Does The Media Have Too Influence?

Question

Does anyone think the media has WAY too much infuence on people? And I'm NOT just talking about teenagers and kids. The same goes for adults. These days I think the difference between children and being a "mature" adult is a very small margin. . . very small. The media seem's like a new religion. From Dr. Phil. sex and the city, the house wives ect.

What do you think, does the media have to much influence?

I MEANT

(TOO MUCH INFLUENCE!!)

EXCUSE THE MISTAKE. . .

Answer 1

Well mentalMarathoner --
One only has to do a brief study of the psychology of brain washing and then spend any time at all reviewing current media and its social influences to have a fairly clear vision of the answer on this one !!
Media tells us what is acceptable, what is not, how we should be thinking, what image we should be projecting, what politics to follow, etc etc etc --- the list is dang near endless !!
They do this a ways that the general public are totally unaware of (and some say -- couldn't care less about) and by methods that are so instilled into our culture at this point that to be without them consistantly feeding us "the REAL stuff" we, as a social order, would literally be lost !!!
All of this in the mix --- it is easy to say that media has FAR too much influence within our present day world --- a view that THEY would readily argue with -- for they see themselves (at least in the "public view") as being the simple providers of those inputs that people WANT and ASK FOR !!! Kinda neat --- huh ? --- They tell people what they should be wanting -- then THEY provide that FOR them !!!

Answer 2

Most definitely yes! It comes down to money, the corporations air what gets good ratings, and in turn they get advertisment money. So my question is, are we just brainless pawns feeding on this garbage sitting there and enjoying this crap, the insignificant dramas that unfold before us? Have we always been this stupid, this shallow, or this ignorant? Thinking that what we see playing out on the devils screen is what is truely going on in the world. I for one can't believe it. Did the television somehow brainwash everyone, dumbing them down to mere potatoes? Without the ability to even see how corny, how unrealistic, and how completely absurd the shows they watch are. Or maybe we have always been this way, following along behind what is "in". Not really giving it a second thought because its how we were raised or we just dont care enough to try to change it. Maybe we are scared to be outcast because our views dont fit in with the mainstream, what the media plays. So we conform and follow the leader, because its easier then having a real voice. We speak others words, and we act like the movies stars, we want what they have because its pretty, sexy, cool, or hip. The media has way to much influence, listen to the conversations in your office, in a coffee shop, in class, in the supermarket, etc. When the topic of peoples conversation is about the latest episode of Desperate House Wives, before they even say "hello, how is your day going?" Just look around and you'll see for yourself.

Answer 3

Most of what's offered via tv or movies is pure, unadulturated crapola. there seems to have been a brain drain in hollywood, probably because of the overuse of crack. You know when you're high, you think you've come up with fantastic and original ideas but if you stay clean for any amount of time, you then realize the absurdity of your thoughts and behavior while high. they haven't come down yet.

I personally, have begun buying books again and watch tv selectively. I haven't been to a 'movie' in years - they all look the same to me - guns, violence, blood, slaughter, and sex - the stuff of 9 year olds.

Answer 4

The shows you specifically mention are for ENTERTAINMENT. We seem to have forgotten this and have elevated "the media" to demagogue status. We are not without responsibility when it comes to our participation (either active or passive) with the media. We must continue to question, evaluate, discriminate (in the sense of "sorting out"), and not mindlessly accept whatever they throw at us as some absolute "truth."