The Sham

I am as much part of this as anyone else, and unfortunately probably more than many. But, we are part of a huge sham, and it is the modern media. I know, I am going after a big target, and it is quite cliche, but it is true. I am not saying that TV is evil, it is just the programming that is on it. We all fall for the beautiful veneer, but there is nothing but rot lying under the surface, and that drags one down to a despicable level. It is everywhere, and even in the most seemingly innocent of shows. Where is the promotion of any sort of values, or ethics? Ethical characters are portrayed as weak, and sappy. Evil characters are whole, strong, complex and everything the seems wholesome. Kids look sweet and cute, but are insubordinate and rude. This permeates our society, and can be seen everywhere. Go to the grocery store. All the healthy food looks drab, and unexciting. It is the junk that makes us fat and lazy that is bright and exciting.

I am not a conspiracy theorist; I don't think that the is some huge corporate plot to control us, and gear us towards a certain mindset. It is just greed, pure and simple. Bad TV is easy to make, and it appeals to our basest instincts, like for sex and food. These are also the hardest to control because they are what perpetuate life, they are there for sheer survival. It is difficult to ignore them, I know that. If entertainment is all geared towards sex, then people will draw toward it. Every movie is about sex, even kids movies. Look at some of the biggest kids movies lately, and you will see it. There is a love story of some sort in everything. Stories are not told to convey an ethical sense, they are told to tell how the couple hooked up. Advertisements are not immune either. Half the commercials are make-up or medications like Viagra. What is ultimately ironic is to see an ED ad immediately followed by ad for an STD medication. This is when you see the real state of affairs. We have become so over sexed that we keep our old men going, while a quarter of the population has an STD.

Then there is the food. Yeah, I am not immune to the soda and candy either. I consume entirely too much of it. But, that is the problem. They make it so that it tastes good, not so that it is good for you. Who can argue with how good their favorite soda or candy is? I certainly cannot. So, we eat, and eat and then eat some more. Now, some 60% of the population is overweight. But, how often do we see people on TV or in a movie sitting down to a meal? How often do you actually see them eat? How many of those people are overweight? If you are observant, you will realize just how often you see people eating, and with no consequence. Then it just comes into your mind to eat, but we are real, and thus suffer consequence. It is no wonder, and that is not to mention the fact that you actually burn more calories staring at a wall than watching TV.

So, I have rambled on and on about food and sex on TV, but what do I propose? Honestly, get rid of it. Even if you do not get rid of the TV itself, get rid of the cable. Do not subscribe to cable. Use the TV to watch good movies. Get the shows you want to watch when they come out to DVD, and that way you can be selective, and you will not get all the commercials. You also will not waste all that time flipping through the channels to find something to settle with. Instead, sit down with your family and learn about your religion. Learn about values. Learn about the world. Learn about each other. Get up and go do something, even if it is only a walk around the block. Whatever it is, get away from the TV. Quit dumping all that time and money down the drain for nothing.