I've become a news addict -
The last person that I expected to ever be interested in world affairs was myself. However, I'm getting older and 'wiser,' or so one might assume. The more oppression and suffering that I see, the more I feel it is my ethical duty to stay abreast of the issues. While this sounds 'educated' and 'smart,' in the end it's a sad reality because I'm always looking for my news fix.
A few things I've learned over the past several months
1/ History is written and rewritten by the minute. Journalism as properly defined no longer exists in the world. It has been replaced by loudmouthed, warmongering bigotry and heavy-handed propaganda. There are jewels in the haystacks, and it's a rare treat to find one.
2/ The 'blogosphere' CAN counter the fact-mangling of the popular media, but only if enough people are interested in alternative news sources, and only if the blogosphere doesn't become completely overwhelmed with idiots like all the good chat forums and messageboards have experienced over the years.
For example, I posted a link to citizenfrank.com last week in a long-winded, somewhat impulsive rant about hypocricy (which was not specifically aimed at the author of said blog, I might add). While I don't always agree with what is posted there, it is the replies on his blog that frighten me the most. Everyone from militant right-wing viewpoints to militant islamic extremists posts there, and a few other, more sensible souls hop in every now and then (yes, I've become addicted to your blog, frank). However, the popular blogs are getting filled with responses from the same nutjobs who wreck other public forums, and it's only a matter of time before spam and flaming ruin yet another commmunications medium. Can we just give them all a little happy pill? Jeesh.
3/ News reports that SHOULD be shaking our foundations are being lessened in their impact by Corporate Media over-reporting. By nailing and nailing a story into the ground, people become desensitized and begin to care less and less about what is the 'truth' and more about what they think ought to be the 'truth.' In a world full of deceptions, 'otherworldly' agendas and an infinite supply of greed, Truth is becoming a meaningless achievement. Like shit on a shingle, it doesn't really matter what gets smothered in gravy, because at some point all you can taste is the gravy.
Still I search for my news fix, and I try to find good, healthy and credible news sources. But no single source has a monopoly on 'truth,' so one has to read a number of various sources to obtain a general 'gist' of what the 'truth of the matters' might be. This is one reason I get off on CSPAN , because they record everything and leave things open for the spectator to judge. There is no agenda, there is no spin doctor sitting behind a fancy little desk with a teleprompter, licking his lips like some crazy-eyed fiend in a William Burroughs novel. It's happening all right now, and that's the best news there is.
Sensationalism is the killer of truth. And this country is addicted to sensationalism. Everyone is guilty of sensationalism. Addicts will chase their fix into any crevice, and they will do practically anything to get what they 'need.' Sure, everyone's entitled to an obsessive state every now and then, and it's agreeably fun to be gung-ho about something one believes in. But the little twinkle in the eye gives the addict away. It becomes difficult for the addict to control oneself when the bloodstream is fed full of adrenalin. Fear is the great motivator, and fear creates anticipation, sensation, and drives our search for the next big story. Sad, I know. And I'm hoping to rationalize myself back to a more laid back position :)
Politicians know this all too well. They peddle news in little dime-bags of promises. And we get hooked all over again each time. Only the next time, we are more hooked. And more hooked. And when there isn't a story, we feel lost and aimless, because running out of people to blame and things to worry about means we have to deal with who we are. And who are we?
If you haven't already sold your soul for the next big thing, don't worry. Somebody will be coming around with a catchy snippet that may start you on your merry way.
It doesn't matter what the issues are if I can't think straight. This is what the politicians want, the frenzy, the blind hordes of passionate animals, and this is what the big media sells. And this is what people buy. That's my fear of becoming a news addict. So I am working on that whole taking the middle path thing.
Cheers.
posted by novachild @ Wednesday, October 06, 2004,
