The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food

[shiny!]

Re: The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food

I'd like to think I recognize the dangers of mass media and how they can shape perceptions.

I THINK I'm a bit less vulnerable as since I was a kid I've always had a book(now book or tablet) in my hands when the TV is on.

But I still have my concerns about whether there is still a HUGE divide between being cognizant/aware of the dangers of mass media perception shaping(especially with such a small and exceptionally powerful ownership group), and actually being largely immune.

Just like how Porsche sells the majority of their cars to the upper middle class and working affluent(NOT the wealthy as many/most presume), how do we know that while we may be completely aware of the dangers of mass media in it's current iteration, that we aren't still highly vulnerable to being influenced and shaped by it?

I don't know how we can know with perfect assurance. For all I know, I'm actually sleeping in a pod with my real body feeding batteries that keep the Matrix going.

I wonder how much we are weakened and made more susceptible to influence by environmental factors such as electromagnetic pollution and fluoridated water. It's well-known that fluoride lowers IQ. As far as the effects that electromagnetic pollution can have on our brains and central nervous systems, we are all just long-term experimental guinea pigs.

I have no doubt that there are a lot of subliminal messages in the media we are fed. My touchstone is if a lot of people are in agreement about an emotionally provocative issue, and more people are jumping on the bandwagon, then I try to hang back and watch myself. Observe how I might be having my thoughts and emotions manipulated. Or look around for something serious that's happening while the mass media is running a shell game.

[evangellydonut]

Re: The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food

I had a conversation with someone about TV news about a week ago.

Our satellite provider offers 5-6 major news channels.

We were both trying to figure out how long it's been since we watched dedicated mass media news......at home it has been somewhere between 18-24 months I think.

Although I was watching Al Jazeera while overseas a few months ago.

A decade ago I would have had the news on constantly.

About the only thing I can tolerate is NPR around the clock... but after hearing the same programs 2-3x a day, it gets tiring sometimes :-P

[astonas]

Re: The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food

The rest of the time I'd rather re-watch DVD collections like Firefly, Buffy, Angel, Mad Men, etc. After being spoiled by such well-written shows, most TV is simply unwatchable to me.

I was wondering if this was the origin of your screen name.

[shiny!]

Re: The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food

I was wondering if this was the origin of your screen name.

Yep. I was born a Browncoat, long before the term was invented. Stay Shiny!

[Penguin]

Re: The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food

I considered using 'The Hero of Canton' as mine... but to the uninitiated it would sound a bit ostentatious.

Will

[shiny!]

Re: The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food

I considered using 'The Hero of Canton' as mine... but to the uninitiated it would sound a bit ostentatious.

Will

Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle.
;-)

[Penguin]

Re: The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food

Lol, be careful! Hell, I'll kill a man in a fair fight... or if I think he's gonna start a fair fight, or if he bothers me, or if there's a woman, or if I'm gettin' paid - mostly only when I'm gettin' paid.

I'm dangerously close to threadjacking here.

[shiny!]

Re: The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food

Lol, be careful! Hell, I'll kill a man in a fair fight... or if I think he's gonna start a fair fight, or if he bothers me, or if there's a woman, or if I'm gettin' paid - mostly only when I'm gettin' paid.

I'm dangerously close to threadjacking here.

It's OK. I aim to misbehave.

(for those of you who just tuned in, we are now discussing the Extraordinary Science of Addictive Firefly.)