The End of the World Live on TV by femalien
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Description
Tonight NASA shared a scientific discovery with the world. It was a beautiful, uplifting moment, and I lived it to the full – because the black hole happens to have appeared in the same year I was born. I also happen to be a person interested in science and I salute every conquest of the human mind.
But the world has other interests. The televisions took the discovery, twisted it, passed it through their “raise the audience” filters, and spat at us something quite different. One leading news TV station in Romania (a smaller CNN, let’s say) chose to present the NASA announcement under the title: “Were the Mayans right about the end of the world? New black hole discovered by NASA near the Earth threatens our Solar system.”
Ladies and gentlemen, do not look to the year 2012 for the end of the world. The world as we know it ended tonight. Live on TV. With producers having a restricted climax between two audience peaks and the public sharing the last bottle of cheap rum and the last bite of fast food. The world ended when people stopped thinking and started living on TV, for TV and by TV rules.
The early beginnings were announced by Big Brother (not Orwell’s, alas, but the TV show) and they mounted to live trials, live wars and informing people of the death of their near and dear live on TV (check the latest case in Italy with the missing girl, and prepare to be shocked). Now, a scientific event, a conquest of the human inquisitiveness becomes a trivial audience raiser in a cheap, perverted form.
Let me make a personal statement: I studied Journalism – and I’m ashamed. Ashamed for the producer who decided to put the news in this light, ashamed for the anchor who accepted to present it like this, ashamed for all my colleagues who forgot their professional integrity, their commitment to presenting the news in a fair and unbiased manner. I am ashamed for all my teachers who never saw it coming, and kept telling us that commercial televisions thrive from commercials, and from audience. And that audience is the measure of success.
I am glad I never got to work one day in the mass media. I am not good at raising audiences. I know how to speak the truth – and truth never had many fans. So, I sadly announce the end of the world of reason, of intellect and of the scientific spirit. We have re-entered the Dark Ages. Soon, our children will learn that the world is flat and rests on the backs of two elephants. And the Sun revolves around the Earth.
After all, NASA has just shown us that the Mayans were right, and the world will end in 2012.
Comments (7)
shayhurs
Amen
TallPockets
''I am glad I never got to work one day in the mass media. I am not good at raising audiences. I know how to speak the truth – and truth never had many fans. So, I sadly announce the end of the world of reason, of intellect and of the scientific spirit. We have re-entered the Dark Ages. Soon, our children will learn that the world is flat and rests on the backs of two elephants. And the Sun revolves around the Earth. '' HELLO! WONDERFUL writing and insights! SADLY, however, "I" am NOT glad that YOU did NOT work one day in the MASS MEDIA. For, to this DUMB old man's SIMPLETON reasonings, the GOOD folks in ALL areas of society have LEFT those with 'uncommon sense' ALONE in CHARGE. I lived through it in my early youth in America during the Vietnam War days. WE YOUNG folks said anyone over '30' was NOT to be trusted. Then, what did WE, enmasse do next? WE LEFT the very same UNTRUSTED old folks IN CHARGE ALONE! Kinda' like leaving the FOX to guard the HENHOUSE! SIGH. PEOPLE MUST GET "INVOLVED" again! You can NOT change 'the system' unless you're IN IT to begin with. AGREE, KIND SOUL? My BEST to you and yours, TallPockets. PEACE.
DennisReed
I missed the anouncement, but I don't watch TV much anymore. Fortunately Magik sent me the link to NASA's announcement of the discovery. As for 2012? Live each day like it is your last, close to God, and with Love in your Heart! The End will come in the twikling of an eye. Be ready!
kawecki
[quote]Were the Mayans right about the end of the world[/quote] 2012?? Well, the Mayans lived in North America and this was the only world that they knew.
drace68
Do raise the alarm against the ebbing of reason. Be passionate about thinking versus acceptance. The tide goes out, only to come roaring back. Orwell said his "1984" was a play on the year he wrote the book (1948) but far enough into the future to allow him license. I remember the Tv sci-fi series (British, I think) "Space 1999" (they had cute girls in the shortest mini-skirts), And Clarke's "Space: 2001"? Where are the flying cars in every garage we were promised in 1947? Did the Mayans get 2012 wrong, or were they just weary? I do like DennisReed's attitude, see above. Can't stop now. What if the 2013 dawns bright and fair? It's a lot more interesting to contemplate. Appreciate reading your think-piece, Femalien.
beachzz
I remember when I was very young, rumor had it the world would end on new year's eve that year. I couldn't even talk about it to anyone and when the night came, I was terrified. My parents were having a party, but I stayed hidden under my covers till the stroke of midnight. Only then could I breathe. 2012, or 2112, or whenever. Simply live well. As far as NASA goes, well they do put their own spin on whatever it is they do. Who really knows?? Thought provoking words.
intro
Reason spoken here. Get a lot more read with a thumbnail; But I suppose it's a higher justice that you might not. There is a greater mass (media). It knows no network. Your words, and those here, echo it's voice. Courage.