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Let's identify one thing. Exacty which issue do any of us have the right to be so incensed about? How many issues are there?
Tiger allegedly cheating on his wife and being guilty of infidelity? So...we're going to get upset when it's a public figure, or does wealth give us the right to pry? This must be true, no one got upset when I got busted coloring outside the lines...except my first wife and every family member on that side, but that's another venue unto its own . So where then do you set the bar? Net worth of 1 milion or more? Nah, way to low. There must be a line however, or being upset at the indiscretions of others would be all we had time to do. So that must not be the real issue.
Tiger possibly being a hypocrite? The last time I checked, Tiger hasn't given me any guidance on where I should set my moral compass, and then set sail in the opposite direction. Maybe I have the right to get upset because he may have been a hypocrite to someone else then. That can't be it, I just don't have a dog in that fight. So that must not be the real issue.
I could play this game for quite some time, and present other issues that are likely much closer to the truth, but they are more provocative than I am willing to auther in this forum, so let me speak for myself and be clear on my issue and all others like it.
The media has bastardized the rights of American citizens to their patriotic right to privacy, and we are the spokes of hypocracy that feed this wretched beast. The insults upon our rights are proliferated by our own malnurished feeding frenzies. We have demonstrated that, regardless of our outward expressions of disgust, we will still sit transfixed on the television, engrossed in the tabloids, and invite the cancer into our conversations from the water cooler to the back church pews.
The cure is as simple as the basic fundamentals of economics, supply and demand. If the demand decreases or disappears, so then the supply shall follow suit. I hold no false belief that the demand for gosip, "inside information", and patently fabricated sensationalism will ever become notably deminished. Therefore, the supply "shall follow suit."
The choice then lies entirely within the individual, to participate or abstain. It is up to each of us then to become more aware of, and guarded against, the blatant and intentional manipulation of the media, geared toward feeding our ever increasing hunger to observe the pain and suffering of others as if it were entertainment.
| Comments (19) | |
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mojo69
2/20/2010 4:34:27 AM Well said. I couldn't agree more. |
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axfist069
2/16/2010 12:05:27 AM Everyone loves a good scandal , always have , always will. I'm about as interested in Tigers life off the course as he is about mine. But the general public knows very little about the man outside of golf. He is the worlds most recognizable athlete and he keeps his private life just that , private! So any news that leaks through that "shield" of his is just that , news! The world wants to know , know that he's human just like the rest of us. He fallible like you or me , money has little to do with it in my opinion. It comes down to the values of respect and idolization. 50 years ago , this doesn't make the headlines , the world has become smaller and we just don't hold the values we once did as a society. To become a public figure now , you live , breathe and die by the publics opinion. Tiger knows this. He did what he did knowing the consequences. Whether we watch or not is entirely up to us. It's far from over , it'll be trumped up all over again for about a month after he gets back to playing on tour, then finally we'll forget about it................ |
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Spiko
2/15/2010 1:11:44 PM Brother you could not have stated your point any clearer and I have to agree with everything you state. |
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JohnSchneider
2/15/2010 9:12:25 AM well said |
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sberend
2/14/2010 4:03:38 AM Unfortunately, as someone who works in the media, you are correct in your "supply and demand" theory. The fact of the matter is.... people want to hear everything they can about this story. How many people have you heard talking around the water cooler about something they read last night from "Radaronline" or "Popeater.com" about Tiger? The very fact that people race to those websites to gather information on the topic proves my point. As long as viewers/subscribers/readers thrist (or demand) to hear the latest on Woods, the media will be more than happy to feed (or supply) the beast. The media, for the most part, has a pretty good idea of what sells, and what doesn't sell. An iconic sports figure engulfed in a sex scandal after an altercation with his wife over his "transgessions" - only to enroll in a sex-a-holic center.... well, that $-E-L-L-$, sells. Tiger is not only a popular topic in our forums & blogs (because we love the game of golf), but he is a Global, and I mean Global figure. But, until the beast is full.... some publication, some outlet, some television program, somewhere, will be at their fingertips to fill the bowl. |
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JosephLeone
2/10/2010 8:42:10 PM I've always been a firm hater of gossip of any kind. Whenever a subject comes up in conversation about the faults or business of an absent third party I either tune out or change the subject. I realize some people may be entertained by the shortcomings of others but it doesn't take much to reflect on your own faults and find plenty there. Gossip has always been a tool of the weak to feel superior. Now what's this about no snow in Canada? |
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ScottSorrell
2/10/2010 7:33:36 PM You should have just sent a private message to DGarcia. He is the only person who still cares. |
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HIGH_LANDER
2/10/2010 1:38:13 PM great topic,the real issue is HOPE & CHANGE..it's not working.Global Warming,there might, not be, a winter olympic, in Vancouver,the snow is melting faster than it's falling.oh my. |
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bigal2039
2/10/2010 9:37:22 AM who really cares |
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aumurray
2/9/2010 7:46:57 AM Still good comments. Hopefully we learn from others mistakes so as not repeat them. The media is about short bursts of attention. They don't make the news, they just hype certain events to make headlines. God save us all. |
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greenjacket13
12/7/2009 1:58:26 PM You're right Sylla. Most of my family is guilty of it, did you hear about what your cousin said about your brother or Uncle whoever got in trouble again. It's like a bad soap opera. Alot of people can't help but be interested in other people's business. No it will never change. People will watch and find interest in anything shoved down their throat. American Idol, reality t.v., pop music? Hell, cavemen were fascinated by fire, that doesn't mean it was all that interesting. It was just there and that's all that was on. |
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Sylla
12/4/2009 9:58:06 PM Gossip has always been there... Even a thousand years ago when people lived in small villages, everyone was spying on everyone. I remember my grand-mother 30 years ago who would just sit in her chair all day and observe what was happening in the street. She knew everything about the neighbours. I guess it's human nature (good or bad). |
