On the bright side...

Yes, the "reflections" of who we supposedly are (or should be) as a society found in todays commercials are generally not the most positive influences... However, they are the brightest and most eye catching of the constellation of television advertisements. Because of this, we are subconsciously overlooking the bits of genuine "encouragement" thrown in here and there. 

Believe it or not,  commercials, shows, and films that advocate self acceptance- without wanting you to spend money are broadcasted and able to be viewed almost as often as the others.

These are my favorites, but others due exist. The best part is, they actually attempt to show real people of diverse backgrounds, but primarily focus on the their message- not their promotion.

haha...

"Whoever controls the media - the images - controls the culture."

-Allen Ginsberg

"TV is the most powerful thing that has ever been invented."

-Ozzy Osbourne

What do you think?

Our Influence.

            It is no secret that the media promote practically shoves promotional information on the "fresh and new"down our throats- and let's be honest, many of us passively digest it.
            It is not exactly hard to be able to notice this, for 90% of this planet has been influenced or affected by the voice of the media one way or another, and television is just one media. Still, television is a medium in which combines visual and audio elements and continues to have an esteemed sway. The importance of having the ability to choose for oneself whether or not you share the same beliefs that are constantly projected on television is a great one.
            I mean, have you ever really paid close attention to the people and the loves they lead featured in the hundreds of commercials you see on a daily basis? What is generally seen is a montage of the advocated step by step guide of how to be a "better" human being. Obviously, to be this better being is practically impossible- according to the media's standards. There really is just too much to buy, and far too many bodily and personality adjustments to be made.
Of course, one's first thought might gravitate toward the many negative effects women suffer involving body image. However, 

-males are affected in this way as well
-teens - early 20s-- affected with the pressure to wear the right things, buy the best tampons and acne wash, have the newest technology, listen to the latest music, download the latest apps -->keeping up with pop culture

-mid-late 20's-- be in a steady relationship sure on its way to being marriage, having a nice car, purchasing your first home
-30's-40's-- buy the best products for your home, feed your family with the best and "healthiest" food,  wear the top workout gear while being on the best possible diet, stock up on anti-wrinkle cream 
-50's-70's-- find the best doctor, be on the best meds
-80's---- plan your will


It's easy to see who is targeted.


"In general, my children refuse to eat anything that hasn't danced on television"
-Erma Bombeck

"I'm always amazed that people will actually choose to sit in front of the television and just be savaged by stuff that belittles their intelligence"
-Alice Walker

What do you think?

Vox Pop.

Television is simply automated day-dreaming.  

~Lee Lovinger

Television:  chewing gum for the eyes.  

~Frank Lloyd Wright

Television!  Teacher, mother, secret lover.  

~Homer Simpson, The Simpsons

All television is children's television.  

~Richard P. Adler


Television has proved that people will look at anything rather than each other.  
~Ann Landers

I hate television.  I hate it as much as peanuts.  But I can't stop eating peanuts.  
~Orson Welles

It's the menace that everyone loves to hate but can't seem to live without.  
~Paddy Chayevsky

Television has done much for psychiatry by spreading information about it, as well as contributing to the need for it.  

~Alfred Hitchcock

Theatre is life.  Cinema is art.  Television is furniture.  
~Author Unknown

What do you think?

The (other) Hand.

Let's begin again, with a bit of backstory...

            Beginning with its birth in the U.S, November 10, 1969 on the National Educational Television network (to later become the Public Broadcasting System), Sesame Street has embraced all colors, ethnicities, cultures, and topics. Using puppets and animation to connect to children whether through lessons on arithmetic, road safety, or “the importance of basic hygiene, parents and children alike have greatly appreciated this program for years. Creator Jim Henson’s genius accumulation of themed segments and sketches was seen as innovative for a children’s program, and has been duplicated by other children’s programs throughout the years.

            Though, Sesame Street has broken the boundaries most protective parents set up for the influential stimuli being shown to their little ones. In 2002, a character called Kami who is HIV-positive was introduced to the South African version of the show, Takalani Sesame. 

At this, American parents and television executives outraged and dozens of news stories arguing against this character spread across our stations. What the outraged failed to see was that in the region of this broadcast, many families and children alike were and still are affected by this epidemic.

This raises great contemplative questions: 
-Are the influences television imposes on us always simply positive or negative? 

-Will viewers ever be satisfied with the content of television programs? 

"All television is educational television.  
The question is:  what is it teaching?" 
~Nicholas Johnson

What do you think?

Perturb the Tube.

I thought this was a great way to start. Incaaaaaase you were curious- here’s a little background.

Although, severely old school it gives a little back-story, not to mention prettyyy interesting stuff.

To expand on that, here is a somewhat straightforward, informative and controversial slice. Tell me what you think.

 It is interesting what is said about the act of sort of suppressing one’s natural response to react to violence shown to them. It all sounds very Clockwork Orange for my taste; still some attention-grabbing points are raised. For instance, the connection (or disconnection) with television and reality that is mentioned for the fact that often times life is not as exciting as the lives of our beloved television characters.

Oh, how amazing it would be to die and have a surprise and not at all unusual resuscitation, breakout into heartfelt musical moments coincidentally relating to the trials and tribulations of our everyday lives, and to actually get paid to drink, punch dance, and partayyyyy those pesky real life issues away.

Still, this provokes many questions:

-If we are truly scientifically programmed to react to such collages of images, can we really ever escape the all too prominent voice before us?

-If reality is seen as inferior to the “reality” presented in television, will it change viewers’ opinions and views on their own world? Will they strive to achieve a similar reality? At what cost?

But ultimately, the question we should ask ourselves after viewing a semi-controversial video as this is- do we believe it? Do we agree? Yes, scientific information may be presented, but will that make our personal opinions on television and other media change?

Always question. Question me!

Television is an anesthetic for the pain of the modern world.  

~Astrid Alauda

What do you think?