In what ways do you think media is affecting society.

bobcat

bobcat

Well-known Member
Location
Northern Calif
We've all heard the expression "You are what you eat", which seems to be true with physical food as well as mental. Also, like junk food establishments everywhere, so it seems to be with the media. How careful are we about what is being selected for input, or are we at all. If you put a sponge into dirty water, guess what it absorbs. Sometimes our mind is treated like a septic tank digesting all the crap that goes in.

Does the gatekeeper just give up because it is hopeless to filter it all? Do we have a mental image of the person we desire to be, and does that match what is going in? Approximately 90% of the news is negative, and so many of us want to be positive people, but we watch it anyway, even though most of it we have no control over anyway. So just wondering in what ways do you think all the information we consume on a daily basis is affecting society?
 

bobcat48 said:
We've all heard the expression "You are what you eat", which seems to be true with physical food as well as mental. Also, like junk food establishments everywhere, so it seems to be with the media. How careful are we about what is being selected for input, or are we at all. If you put a sponge into dirty water, guess what it absorbs. Sometimes our mind is treated like a septic tank digesting all the crap that goes in.

Does the gatekeeper just give up because it is hopeless to filter it all? Do we have a mental image of the person we desire to be, and does that match what is going in? Approximately 90% of the news is negative, and so many of us want to be positive people, but we watch it anyway, even though most of it we have no control over anyway. So just wondering in what ways do you think all the information we consume on a daily basis is affecting society?
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I think there is one key element people forget about the media, and especially news media: It's made for entertainment purposes. The channels are pandering to whatever demographic they're aiming for. So we end up with right-leaning channels, and left-leaning channels.

People like to complain about bias, but it's misplaced, imo. NO media source, either mainstream or so called alternative, is truly unbiased. They will always pander to their audience. Fox isn't about to appoint a couple of extreme left-wingers, for example.

It's up to us individually to get a balanced view of things. Ironically, I've just been castigated on the forum for writing a paragraph that is 125 words long, which speaks a lot to what audiences will and won't put up with. Attention spans are down, people actively want to skim.

The only issue I have is when lies are told and reported as though it was straight off a reuters feed. Commentary and editorializing is NOT news. I admit, I see this more on the right. Still, both left and right have edged closer to hate speech in their normal broadcasts. Intolerance, insinuation, etc. Mostly what they want is advertising dollars...
 
I've heard some people get all their information from who they follow on Facebook or Twitter (or x or whatever it is today). News isn't really news anymore. It's partisan. I'm probably a bit guilty of that.

But with things going on in the world, I can switch to the major cable "news" networks and it's partisan, partisan. No real news.
 

Remy said:
I've heard some people get all their information from who they follow on Facebook or Twitter (or x or whatever it is today). News isn't really news anymore. It's partisan. I'm probably a bit guilty of that.

But with things going on in the world, I can switch to the major cable "news" networks and it's partisan, partisan. No real news.
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Aren't people we follow on Social Media also partisan? I mean, we tend to follow people we like, or feel a connection to for some reason. We essentially form our own little Social Media cocoons......
 
I'm not sure it's the media, which affects society. Maybe where you get information is not as important as to the groups you belong to. Does it matter if you get information from the net, CNN, Fox, or your neighbor? Yes, bias is bias, but the group you belong to alters your ability to judge information. An example: Democrats view Trump as corrupt, evil, etc; Republicans view Biden, as corrupt, evil, etc. Information is coming through biased outlets, but the group evaluates that information, too.
 
Gatekeeper? Who is the gatekeeper? Why do you need a gatekeeper to filter the information you are allowed to hear?

Do you want the government to be your gatekeeper to protect you from information you dislike?
 
VaughanJB said:
I think there is one key element people forget about the media, and especially news media: It's made for entertainment purposes. The channels are pandering to whatever demographic they're aiming for. So we end up with right-leaning channels, and left-leaning channels.

People like to complain about bias, but it's misplaced, imo. NO media source, either mainstream or so called alternative, is truly unbiased. They will always pander to their audience. Fox isn't about to appoint a couple of extreme left-wingers, for example.

It's up to us individually to get a balanced view of things. Ironically, I've just been castigated on the forum for writing a paragraph that is 125 words long, which speaks a lot to what audiences will and won't put up with. Attention spans are down, people actively want to skim.

The only issue I have is when lies are told and reported as though it was straight off a reuters feed. Commentary and editorializing is NOT news. I admit, I see this more on the right. Still, both left and right have edged closer to hate speech in their normal broadcasts. Intolerance, insinuation, etc. Mostly what they want is advertising dollars...
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All very true.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
I'm not sure it's the media, which affects society. Maybe where you get information is not as important as to the groups you belong to. Does it matter if you get information from the net, CNN, Fox, or your neighbor? Yes, bias is bias, but the group you belong to alters your ability to judge information. An example: Democrats view Trump as corrupt, evil, etc; Republicans view Biden, as corrupt, evil, etc. Information is coming through biased outlets, but the group evaluates that information, too.
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When I was speaking of media, that was to include social media (Groups). Sorry, I didn't explain that.
 
Myrtle said:
Gatekeeper? Who is the gatekeeper? Why do you need a gatekeeper to filter the information you are allowed to hear?

Do you want the government to be your gatekeeper to protect you from information you dislike?
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Sorry, you misunderstood the context. The "gatekeeper" is that virtual filter in your mind that decides what goes in. It has nothing to do with the government or any agency.
 
bobcat48 said:
Sorry, you misunderstood the context. The "gatekeeper" is that virtual filter in your mind that decides what goes in. It has nothing to do with the government or any agency.
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Ah! But not only!

A lot of this is driven by algorithms into which we have very little view. Recommendations is a growth industry, and it pretends to be solely about your own preferences. It's just not. Pushing product is the thing, keeping you engaged. And yes, even censoring.
 
bobcat48 said:
Sorry, you misunderstood the context. The "gatekeeper" is that virtual filter in your mind that decides what goes in. It has nothing to do with the government or any agency.
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Thanks for clearing up your intention. If it isn't clear in the beginning then current usage will be assumed. We are living in an age of government censorship of news organizations and social media platforms.

Beyond that the gatekeepers are often groups that apply pressure to conform to a certain line of thought. If you look at it objectively I think you will find that many people, often college age, want gatekeepers who censor which viewpoints are allowed to be expressed.

VaughanJB said:
Ah! But not only!

A lot of this is driven by algorithms into which we have very little view. Recommendations is a growth industry, and it pretends to be solely about your own preferences. It's just not. Pushing product is the thing, keeping you engaged. And yes, even censoring.
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And this is very true, as well.
 
I don't digest main stream media at all anymore and have not tuned in for years. One can live.

:ROFLMAO:

I do bother with some social media but have an easy time ignoring content I am not interested in. It's mainly for business and it's going well so why ruin all that with scare tactics and fearmongering? The news continues to be like "the boy who cried wolf" over and over again.
 
Interesting topic ....
An item we seem to be missing in this scenario of being fed a constant stream of of negative and slanted stuff.... is Critical Thinking...... learning to be our own filter and to change/ clean filter OFTEN. Some people do not want to think on their own and like being told or herded into things will pretend anything to not offend anyone ( clever premise to silent the masses and play the offense and victim card ).


WE have ways to look up various views and perspectives on items in the palm of out hands but i have never seen so many lemmings who just follow the crowd right off a cliff. we have convinced ourselves that we are too busy and skim or if information is clearly omitted we tell ourselves we will look up later and then we do not.
I have come to really enjoy conversations with people in real life that bought into some BS and when exposed ........ let them try to wiggle out of why they bought the BS to begin with.
 
Jeni said:
Interesting topic ....
An item we seem to be missing in this scenario of being fed a constant stream of of negative and slanted stuff.... is Critical Thinking...... learning to be our own filter and to change/ clean filter OFTEN. Some people do not want to think on their own and like being told or herded into things will pretend anything to not offend anyone ( clever premise to silent the masses and play the offense and victim card ).


WE have ways to look up various views and perspectives on items in the palm of out hands but i have never seen so many lemmings who just follow the crowd right off a cliff. we have convinced ourselves that we are too busy and skim or if information is clearly omitted we tell ourselves we will look up later and then we do not.
I have come to really enjoy conversations with people in real life that bought into some BS and when exposed ........ let them try to wiggle out of why they bought the BS to begin with.
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Yes, perhaps there is a significant mismatch between how we view ourselves, and the reality of who we are. We may want to see ourselves as a positive person, but we gravitate towards negative stuff, and we may want to see ourselves as an objective and open-minded individual, but we feed ourself biased viewpoints. It's a conundrum.
 
One more way that the 'news' media affects society is by omission. Bias is one thing, not covering big stories at all is another and it is going on in our country now at a level not seen before.

If you never get news from whatever you consider to be the 'other side' you are likely to be really surprised one day when those stories reach a point where they can no longer be ignored.

Don't keep your 'gate' shut too tightly.
 
bobcat48 said:
Yes, perhaps there is a significant mismatch between how we view ourselves, and the reality of who we are. We may want to see ourselves as a positive person, but we gravitate towards negative stuff, and we may want to see ourselves as an objective and open-minded individual, but we feed ourself biased viewpoints. It's a conundrum.
Click to expand...
One of my former business partners was a wonderful Yoga and fitness instructor, seeming so in harmony with the positive aspects of life and the universe. However, she was an avid fan of the wacko conspiracy theories floating around, never could figure how someone could hold such conflicting views.
 
Nathan said:
One of my former business partners was a wonderful Yoga and fitness instructor, seeming so in harmony with the positive aspects of life and the universe. However, she was an avid fan of the wacko conspiracy theories floating around, never could figure how someone could hold such conflicting views.
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Yes, I have seen that very same thing. Someone could seem so normal in all other respects, and well grounded, and yet believe outlandish things with no evidence to support the belief. It's a head scratcher.
 
bobcat48 said:
Yes, perhaps there is a significant mismatch between how we view ourselves, and the reality of who we are. We may want to see ourselves as a positive person, but we gravitate towards negative stuff, and we may want to see ourselves as an objective and open-minded individual, but we feed ourself biased viewpoints. It's a conundrum.
Click to expand...

There is a ton off things happening in this world that need to be addressed, and they are big problems. They need discussion not sound bites. Most people when they are not interested in the subject ( because they don't like it ) will not read it because the don't like it being "negative" to the way they view things. Too bad. Negative and positive are totally relative to the viewer.
 
Myrtle said:
One more way that the 'news' media affects society is by omission. Bias is one thing, not covering big stories at all is another and it is going on in our country now at a level not seen before.

If you never get news from whatever you consider to be the 'other side' you are likely to be really surprised one day when those stories reach a point where they can no longer be ignored.

Don't keep your 'gate' shut too tightly.
Click to expand...
Think all are now lawyers, one lie after another, both pastures, and across fences? Fact checking catches them but where is an Ai immediately to interject the fact and truths as they speak to stop it all? haha Thay would spin all that as a lie too. Maybe an open mind, knowing the shit will help us. But you know freedom of speech and the belief that you know what you say allows all the lying to come around/go around. The fact ya can't prove you know/don't know, is the actual problem.. WE WILL SURVIVE ANOTHER DAY may be wishful thinking? haha I was talking with a Neighbor the other day about it all and came away thinking, well he was lying too! Maybe word of mouth doesn't work anymore either.
 
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I think the media creates drama for bored people. They build up hopes one day, then tear them down the next. Like a reality soap opera. Oh what's going to happen next?!!! Will it be the end of us? Or will the hero prevail? A real nail biter, no? People become involved with one side or the other. It's great. :rolleyes:
 
I watch less and less media as time goes by. What do I care about Taylor Swift and whether she is or is not coming to Canada? Absolutely nothing! Same thing about all those none stop Pride Parades, political problems of Mr. Trump and digging up 130 year old graves. I prefer playing my guitar, going outside for daily walks and going on short vacations. It's good for the body and good for the mind!

https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/taylor-swift-toronto-concerts-1.6931346
 
@bobcat48, Don't know about the media.
I think a strong mind is not affected by outside phenomena
but young minds or minds with incomplete vision should be protected
from inappropriate distress.

I seek out your questions because they are generally quite fascinating!
You are a wonderful addition to the forum. Thanks.
 

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