the world would be a happier place? The media is always telling us what we should eat, how we should dress, what we should have, where we should travel, where we should live, etc. constantly. If we didn't have these influences, could we actually enjoy and be happy with a simple life?
2007-10-08 08:24:40 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Senior Citizens
These were some excellent responses to my question. Wish I could give everyone best answer because you deserve it. Lots of good points made.
2007-10-09 03:43:49 · update #1
Oh yes, whether we think we are or not, we are all greatly influenced, or even controlled by the media. People long ago learned to stop thinking for themselves for most things; the ones who do are regarded as eccentrics and oddballs. Everybody wants to fit it, so they just go along with what someone else decides is best for us. Then we will travel somewhere, or see a certain movie or show, or dine at a certain restaurant, or buy a certain product because we have been convinced it is the thing to do and feel we should enjoy it. And if we don't we think that somehow it is our fault. If we were to think for ourselves, we might enjoy life a lot more and do some of the things we actually like instead of what someone else likes.
2007-10-08 08:48:43 · answer #1 · answered by William 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I hope that I'm reading your question correctly. I'm assuming that you are asking specifcally about the influence of the media........
Like anything else in life, the influence of the media can have good results or poor results. Overdosing on anything can cause problems. Not being discerning can cause problems. Being too passive can stunt our growth...physically, mentally, and emotionally.
I can't control all the things that the media produces. I can control how I consume the things that media produces. I think that maybe the 'tail is wagging the dog' a bit......we wouldn't be bombarded so much if it didn't pay off.....not only can we tune out, but we can also spend our time and other resources more wisely.
I've always been a bit of a pain....."why should I?" has always been a question I ask. So, the media telling me that "I should" anything may give my pause to think, but I still ask "why".
2007-10-08 10:17:52 · answer #2 · answered by ? 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think so, but it would take some getting used to and it wouldn't be easy. Many people have tried to live this way and it hasn't always worked. It's a lot harder. That doesn't mean it couldn't work. When I was a kid in the 50's, I used to play outside after school and wasn't allowed TV until my homework was done. In our home now, we don't pay much attention to the media, except to watch a few shows on TV and catch the evening news. We mute the ads.
That's an interesting question.
2007-10-08 08:52:52 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What a great question!
I do enjoy and am happy with a simple life, especially after all of the years of confusion in the working world. It's good to have a break, most of the time. The fact that I work at home, on my own time, really adds to the simplicity.
I don't have cable, therefore, don't have a lot of outside influence. When I'm on the net, have pop-ups blocked and never click on anything I'm not really interested in. That's one of the joys of simplicity. If it doesn't interest, I don't participate.
It gives me time to do the things that I really and truly enjoy and not be bogged down by existential non-necessity.
Simplicity......Ah, yes, 'tis the joy of this girl's life.
2007-10-08 08:49:04 · answer #4 · answered by Cranky 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Absolutly. I've pretty much lived in cities. Then when I moved to a rural area......boy was life so much simpler. The kids weren't comparing who got what where.....what the biggest name brand was.....what speciality store you shopped in and all sorts of other things. Now back in the city...sort of.....and it's back to trying to keep up with the Jones' etc. Who's house has the most decorations or best most perfect flower garden...not enough to have a bush....now it has to be a sculptured bush....silly stuff.....I don't play the game but so many do. Or atleast feel pressured to. Especially those with kids.
I miss being able to not have my hair done and just put on what keeps you warm whether it matches perfectly or not, to shovel the driveway without being the object of comments from the neighborhood. LOL I can say it was a huge pressure off, the brief time I got to experience it.
2007-10-08 10:24:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You are so right! When I was a child ,as has been mentioned on a previous answer ,we were healthier and more fit without help from the media. We had meals cooked from scratch and played out after school to work it off and slept at night without any medication.Now if we could just find a nice place in the country away from all this traffic noise.
2007-10-08 08:34:13 · answer #6 · answered by Donna 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I try not to let the media influence my choices. I eat what I like with good view to healthy, but don't buy food or go to a restaurant just because of the commercials, in fact I rarely eat fast food. This is due to other media pushed "stuff" as well.
2007-10-08 08:33:09 · answer #7 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To be alone, with no external influence, would mean that every individual would be unaware of any other beings, and would have no way to communicate if they were eventually to meet others. However, this is an impossible situation for the human creature, because influence external to each human creature is necessary for reproduction.
We could not not be happy or unhappy; we would not exist.
2007-10-08 08:41:59 · answer #8 · answered by Pilgrim 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If we were left on own we would not know of wars, disasters, world events that should be known of. I agree however that the media does influnce our decisions, and the propaganda machine is out of control. What would you do without youre computer, would you be happier? It's hard to decide 'what if' when you only know of this way. If you did not know the disadvantages of the media, would you be interested in the broad spectrum of possibilities for good?
2007-10-08 10:44:11 · answer #9 · answered by ? 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the news/entertainment media plays a huge part in human culture and the way we think and behave. That's how they and business people make big money, because, to them, life is all about money and influence. Its extremely difficult to lead a simple life in these times, because they continuously inject themselves into every ones lives. Its their jobs to convince all of us that this is the product you 'need', this is the type of 'music' and 'styles' that is the latest and greatest and you must partake in them so that you will be very hip, this is the culture you should accept so that you won't be labeled a "______". (fill in the blank; many labels to choose from).
2007-10-08 08:46:14 · answer #10 · answered by TRAF 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋