Television Blues

How is it that we, the people, watch television without the bi-lingual conscious that what we are viewing is neither real nor totally unreal? Television is a world in of itself. It is a parallel universe which is composite of cameras, directors, producers, writers, make-up artists, hair stylists, stylists, and designers who are never, with regards to some exceptions, present before us to view but which in fact control the images for which we process as entertainment. How is that after 100 years plus of motion pictures does this fact not resonate with the general public which consumes it. We need to be media literate. It isn't as though there is no truth in what we see on TV but frankly there is much more that the eye can see. People we need to be cognitive of that. There is no more quality in information which is neatly packaged into a reality television show, news or movie than your home videos. It’s like comparing the packaging of a Tiffany's gift to a Target gift. One has a distinct branding that is recognizable and the other is just cheaper. But who's to say which one is more valuable? The buyer or the seller? I choose the buyer. I am the viewer: one person in an audience. TV can try and sell me these stories, ideas and such but I know where the real power stands.

Media, with the exception to the internet thank God, is one of the few products available where the consumer pays before they receive it. I consider that one of the biggest scams ever. Personally, I've walked out of movies that offended me or were inappropriately rated. I've even written letters and made calls to studios and the rating company. But I'm one person. Most people won't even bother to give feedback and even if they wanted to there isn't a bee line available anyway. We are too passive when it comes to our entertainment. After all, it's just a form of communication to which we are entitled to communicate right back. Who knows what the media will look like 50 years from now? As we hit our middle age and presume enormous responsibilities I hope to see one of them to be in the 21st Century that we exercise our privilege for ourselves and for our children so they will look at us not with scorn but with respect that we knew something and did more than what was expected of us.

I'm stepping down from my soapbox now.

© Unpublished 2009