Reply #25: You've touched on an important cornerstone.

[Gregorian]

I cannot emphasize how important this kind of discussion is. For years I have watched this phenomenon. Very similar words have gone through my mind as I saw the changes in this society. It is corporate driven. And consumer supported. That damn television has power to alter many people's ideas. Not mine. Not yours. But enough to change election results.

I wish I were able to put my thoughts on the page. Just know that there are others out there who realize the same thing. Every episode of COPS that I happened to accidentally scan by on my way to C-span, had me in a state of wonderment over just who on earth would want to watch that stuff. And who would produce it.

The whole mutually symbiotic relationship of the producers and consumers has spiralled into a serious nightmare.

There is no substitute for culture. And education.

This discussion could be expanded into other areas. And I believe it's the one most important way to begin our descent back into the reality of the real world.