Last class, I pulled out my classic, point about American journalism as warranted by the lecture. Nikolaev noted how the American media only reports on the bad things about China or Britain. I agreed with him on this outside the little documentary they showed about Beijing right before the Summer Olympics this past year. I thought America probably does this to perpetuate the belief among the middle class (who consumes the media) that we are the best nation in the world. Look how the others pale in comparison. China can’t do a thing to save their children from their own bad manufacturing practices…
But then my senses came to me again. Journalists operate under the premise that everyone is good, which is why they report on the bad things people do. I tell Nikolaev that we would have to change the fundamental teachings in journalism 101 to change the practice. I make this point and/or related comments in every graduate class I’ve participated in (except Photography), and it never feels redundant or obvious to my classmates.
To further intensify classroom discussion, Elise, the Albanian who sits behind me – one of the three people who actually speak during our “seminar” class, said that American media does not reflect who she is. Of course not, Elise, you’re from Albania, I think. And then I dust off my soapbox. The media and TV programming do not represent who I am either. TV is used to keep the majority of society dumbed down. I can’t say I can really blame the capitalist swine who exploit our laziness and stupidity and deliver such mind-rotting junk, but somehow it is demanded so it is there. Nikolaev tells us both that we are in minority and I’m really shocked to hear that because I thought everyone thought the same way I think!
At least class was a little more lively. We even heard from a girl sitting in the sleepy back of the classroom. She blurted out an answer at some point in the night. Well done. Only four more classes to go. During one, we will take our mid-term exam and during the last class, we will present our papers. I can see the light.
