The Influence of the Media on our sense of Self-worth

[Gauracandra]

To what extent does the media drive the culture, and to what extent does the culture drive the media? Certainly there is a back and forth relationship, still I'm under the impression that the media drives the culture to a large degree. I remember George Will (a U.S. political commentator) mentioning a study of two towns and the introduction of television into these towns. This was back in the 1950s or so. There was a direct relationship between the introduction of TV and the crime rate in those towns.

 

We have also seen a dramatic change in the notion of beauty and the self-esteem of young women. Many go in for plastic surgery, or starve themselves in order to fit the media presentation.

 

And perhaps it even has a more subtle effect on our self-esteem. If television constantly projects the idea that one should be driving around in a BMW, going on Yachts, and living a carefree life at the age of 25, many will strive for this, and fail - because this is not reality.

 

There those who say the media just reflects society, they don't influence it. To me this is being disingenuous. After all we have a multi-hundreds of billion dollar industry based on the notion that sounds and images can influence people to buy products (the ad industry). This is why cigarrette companies always used to get movie stars to smoke in their movies.

 

Any comments?

 

Gauracandra

[Guest guest]

Kill your TV.

[valaya]

Originally posted by rand0M aXiS:

Kill your TV.

 

But then my remote control would be useless!

 

 

[karthik_v]

I agree with Gauracandra das that it is the media which influences the society.

 

One example that comes to my mind is the Miss Universe/Miss World contests. Starting 1994 Indian women have won virtually all these awards. That makes one wonder what suddenly changed in 1994. Did the Indian women suddenly transform themselves from ugly ducklings to pretty angels? Since genome research is nascent even today, such a possibility sounds remote. And, in the eyes of the beholder, the Indian woman before and after 1994 remains the same. Yet, the media projected them as the prettiest. And the 80s belonged to South American women.

 

It is not hard to find why. The multinationals perceived in the mid-90s that India is the biggest consumer market which hardly used cosmetics. Casting Indian women in the international mode was the easiest wasy to shape opinions, perceptions and ensure sales. I have also seen how even conservative magazines in India have, in the past 6-7 years, introduced photos of scantily clad models and sex to an increasing degree. So, it is obvious that it is the media that influences and shapes public opinion.

 

That is not hard to understand. Even in the US, the bulk of the media such as CNN, Fox, Warner and ABC are controlled by a few individuals who are keen on furthering their own interests and have the wherewithal to pursue their agenda.

 

Does it put a question mark on the freedom of expression itself?

[Gauracandra]

Just visiting this again to bring up a slightly different angle. Thats an interesting point Karthik brings up about the desire to tap into the Indian market. Always follow the money. If India could just deregulate and get rid of its red tape and bureaucracy (left over from the British) its economy would boom. I have also heard from one Indian lady that the Indian Culture has drastically changed even within the last few years. I think the Internet is only going to increase this mass world culture.

 

Here is a somewhat separate problem. We have seen this in the U.S. - the mass commercialism causes many poor people in the inner city to desire things they do not need (like $150 pair of Air Jordan Nikes). This consumerism mentality has hurt the poorest people in the U.S. because rather than save and pool their money, many end up taking on suburban consumerist values but living in poor conditions. Now extend this out with the Internet connecting the whole world. It could be a real problem in the future.

 

Gauracandra

[Caitanyachandra]

'To what extent does the media drive the culture, and to what extent does the culture drive the media? Certainly there is a back and forth relationship, still I'm under the impression that the media drives the culture to a large degree.'

 

Culture can pull media. However, the converse is not usually true. In another view, media will push culture.

 

 

 

[This message has been edited by Caitanyachandra (edited 10-14-2001).]

[Caitanyachandra]

What would be a nice study is the impact from the media in these modern economy!

 

[This message has been edited by Caitanyachandra (edited 10-15-2001).]

[Guest guest]

How do you Republicans feel about the Conservative Media?

[theist]

While not a Republican I will say that all media is based on the false idea that the body is the self.

 

Real self esteem comes from a real understanding of who we are.

 

We should "feel good about ourselves" because we are eternal, filled with knowledge, capable of experiencing unlimited bliss through love, actual parts of God.

 

So "strut your stuff baby" just remember your connection to the Source.