Jury Duty = Long Diatribes
I've wanted to think that, below the surface in the minds of the people of America, there is a fire of anger toward our occupation of Iraq. My findings, in my local area anyway, have unfortunately been of an opposite polarity. Apparently dissent toward war is simply not an option for many people. My only conclusion to the source of this blind patriotism is the public's obsession with entertainment and other "feel good" devices in society. In theory, the entertainment industry, whether on purpose or coincidentally, prevents critical analysis of major political movements.
For example, I have several friends that, when I start talking politics, quote movies left & right and never seem to deal with real issues. A few of my friends and acquaintances even turn me to movies to see, "How the system works." Sometimes they tell me that I should watch a show like West Wing since "I'm into politics." Not only are these statements perfunctory, they also, I believe, show a consensual release of personal freedom & democracy. All of this lost for an addiction to external stimulation for the sole purpose of "enjoying life."
One really interesting thing to me, however, is the fact that research on and interest in politics can be extremely entertaining, and actors think so too. Ronald Reagan was president for two terms, Arnold Schwarzenegger is now governor of California, and there are more entertainment industry folks behind campaigns then I could possibly list. If our entertainers find politics entertaining, then what's wrong with the American public?
Interactive media is a prevalent form of entertainment now. The rise of the internet culture has been a testimony to people's desire to interact with and control the media they consume. The video game industry has also given proof that interactive media is a successful enterprise. So why is it that we don't want to get involved in the things that ACTUALLY matter? We spend our time in false worlds on PS2, in a medieval setting in "Lord of the Rings", watching our own situation, albeit exaggerated, in the "Matrix" or watching sitcoms where life is great and nothing exists outside of the family.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not completely anti-entertainment industry. I am, however, concerned that our addiction to its fictitious lands have helped perpetuate blind patriotism that borders on nationalism. Dissent is waylaid by the screen and consequently, much of our news is too. Entertainment news giving black & white (or RGB) proof to that statement.
So, maybe we are learning to interact better, and maybe with time, our web surfing skills will bring ALL of us to the entertaining world of politics. A place where people REALLY die, a place where there REALLY are "evil" people with agendas that REALLY do harm the entire world for the sole purpose of acquiring more REAL power and wealth. Entertainment would never be the same if we took our entertainment addicted minds to a debate or two, saw images of REAL casualties daily, or witnessed pollution at its source on a daily basis. Granted, they are still working out the bugs of our "political playstation", but we still need to use what we have to play the magical world of "Democracy v.2.003."
For example, I have several friends that, when I start talking politics, quote movies left & right and never seem to deal with real issues. A few of my friends and acquaintances even turn me to movies to see, "How the system works." Sometimes they tell me that I should watch a show like West Wing since "I'm into politics." Not only are these statements perfunctory, they also, I believe, show a consensual release of personal freedom & democracy. All of this lost for an addiction to external stimulation for the sole purpose of "enjoying life."
One really interesting thing to me, however, is the fact that research on and interest in politics can be extremely entertaining, and actors think so too. Ronald Reagan was president for two terms, Arnold Schwarzenegger is now governor of California, and there are more entertainment industry folks behind campaigns then I could possibly list. If our entertainers find politics entertaining, then what's wrong with the American public?
Interactive media is a prevalent form of entertainment now. The rise of the internet culture has been a testimony to people's desire to interact with and control the media they consume. The video game industry has also given proof that interactive media is a successful enterprise. So why is it that we don't want to get involved in the things that ACTUALLY matter? We spend our time in false worlds on PS2, in a medieval setting in "Lord of the Rings", watching our own situation, albeit exaggerated, in the "Matrix" or watching sitcoms where life is great and nothing exists outside of the family.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not completely anti-entertainment industry. I am, however, concerned that our addiction to its fictitious lands have helped perpetuate blind patriotism that borders on nationalism. Dissent is waylaid by the screen and consequently, much of our news is too. Entertainment news giving black & white (or RGB) proof to that statement.
So, maybe we are learning to interact better, and maybe with time, our web surfing skills will bring ALL of us to the entertaining world of politics. A place where people REALLY die, a place where there REALLY are "evil" people with agendas that REALLY do harm the entire world for the sole purpose of acquiring more REAL power and wealth. Entertainment would never be the same if we took our entertainment addicted minds to a debate or two, saw images of REAL casualties daily, or witnessed pollution at its source on a daily basis. Granted, they are still working out the bugs of our "political playstation", but we still need to use what we have to play the magical world of "Democracy v.2.003."