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| Mathews, Olberman, Maddow |
There is a good chance the historic nature of the last Presidential race transformed many politically idle citizens into active participants. At first, reading an Op-Ed piece in the local newspaper was enough to assuage the thirst caused by your political angst. Eventually, to escape the daily drudgery of the typical "day at the office" some discovered the quenching delight provided by all the news agency websites. Finally, when your friends and family are no longer lured to the bait you set to trick them into a charged debate on the "issues"; the only thing that will satiate your desire for human discourse are cable news shows.
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| Beck and O'Reilly |
Shows like Rachel Maddow, Glenn Beck, Hardball with Chris Matthews, The Factor with Bill O'Reilly, and Keith Olberman are pseudo-interactive in the sense that they're speaking to you and you may even actually respond, but guess what? They can't hear you! I'll confess my personal addiction to these cable news show. And the political inclinations of the host has little bearing on which shows I'll watch. In fact, the only reason I may choose to watch one show over another is because some of them hit the airwaves at the same time. I thank God for the advent of the DVR.
So if you've finally admitted that you're also addicted to cable new shows then you have taken an enormous step. Actually, it's pretty much the only step required to confirm that you haven't completely lost your wits when you find yourself talking back to the head on your brand spanking new, forty-two inch LED-TV. The rest of this blog will consist of quick tips to make sure you don't become another lemming of the mainstream media. You know, an antidote against the "purple kool-aid" if you will oblige me.
Tip #1: It's Not Really a Cable "News" Show
Understanding this fact is vital, as this narrows the scope to shows I've already mentioned. Although the subject matter addressed by the hosts are in fact current events, they aren't actually delivering "News". You may even notice during some of their live broadcasts that if there is an urgent newsflash or update on some real-time event, they usually cut to an anchor-person on the actual newsroom. Some may argue that these shows are in fact news programs and that they are simply presenting the news in an editorial format, but I feel the need to highlight their distinction from traditional newscasts.
Traditional newscasts are supposed to be objective (yeah right!) and intended to transmit the facts as they are perceived at the moment (don't confuse this with accuracy). Opinions are usually deferred to subject experts or witnesses, but never offered by the journalist/anchor. When we watch the likes of O'Reilly, Beck or Maddow, their personal opinions (or their Producer's) are brought to the forefront of the analysis. The may allow for countering opinions by guests and pundits but the exchange is tilted towards the idealistic inclination of the host at all times.
For viewers, this should trigger a natural instinct to scrutinize everything that is said. Don't simply accept what comes out of your 7.1 Dolby Surround Sound system as fact simply because your political inclinations are in-tune to that of your favorite host. We've got to keep them honest. Check your facts. Follow up and read a little more about the subject matter. Consider at least three different sources before you jump on any bandwagons. Guys like O'Reilly and Matthews often test the knowledge of their guest with political or historical trivia to make sure they're not just smacking their lips for the sake of air time. We should do the same. So before you make their opinions your own, or even worse, write a blog about it, make sure you research, read and read and read some more.
Have you ever stood up from your couch and yelled: "That Rachel Maddow is such a bitch"? Or perhaps you've announced: "Bill O'Reilly can be the biggest asshole sometimes". Certainly your spouse or mate has asked you the inevitable question; "If you hate them so much, why do you always watch the show"? If you're nodding your head right now then tip number two is definitely for you. You have to understand that the main reason you are hooked to these shows is because you are being entertained.
Ultimately, the news network's main goal is to get you to watch their programming. For them it means better ratings and more advertising revenue. For the producers and TV personalities it means that they have to be more "in-your-face" and edgy. If they can rise an emotion out of you, especially anger, they will get you to tune in again the next day.
People like Mathews and O'Reilly have mastered the art of challenging opponents directly. At times sincerely, but often for dramatic effect. Beck has cornered the market as a doomsayer with his predictions of impending calamity. Olberman and Maddow tend to be more sarcastic and facetious in nature. Maddow manages to remain pleasant and has obviously perfected her craft. Olberman on the other hand is obnoxious to the point of being insulting and degrading. I've questioned why he's still on the air.
The point is: Don't get angry. If you're yelling at the TV you've become the "lowest common denominator". Essentially, you've entered the realm of the lowbrow audience that advertisers drool over because they know you're emotional and will probably buy whatever it is they are hocking with their ads.
It is perfectly acceptable to admit that these show are entertaining. But the truth is that if you're goal is strictly to be entertained, you'll get more bang for your buck with Bugs Bunny or a Jim Carey movie. We watch cable news because we also expect to learn something new. If you're a geek like me, subjects like History, Political Science, Economics and Government are as fun as any carnival ride. It is for that effect that cable news shows are at times very much like a three-ring circus.
Another way to filter the good shows from the less-good shows, is to ask yourself; What am I learning? For example, Glenn Beck will take you through very informative lessons in history to make his points about some current talking point. You may not agree with his assertions, but you will learn a lot about things that aren't covered in your high school history text book. If you're smart, and refuse to accept his presentation of history, you will, at the very least, do your own research in an attempt to debunk him. In any case, you will learn something.
Bill O'Reilly has a little "Word of the Day" segment where he presents the definitions of obscure and obsolete words of the English language. Rachel Maddow has allowed viewers to follow her as she documents her trips to Iraq and Afghanistan where she meets with locals and presents an alternative perspective to our views on foreign events. I've yet to learn something from Keith Olberman, which is why, once again I'll admit: I've questioned why he's still on the air.
Tip #4: Don't Repeat What You Hear on TV?
Don't regurgitate talking points you've heard on cable news shows and attempt to pass them off as your own. The hosts of these programs have teams of researchers, producers, assistants and teleprompters to make what they do look easy. That is not a knock on their intelligence or sincerity but an acknowledgment that these TV personalities are performing a job. They are paid to express opinions and moderate debates on their shows. They are creating a product that we consume.
We, on the contrary, have to go to work, school or manage a household and have limited opportunities to do the research and the studying that is required to have enough data to provide quality commentary on a breadth of different issues. For instance, Maddow and O'Reilly are very well educated and highly intelligent individuals. The opinions they express did not develop overnight. I'm sure they are hardened with years of experience, personal reflection and tested through numerous debates. They have remarkable credibility and are often recognized not only by their peers but often by their counterparts.
That is why it would be foolish to simply incorporate their opinions in our own exchanges without baking them in our own minds first. It could be that even after a short meditative process we may actually share the same ideas as our TV personalities, but they will be our own and not a product of watching a little too much TV.
Tip #5: Check-In with Reality
This one is short and sweet. If you're kids refer to Bill O'Reilly and Rachel Maddow as "Uncle Bill" and "Auntie Rachel" or if you gained twelve pounds because you didn't leave the couch until after election day; Then you are not just watching way too many cable news shows, you're watching way too much TV.
Get off your butt, go play with your kids and fondle your wife. Get some air and do some exercise. Ultimately, TV isn't good for your physical health anyway. Don't worry, O'Reilly will be there when you return and Beck will find another crisis that will threaten to destroy the universe.
I'll end this list here for now. I'm pretty sure it will grow as I get some feedback or discover some more on my own. I hope you have enjoyed this list. Feel free to suggest some ideas of your own
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