General Discussion

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)

71. As a couple of others have already said, it's because

Mon Mar 16, 2015, 12:10 AM

Mar 2015

most people watch a lot of TV.

I don't have a TV, haven't had one since June, 2008, when I moved to where I am now. I obviously have the internet, and I get to watch just about everything I want over the internet, or from Netflix.

By not having a TV I'm insulated from the idiocy of the media doing some story to death. Here's my best example: When Michael Jackson died, I went to watch Keith Olbermann via the internet as I usually did. Couldn't figure out why his show didn't show up on the MSNBC website. It was almost a year later that I learned that all of the networks had gone to wall-to-wall coverage about his death. I was appalled. With all due respect, Michael Jackson's death did not warrant covering that story and that story only for the rest of the day.

People who watch regular American television news get caught up in that crap. There's just no perspective, no balance, and while everyone is hyperventilating over whatever new story of the day is, more important things simply aren't covered.

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As my first OP (and I'm not even sure I can get my point across properly) [View all] Jenny Red Eye Mar 2015 OP

Celebrity gothchas are part and parcel of selling Cheetos and beer. Tierra_y_Libertad Mar 2015 #1

Thank you Jenny Red Eye Mar 2015 #2

... Tierra_y_Libertad Mar 2015 #5

Hey now! Easy on the Cheetos! CANDO Mar 2015 #60

More signatures on a petition OldHippieChick Mar 2015 #3

Investigate what? JayhawkSD Mar 2015 #102

Violation of the Logan Act OldHippieChick Mar 2015 #104

The rest of the world views us accurately - severe case of arrested development since the 80s. blm Mar 2015 #4

I believe I have a pic of that annabanana Mar 2015 #29

I was a moonie heaven05 Mar 2015 #91

GHWBush knew Moon's talent for mind control - they had close ties since 60s. blm Mar 2015 #94

Amazing how so much of our population believes in Spirits.. busterbrown Mar 2015 #56

This message was self-deleted by its author yuiyoshida Mar 2015 #84

I believe for the most part Sherman A1 Mar 2015 #6

"Turning off CNN, MSNBC, NBC, CBS & ABC will do wonders for your perspective." AngryDem001 Mar 2015 #70

I noticed even Jon Stewart couldn't do another election marlakay Mar 2015 #79

yep heaven05 Mar 2015 #92

I'll take a guess and say we can relate to the smaller things namastea42 Mar 2015 #7

Glad to see your first post, and welcome! customerserviceguy Mar 2015 #8

This message was self-deleted by its author RandiFan1290 Mar 2015 #9

It's by design. 99Forever Mar 2015 #10

/\/\/\ It's by design. /\/\/\ Enthusiast Mar 2015 #86

Hope your allergies get better. Are you using any eye drops? think Mar 2015 #11

Thanks to all above...and to you think... Jenny Red Eye Mar 2015 #13

They now make eye drops with antihistamines in them. FSogol Mar 2015 #96

yes, that brand..... gblady Mar 2015 #107

Welcome to DU.. Fumesucker Mar 2015 #12

A good 1st OP! Cooley Hurd Mar 2015 #14

I find this rather simplistic and lacking an understanding of context cali Mar 2015 #15

Maybe. But sometimes, the truth isn't very complicated at all. Jenny Red Eye Mar 2015 #18

sure it's true that illegal wars that leave millions dead and maimed are more important cali Mar 2015 #21

Replace "war" with any other major issue that may fall under the umbrella of politics, Jenny Red Eye Mar 2015 #23

When I hear something is too complicated the first thing I think of is zeemike Mar 2015 #54

We're being distracted with circuses while the plutocrats rob us blind. Snarkoleptic Mar 2015 #16

Jeb Bush and George Bush destroyed emails. We hear crickets. Agnosticsherbet Mar 2015 #17

Spitzer was one of the few actual superman anti wall street heroes, and we let him down NoJusticeNoPeace Mar 2015 #19

He let his constituents down is another way of looking at it. He prosecuted people cali Mar 2015 #25

You have no clue who Spitzer was and how Wall Street and insurance companies hated him NoJusticeNoPeace Mar 2015 #26

Nonsense on Spitzer and Nonsense on Hillary NoJusticeNoPeace Mar 2015 #110

+1 on Spitzer! And yet David Vitter remains in office. Enthusiast Mar 2015 #87

David Vitter (R-PooopyDiapers) a far creepier story, but, corpmedia doesn't TARGET Republicans blm Mar 2015 #103

Exactly. Enthusiast Mar 2015 #113

We are easily distracted (and purposefully manipulated) by pointless BS NightWatcher Mar 2015 #20

Well for 8 long and agonizing years the world thought of us like this Rex Mar 2015 #22

I disagree. AtheistCrusader Mar 2015 #42

I absolutely agree with you on most of the points you made, pennylane100 Mar 2015 #24

Because those who promote Turbineguy Mar 2015 #27

Because that's what the media covers. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Mar 2015 #28

You got your point across fine, and it is a very excellent point. Welcome to DU. sabrina 1 Mar 2015 #30

Good questions! Welcome to DU! Congrats on your first OP! nt pnwmom Mar 2015 #31

The public has been trained to respond to Skidmore Mar 2015 #32

Good post. Thespian2 Mar 2015 #33

Critical Thinking rock Mar 2015 #34

The PTB want media diversions so we don't think and demand the PTB do the right thing. valerief Mar 2015 #35

On most issues the rest of the world think we are Elmer S. E. Dump Mar 2015 #36

Entertainment. GeorgeGist Mar 2015 #37

A very good OP. riqster Mar 2015 #38

Spitzer was clear hit job, to silence him for exposing Bush/Wall St mortgage fraud ErikJ Mar 2015 #39

PLUS ONE, a huge bunch! Enthusiast Mar 2015 #88

Reflection isn't easy for one person, let alone 300 million. WinkyDink Mar 2015 #40

Good first OP. AtheistCrusader Mar 2015 #41

Lots of people will.. sendero Mar 2015 #43

Ran across Alternet article that pointed out same thing: Panich52 Mar 2015 #44

*In general*, people in the country don't care about any of those things WhaTHellsgoingonhere Mar 2015 #45

People care about sports, entertainment, and getting stuff where I live. stillwaiting Mar 2015 #47

Don't forget getting laid and buzzed... nt ChisolmTrailDem Mar 2015 #68

Most people I know are just happy to make it through the work day marlakay Mar 2015 #80

Since you asked... I'll tell you exactly why whereisjustice Mar 2015 #46

Excellent summary. Thank you! LuckyLib Mar 2015 #57

Very good and thoughtful post. mountain grammy Mar 2015 #59

I don't give a damn what any of them do outside of work. liberal_at_heart Mar 2015 #74

But you can clearly see... Spitzer, Clinton and Clinton were inside of work, not outside... whereisjustice Mar 2015 #99

excellent summary of those reasons why they are important LittleGirl Mar 2015 #76

because republicans own the media. All of it. Doctor_J Mar 2015 #48

^^^^^^^this^^^^^^^^ SalviaBlue Mar 2015 #61

PLUS ONE, a huge bunch! Enthusiast Mar 2015 #89

Werner was a issue! The flat out lying about it was the problem! nt Logical Mar 2015 #49

We've allowed ourselves to be trained by the teevee Jack Rabbit Mar 2015 #50

Ditto on killing the TV. canoeist52 Mar 2015 #58

one thing would be hopemountain Mar 2015 #51

The short answer: because the television tells them to n/t arcane1 Mar 2015 #52

Hilary's emails deflect from the Senate 47. avebury Mar 2015 #53

Wait. We're letting new members in now? When did that happen? randome Mar 2015 #55

Welcome to DU, Jenny Red Eye! calimary Mar 2015 #62

American exceptionalism rurallib Mar 2015 #63

Jenny, an EXCELLENT first post! Welcome to DU rustydog Mar 2015 #64

They can't help it, they're made that way. DeSwiss Mar 2015 #65

People are petty Tom Ripley Mar 2015 #66

But not all Toms. ;) Flying Squirrel Mar 2015 #67

"20,000 doomed to die, and they wonder at my hat!" villager Mar 2015 #69

As a couple of others have already said, it's because SheilaT Mar 2015 #71

Welcome to DU! Triana Mar 2015 #72

Great post. Thanks. JDPriestly Mar 2015 #73

great first OP. liberal_at_heart Mar 2015 #75

It's really complicated.....but it's been a problem since the beginning. AverageJoe90 Mar 2015 #77

It keeps the peons distracted and in-fighting, while the 1% pick our pockets. blkmusclmachine Mar 2015 #78

As my first post, period, Ike Q Mar 2015 #81

Welcome to DU n/t Tsiyu Mar 2015 #82

Interesting. My first OP was also about something we left in Iraq chknltl Mar 2015 #83

Jenny Red Eye, you have identified a very significant aspect of life in 21st Century America. Enthusiast Mar 2015 #85

your point is lucid, true heaven05 Mar 2015 #90

Welcome to the human condition. The_Commonist Mar 2015 #93

good post A-Schwarzenegger Mar 2015 #105

. Jenny Red Eye Mar 2015 #95

This OP is a miracle. betsuni Mar 2015 #97

Because those issues are bummers. raouldukelives Mar 2015 #98

lol - Gingrich/Petraeus are rolling in their political graves. Who knew character is a liability? whereisjustice Mar 2015 #100

M$M obsessions with celebrities liberal N proud Mar 2015 #101

no critical thinking skills, and complicated high crimes in misdemeanors are HARD. blue dresses are pansypoo53219 Mar 2015 #106

Because a few very rich men tell us to freak out about those things. Orsino Mar 2015 #108

{W}hy should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that...? mahatmakanejeeves Mar 2015 #109

The English Language: Don't try it at home. A-Schwarzenegger Mar 2015 #111

Because we can't deal directly with real policy differences, particularly Mideast, Iran, Iraq . . . leveymg Mar 2015 #112