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?
Sunday, October 28, 2007
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.
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