Why is the USA more interested in "Fun" TV than the news about Iraq?

Answer 1

I'll try to be as brief as possible.

A) According to the 2000 census, 60,811,719 of the United States' population (298,444,215 people) was under the age of 15. Now you may venture to say that the ones that can watch television and make an educated decision to choose to watch the news or "fun" tv can be as young as twelve, though there have been instances in which other children have been interested in politics and war at younger ages. But... the average, run-of-the-mill teenager can't tell you anything about war or politics. The fact is: that those 60,811,719 teenagers would much rather watch American Idol (for the latter ages) or Spongebob Squarepants (for the younger) than watch and try to understand a news-cast.

B) Not everyone even owns a television. We're talking about the 98 out of 100 people who live in a home that can make this decision. The homeless don't usually watch television, unless they're lucky enough to catch a news report here and there. Yet, they could just as easily feel the negative results of this warm. Most homeless just want to get off of the street.

It all goes along with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. At the base comfort level is the desire to satisfy hunger, thirst, and fatigue. Just above that is the desire to be safe and out of danger. Now, I don't know about you, but my front yard isn't being bombed every day. The average Joe doesn't walk out to get the paper with coffee cup in hand, look to his left and get shot. Point being, that the 67% of the US population which is between 15 and 64 are more often than not worried about the lower things on the pyramid, which take presidence over watching people blow themselves from bejeesus and back.

Higher up is the need to love and be loved (relationships). Just above that is the need to achieve and be recognized (usually work or school related). Above that, is the category in which I would place "watching the news for information on the war in Iraq". "Need to explore and understand". The need to explore and understand the war, to know specifics about its goings-on is very low on the list of a run-of-the-mill American's agenda. I admit, I'm a little shaky on the inference that it should fall into the aesthetic category... but it certainly has very little baring on the immediate physical and emotional well-being of people. You don't feel hungry or tired if you don't watch the news... you also don't cry yourself to sleep if you miss a report on a suicide bomber. The common every day man knows that death will take place... when it is close to them and strikes a close nerve, they're upset... otherwise he's almost numb to indirect consequence.

C) There are approximately 1.4 million people in the armed forces. I'm sure that they would like to see this war come to an end. They are the ones on the front line. They're not concerned with who is killing who on a soap opera or how what celebrity is having a baby this week. But I bet... once they get back... the first thing they do after visiting loved ones... is sit down and enjoy an hour or so of "fun" tv.

My point is... the people who can choose what they watch and who aren't limited either by literacy (those who can't speak English or understand what's going on), pure attention span boundaries (those who simply do other things... the ones who don't watch the news or "fun" tv), and age (our 2-month olds don't care about Iraq)... are simply busy... or use television as a means of winding down. And those that do care: the politicians, soldiers (and their families), as well as the informed general populace feel it's more important than who America's next Idol will be.

Answer 2

Because the media is 'spinning' the news to fit their political agenda. They have been consistently giving you a negative and distorted view of the war and conditions in Iraq. Look at the entire 'Blackwater' issue. The State Department cannot promise anybody immunity - but the press is trying to make you think they did. BTW - have you noticed that the media has made sure that you only got to hear form the accusers? They have very carefully kept you from hearing Blackwater's side of the story? Does this not make you suspicious?

Answer 3

First of all, the conservative-biased media distorts the news and brings a 'sameness' to journalism that makes it uninteresting, and often inaccurate or incomplete.
Secondly, the conservative-biased media has conditioned the average American to favor 'pop' news instead of hard news. Even the "commentaries" are 'fluff' - more about personalities and celebrities. That's why Americans are more interested in "fun" TV other than hard news about George W. Bush's illegal and unconstitutional 'war' in Iraq.Tragically, most Americans can't name the new Secretary of Defense, but they know all abut Britney Spears' divorce and Tom Cruise's marriage. -RKO-

Answer 4

because the war in Iraq have stress this country completely out and it's good to just get away from what going on over thier somtime and laugh and have some fun .

Answer 5

The media in US is stupid...AS you said they care about fun, entertainment and crazy gossips more than important events like Iraq, Iran and the world in general and you know what when they show that news 99% of times they are not honest...They just want to show the world that american soldiers are angles and heros while they are killed and kill innocents and raip girls!!

Answer 6

Well hasn't the elections been really important, so the stuff on Iraq should be starting to rise soon.

Answer 7

Because the media makes a whole bunch of money off us shallow folk.

Answer 8

Because reality has a liberal bias. And bad news isn't any fun.

Answer 9

Got enough problems of my own , than have to listen to someone else's

Answer 10

The war is a bore.