. Now, in all fairness, injustice and harm from corruption does not scare me. I just hate hearing constantly about health problems and crime.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Who wants to think about kids having sex?
Take one look at primetime TV and it’s not so surprising that a lot of teens are having sex. I know it’s not fair to blame the media for every moral crisis in our country, but sex is one thing the media has changed. Fifty years ago, you would never watch a TV show constantly highlighting extramarital sex, but now the majority of sexual exploits involve the unmarried or adulterous.
Frankly, I’m sick of shows’ that revolve around sex. I’ve grown up believing that casual sex is normal and expected largely based on what I’ve learned from TV shows. My generation already has widely different ideas about sex than our parents, so will things reach another level with even younger generations?
On a recent episode of Private Practice, a spin-off of Grey’s Anatomy, a 13-year-old had a severe case of gonorrhea and nearly died due to a miscarriage. This girl, in her grade school uniform talked about how she always used condoms and has had sex with multiple boys. I’m sorry, but 13? I think this was irresponsible. I know sex sells, but let’s not sell it to kids quite yet.
Frankly, I’m sick of shows’ that revolve around sex. I’ve grown up believing that casual sex is normal and expected largely based on what I’ve learned from TV shows. My generation already has widely different ideas about sex than our parents, so will things reach another level with even younger generations?
On a recent episode of Private Practice, a spin-off of Grey’s Anatomy, a 13-year-old had a severe case of gonorrhea and nearly died due to a miscarriage. This girl, in her grade school uniform talked about how she always used condoms and has had sex with multiple boys. I’m sorry, but 13? I think this was irresponsible. I know sex sells, but let’s not sell it to kids quite yet.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Sex in Primetime TV
If an alien were to watch any primetime show, it would think humans must be having crazy sex, every hour of the day. I had recorded this week’s Grey’s Anatomy and Big Shots and watched them back-to-back the other day. It’s insane how much sex drives the plot of both show. I know that sex sells, but you would think the writers could be a little more creative.
Between the two shows, I watched a doctor have sex with a former patient in the hospital, a casual sex-only relationship, the aftermath of an affair brought to light, a husband getting sex tips from his former mistress in order to better please his wife, and the aftermath of a soirée with a transvestite.
Funnily enough, a guest lecturer told my wellness class that teen abstinence is on the rise…who would’ve thought?
Between the two shows, I watched a doctor have sex with a former patient in the hospital, a casual sex-only relationship, the aftermath of an affair brought to light, a husband getting sex tips from his former mistress in order to better please his wife, and the aftermath of a soirée with a transvestite.
Funnily enough, a guest lecturer told my wellness class that teen abstinence is on the rise…who would’ve thought?
Sex scenes with parents equals awkward
There are few things more uncomfortable than watching or listening to sexual content with a parent. For me, it tends to far more awkward when I am with my dad. Since leaving home and coming to college, I haven’t had to deal see too many sex scenes with my dad present, which means fewer awkward moments—yay!
Unfortunately, last summer there was an exception. My family has driven to Destin, Florida for vacation ever since I was a kid. That means a 12-hour car ride usually drawn out over two days. Now, my dad loves a good mystery book, so he always buys an audio book tape or two to entertain everyone on the drive down.
We haven’t gone to Florida for a few years, so when my dad pulled out a book tape, I decided it would be fun to listen to one again. For the most part it was great and made the trip seem a little quicker.
However, there was one, well actually four, painfully uncomfortable moments—the good ole sex scenes. I’ve come to realize that sex scenes in books are far worse than watching them in movies. A quick two-minute scene in a movie drags on forever in books, and it’s so much more intimate to hear descriptions versus watching them.
I realize I should be an adult, but sitting next my dad in the car listening to what the female cop is doing to her husband was really awful. Books leave so much for the readers to imagine, and I was far too aware that my dad and I were both imaging this sex.
After I made it through the first one, I made sure to close my eyes when listening, so he wouldn’t know if I was awake—childish but very effective.
Unfortunately, last summer there was an exception. My family has driven to Destin, Florida for vacation ever since I was a kid. That means a 12-hour car ride usually drawn out over two days. Now, my dad loves a good mystery book, so he always buys an audio book tape or two to entertain everyone on the drive down.
We haven’t gone to Florida for a few years, so when my dad pulled out a book tape, I decided it would be fun to listen to one again. For the most part it was great and made the trip seem a little quicker.
However, there was one, well actually four, painfully uncomfortable moments—the good ole sex scenes. I’ve come to realize that sex scenes in books are far worse than watching them in movies. A quick two-minute scene in a movie drags on forever in books, and it’s so much more intimate to hear descriptions versus watching them.
I realize I should be an adult, but sitting next my dad in the car listening to what the female cop is doing to her husband was really awful. Books leave so much for the readers to imagine, and I was far too aware that my dad and I were both imaging this sex.
After I made it through the first one, I made sure to close my eyes when listening, so he wouldn’t know if I was awake—childish but very effective.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Desensitized
I think I’ve become very desensitized…I can watch the news about rapes and robberies, and I don’t feel much of anything—this disturbs me!
I react more strongly to uncomfortable emotions than violent deaths. For example, I can’t stand to watch a show like friends and watch a character do something really embarrassing because I hate to feel embarrassed for him or her.
Yet, when I see on the news that a mom most likely put her dead baby in an attic I’m horrified but don’t feel anything. I can’t imagine it, so I almost block out the fact that it is real.
I react more strongly to uncomfortable emotions than violent deaths. For example, I can’t stand to watch a show like friends and watch a character do something really embarrassing because I hate to feel embarrassed for him or her.
Yet, when I see on the news that a mom most likely put her dead baby in an attic I’m horrified but don’t feel anything. I can’t imagine it, so I almost block out the fact that it is real.
Femme Fatale
I was surprised to read about the concept of femme fatale in Cynthia Carter’s Violence and the Media. Carter says this character, an evil, lethal woman, came about in the 1940s.
I guess I’m surprised she has been around so long. I think of characters from Kill Bill, where women are pure evil and deadly. I think those characters usually end up as weak fillers with little depth. If it has been around that long, you would think someone would develop something a little more interesting.
I guess I’m surprised she has been around so long. I think of characters from Kill Bill, where women are pure evil and deadly. I think those characters usually end up as weak fillers with little depth. If it has been around that long, you would think someone would develop something a little more interesting.
Iraq War
It’s not a question whether or not television is a good medium for news—it spreads information relatively quickly and can show more emotional aspects of situations.
However, sometimes the news feels a little like entertainment. I watch movies about war and soldiers and bombings—then I can tune into the news and watch the U.S. bomb Iraq. Reporters were in a frenzy during the initial stages of the Iraq War in 2003.
This morning, Iraqi officials reported the death of at least 10 civilians. Up to 52 civilians were injured. I know this is a gritty side of things, but unless I looked at pictures of mourners online, this story wouldn’t be real to me. Why give Americans a show with the bombing but keep the ugly aspects of war comfortably vague?
However, sometimes the news feels a little like entertainment. I watch movies about war and soldiers and bombings—then I can tune into the news and watch the U.S. bomb Iraq. Reporters were in a frenzy during the initial stages of the Iraq War in 2003.
This morning, Iraqi officials reported the death of at least 10 civilians. Up to 52 civilians were injured. I know this is a gritty side of things, but unless I looked at pictures of mourners online, this story wouldn’t be real to me. Why give Americans a show with the bombing but keep the ugly aspects of war comfortably vague?
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Frank Sesno at SMU
CNN correspondent Frank Sesno spoke to SMU students about media ethics at the Sammons Media Ethics Lecture last Wednesday. After 25 years in the news business, Sesno provided some sound advise for future journalists. The journalism field is ever changing—that involves making informed and often difficult decisions.
One issue Sesno discussed really resonated with me. He pointed out that it’s easy to get caught up in a “media popularity contest” with other media outlets, where competition for ratings rule the industry. I’ve noticed a heightened competition between cable networks the past few years, and it only seems to be getting worse.
For example, Fox News Channel commentator Bill O’Rielly, of “The O’Rielly Factor,” opens every show with the mantra, “the most-watched program on cable news.” I realize that journalism, like anything else, is a business, but the competition between channels seems ridiculous. It’s having an impact on the quality of news as well.
Not only are all the channels blurring into one, but the news content has changed a lot. Just this weekend, I’ve seen so much about Anna Nicole Smith’s ex boyfriend’s alleged boyfriend, I thought I would lose it. It’s a slightly more adult version of tabloids, and I never want to hear about it again. Unfortunately, I know I most likely will hear about it again and again if I tune into any major news station (even local news!).
I want facts—I’m tired of pretty news correspondents and fluffy news. Yet, there seems to be a growing trend of news becoming just as superficial as the rest of the media.
This issue leads to the question that begs to be asked: Who’s setting the agenda? Can I naively hope it’s the peoples’ interests? Or, is it the media corporation’s who fight for higher ratings?
Sesno recognized another agenda setter with more subtle influences—political parties. He lost an interview with President Reagan because he refused to allow the administration to dictate what the kind of questions he asked.
So, while it’s hard to know exactly which group dictates the obvious shifts in mainstream news media, the only think I can do is stay strict and remain critical.
One issue Sesno discussed really resonated with me. He pointed out that it’s easy to get caught up in a “media popularity contest” with other media outlets, where competition for ratings rule the industry. I’ve noticed a heightened competition between cable networks the past few years, and it only seems to be getting worse.
For example, Fox News Channel commentator Bill O’Rielly, of “The O’Rielly Factor,” opens every show with the mantra, “the most-watched program on cable news.” I realize that journalism, like anything else, is a business, but the competition between channels seems ridiculous. It’s having an impact on the quality of news as well.
Not only are all the channels blurring into one, but the news content has changed a lot. Just this weekend, I’ve seen so much about Anna Nicole Smith’s ex boyfriend’s alleged boyfriend, I thought I would lose it. It’s a slightly more adult version of tabloids, and I never want to hear about it again. Unfortunately, I know I most likely will hear about it again and again if I tune into any major news station (even local news!).
I want facts—I’m tired of pretty news correspondents and fluffy news. Yet, there seems to be a growing trend of news becoming just as superficial as the rest of the media.
This issue leads to the question that begs to be asked: Who’s setting the agenda? Can I naively hope it’s the peoples’ interests? Or, is it the media corporation’s who fight for higher ratings?
Sesno recognized another agenda setter with more subtle influences—political parties. He lost an interview with President Reagan because he refused to allow the administration to dictate what the kind of questions he asked.
So, while it’s hard to know exactly which group dictates the obvious shifts in mainstream news media, the only think I can do is stay strict and remain critical.
Desensitized
I have a pathetic reaction to violence. Certain themes or emotions in movies make me very uncomfortable but violence just isn’t one of them.
So, I guess I’m a proof that a cumulative effect exists—just not in the sense one might think. I know repeatedly viewing media violence should increase my own violent behavior, but it increases my desensitization to violence.
I can watch a grisly movie or real news and my reaction is pretty similar. It’s sad how numb I’ve become. It’s been so long since I’ve witnessed actual violence, so maybe that’s added to distancing myself from it on TV.
So, I guess I’m a proof that a cumulative effect exists—just not in the sense one might think. I know repeatedly viewing media violence should increase my own violent behavior, but it increases my desensitization to violence.
I can watch a grisly movie or real news and my reaction is pretty similar. It’s sad how numb I’ve become. It’s been so long since I’ve witnessed actual violence, so maybe that’s added to distancing myself from it on TV.
Heat attack
A more dramatic effect media violence has had on me occurred in high school. I saw 21 Grams, a movie involving a woman (Naomi Watts) whose husband and kids die in a car accident and a man with a hear condition (Sean Penn), who dies at the end of the movie. Nothing about the movie is overtly violent but the undercurrents of the movie were.
I don’t know why, but I left this movie very disturbed. First of all, I have weird hear moments where it skips a beat—which happened multiple times during the movie, so that bothered me. (Especially sine the guy dies of a heart attack!)
When I was driving home, my arms and legs went numb—I pulled over on the highway and made my friend take me to the hospital. I truly believed I was having a heart attack. After calling my dad, who is a doctor, he told me to come home. Turns out, I hyperventilated.
I blame the large coffee I drank and the fact that the movie and the conflicts seemed realistic, which is proven to inspire fear in older children…or high school students.
I don’t know why, but I left this movie very disturbed. First of all, I have weird hear moments where it skips a beat—which happened multiple times during the movie, so that bothered me. (Especially sine the guy dies of a heart attack!)
When I was driving home, my arms and legs went numb—I pulled over on the highway and made my friend take me to the hospital. I truly believed I was having a heart attack. After calling my dad, who is a doctor, he told me to come home. Turns out, I hyperventilated.
I blame the large coffee I drank and the fact that the movie and the conflicts seemed realistic, which is proven to inspire fear in older children…or high school students.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Violent animals
Violence draws attention. Now, it’s not always obvious violence like a shooting or attack. A subtler variation was on National Geographic’ Dangerous Encounters. A scientist studying pythons entered a pitch-black cave filled with murky water. The scientists found the python, which proceeded to bite scientist Brady Barr. Those clips add excitement, so I guess violence sells.
Dillon Cossey
Another Columbine could’ve happened. Fourteen-year-old Dillon Cossey admitted he planned a shootout for Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School in Pennsylvania. Not only did he plan an act of violence, but his mother bought him the guns.
The whole situation is undoubtedly disturbing, but what surprised me most was Cossey’s possession of a video of the Columbine shooting.
This teen learned how to attack a school based from media coverage of an event. If people are learning violence from the news, maybe we should tone it down in the media.
The whole situation is undoubtedly disturbing, but what surprised me most was Cossey’s possession of a video of the Columbine shooting.
This teen learned how to attack a school based from media coverage of an event. If people are learning violence from the news, maybe we should tone it down in the media.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Women's Boxing
It my women’s studies class we discussed sexuality and how our culture assigns gender norms. Well, we watched a woman’s boxing match, and I must say I was surprised. It isn’t a very popular sport in the U.S., and I didn’t like it. However, I don’t care for men’s boxing either.
The losing woman left the ring with both eyes swollen shut and cotton sticking out of cuts on her face. At least with TV shows you know it’s fake…boxing is way too real for me.
The losing woman left the ring with both eyes swollen shut and cotton sticking out of cuts on her face. At least with TV shows you know it’s fake…boxing is way too real for me.
Prison Break violence
I was watching another episode of my current favorite show, Prison Break, an undeniably violent show. I was trying to take note of each violent part and even after watching two seasons, the amount of violence surprised me.
It involved a Panama prison, where one convict was shot by the guards while trying to escape, the main character hand fought another convict. The other guy died. A riot broke out over a lack of water, which involved rock throwing, pulling out knives, and drowning a man. A high-ranking woman threatens a man not only by pulling out a gun but also holding his son hostage. I could actually go on.
Now, I don’t think any of this really affected me, other than I had to look away at times, but I guess I can’t really know how I’m affected deep down.
It involved a Panama prison, where one convict was shot by the guards while trying to escape, the main character hand fought another convict. The other guy died. A riot broke out over a lack of water, which involved rock throwing, pulling out knives, and drowning a man. A high-ranking woman threatens a man not only by pulling out a gun but also holding his son hostage. I could actually go on.
Now, I don’t think any of this really affected me, other than I had to look away at times, but I guess I can’t really know how I’m affected deep down.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Health Channel
I love to watch the Health Channel when I can’t sleep. I’m really content when I catch Mystery Diagnosis, a show that follows people with bizarre health issues that doctors don’t understand (the mystery is always solved in the end, thankfully).
It’s almost like I’m addicted to hearing these stories, and when I tell my family about it the following morning, they think I’m nuts for watching—I guess I just love how satisfying it is when patients are finally diagnosed. Although, I have to admit, sometimes I convince myself I have the rare conditions I see—so far it’s just been in my head.
It’s almost like I’m addicted to hearing these stories, and when I tell my family about it the following morning, they think I’m nuts for watching—I guess I just love how satisfying it is when patients are finally diagnosed. Although, I have to admit, sometimes I convince myself I have the rare conditions I see—so far it’s just been in my head.
TV rut
In the past, I didn’t really use TV for anything. I didn’t watch it to escape (I usually like to read or hang out with friends) or to de-stress. If I watched TV to learn, it wasn’t a conscious effort. I liked mindlessly flipping though channels or watching multiple shows in an attempt to avoid all commercials.
However, now that I can record shows, TV is way more organized. I never miss an episode and I just zip through commercials. As a result, I think my TV watching is way less varied…I’m definitely in a TV rut because just thinking about it makes me bored.
However, now that I can record shows, TV is way more organized. I never miss an episode and I just zip through commercials. As a result, I think my TV watching is way less varied…I’m definitely in a TV rut because just thinking about it makes me bored.
Lauren Greenfield
In my photojournalism class, we looked at photographer Lauren Greenfield’s Web site. I love that she reports without any dramatization—she just examines cultural issues and shows you people’s stories, so the viewer can make up his or her mind.
The story about spas for children especially freaked me out…
The story about spas for children especially freaked me out…
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
TV and dinner
I realized that my sisters and I have and interesting relationship with eating dinner and watching TV. I have been trying to catch up on some old Prison Break episodes, but I don’t have a lot of free time. So, it would make sense if we watched it while we ate.
However, anytime we really want to focus on a show (like Prison Break) I can’t eat at the same time. Instead, I record any and every episode of Friends (it replays on three different channels, so there are tons to pick from) and turn it on while we eat. It’s just a nice background and easy to follow without thinking too much.
However, anytime we really want to focus on a show (like Prison Break) I can’t eat at the same time. Instead, I record any and every episode of Friends (it replays on three different channels, so there are tons to pick from) and turn it on while we eat. It’s just a nice background and easy to follow without thinking too much.
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