Media-Literacy and Integrity (Among other things)

note: I do not claim any allegiance to any journalistic, international, or governmental entity. I myself claim to be an observer and skeptic. Interpret the following as you will.

I consider myself an advocacy for media-literacy. In fact, I'm pretty much an advocate for literacy of all kinds. Understanding what the hell is happening is the first step towards analyzing and/or solving said thing (if said thing is bad...). At least in my book.

In light of recent and horrific current events, I find myself struggling to keep up with the facts as much as the perspective diaspora. Truth: the world would not function if it weren't for varying views of this semi-aquatic space-ball. Still, it seems opinions are interfering with the facts in a "religiously secular" kind of way.

At today's end, I find myself with a massive headache induced from both staring at my computer screen reading articles and the amount of information to be processed. I don't pretend to comprehend the "mini-war" (Jeffery Goldberg, The Atlantic) in Gaza, the politics surrounding the downing of Malaysia Flight 17, or what stick has made it's home in certain heads-of-states' posteriors. I do try, however, to put the pieces together.

On some level, media perpetuates a lack of understanding in it's viewers. Viewers are consumers. It makes sense that what is consumed has been tailored towards those consuming. Last week, I had a pretty heated soliloquy in the car (my father as solitary witness) about the lilting bias of news reporting on what would devolve into the latest Gazan-Israeli crisis. The United States, to my knowledge as a born-citizen, is a supporter of the Israeli state. If this is so, why does American news outlets appear to dispel negative views of Israel. Wouldn't logic state that a country's media supports what the government supports? Or rather, the government represents a collective consciousness?

In the most extreme of categorizations: the illogic of reporting with a negative-slant towards what policy-makers deem as all good and well can be subordinate; the logic of mutual support between media and politics can verge on propaganda. The questions that remain are (1) where does the US fall on the spectrum and (2) how does this affect the comprehension of viewers?

To this writer, the news and the government seem to be divided on hot-button issues. This seems to vary by outlet and issue. Regardless, this indecision is what makes us great and very, very confused. Being able to foster a wealth of viewpoints and the discussions thereof shows that viewers care about that media-literacy I mentioned in the beginning. On the other hand, the surge of op-ed writing - some with rather dangerous notions (I cite this morning's Wall Street Journal debacle) - in conjunction with global news organizations makes for tough or slow-going for anyone trying to discern fact from agenda.

While watching the news tonight, I realized this and had to write it. Note that this is fly-by writing and unedited beyond word choice and redundancy. Anyone who wants to discuss this piece, feel free to contact me. I am always a fan of more knowledge, and more articles in my queue to read.

CLE

Back From the Dead with an Agenda

"London Skyline" by kyarithe (artist)

Have you ever had one of those weeks were all you do is reevaluate your life's decisions? Those teensy bits and bobs that have so far faded into the woodwork and been long forgotten (no matter how integral to your person they are)? 

It's been one of those in suburban Philadelphia, persisting to the near 2 month mark. June, July, and I'm fairly certain August will amount to much of the same. All inter-cranial analysis aside, I feel like I've grown up some. Especially in terms of how I was going to approach specifically this blog when I decided to return to it (if I ever did). Out of unfocused wanderings occasionally emerges a worth while existence. Don't get me wrong, I'm not there, but I think I'm close. 

Now exists solid proof that no part of high school is particularly fantastic (I'm talking pure academia folks, brick-and-mortar white tower and all). I think people grow up when they know what they want to do, what makes them happy or fulfills their life in some way. Thus ends my waxing-philosophical, I swear. I've decided to write about what I find interesting, whatever that may be, in the hopes that one day some teenager like myself may find such a trove of useless knowledge. We can hear about Kim Kardashian and whoever the heck else during the primetime television hours. Where else are you going to read about James Joyce's daughter or pre-war Canadian postcards or an animal that is not a cat?? 

Case in point: I don't see myself being a teacher in the conventional classroom sense, but I do love telling people things. I talk a lot, like anybody would if raised by my family. I figure I should put my vast depths of random interests to good use. So, expect no true theme. Expect digression and a little niggling feeling of "what the hell". 

I hope it works out.

CLE

Recommendation of the Week: Stuff You Missed in History Class by HowStuffWorks.com (podcast for total history nerds)