At the turn of the century Americans were proud of their intelliegence, and it was popular to demonstrate it. Now our tv is filled with all sorts of truly mindless entertainment for us and our children (with a few good options buried between, but not as popular). "Smart" became the catch word, with "smart"= short and simple (simplistic?). When was this switch to let the media think for us?
2006-08-06 01:31:57 · 10 answers · asked by Hauntedfox 5 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Television
When TV started it was called an Idiot Box.
It still is.
2006-08-06 01:36:39 · answer #1 · answered by Texas Cowboy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is largely an illusion.
At the turn of the century, most people could not even read. Even after that, the "press" was largely an elitist kind of deal.
Tabloids have been popular forever, and are extremely popular all throughout Europe (far from just a U.S. thing).
The reality is that most people blow most of their energy on work/family, and don't want to have to think too much. Many people are also drawn to more "gritty" and intimate issues than world politics and such.
Finally, many sophisticated people don't watch too much T.V. or they keep in on TCM like I do ;) The bottom line is that the audience for mass TV is just "relax after work and not think too much" and it does a pretty good job of that.
Now, if you look at the NYT bestseller list, you'll see a different picture. There are tons of extremely sophisticated and well-read Americans out there, but TV does not cater to them (nor should it necessarily).
2006-08-06 01:39:13 · answer #2 · answered by diamondspider 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wish I knew. It is a handicap to be intelligent or thoughtful in the US except in the coastal "liberal intellectual" labelled areas - and then you are suspect anyhow.
I think it started in the 70's with "info-tainment". Now even the news programs are silly and contain more gossip than actual news. We hear all about who's has illicit sex or is a drunk, but never about what is happening in the world.
Maybe all the inevitable power blackouts from the heat will cause people to read and think more - to interact with the world (which spurs the thought process) rather than passively be fed gibberish.
One has to hope, I guess.
2006-08-09 16:44:41 · answer #3 · answered by slipstreamer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
TV, absolutely. The advent of the television box was when "smart" ended and true marketing began. They found that people would even stare at the test patterns that they ran on the teevee for hours at a time. (Thing a bunch of lines going this way and that, and no sound). Seeing, as it is, is much easier than listening. And we humans are nothing without our easy. With Teevees came teevee dinners. Easy, easy, easy. it all adds up from there.
2006-08-06 01:54:41 · answer #4 · answered by Chris 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe the Rat Pack and Las Vegas may have had a lot to do with that. Circa late 50's.
2006-08-06 01:41:15 · answer #5 · answered by Fox Paws 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the summer of 2001
2006-08-06 01:35:09 · answer #6 · answered by Shingal-soldier 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
America was always ruled by the media
2006-08-06 01:35:58 · answer #7 · answered by rimrocka 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In 1971, when "Love American Style", and "The Love Boat" premiered.
2006-08-06 01:36:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I vote when Ace Ventura pet detective was made.
2006-08-06 01:49:21 · answer #9 · answered by adgmonkey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ever seen Dynasty? Notice the nasty in there?? lol that is when
2006-08-06 01:37:09 · answer #10 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋