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So, this was made in 2007, but recently I've been reminded of how ridiculous the news can be.
If I were to add one thing I would add something about the news being more about opinions over facts. I always thought of the media being a place where facts are presented with little or no opinion and bias. It is so difficult to get a balanced delivery of information.
However, I think that was a naive point of view to take. I had a good conversation with Del (my father-in-law) about this. We were discussing many things, one of which was the news and how it runs today, but he pointed out that it has always been about presenting opinions with the intent of persuasion. He gave an example of Lincoln and the North using media during the Civil War. Thinking more about it I remembered that even back during the early days of the church the church printed it's paper and the mobs printed their papers which created a lot of conflict and emotion.
I'm still figuring out how I feel about all of that, but I realized there was a connection between this and my recent thoughts after reading the 'Thirteen American Arguments'. The realization is that I'm soo.....I don't know the right word. Not ethnocentric, but the same idea from a generational/time point of view, maybe tempo-centric?... I've felt the debates and issues in the recent elections have been so heated and important, as if they had never occurred before my generation and my interest in politics. If they had we would have found the solution already, right? We are 'that great nation' that has the best solutions to the worlds problems, if we were having this much trouble, debate, and hate brewing it must be the first time we have gone through this. I was wrong, these debates and diverse opinions have always existed and always will, but that is healthy.
I'm reminded of the lessons from the Book of Mormon and other scripture that we need to learn from our past. It seems we hardly ever do. We are quick to forget what our fathers have gone through. I guess I'm starting to realize the value and appreciate the perspective that comes from knowing and understanding history.... but I digress into the other thoughts branching out from my original post, so I will end this before I drag on much longer. Leave your thoughts. I will end with another funny clip from SNL making fun of the election coverage by one of the large news networks. Enjoy.
