My previous post and its comments brought up another issue: Why does anyone care about Katy Perry and Sesame Street's debate, when there is so much more to worry about regarding our nation right now? Our country's immigration issue, health care issue, economic issue, and education issue (getting some great attention right now) all should be a priority. Yet, we are focused on Lindsay Lohan's latest admittance to a drug rehab facility and other pointless news.
Detachment? Do people want to detach from what is really "real" in our society? News about bankruptcy, upcoming elections, the high percentage of American's without work are all scary and stressful topics. Have you ever noticed on your Facebook feed that when a person shares an article regarding the latest massacre by Mexican cartels, it receives very little feedback? Yet, when one posts personal pictures, a cheer for a local team or "which Jersey Shore character are you?" it receives tons of comments or endless re-posts? Are we using the media to just disconnect from reality? And using fake reality to amuse us and start a conversation? Why are we more comfortable doing this?
Those who know me, I have an opinion about everything. But I also love to hear what people have to say about crazy topics such as the Japanese denying Paris Hilton entrance to their country. I want to know about the latest books, the latest movies. I want someone to really sit and explain to me the new health care rules that started last week, who this Cuomo guy really is before he becomes our new governor here in New York, and yes, I want to know if Sesame Street is creating controversy because I have a young son.
I don't believe "ridiculous" topics take away from what else is in dire need of attention. Everything gets attention. You want to know about education reform right now? Go see "Waiting for Superman". Those who can't, tune in to NBC and MSNBC this week because they have dedicated all week to "Education Nation". Let's read a little bit more national news on-line rather than the gossips blogs or pick up a new book. We have time. We need to make time. We can't change the economy over night, but we can educate ourselves about the recent credit card "read the fine line" push and raise hell when we don't like what is being done. Things are happening, we have to show that we are interested as much as we are interested in Katy Perry's boobs. We need to reconnect and now and then enjoy a little detachment.
xoxo
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About Me
- Betty
- Currently raising my son, loving my husband, and enjoying New York City. Originally from Chicago and attended Loyola University. Born to Mexican parents and have lived in Tokyo and Singapore. Passionate about education, literature and my family.
3 comments:
Ha! I posted this comment on your other post, but oh well, here's a copy/paste of it, more to follow afterwards:
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I agree that this issue had/has gotten more attention than it deserves (I haven't heard anything about it since it was last brought up last month, thankfully) and that are there many other issues going on all over that deserve more attention than what is going on with TV shows or pop culture. Things are not looking great for our education system, food system, there are wars of all kinds going on in our neighborhoods and far way. Diseases are taking lives etc...
Reality is on a day to day basis the average family isn't thinking about what is going on in the world. They are more likely to be thinking about what's for dinner, what bills need to be paid, what are the kids watching on TV.
That's just my opinion, though :)
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I think people are using media as a way to get away from reality. It's the free drug (that is shaped by politics and marketing geniuses) that help people not think about what is real going on in our world. I think our society has been groomed to "keep up the Jones". Have you noticed as years go by we have more crap in our homes than whats really needed? We went from having no TV, to a TV in the living room to TV in every room.
Have you seen the closets of homes made 50-100 years ago? Compare them to homes made 10 years ago, we need a master *suite* with walk in closets now, so we can fill them with cloths for every season. We've become a materialistic society, not only are we trying to keep up with the neighbors, we're trying to keep up with movie stars (reality shows like cribs, keeping up with the what ever they're called).
The sad part is that some people look to TV to see how they should live. What makes this worse is that people are living out of their means, just so they can pretend like they have the good life. IMO if you can afford it you can live it, but if you can't don't break the bank trying to. I know of several people have $400,000 homes (nicely furnished) and $60,000 cars but if they don't work one day of week, they can't make ends meet. They may not be able to buy groceries or pay the utilities but sure have a nice house and car!
Have you seen the comments on some of those heart breaking articles on what's going on in Mexico? Our society has become very disconnected to what is of worth, which is life and living in peace IMO. There is a lack of humanism, compassion, and tolerance in our society. It's a very scary thing.
Great entry Betty! I was nodding throughout..I totally agree with you!!
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