Media

I've seen Gotham tonight, but I need to watch last Thursday's episode of The Blacklist.  I've been DVRing the episodes of Vikings, so I will have a two day binge of five hours each, once this season's last episode airs.  I haven't been watching NCIS like I used to…  I want to get back watching that, but, at the same time, I know that Special Agent Tony DiNozzo is leaving the series.  While he's not my favorite character on the show, it'll seem odd without him.  Haven't watched Sleepy Hollow this season, either.  I don't know if my tastes are changing, or if the shows are becoming repetitive.
  I don't watch any of the so-called reality shows - whether it's Dancing With the Stars, American Idol, or American Ninja.  I've never watched more than three minutes of any of the "reality" shows on television, and I would consider it extreme mental torture, if I were made to do so.  I enjoy watching Jeopardy! and catching the local weather on the news, but that's about it.  I can't remember the last time I went to see a movie at the theater - or what the movie was…
   I do know that I find most advertising on the television ridiculous.  The idiots pouring champagne on their new cell phones, and/or putting them in fish tanks, is just stupid.  I remember the old Timex commercials - and they were a heck of a lot better than the garbage today.  And all of the pharmaceutical ads are just getting more and more disgusting.  If you're advertising Cialis, why end each commercial with two bathtubs?  Shouldn't the couple be together in a jacuzzi - or a bed?  I know that we've become much more open as a society, but are we really certain we know where all this openness leads?  Do we actually talk about erectile dysfunction, loss of bladder control, and the odors of colostomy bags, the worries of an irritable bowel, and painful intercourse after menopause during meals with friends and family?
   I am not saying that all of this wonderful knowledge should not be shared - but, for heaven's sake, put this stuff on infomercials instead of regular advertisements!  I am sick of hearing about all of the possible side effects from all of the medications that are available.  Hell, I'd rather have the problem than go through all the side effects that are mentioned for most drugs.
   I realize that companies keep track of who buys what - I get specially targeted advertising from my supermarket.  I get tons of unwanted e-mail online, too.  Today, I read 6 messages, and I deleted 137 messages that were advertisements and/or spam.  If I buy one specific item from one company, I am inundated with similar offers from other companies.  What do they think?  That I have enough money, time, and space to buy one of everything produced by every company in the world?  It's freaking ridiculous!  If I like something, I recommend it to friends and family.  If I don't like it, I'll tell people why.
   On my Google page, I can set up my own topics of interest and receive news items about them.  However, I have found that what passes as a "news item" in the past few years has changed dramatically.  I am interested in a certain male's career.  He became famous playing sports.  The "news items" that show up under his name are usually not even news - it's speculation about who the man is dating, who he's been seen in company with, should he enter the political arena?  None of it is news - it's just gossip and speculation.   Now, under my Archaeology heading, there is a very rare speculative article now and then, but it's mostly what has been found, and what new items prove about our historical beliefs.  I consider that news.
   Today's media - for or against?   I'm not really certain.  Having all of the social media available today is nice - if you're in an isolated area.  Having almost instantaneous "news" is OK - but the need for truth and not hysteria is greatly needed.  I love the internet - as a window on the world - but I also know that lies multiple like rabbits on, or in, any media.   What is the truth anymore?
    And I have to say that I am very much afraid of the way that our interactive machines have disturbed normal social awareness and awakenings.  Youngsters these days are addicted to their iPhones and iPads, their games and instant messaging.  I don't think youngsters should be allowed to play with, or adapt to today's tech until they are 16….  or 18, or 21.  It ought to be like drinking alcohol and/or voting.  
   I know.   I'm a crazy old lady.
 

Media Goes Too Far at Sochi

Do I like "bad boys?"  Yes and no.  I dislike people who seem to crave the headlines.  I am not, and never have, been enamored with sports stars who proclaim their own brilliance - Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Shaq, Tom Brady...   But I like Bode Miller.  Bode has been through rough times, has had his share of naughtiness and bad press, but he keeps coming back, and giving fans of alpine skiing something to cheer for.  The nation has watched Bode mature over the past 16 years, with 4 visits to the Winter Olympics as a competitor, and with chances for a medal each time.
  Bode's behavior has not always been the best, both in private and in public.  But he admits what he has done, faces the consequences, sets himself back on track, and keeps going forward.  How many others, under such a lot of public scrutiny, can say the same?
  Last night, on a televised broadcast shown around the world, NBC sports person Christin Cooper, went too far over the line (in my opinion) in questioning Bode Miller.  Bode had just won the bronze medal, becoming the oldest person to medal in an Olympic alpine skiing event, at age 36.  It was Bode's sixth Olympic medal.  Besides the emotion from medaling, again, he did so in front of his wife, his daughter, and his son.  He had said before the competition that he was skiing for his brother, "Chilly.
  Chelone (Chilly) Miller, aged 29, died in early April of 2013 from a massive seizure.  In 2005, Chilly had been in an accident while riding on a dirt-bike-type motorcycle.  He suffered a traumatic brain injury, and was in a coma for 11 days, losing over 30 days of his memory.  But he continued snowboarding as a professional - even after falling 25 feet from a chairlift when he had his first post-accident seizure.  Chilly was well known and well respected in the snowboarding community - he had participated in the X-Games, and was ranked at 28th in the world in 2011.  He made Mammoth Park, California his home base, and worked out there almost daily.  Chilly was one of the few professional snowboarders who could hit big jumps, ride precipitous natural terrain, and compete with the best snowboardcross racers in the world.
   To me, it seemed that Christin Cooper was pressing a little too hard in the after-race interview.  She ended up with Bode Miller in tears, speechless.  Afterwards, when people complained, Bode tweeted a message that it was just an emotional day and his fans shouldn't blame Ms. Cooper.  See http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/02/bode-miller-brother-nbc-interview/  for the interview and Bode's tweets.