Theoretically Speaking (my theory)

The media having somewhat of a persuasion is something that the majority of us may be able to agree upon, however, many still disagree on the matter. Those that even agree slightly may argue it persuades only the gullible. Others may argue that persuasion is purely involved with advertising and marketing of products. My findings seem to point that the effects of the media may be powerful enough to conform the mass into both having a common belief and producing a common identity. It is only through counter-culture that people may argue with the mass but especially with identity, counter-culture may feel inferior to the norm.

For instance, the media has been utilized to place women as inferior for a matter of centuries. During WWI when soldiers were shipped across waters to fight for our country, women were taking over “mans work” such as in the factories. When they came back it was realized that they needed to put women back in their ‘place’. This is where we see the rising popularity of the razor. Advertisers were able to make women feel unhygienic and unfeminine by not shaving. However this obviously wasn’t the case before 1914. Gillete sales doubled after the war.

The media is powerful tool. Theory is this: we shouldn’t undermine the influence it may have on society.

A Few Mediated Men

Ever wonder if soldiers are born or created?

Mediabully here, giving you the 411 on the reality of television violence.
Once upon a time, we had human individuals with a conscious. These individuals would be afraid to murder another human being. In combat, these individuals would purposely aim low or miss the enemy when shooting. They perturbed at the fact of killing and felt heavy remorse when doing so. One day the government came along and noticed the “weak” behavior of their soldiers and knew they would have to find a way to combat the guilt that the individuals encompassed. A few shaved heads, identical uniform and loss of identity later you have a soldier. Desensitizing the individuals creates the soldier. Media is played into this very easily as soldiers were to view violent images on screen especially before going into battle. After World War 2, the US Army realized their need to create a soldier more willing to kill.

It has recently occurred to me that the desensitization of soldiers is more than just aimed at individuals 18 or older but can be targeted at a younger generation. Why not 18 months when a child is able to discern what is happening on television. Upon that age, a child is able to view the substance of the medium and mimic the actions it sees. The children may be adversely prone to view harmful material such as somebody being shot, stabbed, raped, brutalized, degraded or murdered on TV but will be told, “Don’t worry. This isn’t real. It’s just TV.”

How many of you have heard "It's just TV” before? In a way, this somewhat justifies the negative actions we view on TV and almost normalizes it. Sooner or later, we have soldiers giving ‘high 5s’ after having just killed the enemy, along with higher crime rates in our society.

If you agree or care to disagree, drop a comment in that big white box below

Until then... Farvel, Hwyl fawr, 再见

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