One recurring theme to this blog is my frustration with the entertainmentization of the news by most media—the moving away from relevant news and toward celebrity-focused content. Even though I was too young to appreciate when the news was considered a community service and a public trust, I really miss the concept.
What passes for news these days is not relevant, not news, and not even worth knowing.
Exhibit A: Nonstop coverage of the trial of Michael Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, who is accused of causing the singer's death. Even if there were some evil motive behind what happened, as opposed to it being just a tragic mistake, it still wouldn't merit such extreme attention. To whom does this case matter in the real world?
Exhibit B: Breathless coverage of the back entrance to the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, because the President of the United States's car would soon be entering. Not newsworthy.
Exhibit C: Top story at noon: famous-for-no-good-reason Kim Kardashian filing for divorce from a white athlete after what must have been a hellish two months of marriage. I'm sick that I even know who this couple is although it gives me an idea for a new policy on giving wedding gifts...
Exhibit D: Allegations that presidential candidate Herman Cain was accused of sexual harassment by two different women 20 years ago. I'm not even going to argue about this story's relevance. My bigger concern is that this story came from one, and only one, source: Politico.com. Yes, the site has a great reputation. But it seems no other media outlets even feel the need to confirm this story with any independent investigations of their own, despite the fact that EVERY ONE OF THEM is retelling this story. That's not reporting, it's repeating. You know, like gossip.
Maybe in addition to having a "Most Popular" category, websites could also introduce a "Most Relevant." Instead of corporate moguls letting individuals decide what is news, howzabout just giving us actual news? And when I want something else, I'll go to TMZ.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Latest Brilliant Idea
Another genius idea for someone else to take and run with:
While a Like button and even a Dislike button are useful, they are not terribly helpful with specifics. How about being able to express different degrees of online Like?
LIKE LIKE - You might want to use this designation when you like a person who perhaps doesn't know your feelings, perhaps because you are in junior high school.
LIKE BUT - From high school on, you will likely find yourself more than once in a situation where you Like someone, but not the way he/she likes you.
LIKE MORE - Your feelings are growing for this person. Perhaps he/she has done something recently to get your attention and interest. This shows it was a success!
LIKE NOT - Someone you definitely liked at another time, but no longer do.
LIKE SO - You like someone who thinks you don't, and you want to set him/her straight.
LIKEWISE - To describe a person with whom you have a lot in common. And people who like us must be wise, right?
While a Like button and even a Dislike button are useful, they are not terribly helpful with specifics. How about being able to express different degrees of online Like?
LIKE LIKE - You might want to use this designation when you like a person who perhaps doesn't know your feelings, perhaps because you are in junior high school.
LIKE BUT - From high school on, you will likely find yourself more than once in a situation where you Like someone, but not the way he/she likes you.
LIKE MORE - Your feelings are growing for this person. Perhaps he/she has done something recently to get your attention and interest. This shows it was a success!
LIKE NOT - Someone you definitely liked at another time, but no longer do.
LIKE SO - You like someone who thinks you don't, and you want to set him/her straight.
LIKEWISE - To describe a person with whom you have a lot in common. And people who like us must be wise, right?
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