For instance, a yankee pitcher died in a plane crash today in NY with two other people. Everyone knows that, in fact there were literally hundreds of questions posted on here about it. However, also announced today was a pole that 650,000 Iraqis were killed since the begining of the Iraq war, and only like 10 people posted questions. Also, over 300 american soldiers died last week alone. Also, thousands of people die in car accidents every year. In fact one of my coworkers lost their dad yesterday. There are numerous other examples that don't include Iraq. But every now and then one is elevated to an extremely high status.
It also happens with more common things like the "run away" bride media frenzy a while back. How many other brides get cold feet? thousands I'm sure! Any thoughts?
2006-10-11 10:54:32 · 11 answers · asked by Wilson Wilson 3 in Social Science ➔ Sociology
You basically answered your own question...the media promotes certain items which draw a bigger audience in our get it now society, which is why we hear more about Anna Nicole Smith and Paris Hilton that bombing and car accidents. We also care more for those things or people we can more cleary identify with. The war in Iraq is a million times removed for most of the American society. We don't know anybody there and since it isn't really effecting our lifestyle, we don't care.
2006-10-11 10:59:49 · answer #1 · answered by vonwasden 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that anyone person is more important, or noteworthy, than another. I do however think that the way the media plays one up more so than another does help feed the "frenzy" that people get in over the death. As for the run-a-way bride scandal, I think that was played up in the media because they,(the media) thought it could be a big story with any type ending. She could have been abducted, killed, ran off with another man anything and the worse the ending for her the better the ratings for them and that is what it all boils down to-ratings. I mean it is the end of the baseball season and a baseball players dies in a very public way, the media could not have prayed for a better story. Not saying that the media is happy over any death, but they would be lying if they said that their ratings wont go up with the coverage. So it is not that the general public is making the life or death of one person of more value than another, it is the way that they are bombarded with coverage from the media.
2006-10-11 18:06:15 · answer #2 · answered by whatelks67 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The individual's life experience is what makes them decide how they value someone else's life. Let's say a singer died. If you did not know of their music and life, you may not care as much if they died as someone who was actually touched by the way they sang a certain song or something. Maybe a song helped an individual get through a hard time in their life. It's just part of human nature I suppose.
2006-10-11 18:06:20 · answer #3 · answered by nite_raideress 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone experiences Death..usually before it becomes their own truth...Many become distant and cold and could care less about the lives/deaths of others....The "Enemy" is usually the one whose death is embraced with joy by those who consider said death a relief, whereas if some one close to them dies...they are crushed...All life must come to an end...even if it seems early. The significance of life becomes evident when it seems it will be lost. For a moment..consider those who have died trying to attain a valiant goal...such as winning a war.....They know the risk..they take it...and quite possibly save others in the process....Deceased people have cold feet...if you Love him....Marry him...Life is short.
2006-10-11 18:41:46 · answer #4 · answered by 35 YEARS OF INTUITION 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When its family or someone you like or love, then its very serious.
Also, in places where people are very poor, life is valued less. People even value their own lives less cuz no chance of much better happening.
2006-10-11 17:58:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was thinking the same thing. I am a little sick of this mass grieving and the media throwing tragedy after tragedy our way.
I am also sick of hearing about celebrities and their lives.
2006-10-11 18:00:39 · answer #6 · answered by Laughing Libra 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
certain amount of people care about different things as others ..
2006-10-11 18:00:16 · answer #7 · answered by StarShine G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
familiarity with the victims, I'm assuming.
2006-10-11 18:02:08 · answer #8 · answered by P. K. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we only care about important people
2006-10-11 22:20:58 · answer #9 · answered by A 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
its all about the media
2006-10-11 17:57:26 · answer #10 · answered by francheska 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋