here's an interesting article i found on politico about the downfall of traditional media, (ominous music playing)
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/28822.html#
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Sure, Kenny
So, following up on Kenny's post that focuses on comedy and news, and partially (mostly) because I love love love Stephen Colbert, I present to you a video:
What I love about this, among so many other things, is that it obviously mocks some of the more ridiculous aspects of the gay rights debate (I feel like everyone's arguments become ridiculous in this debate). But I think it highlights something else, too.
Personally, I think that the saucy, edgy, sexy (sexually oriented?) story about the gays fighting for their rights is very media-friendly. There is definitely an argument to be made about the momentum of the movement (I'm thinking of a certain proposition in California in particular) and its relation to the insane amounts of media support. What's not to love about the story? You can film crazy-eyed religious figures, spitting upon the damned souls whilst the flamboyant gay men kiss in front of them. You can't write scripts this saucy! And the human interest stories! You interview a religious figure (I don't know why I imagine a Southern accent here...) who recounts how it is devaluing the rights of her marriage and the tragic degradation of family. And then you interview a nice, modest gay couple who have been together for a decade and only want rights (marriage, visitation, insurance, etc), because one of them has cancer. Everyone knows that sex always sells, and there's nothing sexier than sex - except gay sex, apparently.
Thoughts?
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| The Word - Don't Ask Don't Tell | ||||
| ||||
What I love about this, among so many other things, is that it obviously mocks some of the more ridiculous aspects of the gay rights debate (I feel like everyone's arguments become ridiculous in this debate). But I think it highlights something else, too.
Personally, I think that the saucy, edgy, sexy (sexually oriented?) story about the gays fighting for their rights is very media-friendly. There is definitely an argument to be made about the momentum of the movement (I'm thinking of a certain proposition in California in particular) and its relation to the insane amounts of media support. What's not to love about the story? You can film crazy-eyed religious figures, spitting upon the damned souls whilst the flamboyant gay men kiss in front of them. You can't write scripts this saucy! And the human interest stories! You interview a religious figure (I don't know why I imagine a Southern accent here...) who recounts how it is devaluing the rights of her marriage and the tragic degradation of family. And then you interview a nice, modest gay couple who have been together for a decade and only want rights (marriage, visitation, insurance, etc), because one of them has cancer. Everyone knows that sex always sells, and there's nothing sexier than sex - except gay sex, apparently.
Thoughts?
Thursday, October 22, 2009
comedy and news
so here's my problem. i'm a conservative guy, but i like to think that i'm not a mindless sheep who follows the shouts and calls of the demagogues on the ultimately doomed march of irrational thinking.
because of that i try to avoid watching fox news not only because of its strongly conservative stripe but also because it doesn't present itself in a way that i feel gives their ideology the credit it deserves. the conservative movement when pursued in a rational way is completely legitimate and deserves the attention of people who care about the workings of the world.
so i had heretofore tried to get my television media info from msnbc (which besides fox is the only network show we get)because although i knew it was more left-leaning i'd rather at least here someone disagree with me in a civil way than agree with me and invoke Christianity and traditional reactionary values in a very loud voice.
then i watched this video that prof.strickler had us watch on olbermann where he bashes my Church (never a good way to get on my good side) and then proceeds to lambast his opponents on fox. and he yells. and i wonder, "good hell, is this what it has come to?" bill o'reilly and keith olbermann are the exact same person, just with a slightly different speech. they use fear, anger, and division to inspire their watchers to attack the opposition without even thinking about the legitimacy of their positions. i hate how bill o'reilly says protesting is un-patriotic and i hate how olbermann says that all of our problems are a result of Christianity and the bush administration.
so imagine my joy when i came across these links where jon stewart and colbert proceed to throw it in the faces of those who represent everything i've come to hate about mass media. i post these links for your enjoyment (because they are hilarious) but also for musings and introspection.
colbert also poses an interesting hypothesis where he says that he's pretty sure kids are already somewhat informed or they wouldn't understand the humor that he and jon use. i'm not sure about that, but it's hopeful to contemplate.
jon stewart shreds crossfire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFQFB5YpDZE
jon stewart on bill o'reilly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5pK7sK0i4A&NR=1
stephen colbert on the o'reailly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QquTUR9nbC4&NR=1
because of that i try to avoid watching fox news not only because of its strongly conservative stripe but also because it doesn't present itself in a way that i feel gives their ideology the credit it deserves. the conservative movement when pursued in a rational way is completely legitimate and deserves the attention of people who care about the workings of the world.
so i had heretofore tried to get my television media info from msnbc (which besides fox is the only network show we get)because although i knew it was more left-leaning i'd rather at least here someone disagree with me in a civil way than agree with me and invoke Christianity and traditional reactionary values in a very loud voice.
then i watched this video that prof.strickler had us watch on olbermann where he bashes my Church (never a good way to get on my good side) and then proceeds to lambast his opponents on fox. and he yells. and i wonder, "good hell, is this what it has come to?" bill o'reilly and keith olbermann are the exact same person, just with a slightly different speech. they use fear, anger, and division to inspire their watchers to attack the opposition without even thinking about the legitimacy of their positions. i hate how bill o'reilly says protesting is un-patriotic and i hate how olbermann says that all of our problems are a result of Christianity and the bush administration.
so imagine my joy when i came across these links where jon stewart and colbert proceed to throw it in the faces of those who represent everything i've come to hate about mass media. i post these links for your enjoyment (because they are hilarious) but also for musings and introspection.
colbert also poses an interesting hypothesis where he says that he's pretty sure kids are already somewhat informed or they wouldn't understand the humor that he and jon use. i'm not sure about that, but it's hopeful to contemplate.
jon stewart shreds crossfire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFQFB5YpDZE
jon stewart on bill o'reilly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5pK7sK0i4A&NR=1
stephen colbert on the o'reailly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QquTUR9nbC4&NR=1
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
‘Reconstruction of American Journalism’
This article, "New financial models & university role proposed for ‘Reconstruction of American Journalism’" was extraordinarily interesting considering our current role as students at a public university.
Any thoughts? Does journalism need to be reconstructed to survive?
Also, I just loved this Twitter I saw today:
@aplusk RT @zaibatsu "For all of the media covering #balloonboy, I have 3 words for you = Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq."
XOXO SER
Any thoughts? Does journalism need to be reconstructed to survive?
Also, I just loved this Twitter I saw today:
@aplusk RT @zaibatsu "For all of the media covering #balloonboy, I have 3 words for you = Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq."
XOXO SER
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
1st Amendment Was Never So Thrilling
About a month ago I was flipping through Redbox movies when I stumbled upon this great flick that I’d recommend checking out. At the time I watched this, my political science class was discussing specific rights the press enjoys, one of which comes into controversy and creates the premise of this movie. Should a journalist’s source be allowed immunity regardless of circumstances? Between the three exceptions dictated by the Supreme Court and the Constitution reading “Congress shall make no law… or abridge freedom of the press,” I’m still left scratching my head. This smart, dramatic thriller will get your blood pumping and provoke some thought. Best of all, it’s based on true events and if nothing else, you get to watch a great cast of A-class celebrities including Alan Alda from MASH.
Picture and information retrieved at http://www.nothingbutthetruthfilm.com/
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
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