Can we become what we watch?

Opinion

Related Photos

Discussion

June 27, 2009

Dwain Walden The Moultrie Observer Sat Jun 27, 2009, 10:39 PM EDT

Has the American society dumbed down, or is our dumbness just more pronounced with an increase in population? Is it a ratio thing?

And with broader venues of communication, are we more exposed to that dumbness?

A recent national commentary blasted the media for telling us too much about which movie stars are divorcing and too little about politics, economics and advances in science.

Of course someone must define dumbness in this analysis. I can’t exactly put that into words, but I can paint you a picture. Watch a rerun of Jay Leno’s “Battle of Jaywalking All Stars.” And no, John Wilkes Booth did not invent the telephone booth.

Now let’s talk about the chicken and the egg. Is it the media’s fault or does the fault lie with the audience? If you don’t watch, the show goes away.

Think about this, there’s 150-plus channels. They put a lot of stuff on those channels, and it’s very difficult to attract Phi Beta Kappas to all the programming.

One channel brings us nightly stories about guys and gals who drive tractor trailer rigs on icy roads. It’s called “Ice Road Truckers.” I appreciate that we have truckers skilled enough to haul pipe from Fairbanks, Alaska to Prudhoe Bay. But when I’ve watched one run, I’ve watched them all. My appreciation is duly noted.

Another channel takes us into the stormy North Pacific every night to watch crab fishermen haul in their traps. The crabs all look alike every night. There’s never a pirate’s chest hauled in. I’m very fond of crab legs. Again, my thanks to those fishermen.

Then we have the Jerry Springer Show. People come on stage in their underwear and throws chairs at one another because one found out that the other one had been sleeping around. The third party shows up in his or her underwear and a bouncer keeps them apart. I’ve often wondered why they were in their underwear. And then it hit me. That way they don’t have anywhere to conceal a weapon. All of these people look like they might audition for a remake of “Deliverance.”

The fact that people who obviously are repulsed at the idea of a Stairmaster will appear on national media in their Fruit of the Looms doesn’t concern me as much as the fact that such programming appeals to an audience. In other words, the people who like this kind of stuff may also be licensed to drive on public roads, may use public facilities and what’s really scary ... they reproduce.

And now we have high definition digital television putting this stuff in y our lap. I just bought one with a screen so big I can smell popcorn when I turn it on. It does have an impact on your senses. When the big rig started cracking through the frozen lake, I clung to a cushion, even though I don’t think it could be used as a flotation device. And when the skinny guy wearing only his boxer shorts and a paisley tie was being pummeled by the big woman, also in her undergarments, I got nauseous.

So did media create the audience, or was it already there and media responded to the demand? It’s often been said that we are what we eat. So are we also what we watch?

(Dwain Walden is editor/publisher of The Moultrie Obserer, 985-4545. E-mail: dwain.walden@gaflnews.com)

Text Only

Opinion

More data on the Battle of the Bulge
May 9, 2012 1 Photo
We better wake up
Dear editor:
Have our GOP representatives gone to sleep or are they refusing to act for the people they are supposed to represent? The Obama administration has contracted a Spanish company called SCYTAL, to tabulate the 2012 November presidential election.

May 25, 2012
Rant and Rave for 5/26/12
May 25, 2012
Rant and Rave for 5/25/12
May 24, 2012
May God bless my Uncle Henry
My uncle once noted on his return from a fishing trip that he caught so many fish he couldn’t put them all in one pile.
That’s how I feel trying to keep up with all the causes and organizations that either require support groups or else they comprise support groups.

May 23, 2012 1 Photo
A kind humanity
Dear editor:
Humanity. One word. That word can translate into many other words. Some would say humanity is dark, greedy and bent on world domination. Others may say humanity is sweet, kind and caring. I myself witnessed a small part of a loving, caring humanity the other day.

May 23, 2012
Rant and Rave for 5/24/12
May 23, 2012
Why it's a bad tax
Dear editor:
In regards to the Transportation TSplost Tax: The statement, “Economic development suffers if we don’t pass this tax” is not a valid statement, because Georgia has always been behind the 8 ball in regards to transportation, but yet look at the growth we have experienced; being behind in transportation didn't hinder economic growth. Georgia now ranks 11th in the country as of 2010 and this occurred mostly since 1995. The economic vitality of Georgia is alive and well considering the slump the country is in.

May 22, 2012
Rant and Rave for 5/23/12
May 22, 2012
I am saddened
Dear editor:
A couple of weeks ago, I attended Field Day at Sunset Elementary where my oldest daughter attends the Pre-K program. I was deeply saddened to hear that Mrs. Vicky Watson will be retiring this year.

May 21, 2012
More Opinion Headlines

If the vote were held today, would you support the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax?

Opinion

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion

Can we become what we watch?

If the vote were held today, would you support the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax?

Site Map

Contact Us