Mass Media?? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

MEAD · 08-08-2003, 11:06 PM

It seems a trend now that any "intellectual" decries the evils of mass media and marketing mind control. Anyone who is aware enough to realize it's effects takes a psuedo-rebelous stance against without really thinking it through, like a damn puritan on a witch hunt. I'm not standing up for this kind of manipulative marketing but I question the validity of many people's opposition of it. How can one not look like a total hypocrite when they are most likely watching MTV and eating fast food even though they say they are oppssed to it? Hell mass media still makes money off marketing to so-called rebelous sub-culture groups anyhow. So where are we? Even with the titular opposition of mass media by so-called rebels, are will still looking at an inevitable revolution?
Will we finally get off our asses? Or is it impossibile, with the exponential expansion of communication, to resist being controled? So, personally realizing how futile it is for me to resist, I eat my happy meal proudly. But what are your thoughts?

CyCo PL · 08-09-2003, 12:11 AM

mass media is awesome and cool

TwistedFate · 08-09-2003, 12:51 AM

At this time, I would say that the Amish and recluses like the Unibomber are probably the only ones not under some form of mass media influence. Resistance is futile. Prepare to be assimilated

Now pass me a Big Mac and a Dr. Pepper and go away so I can watch Survivor 45:South Central LA

spectre · 08-09-2003, 08:01 AM

*spec waits patiently for art to opine

Double D · 08-09-2003, 08:34 AM

People who stash their brains under their seats and refuse to think for themselves, are welcome to be eaten alive by the influence of mass media. Enjoy.

TwistedFate · 08-09-2003, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Double D
People who stash their brain under their seat

That's where I left it!!

BTW, would that be the seat of the car that mass media had NO influence in helping you buy?

sandeep · 08-09-2003, 01:23 PM

i'm majoring in Mass Communication next year not because i want to be one of the suits, but because it's a way of life. for most people, it's the way of life.

i agree that having your own morals and opinions is crucial, but also rejecting something just because you think you should, well that's just a bit silly if you ask me.
i'm reminded of the "windose suxers, blah blah" guys, then when asked what OS they use, they politley reply "windows xp, but i ripped it off so it's okay!"

i don't think that we have no choice and should just sit back and take it, but i do think that education is the first step to rebellion. you can break all the windows you want, but if you don't know what you're fighting for, and more importantly, against, then i don't see much of a point.

it seems the trends developed to fight the mass media mindset, turn into the very same thing. hoards of people thinking they should do a certain thing to go against the norm. well the educated mind will (and already has) just say "okay, well we'll change the norm to whatever you're using to rebell, and we'll turn you all into our spokespeople"

the idea of organized information is what appeals to me personally, and the media is the premier example of just that.

i can't wait to start school in the fall, because i really do enjoy learning and school in general, but also because this is something that i do feel pretty strongly about.

oh, and i'm also reminded of the whole browser and web standards debate. very easily related to this topic, i think, but hopefully this won't turn into another browser thread.

i8one2 · 08-09-2003, 01:26 PM

Mass anything, becomes excessive.

CSflim · 08-09-2003, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MEAD
Hell mass media still makes money off marketing to so-called rebelous sub-culture groups anyhow.

Hehehehe... "Revolution Soda", complete with Che Guevera logo! I shit you not! The photographer of the imfamous picture sued the company, purely out of principle. The photographer of the most reproduced photograph in the world never made a cent from it! (he didn't want to).

ARTelevision · 08-09-2003, 04:17 PM

If it was indeed hypocritical to criticize environments we are a part of - there would be no criticism at all, would there?

I'm always pleased when someone who exists within the total cultural environment of mass media takes the initiative to criticize it.

I see no contradition in doing so.

Double D · 08-09-2003, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TwistedFate
That's where I left it!!

BTW, would that be the seat of the car that mass media had NO influence in helping you buy?

Hmm, well I've wanted this car since I was four y.o., 39 years ago. Was there Mass Media then? I know the term hadn't yet been coined.

YourNeverThere · 08-09-2003, 04:47 PM

See Mead, its not that hard to live without being a mass media consumer, acutally, you just have to not be an idiot. Not judging anyone, just its really not that hard. Just don't buy your cloths at chain stores, and not buy that happy meal, if you have a problem with something, then dont do it. I mean just being aware of the fact that all they are trying to do is make money, take your money really, then you start to notice that all the commercials are all really not that smart and buying those things won't make you cool, then you just work at not being influanced by corporate america, then your not a hypocrite, now, if you are really fooled by the ad's that are marketing the "rebels" so called, then your stupid. No offence, not saying that you are, in fact your not becuase you talked about it, but anyone who really buys anything from Hottopic and thinks that they are cool and unique and 'fighting the system' arnt that smart, they are the people that the corporations are advertizing to, those are the "so called rebels" that are hypocrite's

JumpinJesus · 08-09-2003, 04:55 PM

You only have to be smart enough to realize that Pepsi and Coke are the same drink with different labels. Then you're ok.

Jesus Pimp · 08-09-2003, 05:06 PM

Mead, sounds like you're in denial. Take some mass media classes and you'll understand.

MEAD · 08-09-2003, 06:18 PM

Denial? How so? I was just being overly dramatic at the end. I am fully aware that I am constantly being marketed to and I know I can reisist it, but I also know that it takes a committment that I don't have, to fight it all the time. I'm not even sure I want to. For me I have the whole thing sussed out. I decided not to put up a full time front to "sameness" of mass media. It's just not personally a big concern of mine.

What I meant to get across was that there are many people who say they are anti-corporate, but are, in reality, just trying to fit in to a certian group. Those are the ignorant people I was trying to get to think; I've decided for myself already. I have no objections either way if one wishes to deny or comply with mass media.

ARTelevision · 08-09-2003, 07:37 PM

it's always good to do a search on your topic when you start a thread - never know what might turn up:

http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...ght=mass+media

TwistedFate · 08-09-2003, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Double D
Hmm, well I've wanted this car since I was four y.o., 39 years ago. Was there Mass Media then? I know the term hadn't yet been coined.

No billboards in 1964? No TV? No magazines ads? No radio ads? Just because a label hasn't been assigned to something doesn't mean it doesn't exist. And just because you were 4 doesn't mean you can't be affected by it.

-----------------------------------------

You really can't help but be affected by it. You can sit there and say that you aren't because you are smarter than that. That you aren't gullible enough to be taken in by the ads, but chances are there are many things in your life that you purchased because of Mass Marketing whether you admit to it or not.

Let me give a physical example. Subway is running a current commercial blitz for their new Chicken Pizziola sub. Now I'm not dumb enough to fall for that so I don't go buy it from Subway. However, Chicken Pizziola is a taste sensation that I enjoy so I go the mom and pop grocery store and buy the ingredients to make it myself. I was still influenced by Mass Market to enjoy the sub.

So now let's go by YourNeverThere's example. You avoid any Mass Market influence by not buying clothes at chains, not visiting chain restaurants, chain grocery stores, never go see a movie, TV is out, magazines are out, radio is out, etc... as all are vehicles or products of Mass Market. How so you know which computer to buy? Which car has the best reliability record?

My point is you can't help but be affected by it. You don't have to follow blindly, but IMHO in todays world it is absurd to think you can live totally outside the influence of it.

YourNeverThere · 08-10-2003, 11:47 AM

Alright I know there's really an other thread about this, but a well,

Twistedfate, I never said you can live without being influenced by mass media, you'd have to live without senses. Did you like chicken Pizziola before you saw the subway commercial? yes, at least I think you did becuase you said you didn't go to subway after you saw the commercail, but you did go and buy the ingredents. So, are you giving money to subway? no, are you advertizing for them by enjoying thier food possibly in public? no, in no way are you helping that corperation. That's the difference between living aware of the absolutly monsterously large compaign that is trying to separate you from your money at all hours of the day and night. So, dont buy the chain clothes so that you don't end up looking excatly like 3 million other people, don't go to the chain restarants/chain grocery stores that are quickly putting that mom and pop store you went to for a chickeny pizza flavoured sandwidge out of business. See movies at the small local theatres and try to ignore the ads, mute the commercials at home, read intelligent magazines, listen to CBC if in Canada, if not try to local collage station if possible, try to cut down on vehicle use just for the environment, not only for the princibles.
There's also a difference between reserach and watching ad's. When you buy a computer do you sit down in front of a tv and watch for the best commercial? Same when you buy a car? of course not, you reserach them, try to find out the real facts not the glossed over advertizing facts that come from the tv. Reserach things like that of course is you being influenced by mass media, people are influenced by everthing, a butterfly flapping its wings in China might cause an avalanche in New Zealand, who knows? People are influence by everything they read and do and see etc.

Double D · 08-10-2003, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by YourNeverThere
people are influenced by everything, a butterfly flapping its wings in China might cause an avalanche in New Zealand, who knows? People are influence by everything they read and do and see etc.

I agree completely.
It just seems like an argument that goes 'round and 'round 'till it makes my head spin. Ultimately, I think, so what? I'm not that deep that I need to take more than a class or two in the effects of the media on our psyches/behavior. Whether it's sex in an ice cube, or Pepsi as a product placement in a film, I don't care. I see them I think, oh how obvious, and I go on.

So there's nothing new under the sun, ad nauseum, so what?
So what if at age four or five I fell in love with the feel and the look of a Mustang, and 38 or 9 years later, I purchased one?

I guess I'm just shallow, 'cause I've got other things to think about, and even our discussing this is illustrating the effect of the media on us, so I'm stopping now.

Jesus Pimp · 08-10-2003, 04:12 PM

There's a difference between being influenced and a being a tool.

ARTelevision · 08-10-2003, 05:22 PM

good point JP - it's a spectrum of stimulus/response - we're all on it somewhere...

matters of degree matter

08-08-2003, 11:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
MEAD Insane Location: South Florida	Mass Media?? It seems a trend now that any "intellectual" decries the evils of mass media and marketing mind control. Anyone who is aware enough to realize it's effects takes a psuedo-rebelous stance against without really thinking it through, like a damn puritan on a witch hunt. I'm not standing up for this kind of manipulative marketing but I question the validity of many people's opposition of it. How can one not look like a total hypocrite when they are most likely watching MTV and eating fast food even though they say they are oppssed to it? Hell mass media still makes money off marketing to so-called rebelous sub-culture groups anyhow. So where are we? Even with the titular opposition of mass media by so-called rebels, are will still looking at an inevitable revolution? Will we finally get off our asses? Or is it impossibile, with the exponential expansion of communication, to resist being controled? So, personally realizing how futile it is for me to resist, I eat my happy meal proudly. But what are your thoughts? Last edited by MEAD; 08-08-2003 at 11:09 PM..

08-09-2003, 12:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
TwistedFate Crazy	At this time, I would say that the Amish and recluses like the Unibomber are probably the only ones not under some form of mass media influence. Resistance is futile. Prepare to be assimilated Now pass me a Big Mac and a Dr. Pepper and go away so I can watch Survivor 45:South Central LA __________________ If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.

08-09-2003, 08:01 AM	#4 (permalink)
spectre Junkie	spec waits patiently for art* to opine __________________ "Fuck these chains No goddamn slave I will be different" ~ Machine Head

08-09-2003, 08:34 AM	#5 (permalink)
Double D Junkie Location: Chicagoland	People who stash their brains under their seats and refuse to think for themselves, are welcome to be eaten alive by the influence of mass media. Enjoy. Last edited by Double D; 08-09-2003 at 04:48 PM..

08-09-2003, 01:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
i8one2 COMPLETED and A TRAINER Location: BEAN_TOWN	Mass anything, becomes excessive. __________________ LEATHER, LATEX and LACE "SSC" "Nothing That Gives Pleasure is Bad" Quality is for those who know what they want and are at peace with what they have. "S/M is about emotion; the erotic tension between my impulse toward something and my resistance against it."-- Virginia Barker

08-09-2003, 12:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
CyCo PL Addict Location: Tulsa, OK	mass media is awesome and cool

08-09-2003, 01:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
sandeep Insane	i'm majoring in Mass Communication next year not because i want to be one of the suits, but because it's a way of life. for most people, it's the way of life. i agree that having your own morals and opinions is crucial, but also rejecting something just because you think you should, well that's just a bit silly if you ask me. i'm reminded of the "windose suxers, blah blah" guys, then when asked what OS they use, they politley reply "windows xp, but i ripped it off so it's okay!" i don't think that we have no choice and should just sit back and take it, but i do think that education is the first step to rebellion. you can break all the windows you want, but if you don't know what you're fighting for, and more importantly, against, then i don't see much of a point. it seems the trends developed to fight the mass media mindset, turn into the very same thing. hoards of people thinking they should do a certain thing to go against the norm. well the educated mind will (and already has) just say "okay, well we'll change the norm to whatever you're using to rebell, and we'll turn you all into our spokespeople" the idea of organized information is what appeals to me personally, and the media is the premier example of just that. i can't wait to start school in the fall, because i really do enjoy learning and school in general, but also because this is something that i do feel pretty strongly about. oh, and i'm also reminded of the whole browser and web standards debate. very easily related to this topic, i think, but hopefully this won't turn into another browser thread.

08-09-2003, 04:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	If it was indeed hypocritical to criticize environments we are a part of - there would be no criticism at all, would there? I'm always pleased when someone who exists within the total cultural environment of mass media takes the initiative to criticize it. I see no contradition in doing so. __________________ create evolution

08-09-2003, 04:47 PM	#12 (permalink)
YourNeverThere Practical Anarchist Location: Yesterday i woke up stuck in hollywood	See Mead, its not that hard to live without being a mass media consumer, acutally, you just have to not be an idiot. Not judging anyone, just its really not that hard. Just don't buy your cloths at chain stores, and not buy that happy meal, if you have a problem with something, then dont do it. I mean just being aware of the fact that all they are trying to do is make money, take your money really, then you start to notice that all the commercials are all really not that smart and buying those things won't make you cool, then you just work at not being influanced by corporate america, then your not a hypocrite, now, if you are really fooled by the ad's that are marketing the "rebels" so called, then your stupid. No offence, not saying that you are, in fact your not becuase you talked about it, but anyone who really buys anything from Hottopic and thinks that they are cool and unique and 'fighting the system' arnt that smart, they are the people that the corporations are advertizing to, those are the "so called rebels" that are hypocrite's __________________ The Above post is a direct quote from Shakespeare Last edited by YourNeverThere; 08-09-2003 at 04:51 PM..

08-09-2003, 04:55 PM	#13 (permalink)
JumpinJesus Junkie Location: Chicago	You only have to be smart enough to realize that Pepsi and Coke are the same drink with different labels. Then you're ok. __________________ "I can normally tell how intelligent a man is by how stupid he thinks I am" - Cormac McCarthy, All The Pretty Horses

08-09-2003, 05:06 PM	#14 (permalink)
Jesus Pimp The Original JizzSmacka	Mead, sounds like you're in denial. Take some mass media classes and you'll understand. __________________ Never date anyone who doesn't make your dick hard.

08-09-2003, 06:18 PM	#15 (permalink)
MEAD Insane Location: South Florida	Denial? How so? I was just being overly dramatic at the end. I am fully aware that I am constantly being marketed to and I know I can reisist it, but I also know that it takes a committment that I don't have, to fight it all the time. I'm not even sure I want to. For me I have the whole thing sussed out. I decided not to put up a full time front to "sameness" of mass media. It's just not personally a big concern of mine. What I meant to get across was that there are many people who say they are anti-corporate, but are, in reality, just trying to fit in to a certian group. Those are the ignorant people I was trying to get to think; I've decided for myself already. I have no objections either way if one wishes to deny or comply with mass media.

08-09-2003, 07:37 PM	#16 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	it's always good to do a search on your topic when you start a thread - never know what might turn up: http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...ght=mass+media __________________ create evolution

08-10-2003, 11:47 AM	#18 (permalink)
YourNeverThere Practical Anarchist Location: Yesterday i woke up stuck in hollywood	Alright I know there's really an other thread about this, but a well, Twistedfate, I never said you can live without being influenced by mass media, you'd have to live without senses. Did you like chicken Pizziola before you saw the subway commercial? yes, at least I think you did becuase you said you didn't go to subway after you saw the commercail, but you did go and buy the ingredents. So, are you giving money to subway? no, are you advertizing for them by enjoying thier food possibly in public? no, in no way are you helping that corperation. That's the difference between living aware of the absolutly monsterously large compaign that is trying to separate you from your money at all hours of the day and night. So, dont buy the chain clothes so that you don't end up looking excatly like 3 million other people, don't go to the chain restarants/chain grocery stores that are quickly putting that mom and pop store you went to for a chickeny pizza flavoured sandwidge out of business. See movies at the small local theatres and try to ignore the ads, mute the commercials at home, read intelligent magazines, listen to CBC if in Canada, if not try to local collage station if possible, try to cut down on vehicle use just for the environment, not only for the princibles. There's also a difference between reserach and watching ad's. When you buy a computer do you sit down in front of a tv and watch for the best commercial? Same when you buy a car? of course not, you reserach them, try to find out the real facts not the glossed over advertizing facts that come from the tv. Reserach things like that of course is you being influenced by mass media, people are influenced by everthing, a butterfly flapping its wings in China might cause an avalanche in New Zealand, who knows? People are influence by everything they read and do and see etc. __________________ The Above post is a direct quote from Shakespeare

08-10-2003, 04:12 PM	#20 (permalink)
Jesus Pimp The Original JizzSmacka	There's a difference between being influenced and a being a tool. __________________ Never date anyone who doesn't make your dick hard.

08-10-2003, 05:22 PM	#21 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	good point JP - it's a spectrum of stimulus/response - we're all on it somewhere... matters of degree matter __________________ create evolution