Apr 6, 2010
Which Came First? Gossip Or Gossiping
Will the news media ever stop feeding the public’s frenzy for salacious gossip that has nothing to do with the average American who’s facing his or her own set of problems? And will some consumers ever quelch their appetite for watching others make poor judgment calls, if not downright fail?
Breaking news to some people: Kate changes her hair.
From Jesse James’s philandering to Kate Gosslin hair updates, these unworthy “news” news items take up time and space for real issues facing this country. (And another thing: why are women so attracted to “bad boys”? I’ll opine on that at a later time.) By now many of you know my view about TV programming, but I challenge you to stop elevating the bad boys and girls of the world to headline news. If consumers would at least reduce their interest for such meaningless pablum, maybe the media would at least reduce their quest for scoops on who’s doing what to whom and what they are wearing. In the meantime, children in Haiti are still hungry, war veterans aren’t getting the help they need, and people need jobs.
Am I overreacting? Please let me know your thoughts.
Never going to happen! I'm with you, it does seem ridiculous the amount of time we spend reading and talking about this stuff. But with the 24-7 news cycle and the ever-increasing means by which to communicate, the gossip is likely to never stop. My guess? We've been gossiping since the dawn of time — it just took a little longer to carve it in stone, carry it across to the other cave, read it and comment on it.
Of course you're absolutely right Abbie. I grew up such a geek – my favorite source of news was "Highlights". I just don't get our society sometimes….sigh..
Golf smolf. Tiger smiger. Garbage all. It is all about attracting viewers, not about serious reporting. The new press is entertainment focused. The worst part — they do it because people want this tripe – except for us. Don't even mention "reality" TV.
While I won't officially mention reality tv, it's successful AND cheap to produce. And the bottom line is always money, isn't it? As always, your insights are appreciated.
I love Abbie's comments. I do think human's have always had a passion for gossip. All the way back to Bibical times, i.e. Mary Magdalene. They just didn't have the technology we have today to spread the "news". I always turned to "Tiger Beat" for my news:)
It's so much easier to analyze Kate's hairdo than a congressional race. As for celebrity misdeeds and misfortunes, there are many things we enjoy…that the mighty have been brought low, that our lives aren't as messed up as theirs, or that their lives are just like ours (we think).
Humorous and accurate comment re: hair styles vs. politics! I think one of my overriding problems with all the gossip is that some people (and I'm including some relatives) actually believe and spread this stuff, when I'd rather brainstorm about how we can get more people to read history because that's what I'm interested in, and it is all about me, right? -:)
It's definitely a chicken or the egg conundrum. Is the media simply serving the public's demand or is the public buying into this because the media focuses so much on it? The answer is both. But, I think Kim has it right – it's far easier (and will attract more viewers) to talk about hairstyles than politics.