Unbelieveable. Now that we have the V-Chip (borderline fascist), cable boxes that allow one to block certain channels, and content ratings for television shows, the Christianists have decided that is not enough.
No. Instead, they want to make sure that I, an adult who likes my television replete with sex, violence and profanity, am not allowed to see it. They want to fine my favorite television networks for showing the programs I want to watch. And all this because they do not want to change the channel, actually use the V-Chip, or block certain channels from their cable boxes. All this in the name of "protecting the children." Instead, they should exercise their parental responsibility by learning how to use their V-chip or channel blocker. That way, they get the results they want: their children not watching "inappropriate" material; and we, the majority, get to watch what we want: our entertainment as ""coarse" or "violent" as we like it.
Their agenda is not protecting children. Their agenda is controlling adults. They want to stop the "coarsening of the culture." I want to stop their "infantalizing the culture." (TM). I'm an adult without children. Single adults without children are now the majority of the population. We should not have our entertainment options limited to whatever the Christianists determine is "child-friendly" (of course, maybe political activity is somehow easier than reading the instructions). We should be able to watch whatever we want on cable without their interference.
The rationale for regulating the airwaves is clear: they belong to the general public and are licensed to private users in return for public service (now reduced mainly to the weekend talk shows), and the consent to be governed.
As far as I know, there exists no similar, sound policy rationale for regulating cable.
To join the fight, please visit: www.televisionwatch.org Target="_blank"
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Monday, August 29, 2005
Conspiracy As Causation
Conspiracies theories abound in our society for two specific reasons:
Some Conspiracies are Real
Events like the Teapot Dome Scandal, Watergate, and Iran-Contra really do happen - and each generation seems to have its own scandal - the Xers may even get a live one in the Plame-Rove Scandal. Sometimes, they're even successful such as the 1954 US-backed overthrow of the only democratically elected President of Guatemala, or the 1973 US-backed overthrow of the Chilean government.
Conspiracies as Creation Myth
Conspiracies theories provide meaning to random acts or events. I.e., it is much easier to believe that bad things are caused by bad people than it is to believe that bad things happen randomly. This is one of the central reasons that people JFK was assassinated by a cabal (be it government-, mafia, or Cuba/Soviet- planned).
These conspiracy theories share much in common with early creation myths - thunder is caused by Thor's hammer, life is painful and hard because of Eve's trangsression, Fall and Winter occur because of Demeter, etc. To paraphrase Fox Mulder's poster, "We want to believe."
We want to believe that bad people cause bad things because it is infinitely more comforting than the idea that bad things happen for no apparent reason. If bad things are caused, then the instigators can be found and punished. Or at least blamed, whether their true identity is known or not.
Some Conspiracies are Real
Events like the Teapot Dome Scandal, Watergate, and Iran-Contra really do happen - and each generation seems to have its own scandal - the Xers may even get a live one in the Plame-Rove Scandal. Sometimes, they're even successful such as the 1954 US-backed overthrow of the only democratically elected President of Guatemala, or the 1973 US-backed overthrow of the Chilean government.
Conspiracies as Creation Myth
Conspiracies theories provide meaning to random acts or events. I.e., it is much easier to believe that bad things are caused by bad people than it is to believe that bad things happen randomly. This is one of the central reasons that people JFK was assassinated by a cabal (be it government-, mafia, or Cuba/Soviet- planned).
These conspiracy theories share much in common with early creation myths - thunder is caused by Thor's hammer, life is painful and hard because of Eve's trangsression, Fall and Winter occur because of Demeter, etc. To paraphrase Fox Mulder's poster, "We want to believe."
We want to believe that bad people cause bad things because it is infinitely more comforting than the idea that bad things happen for no apparent reason. If bad things are caused, then the instigators can be found and punished. Or at least blamed, whether their true identity is known or not.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
I'm Back (and I finally figured out the iPod)
Well, after seven months off, I'm back. In the future there should be more commentary on the articles I post here.
I also finally figured out how best to use my iPod - my friend EEE taught me. That way I didn't have to read the instructions.
Not Reading the Instructions
I love technology that is intuitive. This is one of the key reasons I love TiVo. It is truly intuitive, and much easier to use than the DVR that comes with your cable box.
It also brings me to one of my favorite themes: It's not just me, most Americans don't like to read instructions. It's true. When was the last time you actually read the instructions for anything that wasn't Ikea furniture? (and their products are definitely not intuitive to assemble)
It's also the prime reason Americans have been so upset over HMO policies - they were caught by surprise because they didn't bother reading the instructions that spelled out quite clearly what and who was and was not covered.
I also finally figured out how best to use my iPod - my friend EEE taught me. That way I didn't have to read the instructions.
Not Reading the Instructions
I love technology that is intuitive. This is one of the key reasons I love TiVo. It is truly intuitive, and much easier to use than the DVR that comes with your cable box.
It also brings me to one of my favorite themes: It's not just me, most Americans don't like to read instructions. It's true. When was the last time you actually read the instructions for anything that wasn't Ikea furniture? (and their products are definitely not intuitive to assemble)
It's also the prime reason Americans have been so upset over HMO policies - they were caught by surprise because they didn't bother reading the instructions that spelled out quite clearly what and who was and was not covered.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
