The mass media acting as a narcotic.

[BabyPiglet]

So in Sociology today (I know I say that a lot, sorry.) we talked about how the mass media can sort of...desensitize us to bad things that are happening. For example;

- When 9/11 first happened they showed those clips of the planes going into the towers over & over & over again for months after the fact. Right after it happened I can remember people being so courteous and friendly to their fellow Americans (well, mostly). Everyone was very patriotic and there were flags flying everywhere.

Now, it's like it never happened. People are just as rude and disrespectful as ever. I hear constantly what a messed up country we live in. It's not...a big deal? anymore.

Anyway, what'd ya think? Think it's true? Think it's psychobabble?

 

[HouseMD1120]

Yep. 50 years ago, couples werent even shown in bed together in movies. In fact, they were shown to be sleeping in separate beds. But now its not uncommon to see sex in movies. Cussing was definitely not in tv/movies. So I think that the media has totally changed how we think about things.

 

[pigletgirl]

Most definitely!

I think in todays world everything is taken for granted, and we dont understand how blessed we TRULY are.

I dunno, I dont want to start a political/religious debate, but I think alot is happening and if we're not careful things will start happening. Its time to get our act together and be real citizens of this country.

 

[BabyPiglet]

Yep. 50 years ago, couples werent even shown in bed together in movies. In fact, they were shown to be sleeping in separate beds. But now its not uncommon to see sex in movies. Cussing was definitely not in tv/movies. So I think that the media has totally changed how we think about things.

We were talking about that also today! We were comparing I Love Lucy, the Brady Bunch & Family Guy to see how the family portrayed in the media has changed over the years.

Most definitely!

I think in todays world everything is taken for granted, and we dont understand how blessed we TRULY are.

I dunno, I dont want to start a political/religious debate, but I think alot is happening and if we're not careful things will start happening. Its time to get our act together and be real citizens of this country.

I believe that.

I know a lot of people who, for example, blame the soldiers for the war. The soldiers are the ones over there FIGHTING for our country even if they don't agree with the damn war! They're doing it anyways! And the get a lot less respect than they used to for it.

Think about, there is someone out there right now fighting to keep you alive and in a comfortable country. And we sit over here on our high horses judging them for what they're doing.

Pathetic.

 

[KidGoofy]

Its mostly because people like to push the 1st Amendment but once they do something bad they shut their mouths and use the 5th...and sorry we are learning about the Amendments in my US History class now and I felt educated for once...lol

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

The media definately toys with its rights, and has that ability to make the uneducated stand out. Example, Jenny's argument about the soldiers.

 

[life of the party]

Ita

 

[BabyPiglet]

We were also talking about how one of the first prominently 'black' shows was The Cosby Show, and even it was kept conservative. They were upper middle class, doctor & a lawyer, etc.

 

[bananda]

i agree. i think we definately are being desensitised to alot of things. i think all the crime shows and violent movies are in a way making violence ok. i watch and enjoy some of these but because we see it on tv all the time, its not such a big deal in society anymore.

 

[pigletgirl]

We were also talking about how one of the first prominently 'black' shows was The Cosby Show, and even it was kept conservative. They were upper middle class, doctor & a lawyer, etc.

I loved that show!

Its a shame they dont have shows on like that anymore. Why does sex have to be put in every show? It doesnt ever add anything to the story line.

 

[hidmickey:myantidrug]

First of all, I appreciate your "today in sociology class" because when I was taking that course, every other thing I said started like that. I firmly believe that anyone who gets the opportunity to take that class should - it definitely changes how you think about things.

Anyway, there's no question the media has changed how we think, but I find that in general, this is a good thing. As far as desensitizing goes, I believe firmly that if shows like CSI are making one feel that violence is less horrid, than he/she has more issues that media desensitizing. People should be able to recognize what bad/tragic/whathaveyou deserves attention, despite what certain shows might depict. But that's just me.

 

[BabyPiglet]

First of all, I appreciate your "today in sociology class" because when I was taking that course, every other thing I said started like that. I firmly believe that anyone who gets the opportunity to take that class should - it definitely changes how you think about things.

Anyway, there's no question the media has changed how we think, but I find that in general, this is a good thing. As far as desensitizing goes, I believe firmly that if shows like CSI are making one feel that violence is less horrid, than he/she has more issues that media desensitizing. People should be able to recognize what bad/tragic/whathaveyou deserves attention, despite what certain shows might depict. But that's just me.

Definitely. It makes me view the world in a different way. The class just makes me 'think' really hard about everything. It's amazing.

I came up with another example. Teenage pregnancy. A lot of the time now teen pregnancy is classified as 14 & under. What!? What about 15+, are they not teens anymore? Lately I've just noticed that when it's mentioned, they only mentioned up to 14 years old. Why is that? Maybe because we're exposed now to so many 15+ pregnant girls, that it's no longer as shocking.

 

[hidmickey:myantidrug]

I came up with another example. Teenage pregnancy. A lot of the time now teen pregnancy is classified as 14 & under. What!? What about 15+, are they not teens anymore? Lately I've just noticed that when it's mentioned, they only mentioned up to 14 years old. Why is that? Maybe because we're exposed now to so many 15+ pregnant girls, that it's no longer as shocking.

Well I feel that's an obvious issue - 15 year-olds are supposed to go out and make babies, duh. In all seriousness, though, can the media be completely blamed for that? It's not like it's glorified - look at how the media treated Bristol Palin, for example. Who would want to sign on for that?

 

[BabyPiglet]

Well I feel that's an obvious issue - 15 year-olds are supposed to go out and make babies, duh. In all seriousness, though, can the media be completely blamed for that? It's not like it's glorified - look at how the media treated Bristol Palin, for example. Who would want to sign on for that?

No, I wouldn't say they glorify it. I'd just say that we hear about it so much now it could practically be called common. That's why most people aren't as shocked when we hear about someone 15+ being pregnant.

With Bristol, I'd say most of that was probably from the liberal geared networks. It was a political campaign, and even the most insignificant things get blown up.