Stereotypes are both created and perpetuated by the media. They are seen on all television shows whether it is on a reality show, where they strive to fulfill the expectation of diversity (the token black man, ditzy blonde girl, Jewish person, smart Asian, etc.) or on an episode of friends where there is an only white cast. People have set expectations of what people of all ethnicities, genders, sexualities, and religions should act like. When these expectations are actualized on an episode of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” or “The Hughleys” there is no effort put into abolishing people’s pre-conceived notions of these groups
Television, like all mediums has an inherent bias. “It has within physical form a predisposition towards being used in certain ways and not in others.” (Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death) In this way of including some information and excluding others, a bias is formed. It is inevitable that this bias will help in some way to redefine the meaning of public discourse. This is seen especially in journalism and the news.
A good film is not necessarily the most entertaining film, or the most successful. People are easily entertained by gossip, and action and like to be kept on their feet while they are watching a movie. Often times, they may leave the theater misinterpreting their feeling of entertainment for enjoyment. I think the difference between a good film and a bad film is the originality factor. In order to be a good film you must have an element that separates your film from everyone else’s. Whether it be an interesting or unique plot or a distinctive way of filming the movie. Along with being interesting visually I usually think that sound or music adds an extra element to any film.
An example of a good film is Requiem for a Dream. The soundtrack is perfect because it always perfectly depicts the sentiment of the movie, whether it is chaos, confusion, or beauty. I also really like the different sequences, and filming of the movie. Because of all of these factors I think that this movie is an example of a goof film.
Through various methods of advertisement and communications, the media is able to generate high levels of consumption and production by aiding us in deciding what we like and dislike. The power of media is so strong and so influential that most people don’t even realize they are being persuaded by any thing other than their own will. Entertainment such as, television shows, movies, music videos, etc., give us all a common denominator. By being subjected to the same shows, same music, same fashion we are all united and given a predestined set of beliefs and experiences. This common denominator is also able to ensure the drive of industrialization.
The idea of instant gratification is a way of life in today’s media controlled society. Advertisements provide an answer to any questions we may have had. They give us the guide to happiness; in order to have this sense of fulfillment we need only to do what the tell us. We are made to believe that if we don’t become dependant on whatever is being advertised we will not be able to be happy.
In today’s culture it has become almost impossible to have an experience that in some way is not shaped by the media. Our constant subjection to media’s various ways of communicating with the masses makes it difficult to develop beliefs that have not in some way been shaped by a larger force. We start to become the advertisements, or the movie or the poster or whatever the medium happens to be. Art or media does not reflect the complexities of life; it makes everything simple, a simple handbook of how to live out life. Our lives and experiences start to imitate something we’ve perhaps seen before. It is easy to keep people content if they are given the answer, before they can ask the question.
The ubiquity of advertisements number one: makes it impossible to escape, and number two: enables us to pick it up sub-consciously. Deliberate advertisements are everywhere, on the subway, taking up the majority of newspapers, on billboards, on t-shirts, on websites and everywhere else you look. The purpose of these are obvious: to get you to buy whatever they are advertising. But the more sneaky techniques are so cleverly disguised it is practically impossible to even know you are being projected an advertisement. Everything becomes and advertisement. When you watch a music video on MTV or VH1 you are no longer able to interpret the lyrics and make them your own, which is the purpose of art. You are forced to buy into whatever image is being projected through their mini advertisement/music video. Even if it is sub-consciously you notice what the artist is wearing, what they are driving, what cell phone they’re talking on or how they wear their hair. Advertisements no longer mean a promotion of a product; they have become the promotion an image. Music videos like all advertisements make something intended to be interpreted, un-interpretable.