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Originally Posted by JinnKai
You can't make a statement like that without admitting that you've got a chip on your shoulder towards the media.
The 'media' is loosely a group of media conglomerates with very little agenda beyond making money. The photographers, film makers, reporters, writers, editors and producers are ultimately doing what they do because it is favorable to do so and thus earns money. If they were truly "drilling and brainwashing an audience" and "institutionalizing standards" I doubt that the (albeit mostly ignorant) populace would be so easily deluded. They're able to do what they do because there are people who enjoy knowing what britney shaved yesterday, what's "hot" and what's "not," and what the 30 NEW tips on "how to please your man" are.
If you blame the media (those who produce it) then you've got to equally blame the consumers (those who use it), because they're the ones LETTING themselves be 'drilled,' 'brainwashed,' and 'institutionalized.'
The idea that we're helpless servants of the powerful media is counterproductive to the process of breaking these social norms, because it is only by defiance (and lack of consumption) that the media changes.
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No, no, no. No chip here, I think you misunderstand. I am not blaming the media entirely, I am pointing out the role it plays and the effects it has. I am fairly media neutral actually but harbor an interest and curiousity to it. I once considered pursuing a career in advertising but felt it paid too little.
I most certainly agree the dynamic between all the parties listed are entirely more complex than covered here. The media is only one player in a complex web involving people, and other entities as well. While they are not by any measure the sole contributor they are certainly a player. And yes, of course people are responsible for themselves as well. The best way to counter act the effects of the media is to not indulge in it at all. I use the media for my own personal use and not the other way around (or at least I try to). In other words, I make the media "on demand" for my needs.
However, what I was trying to point out was the fact that regardless of how informed or educated etc a person is, they are still vulnerable to the power of suggestion on a subconcious level that is highly influential. EX: repeated images of standards of beauty that are presented will eventually seep into the subconcious and further play a role in how people construct their world. This has an effect of institutionalizing and drilling into people's heads whatever message, deliberate or not, the media producer has sent. Typical issues tend to be sexism, misogyny, race, etc.
Your last line sums up the basic premise of what i was trying to say, but I wanted to add that the media is not off the hook by any means.