tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post8700368785583156599..comments2024-03-18T03:40:39.185-04:00Comments on The Curious Jew: The Power of TelevisionChanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655144434904957767noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-81714928780958687802007-07-31T15:36:00.000-04:002007-07-31T15:36:00.000-04:00I don't know if you still notice comments this lat...I don't know if you still notice comments this late, but I saw this when you linked to it on one of your posts today. I really liked it.<BR/><BR/>One thing you could consider, if you build on this for a longer magazine piece, is the nature of television as a medium. It tends towards verisimilitude. If film is panoramic, showing a whole world, and theatre and prose are personal, showing the world of a handful of people, then television (broadly speaking) shows life as we see it all around us, all the time. Perhaps that is why so many people think it is "dangerous"; it is easier to relate what you see to real life, even if you should not (look at the way some people think soap operas are real). But that also means there is potential to examine real life dilemmas.<BR/><BR/>Incidentally, in the UK, we have the publicly-funded BBC national TV, radio and internet service <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bbc#Cultural_significance" REL="nofollow">specifically to produce high-quality, intelligent programmes</A>, and are receptive to the idea that television can be a force for good, for education and political commentary (even back in the 1950s and 1960s, BBC drama and non-fiction was dealing with issues that have only been allowed onto US networks recently, if at all), although whether standards have fallen in recent decades is hottly debated.<BR/><BR/>I confess I wrote something similar to this, albeit more light-hearted (it was for Purim) <A HREF="http://daniel-saunders.livejournal.com/41128.html" REL="nofollow">on my own blog</A> on my favourite TV programme, <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_who" REL="nofollow">Doctor Who</A>.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-65888566458545308162007-06-25T17:20:00.000-04:002007-06-25T17:20:00.000-04:00Quality TV is like a book on steroids -- unfortuna...Quality TV is like a book on steroids -- unfortunately the shows that convey any message of the sort you're describing are few and far between. As far as plot is concerned, there are only about 7 in the whole world -- the best TV shows dress them up in such different clothes that you want to see more of them. On the other hand, most TV is trash, entrance into a world we don't want to live in, not once the most cursory media analysis is done, whether it be reality or fiction. <BR/><BR/>Where I'm from, 9/11 came live and uncut from our local stations. Our cable TV worked, even as the telephones failed. The images seared into people's brains reflect a very harsh reality, a place no one wants to accept exists, much less is real and unfiltered.<BR/><BR/>Of course TV is a reflection of society. What we learn from it, whether conscious or not, is a reflection on our abilities to deconstruct and to empathize.<BR/><BR/>You've written an excellent piece here, and I'm impressed.alice, uptownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08566579486140522212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-35791337287428979772007-06-15T15:37:00.000-04:002007-06-15T15:37:00.000-04:00Dear Snarky Anonymousi,Shut. The Goddamned. Hell. ...Dear Snarky Anonymousi,<BR/><BR/>Shut. The Goddamned. Hell. Up.<BR/><BR/>Thanks.<BR/>------<BR/>Picture by Beauty, comments by...;)<BR/><BR/>All together now...Beauuuuuuty and the Beeeeeeeeaaaaaaast :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-5627298951765861332007-06-15T14:14:00.000-04:002007-06-15T14:14:00.000-04:00Dear Snarky Anonymousi,Shut. The Goddamned. Hell. ...Dear Snarky Anonymousi,<BR/><BR/>Shut. The Goddamned. Hell. Up.<BR/><BR/>Thanks.Chanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17655144434904957767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-65920305962658059172007-06-15T13:00:00.000-04:002007-06-15T13:00:00.000-04:00"God" is now being deleted.Bye-bye, God."God" is now being deleted.<BR/>Bye-bye, God.Chanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17655144434904957767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-2152287414504142322007-06-15T10:41:00.000-04:002007-06-15T10:41:00.000-04:00I don't know if it's the real God, though. I mean,...I don't know if it's the real God, though. I mean, come on: Quoting Revelations?<BR/><BR/>But 'He' is right on Google...Ezziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12494592434522239195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-35029236939407497842007-06-15T08:58:00.000-04:002007-06-15T08:58:00.000-04:00Wow, god comments.I'm officially impressedWow, god comments.<BR/><BR/>I'm officially impressedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-68522229715282580262007-06-14T22:01:00.000-04:002007-06-14T22:01:00.000-04:00>I have news for you, god.The Internet's worse.SAD...>I have news for you, god.<BR/>The Internet's worse.<BR/><BR/>SADIST!!<BR/><BR/><I>there there little internet, she didn't mean it</I>Holy Hyraxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17704030181702087485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-54004984181801339772007-06-14T21:57:00.000-04:002007-06-14T21:57:00.000-04:00HA!!Okay, so you should *definitely* have made the...HA!!<BR/><BR/>Okay, so you should *definitely* have made the children part clearer. It's far less bad for adults than children. That said, I like G and HH's comments as usual.Ezziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12494592434522239195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-44713084415537923572007-06-14T21:50:00.000-04:002007-06-14T21:50:00.000-04:00I have news for you, god.The Internet's worse.:DI have news for you, god.<BR/>The Internet's worse.<BR/><BR/>:DChanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17655144434904957767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-22441309031452536512007-06-14T21:39:00.000-04:002007-06-14T21:39:00.000-04:00This post is directed at teenagers and adults. :-)...This post is directed at teenagers and adults. :-) <BR/><BR/>Some things don't change with ageAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-47333041541538525242007-06-14T19:06:00.000-04:002007-06-14T19:06:00.000-04:00>Children need to learn to imagine on their own.We...>Children need to learn to imagine on their own.<BR/><BR/>Well maybe Adults should also use those imaginations once in a while again :)Holy Hyraxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17704030181702087485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-22212850903165139502007-06-14T18:39:00.000-04:002007-06-14T18:39:00.000-04:00Wait! Clarification!(Most) TV IS NOT SUITABLE FOR ...Wait! Clarification!<BR/><BR/>(Most) TV IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN. It rots their brains, as they sing in the Willy Wonka song. Children need to learn to imagine on their own.<BR/><BR/>This post is directed at teenagers and adults. :-)Chanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17655144434904957767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-79062560021411304882007-06-14T18:37:00.000-04:002007-06-14T18:37:00.000-04:00Full disclosure. I love TV. I was raised on it. I ...Full disclosure. I love TV. I was raised on it. I think the writing of the shows these days are better than it ever was. I can't believe you did not mention LOST!<BR/><BR/>The thing is, you are trying to dicuss the 'power' of Television and everything you have described in your examples from certain shows is something that I am sure every great author has tackled. These are not new things. The power has come a long time ago from people that did not have a TV, and had time devoted to thinking of these things in the first place.<BR/><BR/>Now you even agree that the sex in Greys Anatomy is overblown. So do you realize how some of that power is diminished by these things? It's not just the shows, its the commercials. Now I have to worry about certain commercials that my kids end up watching.<BR/><BR/>I honostly believe that the greatest scholars of our day do not spend much time infront of the tube. Infact, I believe the only reason you see such tremendous power in is because you are very eclectic and can find meaning in a jar of tuna. This is not an insult. I am like this myself. But I think when push comes to shove, perhaps when you God willing will have children, and that it DOES influence as opposed to what I used to think, you might think a bit differently. <BR/><BR/>I agree with Ezzie, the good that TV has, is overshadowed by the bad.Holy Hyraxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17704030181702087485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-58388456521406810022007-06-14T15:41:00.000-04:002007-06-14T15:41:00.000-04:00I recommend a science fiction "televised novel" fr...I recommend a science fiction "televised novel" from the 1990s called "Babylon 5." It portrays a classic battle between good and evil--and every shade of gray in between. Maybe you could borrow the DVDs.Shira Salamonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15989302669175887512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-2041630640448920732007-06-14T15:00:00.000-04:002007-06-14T15:00:00.000-04:00Good t.v. is very good. Whether it's a net-plus f...Good t.v. is very good. Whether it's a net-plus for society or a net-minus, I can't say. It's certainly been bad for individuals' health and the quality of political debate.<BR/><BR/>It's a lot like the food industry in that way. Good food is very good, but the way the system works is that producers find ways to game our instincts to maximize their profits. Just our natural cravings for sugar, salt, and fat are exploited by companies willing to make profits at our health's expense, our natural cravings for drama, sex, violence, and escapism are exploited to make profits even at our mind's and body's expense.Jewish Atheisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04616617537150446818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-31248309383898648552007-06-14T12:45:00.000-04:002007-06-14T12:45:00.000-04:00Perhaps you could assume the form of any person yo...<I>Perhaps you could assume the form of any person you desired.</I><BR/><BR/>No, that is not Candice's power! She can create illusions. She cannot shapeshift. :-)Nephtulihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00245081159460337112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-4337408503253023042007-06-14T12:34:00.000-04:002007-06-14T12:34:00.000-04:00Is everyone talking about TV in general as a mediu...Is everyone talking about TV in general as a medium, or prime-time shows?haKiruvhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12364180049796549383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-7470227602611470932007-06-14T10:34:00.000-04:002007-06-14T10:34:00.000-04:00Interesting. It seems what you like about TV is t...Interesting. It seems what you like about TV is that when it's good, it's not just "black and white". It has shades of grey and makes you think about how you should feel about what's going on.<BR/><BR/>That's probably why Chareidim (who can think ONLY in terms of "black and white" and would prefer that you DIDN'T think too much) hate it so much.<BR/><BR/>Heroes is awesome. I have no interest in the other shows. And yes, I thought the "mother's day" show was very powerful.PsychoToddlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00874353280798371891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-71500415380481090022007-06-14T10:05:00.000-04:002007-06-14T10:05:00.000-04:00I agree with your basic point. However, I believe ...I agree with your basic point. However, I believe that the experiences of most people with television are closer to those described by anonymous4:20 than to your intellectual vision. The strength of the message that emanates from television overwhelms the capability of independent thought in most people, rather than nurturing it, as opposed to the blander written medium. While this power of television can be harnessed for great good, it can as easily, if not moreso, be used for great evil.<BR/><BR/>Television <B>is</B> the tool that teaches the masses how to live and even how to think without their knowing it - the question becomes whether the entertainment and advertising industries are the teachers that we wish to select for ourselves.Josh M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14414532577328945154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-40514338151010809592007-06-14T09:04:00.000-04:002007-06-14T09:04:00.000-04:00Chana, Chana, Chana...you dissapoint me (not that ...Chana, Chana, Chana...you dissapoint me (not that this fact should matter to you at all, but still).<BR/><BR/>You want to andvance the argument that TV has what to offer and these are the soldiers you go to war with: House, Heroes and Grey's Anatomy!? House I can understand but the other two are nothing more than a modern day comic book and the newest prime time soap opera. <BR/><BR/>"Television is only the book made more real."<BR/><BR/>Ahhhhhhhhhh, stop this you're hurting me. Ever hear the phrase, "the book was better than the movie"? This is ALWAYS the case, nothing manifested on a screen can ever touch the richness created in one's own mind. TV and movies are the dumbing down of reading, more is the pity.<BR/><BR/>"television is our foremost vehicle for allowing us to think"<BR/><BR/>If this is true we are all doomed.<BR/><BR/>"the majority of the people who watch it do not realize they are thinking at all"<BR/><BR/>That's because the majority are not :)<BR/><BR/>"They therefore avoid feeling as though thinking is a chore, a task, a burden"<BR/><BR/>For most people it is.<BR/><BR/>"- they indulge in it, they enjoy it"<BR/><BR/>Bingo!<BR/><BR/>Now don't get me wrong, in a way I was raised by TV/Movies. I'm a junkie of the first order, just don't try and tell me that the medium does more good than it does harm in the grand scheme of things. They are, for the most part, vast oceans of wasted time and that is it's greatest crime of all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-55187010130220912022007-06-14T04:20:00.000-04:002007-06-14T04:20:00.000-04:00the only way i can see that tv helps me is escapis...the only way i can see that tv helps me is escapism. i am a thinker, a worrier, and sometimes an overthinker/overworrier. tv helps me get away from myself for a short time as does reading trashy gossip mags. I have learned more from books than tv shows. i know you may think that i am subconsciously learning, but i don't think so. tv is all about images. i don't learn that way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-70219950032644565222007-06-14T03:44:00.000-04:002007-06-14T03:44:00.000-04:00Sometimes I feel like a pop culture curator. Anywa...Sometimes I feel like a pop culture curator. Anyway, you might want to check out this book: Steven Johnson's <I>Everything Bad is Good for You</I>. It's about television, and the positive effects on viewers. It's a bit iconoclastic, but if you're prepared for that, it's excellent.Mordyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17867691247115831385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-52076516757948509652007-06-13T22:38:00.000-04:002007-06-13T22:38:00.000-04:00I think some TV is good and some TV is bad, some a...I think some TV is good and some TV is bad, some aspects of certain shows are good, and some are not. <BR/><BR/>I was just sad you didn't put Scrubs up there on your list! I've been wanting to post about Scrubs for a while now, so maybe I'll just go ahead and do it.Erachethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00660802321998349072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-53725398608993138792007-06-13T22:32:00.000-04:002007-06-13T22:32:00.000-04:00Hmm, said I wouldn't comment, but I'm doing so dif...Hmm, said I wouldn't comment, but I'm doing so differently than I said I would, so I don't feel bad. :P<BR/><BR/>While I disagree with your premise and points, and think TV - while it has its positives - is overall slightly negative, I'll give a much better example from a movie about a good moral dilemma.<BR/><BR/>Swordfish:<BR/><BR/>"GABRIEL<BR/>Stanley, here's a scenario. You<BR/>have the power to cure all of the<BR/>world's diseases. But the price<BR/>for this is that you must kill a<BR/>single, innocent child. Could you<BR/>kill that child to save the world?<BR/>STANLEY<BR/>No.<BR/>GABRIEL<BR/>You disappoint me, Stanley. It's<BR/>the greatest good.<BR/>Silence for several beats.<BR/>STANLEY<BR/>How about ten innocents?<BR/>(CONTINUED)<BR/>100.<BR/>133A CONTINUED: 133A<BR/>GABRIEL<BR/>Now you're getting it. How about<BR/>a hundred?<BR/>Gabriel becomes intense.<BR/>GABRIEL<BR/>How about a thousand? Not to save<BR/>the world, but just to preserve<BR/>our way of life.<BR/>STANLEY<BR/>No man has the right to make that<BR/>decision. You're no different<BR/>than any other terrorist.<BR/>GABRIEL<BR/>You're wrong, Stanley. Some men<BR/>are put here to shape destiny, to<BR/>protect freedom, despite the<BR/>atrocities they must commit. I am<BR/>one of those men. Thousands die<BR/>every day for no reason at all,<BR/>where is your bleeding heart for<BR/>them? You give your twenty<BR/>dollars to Greenpeace every year<BR/>and think you are changing the<BR/>world."Ezziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12494592434522239195noreply@blogger.com