Why do many Americans enjoy watching,reading and listening to things that are stupid, untrue or mean?

Question

I am an American and I find that a majority of the America's mainstream media is stupid, untrue and mean. Why do these things appeal to the American public?
Ann Coulter's book "Godless: the church of Liberalism" untrue,bullying and mean spirited
American T.V: mostly consisting of pointless "reality" shows containing lots of "drama" and the rest are acted shows containing lots of "drama" or shows like "Maury" "Jerry Springer" or "Dr. Phil" Not to mention the stupid commercials.
American news: in one hour contains about 5 minutes of news and 55 minutes of mostly biased, bashing commentary or two people yelling and interrupting one another
American talk radio: alot of obnoxious, mean, biased, bashing yelling
American sports radio: more obnoxious yelling
Why are these things so popular in America?

Answer 1

These things are popular because of many reasons, but mainly because they take people out of reality and into another world. Many of us just go through the same routine in life and would like different oddities to make it more exciting.

The thing is, everyone has this kind of guilty pleasure, even you. I noticed you didn't say reading romance novels or watching/acting in plays. What are their purpose?

Answer 2

Most people would sooner die than think; in fact, they do so. - Bertrand Russell

Well it's not only in America but I will admit it definitely seems worse over there.Several things going on.The commercials can be explained by the ideology we live under in the West.They call it democracy but face it,we are consumers first and citizens second.You try to walk for fifteen minutes in every city in the Industrialized world without being indoctrinated to "buy stuff" by billboards,commercials or even pure harassment in the form of promo teams.Now imagine that instead of advertising that were pictures or propaganda for the regime and you will see the truth.This is a brave new world,a totalitarian regime with consumerism as its ideology.

The media preserve the existing power relations by keeping the masses quiet with fairy-tales: sport, cowboy books, soaps, police series, quizzes, the glitter world of the jet set, etceteras. They give also information but their prime function is control and amusement. "Give the people bread and games" was said in remote ages and the media take a central position in this slogan. Organising profitable Olympic Games transforms information about bread and games in money. Only the elite has the power to transform information in profit. Some publications are specially written for the elite. Fortune, Robb’s Journal, International Affairs and other specialised magazines tell the elite about the own situation. But information is only power for those who can connect information with forcing deeds. The masses cannot make large-scale publicity nor can they benefit from publicity.

Most media outlets are owned by a handful of conservative corporations and individuals, and funded by usually economically conservative advertisers who have no need for an educated, alert, independent and critical citizenry. What they need is a dumb, bored, cynical and apathetic public that has abandoned all critical faculties and is easily distracted by celebrity gossip and mindless sports games. A public that will believe anything it is told, or nothing at all, which amounts to the same end result. This pro-corporate conservative bias of the media is well-documented and shows itself in consistent under-reporting or ignoring of any information that would lead people to question the fundamental status quo.

Answer 3

not enough funding for libraries is someone has not been killed outside one no one is interested. or they feel the shows supply them with information on those politicians who are always offering promise to the public that it will be different this time dear''. glee in seeing someone they feel betrayed them taken down by someone verbally. as if it is not all contrived. maybe because a true issue like the impact warfare has on the lives of people and the impact it has on the environment has not been explored or education emplaced on it. no will power to resist the siren call of goods orif they do it is only to pause see which Dictator has been metaphorically caught in bed with which administration after which the standard gasp and recrimminations then buisness as usual shop you wonderfull drones shop.

Answer 4

Because people don't like to have to think about things. They also like phrases and language with no meaning, like "that's hot" and idolize people that say that kind of junk. Also, as I noticed, children get some kind of satisfaction from putting people down, so it's only logical that programs like that are popular, especially with kids.

Edit: When I went to high school, I was always called "gothic" and accused of worshiping the devil because I didn't dress in freakin' American Eagle and favored dark colors. Go figure, look at the source of where that stuff is coming from, the best thing to do is just ignore it, because we all know those people aren't going to get very far with their attitudes.

Answer 5

Because ordinary joes and janes don't warrant attention. It's the controversial issues that receive it. For instance, Dr. MLK is a fine example. Ghandi is another example, too.

It's all about the bottom line.

Answer 6

Pure entertainment value only. We like to laugh at stupid things!

Answer 7

One word - There is - Sin - in their lives.
The world needs Jesus Christ badly

Not many like Ann Coulter's analysis, but I have to hand it to her, she is telling the truth!

Other than that - refer to sentence one in this message.

Answer 8

Because they are all outrageous and shocking.
It peppers an otherwise mundane existence with postulations you wouldn't dare say in public but would like to.

Answer 9

It's like a trainwreck, or tornado. It's in our nature. Probably makes us feel better about our own ordinary lives.

Answer 10

Just think where you would be without T.V. And then pull the plug.