Are we really all that influenced by the media?

There is no doubt that the Media is our main source of information. Its when we turn on the news in the morning, drive by a billboard or read the newspaper. Recently, a lot of my teachers have been warning us about the Media and its negative affects. I'd like to look at the other side of it as well.

How much do we even trust the media? As time goes by we seem to realize how slanted and subtlety opinionated all media is. It is extremely difficult to look at things from an objective point of view. Those that can truly do it have an exponential amount of willpower and self-control. If we see a picture of a girl on a magazine where her bones are sticking out most of us know that is not healthy and that girl needs help. We might even find it repulsive. If someone very liberal is bashing someone very conservative or vice versa we know its not the most reliable resource.

My second argument is that people hear what they want to hear. We see what we want to see. For example, an unpleasant threat being ignored. A hardcore republican that refusing to watch anything but Fox news. The media doesn't influence us because we only pay attention to the things we want to anyway.

OK, so maybe these are a bit extreme. In reality nothing is this clear cut. I actually believe that while the media does influence us greatly it does not control our lives. The important thing is you hear both sides before forming a strong opinion.

Click here to read another view on this topic. It is by Mats and its quite interesting.

Thanks for reading!

Now Taking Requests

Some of my friends and followers have interesting new ideas for me to write a blog post on. My next few posts will be in response to your requests :) If you have an idea post it in the comment section. I'd love to hear from you!

A nobel effort at peace prize.

Hey you guys! As you mostly likely know, Barack Obama has received the Nobel Peace Prize. Didn't see that one coming! Don't get me wrong Obama has done his share. He's off to a respectable start. That being said, has there really been a specific even that warrants him for this prize? It's one thing to give someone recognition for starting something with good intentions and a possibility for growth. It is another thing to bestow such an honor upon someone who hasn't "gotten their feet wet" yet.(Compared to other winners)There has to have been another nominee that deserved it more. In my opinion this has little to do with Obama. It's more of a snub at the the Bush Administration.

Any thoughts, ideas, opinions, comments etc? Post em here :)

The Reality of Reality T.V

This isn't a post saying how reality TV isn't real at all. On the contrary I'm saying it is real.

-Reality T.V show contestants often have an idealistic or even unrealistic appearance. The summer TV show More to Love talked about how the average female reality contestant were a size 2 and that's certainly not reality.

It is however, common for the media to have a warped view on reality and put the most attractive and or compelling people on television. That's the true reality of it all. Why should Reality T.V be any different? The only difference is the show doesn't start out completely with scripted action. There is somewhat of an unpredictability factor here.


-Parts of these shows are predetermined and contestants are even given scripts. The real parts are edited out if they are even there at all.

Isn't it true that companies, schools and families retain from sharing information that will make them look terrible? Reality television is the same way. In fact, that just makes it more realistic. The only way to know what is really happening would be to be there yourself. If a contestant said something dreadful about a show that revealed something secret of course the producers will not air it.

-Reality T.V promotes easy success with little work.

In life a select few will always get a lucky break. It may be unfair but it just is.

If you have anything to say about reality TV I'd love to hear it and will offer an alternate point of view if applicable :) Thanks for reading!