…some thoughts via writing and imagery

Balance in all things is necessary.  The problem with much of today’s media is that for many folks, balance has gotten way out’a whack.  Balance isn’t even a factor for some.  The unfortunate thing is that in general, people don’t realize this… and what’s worse is that the media crafts it this way intentionally.  There’s a thing that the media organizations keep very private about their mind-numbing, emotionally seductive influences that are constantly being flooded out over the airwaves and into our lives.  The thing these huge media giants don’t want the public to know and more importantly to comprehend, is that on their payroll… exist overly paid and extremely smart “psychologists”, whose job it is to help them design & build they’re powerful gigging lights.

There is an insanity today permeating and poisoning the human mind, weakening the spirit and hampering the growth of our souls.  For those caught in its web, there is an incessant desire to get more; an almost insatiable hankering for the next bit of sensation, drama, and appeal.  People everywhere are unconsciously driven to spend hours of their day, living in someone else’s virtual reality.  The channels for this are endless, and the means are material based at nearly every turn.  Let’s dissect a few:

Reality TV:  There is The Bachelor who is so highly motivated to become the next heartthrob of millions of people, that he spends every waking hour to obtain his position as The Bachelor so that he may dwell in their homes and minds as what he and others would hope to be the next American Prince of Perfection in all ways.  This man, for this show… becomes flawless in almost every way.  Physically, he is sexually appealing; his hair, his eyes, the structure of his face… his body – the color of his skin, his accent and distinct voice tone.  Emotionally, he is every womans night in shining armor; his responses are perfect in every way.  His touch with all its emotion is as gentle and warm as the sun on your skin.  He becomes desire.  He is what hundreds of women actually get the chance to physically mate with, pairing down to just 12… then 11, and 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and finally the one.  In a dramatic chain of premeditated events, each carefully drafted by writers and producers… the viewer is enchanted and enticed every step of the way – while unconsciously soaking up every bit of highly funded piece of advertisement that burns up those few nail biting moments in between each overly dramatized ”next step”. (For those that do own one and utilize it to get past all that propaganda…props you & your DVR) Do a small bit of research, and one will discover that what takes place in the land of reality… outside the cameras – is a far different world.  After the smoke has cleared and the mirrors lay shattered… the lives of these people takes on their natural human form… complete with vices, and imperfections.  The reality of this reality is that none of it is reality.  The people on these type shows will 99.999% of the time not end up married happily for the remainder of their lives.  That’s the reality.

Drama TV:  One of the more devastating effects on everyday life with these type TV shows is the insane fantasies placed in the minds of those watching it.  The expectations are set for normal, real life to fail.  Take for example the real life husband (whom we’ll call Mr. Real) who gets caught up in the drama show life of the TV family husband (who we’ll call Mr. Right) who has got it so together… he doesn’t miss a beat – he’s always on target.  The real life family man, Mr. Real – begins to live vicariously through Mr. Right on TV… and begins to slack on his own duties & responsibilities.  The plot thickens… and Mr. Right’s wife who isn’t living up to his expectations because of carefully scripted character flaws begins to fall short of being perfect; and in turn has a direct affect on Mr. Real’s relationship with his wife.  He unconsciously spites her for something that had he never engaged in the virtual reality drama television… he would have never recognized as something negative in her to begin with.  This one very short example, manifests in the lives of everyday people all over the world in a hundred thousand different ways – because of the hundred thousand different virtual realities dreamt up and played out in one of the hundred thousand different TV dramas on television.  Unconscionably, these very shows are fervently destroying family life all around the globe.  The disgusting thing is that many of these shows promote divorce and affairs through their extremely unhealthy & unethical acts played out into our homes.  Does this stuff happen in real life?  You bet it does… every day and some as a direct result of this overloaded junk.  But of course the devils advocate will preach that what’s being portrayed is only “reality” in the form of story.  Well sure… but why not instead promote a happy family life – full of great virtues and necessities for family’s to grow closer together – instead of break them apart.  The fact is that many people admire actors and actresses… regardless of what may be going on in their non-public, non-facaded lives.  Some people actually believe in the virtual reality, even via the tabloid junk.  Few ever get a glimpse of the real world.

Non-Public News: Don’t be fooled… an agenda is always at hand.  On the right, you have Rupert Murdoch & the cast of News Corp with is subsidiaries like FOX, Harper Collins, The New York Post, & The Dow Jones Company – to name merely a few… and those are only a handful they own in the United States.  Then you’ve got Time Warner… who owns Turner Broadcasting, who owns CNN, TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, and the list just goes on.  It’s really amazing when you get into looking at the “who owns who” lists; you’ll begin to see their pushing pattens. Eventually the matrix unfolds before your eyes and you become aware.  Once you’re conscious to the hype – the consciousness-vacuum seems to lose hold and balance returns.  The talking heads are everywhere…just use a good filter & hold your course.

A few others to beware of…

• Non-Public Radio:  Radio personalities are some of the most persuasive individuals out there.  Be mindful of what you’re listening to.
• Tabloids & Magazines:  Don’t waste your money on them.  If you do… just laugh and let it go…  then use them for fuel and burn them
• Video Games:  If you’re into it… rock on – enjoy some gaming. Don’t let it consume your life.  There are support groups… http://www.olganon.org/ http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Video-Game-Addiction/support-group http://organizedwisdom.com/Video_Game_Addiction_Support_Groups
• Prime Time Sports / Fantasy Sports:  Exercise more.
• Gambling: Yes, this has actually become a reality TV sport.
• UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship): Must we go there?
• Social Networks: Facebook, MySpace, Twitter.  Meet, greet, share… just don’t live there.

The Top Media Conglomerates:  taken from http://www.nowfoundation.org/issues/communications/tv/mediacontrol.html

Click to Enlarge

If you really want to dig… here’s the most up to date and all-inclusive source I’ve found.

• http://www.freepress.net/resources/ownership

Some other stuff…

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_conglomerates
• http://www.mediaowners.com/

On an optimistic note, I will say that I am seeing a slow but progressively more positive spin occurring with the “media maddess” of late.  I believe it is a bit premature to go into much detail on my thoughts regarding this… but regardless here’s the gist & time will tell.

911 brought with it a new fear that the United States and the world has never known.  This fear permeated everything to the core.  Our values and belief systems changed.  Negativity grew out of control.  Reality TV, hype and fanaticism went haywire.  Comedy turned dark & so did drama.  The “darkside” was overpowering the “Force” at nearly every turn… and the majority just accepted it.  So, back to my optimistic point – I think we’re coming out of that dark decade and a newer, brighter horizon is in front of us.  I’m hopeful; it seems to me the majority is on board.  So in the words of Mr. Mayfield… “People Get Ready….”

And yes, I realize how opinionated I am on this topic – and am obviously heavily weighted in one direction.  If by chance you happen to be on the same page with where I’m headed… or think you might just maybe have a slight interest in the possibility of there being some truth to what I’m saying… I’d like to offer up some solutions to the “media madness”. Take it for what it’s worth, it’s only my opinion.  There is some really healthy media to be had.  So again – let’s dissect a few:

• TED Talks - http://www.ted.com/ – A deluge of inspiring, educational & engaging information.
• Your Public Library - http://www.publiclibraries.com/ – Check it out; I promise you’ll be impressed.  Beyond books – there is music, movies, & audio books.  They’re great!
• PBS - http://www.pbs.org/ – Good Media; plain & simple.
  • Frontline - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/ – Wow.
  • Many more…
• Noggin - http://www.nickjr.com/about/noggin-nickjr.html – Turn off the Disney channel for your children… trust me on this one.
• WPR’s Ideas Network - http://www.wpr.org/ideas/ – Engaging Radio.  If you have internet you can stream it.  If you have an iPhone, download the “Public Radio” app and add the channel as a favorite.  I stream this channel via the iPhone in my car using the Auxiliary jack. (If you dig music, there are hundreds of excellent public radio stations out there streaming new and different music all day.  You can find them with this app.)

The truth is I don’t have a whole ton offer in this arena.  I’m fairly withdrawn when it comes to this stuff.  I’m sure there’s a lot more out there; please share your thoughts & opinions.  If you have suggestions for “Healthy Media”… please post those too.

Peace & Love

- Tyler