Why do people watch things like the Arias murder trial?

[nadinbrzezinski]

And why the networks cover this?

I admit, I could care less, but having been in the news bidnezz for a while, I am starting to get it. This is a sociological explanation.

The murder itself was horrific, her lies to get out of it, were also horrific. People identify with the victim, and want revenge on the victim. Ok, we call it justice and it might be justice.

The case itself is very complex. Don't ask me to even try to summarize because as I said I could care less, but it comes down to a very simplistic view, which is easy to understand. Somebody was killed, we have this person who did it, and we want justice. The details do not matter.

But, but this will not change your life? Correct, like most entertainment it will not. This is a morality play, that is easy to understand. On the other hand, I gotta write this afternoon a story on our local fire boards. Now that one is complex, with multiple parts to the puzzle, and it is not black and white.

Gets worst, legislation at the state or federal level, again, no clear winners or losers, and usually they are complex, so unless you can appeal to emotions, such as the ACA, people really do not get it. Part of it, is the news media, be critical of it for a while. And one reason is that these stories are complex and take research to get them, and at times we don't get them fully.

But a murder... it becomes a morality play "Justice is being done." See, do not do this... and it becomes a simplistic thing to do.

But somebody asked here earlier, it's not just ratings. This is a really easy story to tell at this stage of the game, very easy. And it is something the reader, or the audience also gets... why people watch and care about this.

Once you understand this, it also explains why the press tends to bleed it leads. In skeleton news rooms I can tell that story... with just a few reporters... but the more complex stories... you need time, and you need effort, and you need to go look at info, from everywhere at times. Here is one for ya, many TV stations send must videographers to the field to cover the less important shit. They do not have the cub reporters any more to send them to the less important shit. This is how skeleton things are.

So this is why the Arias murder verdict is a gimme for the media. It is a really easy story to tell.

[Floyd_Gondolli]

1. *couldn't care less

Saying you could care less implies that you could, actually, care less.

[zappaman]

2. Wow, you created an OP with all those words just to tell us you don't care?

Well, that's some great journalism!

[Tx4obama]

3. I never watch OJ or Jackson trial, a bit of Casey Anthony trial, almost ALL of the Arias trial

This trial was fascinating.

I do not know 'why' I was obsessed with it, but I was.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. I had no time

and I know it had many complex moving parts (have covered a few local trials as well, ok trial is not the right word, the person pleaded guilty, so it was just plea entry and penalty phase)... but I can see why it is fascinating.

The legal system can be and for the state to prove first degree, ain't easy... but in the end, from the pov of media, it became a very simple story to tell.

The OJ case, I watched the killing of the glove evidence, it was fascinating.

[Tx4obama]

6. Well this case was pretty complicated.

She did say that she killed him but then she came up with a 'self-defense' story and the jury could have found her not guilty.

Lots of stuff in this trial: gas cans, diaries, cameras, sex and KY jelly), a rented car, upside down license plate, a trip to have her nails done and hair dyed, grandparents house burglary with stolen gun, a 'false' claim that Travis was a pedophile, and tons more

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. But in the end, as far as most who did not watch it

is concerned, first degree conviction, still to come penalty phase.

Her reaction today, she looked shocked to me, will be part of coming attractions.

[Tx4obama]

11. In a TV interview several years ago she said: "No jury will convict me."

:hi

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. Well a jury has

she might make an extremely good study on the criminal mind.

[zappaman]

12. "Her reaction today, she looked shocked to me"

I thought you "could care less" and didn't watch it?

[sad-cafe]

50. she knew how the reaction was

don't forget Zappaman, she is all knowing

[Raine]

41. I watched the O.J. trial from begining to end. I had lots of bad stuff

going on im my life at the time and needed a diversion. Plus I'm in Los Angeles and it was happening here. I haven't watched any trials since then but I sure was hooked on that one.

[Siwsan]

5. Ever since serving on several murder juries, I've been hooked on watching trials

And, you are right about it being a sort of real life morality play. Watching the skills of the lawyers, on both sides, and how they present and defend, weaving facts and conjecture. - wow.

I could easily become one of those little old women who hang around the local courthouse, waiting for a seat at a good, juicy trial.

Even beyond reality, some of my all time favorite movies are 12 Angry Men, Inherit the Wind, Witness for the Defense and Anatomy of a Murder.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Most of the trials I have covered

have been civil, and you are right, the process is quite fascinating.

Hey, they are open trials, and that is a wonder of the American system. Court TV can save you some of that bother of going through security.

[obliviously]

59. When you cover these stories fom home on Court TV

What is your favorite flavor of Cheez-its and beverage?
Inquiring minds would like to know.

[Tx4obama]

9. I love trial/legal films. A link below to my IMDB trial film list ...

Here: http://www.imdb.com/list/g-my_IEPcbY/

[Siwsan]

14. Great list!

There are a few I havent' seen - but I will definitely go in search of them.

I was recommending 12 Angry Men to some co-workers, today. I told them to see either version - Henry Fonda or Jack Lemon - both are really wonderful.

[petronius]

54. Great list! A couple others that I think of as 'coutroom films' are Breaker Morant,

Paths of Glory, and Sergeant Rutledge.

Bookmarking your list...

[msanthrope]

87. Bookmarked, thanks! nt

[Enrique]

108. are you sure that isn't your Gene Hackman list?

not that there's anything wrong with that.

[lillypaddle]

10. Ask the family

of Travis Alexander if this was a worthless media event.

Nice to see such a lofty opinion.

Hope you and your family never face such a tragedy as this.

[nadinbrzezinski]

15. I told you why media covers these things

Not whether it's lofty or not.

It is what it is.

The other mostly easy beat to cover is the crime beat.

Watch bowling for Columbine for another high and mighty explanation of media manipulation.

[lillypaddle]

25. I am not an idiot

I don't need you to tell me why the media covers this. Yes, it's sensationalism.

That doesn't mean this trial wasn't important, or that there is legitimate reason for interest. What's your real point? This was a murder trial. The characters involved were interesting. A young man was viciously killed, and his character was also slaughtered.

I hate this discussion. It seems like you are equating it with American Idol.

Fuck the media. This was about the brutal killing of a young man. Seems his killer has gotten justice. Finally.

[nadinbrzezinski]

26. Have a good life in my ignore list

Believe it or not, this is a meta level analysis of media, and this is not limited to the United States, so you could say humans are idiots, so it is Planet Earth Idiot.

What, you think sensationalist trial coverage only happens in the United States?

Oy.

Good bye.

[lillypaddle]

28. since you're ignoring me

What??? I didn't say anything about sensationalist trial coverage only happening in the US. Your ignore list is one of the best things that have ever happened to me. Your illiteracy might wear off on others.

[sad-cafe]

51. Lillypaddle, don't worry. She is all-knowing and much "smarter" than us

she knows shit she wishes she didn't

Don't worry, the rest of us are no where near her level of all-knowing

[Heidi]

92. Pffffft. Consider it an, "ahem," character endorsement, lillypaddle.

The OP's schtick is to condescend to DUers and then lob accusations of bullying at anyone who dares question her.

[sad-cafe]

107. that ignore list has to be longer than the people who read the

"shit she wishes she didn't know"

[Heidi]

110. Don't even get me started.

The whole meta analysis business and admission that she puts people on ignore simply because they disagree with her demonstrate that real meta focus is nadin, not the "nooz."

[sad-cafe]

111. very true

she just can't stand that someone questions her "all know it ness

[zappaman]

32. "this is a meta level analysis of media"

[Heidi]

96. You're really adding someone to your ignore list simply because they disagree with you?

There was nothing rude about any of lilypaddle's reply to you. I'd think you, as a purported member of the "nooz" media, would have a thicker skin.

[nadinbrzezinski]

97. It was...and the ignore let makes this place bearable

And purported, real. I got a presser to cover today.

[Heidi]

100. Because she disagreed with you?

Is that really why you put her on ignore? I don't understand, nadin.

[LittleBlue]

13. I barely know what it's about

Seen headlines, that's it. Murder trials aren't very interesting to me.

[nadinbrzezinski]

20. I would have to follow it, if this happened in my town

Otherwise, like you, I have no interest.

Though if I ever decide to get into crime procedurals I will have to spend some time in court watching vanilla flavor cases. Those tell you far more about the system than these high stakes cases.

[HappyMe]

101. By the same token,

why do you assume we are interested in the local San Diego nooz you always post?

[Kali]

106. ...

no shit, huh?

[Beaverhausen]

57. Me either

doesn't interest me in the least.

[mokawanis]

16. Didn't watch any of it

Also didn't watch the Casey Anthony (do I have that name right?) trial, the OJ trial, or any of the other highly publicized trials over the years. But the Bush or Cheney trials? I'd watch those!

[nadinbrzezinski]

18. Those would have to be in the International Court I fear.

[Blue_Tires]

19. Based on what little I know:

1. It has a lot of tawdry, salacious details, and the general timeline of events reads like a Lifetime Movie plot
2. The defendant is easy on the eyes

[nadinbrzezinski]

21. Yup on both

now I need to really look at Ad Valorem taxes. FUN.

[Tx4obama]

31. The prosecutor Juan Martinez was awesome, listening to him was the best part for me. n/t

[Sissyk]

45. Yes, absolutely!

Granted, he had all the evidence a prosecutor could want, but damn, he made Travis come alive for the jury. He made them feel the pain he went thru also.

[meadowlark5]

22. I haven't watched, read or listened to anything about it.

In fact, I have no idea what this trial is about except murder. I don't know who the person is or who was murdered or why. Never followed Casey Anthony either. I think the only one I remember really following and watching was the train wreck that was the OJ Simpson trial.

[Brickbat]

23. "having been in the news bidnezz for a while,"

Kill me now.

[zappaman]

24. Goes hand in hand with this...

"Right now on the teevee machine."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022744299


This is just the lexicon journalists are using these days.
You should read about it.
Have a great day!

[Heidi]

90. In other breaking nooz, the all too familiar interjection, "ahem," has been inducted into

the Tedious Condescension Hall of Fame.

Back to you, zappaman!

[Brickbat]

99. Heh, that's not even what bugs me.

At least, not as much as the self-important lecturing about what being a journalist is all about from someone who clearly has little idea on how to do it right. And the whole concept that a reality doesn't exist (newsrooms are understaffed, so they don't have time for analysis and so they cover easy stuff!) until the OP discovers it and becomes an instant expert who must educate the masses about it.

[DevonRex]

33. And

The "nooz." Ugh. But nothing beats riffle for rifle. I thought my dear friend dionysus was gonna have a stroke over that one.

[zappaman]

34. Riffles have ridges!

[DevonRex]

37. LOL!!

I was almost curious enough to Google riffle myself. But I was too lazy! And you did it for me. this is fantastic. I wonder what else I can get people to Google for me...

[zappaman]

38. Here ya go

I googles "could care less" for ya...

[DevonRex]

44. That is really deep.

May I steal it, pretty please with Hershey's Syrup on top?

[zappaman]

46. I could care less. n/t

[tridim]

27. My Facebook feed is going nuts.

I had to look it up because I didn't know what they were all talking about.

[nadinbrzezinski]

30. I bet it is, I have not dared open mine

And I have to finish writing this article.

No, not Arias related, far less sleazy.

[graham4anything]

29. I can't figure why anyone watches Breaking Bad.

[wercal]

35. Sex sells. Its not that complicated.

[no_hypocrisy]

36. To overcome the boredom in their lives.

Popular mass ethos of following controversial trials is not new.

One can say it started with the trial of Harry K. Shaw, accused of murdering architect Stanford White. Or maybe the murder of the Lindbergh baby. Or who would raise little Gloria Vanderbilt. Public gawking of trials certainly was well traditioned by the time of OJ Simpson.

Sensational trials sell papers and media time, almost validating the need for news.

[nadinbrzezinski]

39. Yup, and they are easy as pie to cover

[zappaman]

42. Curious as to how many controversial trials you have covered.

Since you know "they are easy as pie to cover"...

[Raine]

40. It's a diversion and break from the problems in their own lives. nt

[Logical]

43. No life. n-t

[applegrove]

47. She was Creepy McFreaky to me. Funny how that always happens at trials.

[Cleita]

48. I have so isolated myself from the mainstream media that I didn't even pay attention

to this. The only reason I even knew was that I had to go get a mammogram and they had FoxNews on in the waiting room, of course, and that's all they talked about. I mean I had to spend an hour there going in and out of rooms and while I was waiting in between procedures, this crap was on endlessly with endless pundits commenting and sensationalizing about it. I didn't even know that Greta Van Susteren was still alive until, there she was pontificating as their legal expert.

[nadinbrzezinski]

53. I don't watch it either

But it is easy to cover.

As in damn easy. And doing background is almost not needed.

[sad-cafe]

49. I should just consult you every morning so you can tell me what I should do and why

honestly,

do you ever get tired of knowing it all?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

52. The same reason people go to dog fights or bullfights.

Or, kill animals for "sport".

[DesertFlower]

55. i didn't watch ithe arias trial, but i live in phoenix

and the late news carried a bit of it every night. i tend to remember it getting coverage a few years ago. i think it might have been on "48 hours"

i did watch the OJ trial. i was already retired/disabled.

something else i watched and found fascinating was not a trial, but was the watergate hearings. i wasn't working at the time and i found it really interesting. of course, i couldn't stand nixon and wanted to see him brought down.

[nadinbrzezinski]

61. I find real congressional hearings

(Daryl not the current circus) fascinating as well. For me it was Iran Contra

[DesertFlower]

63. i remember that. i used to have the tv on

tuned to the news in the morning when i was getting ready for work. remember fawn hall?

i just checked and 48 hours did carry a piece about jodi arias.

http://jodiariasisinnocent.com/transcripts-jodi-arias-is-innocent-cnn-cbs/cbs-48-hours-picture-perfect-jodi-arias-innocent/

[nadinbrzezinski]

64. Yup

I especially remember a certain Lt. Col in uniform...it was striking. He was a good soldier who fell on sword and was handsomely rewarded.

It sickens me.

[Brother Buzz]

67. Check your stylebook; North was a Marine, not a soldier

Marines Capitalize when referring to U.S. forces: the U.S. Marines, the Marines, the Marine Corps, Marine regulations. Do not use the abbreviation USMC.

Capitalize Marine when referring to an individual in a Marine Corps unit: He is a Marine.

Do not describe Marines as soldiers, which is generally associated with the Army. Use troops if a generic term is needed.

[zappaman]

69. Do you know that you are replying to a former Marine?

Obviously, it was just an error.
No need to go off on a Marine like that...

[Brother Buzz]

73. I remember her telling us repeatedly she was once a Marine, but I just read her revised resumé

We were wrong!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2738204

And you are claiming things I have not said I have done.

Fr example, I never claimed to be a trauma surgeon, you did.

I never claimed to be a ballistics expert, though extremely familiar due to shoo outs, you did.

I was an EMT-P and trained many EMT-11 to use American classifications.

You are claiming I am a nuclear physicist, I am not.

I was a first responder, trained in confined space, not in hazmat, became familiar with hazmat due to nature of the job, you are claiming more

I was an instructor, was behind the formation of a a school, you got a problem with that?

I ran my own gaming company for a while, you got trouble with that?

I am a,axed at how many things you have said I do

I am a reporter at present, with media card and everything.

My sister is a registered dietitian...amazing.

My husband is a postal worker, and I fully support the postal service

I am a published author, like it or not.

I also hold a masters in history.

Chiefly I see you are having the same issue a kid had in college...mostly envy. You too can learn shit. You might have heard if these things called books...read them from time to time before burning them. In the words of a famous American Historian, you must be an anti intellectual.

I won't bother with the rest of the things you chose to misrepresent or push, for your own desires. Welcome to my ignore list by the way, with the bullies and gun nuts.

[zappaman]

76. Obviously, when you are versed in so many things...

You sometimes forget and leave one or two things out...

[Daniel537]

70. Talk about being over-sensitive. n/t

[Brother Buzz]

74. Yes, Marines tend to be very sensitive about being called soldiers

A reporter, "with media card and everything", should know better

[zappaman]

77. One would think...

[Brother Buzz]

84. Especially when it's spelled out clearly in in their 'bible' - No ifs, ands, or buts

[Apophis]

56. You couldn't care less yet you write a long OP about it?

Hmmmm.

[zappaman]

58. Please don't misquote the OP

"I admit, I could care less, but having been in the news bidnezz for a while, I am starting to get it. This is a sociological explanation."

[Apophis]

89. Touché.

She could care less, but she doesn't.

Right?

[nadinbrzezinski]

60. Have you ever, in your life, read of meta analysis?

Don't think so...

[MineralMan]

62. I Am Speechless.

[zappaman]

65. Well, I guess one thing good came out of this thread!

[MineralMan]

66. nt.

[sad-cafe]

72. really

your all-know-it-ness

what made you go off like that?

[obliviously]

75. I've never meta analysis I didn't like!

[Daniel537]

68. Entertainment, pure and simple.

The sensationalism that went with this story(good looking young couple, lots of steamy info of their sex life etc...) is exactly what the media, and a good portion of the public, want. Sad, but as long as there is a demand for it the circus will continue.

[Egalitarian Thug]

71. "Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people." - E Roosevelt

Gives them something to talk about.

[hrmjustin]

78. People like watching a train wreck.

I did not know you were in the newsbiz. What did you do in it?

[nadinbrzezinski]

79. I write for a local indie paper

The story I was referring to is on a local fire board. The county wants to take them over...it's a pattern we are seeing all over. And back country folks have zero trust to county government, with good justification.

That meant me looking for things during the afternoon. And it s becoming a series of articles on this issue.

A trial, it's mostly reporting. Some of this actually involves research.

[hrmjustin]

80. Cool! How long is this story going on for?

[nadinbrzezinski]

82. The different fire boards

The county wants to consolidate fire protection, make a county FD...the process started in 2003, but we are not LA...so ...better give you a link

http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/13196

[hrmjustin]

85. Interesting story considering we are in fire season.

The fact that they are bringing new energy infrastructure should tell these people to do the right thing. having no fire protection in the county charter was not good foresight. I hope they make the right call here.

Thanks for the link Nadin. Do you post about this story here?

[nadinbrzezinski]

88. I usually post the ones that are of more national

Importance. Though at a political level, all these board members are republicans...this is the farm team...the local dem party has zero interesting in running people for these boards.

And San Diego, this goes back 100 years, we don't want to be LA.

[Brother Buzz]

103. A quarter square mile open grassland fire with no endangered structures has national importance?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2794501

[zappaman]

105. Actually it does.

Imagine this fire going over the rocky mountains, sweeping across the plain states, jumping the Mississippi, and then devastating the Eastern seaboard.
Suffice it to say, we need this kind of nooz reporting more than ever!

[riverbendviewgal]

81. I did not follow the trial...and watching the crowd cheer today at the verdict

reminded me of the Roman coliseum full of those roman citizens crying for the blood of the gladiators or christians to be eaten by the lions.

Pretty gruesome people...The USA is really becoming the modern day Rome.

[nadinbrzezinski]

83. That has happened for a long time

So that did not shock me. Spectacular trials are not new...Lindbergh baby at least

[Turbineguy]

86. Cuz

they ran out of drugs that make you stupid?

[Recursion]

91. The what?

Well, you've increased awareness of it for at least one person.

[RudynJack]

93. I never heard of her.

Thanks for telling me what to think. You make things so easy.

[marshall]

94. For the same reason people like to discuss why people are interested in the trial

Human behavior is interesting to us because it is relevant to our lives. The fact that you can dissect the reasons one might be interested in the trial is proof, and your interest in that aspect of human behavior is similar to other folks' interest in the trial itself.

[HappyMe]

95. Because it's 'nooz'.

Because this was a pretty horrifying murder. Some people are interested in the psychology of it...any number of reasons.

People watching it or not watching it doesn't change your life in any way.

[kudzu22]

98. I'm proud to say I had no idea who Arias was

until the news broke of her conviction. And I still don't care.

[LeftInTX]

102. Watching an actual trial itself is fairly educational

It provides info on jury selection, what is and isn't allowed evidence, sidebars, pretrial depositions, discussions without the jury present etc.

There are a lot of cut and dry parts, but since it is often with a sensational case, the cut and dry holds attention too.

It also provides citizens with some basic knowledge about the legal system. It is more informative than CSI

[El Fuego]

104. The real question is "Why is this trial on TV for people to watch?" And the answer is:

Beautiful and Telegenic Young Girl on trial for murder.

I mean, people get murdered all the time. Horrific crimes happen every day. But when ugly people commit murder, no one's going to pay much attention.

[ErikJ]

109. Reagan telecommunications deregulation--News divisions now INFOTAINMENT.