Comments on: The Message of Television http://theconnective.org/2008/03/17/the-message-of-television/ Choose your friends among men, but neither slaves nor masters Mon, 23 May 2011 16:06:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Eyal Sivan http://theconnective.org/2008/03/17/the-message-of-television/#comment-16 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 06:01:13 +0000 http://theconnective.wordpress.com/?p=88#comment-16 It’s funny you should mention reality television. I too see it as somewhat of a death knell. The irony is that primitive video-sharing services similar to YouTube existed prior to reality television, but enjoyed limited popularity. It was ultimately Survivor and its brethren that fueled the nascent demand to watch each other in reality instead of celebrities in fantasies. Reality TV showed us that we can be entertained by cheap, simple videos about regular people doing regular things. Videos that anyone with a camera and a laptop could make and distribute to the world.

Lenin used to say that the weakness of a capitalist is that he will sell you the rope to hang him with. Reality television seems like a very strong rope.

]]> By: Don Burton http://theconnective.org/2008/03/17/the-message-of-television/#comment-13 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:52:38 +0000 http://theconnective.wordpress.com/?p=88#comment-13 After doing years and years of research( 36 years boob tube university/daycare)I have noticed a few things.

1: the quality of TV hardware has gone way up.
2: production values on the TV shows has gone way up as well

The Tricky Bit
3: Quality ( entertainment value, educational value)
Quality of TV shows seems to be very erratic. No matter what TV era you flip to there is maybe one or to good shows and the rest just suck.

How do I tie this to The Connective.

As tools for creating media and sharing that media with the world become more accessible to the general public (ei You tube,this blog )
the less dependent we become of the idiot box.

now the erratic nature of TVs quality could be the man giving us a small taste of what we want to see on TV in what i call a lame attempt
to make us feel secure, that or long time companion and friend has not forsaken us.

With the advent or reality programing I strongly feel that They have all but givin up the fight.

I see My reflection and i do want something better.
Don

]]>