Blog #2

Media has once again seemed to penetrate every fabric of our lives (see "What is Media?"), especially the private and sacred parts. So why does it matter to us if we are to be consumed by the media anyway?

Just as a pushy salesperson paid on commission will practically prostrate him or herself to a customer for a purchase, so also do the militant media making sure their mastery of our minds are outright and encompassing. Hell, something for the media has to pay the rent. The media is unfortunately NOT a free enterprise, and its only means for obtaining payments is through the consumer. Therefore, it can be argued by any entrepreneur that knowing what the public wants rather than simply asking it is more advantageous and beneficial to the both the business (more profits, less unnecessary costs) and the consumer (to not feel haranged or annoyed by people asking of their opinions.)

However, what the video footage displayed sickened me--how selfish can any person, organization, or entity be that it must exploit children even when they privately go to the bathroom!? Is it ultimately that necessary for children to know what brand of diaper is better? In my mind, it seems that the consumer here is the parent; in that case, durability and cost management seems pertinent to the diaper issue. I will also concede that certain designs on said diapers (for giggles, let's just say Barney is implicated) will enhance or deter the "fondness" of the toddlers using them and those who are watching the implicated characters' television programs. Some of that funding does not need to come directly from the consumer but from the television show itself and some of its sponsors.

In addition, does it take a rocket scientist to know which Spanish-laced program [say, between Dora the Explorer or Rio Bravo] relates better to children? No! Depending on the demographic targeted, Huggies can avoid any wasteful or distasteful methods for obtaining which brands children enjoy simply by asking for daytime television ratings or walking into a TOYS 'R' US.

After all, 360 degree immersion marketing and exploitation are not keys to good learning, Disney. Success and education will help future children and generations become who they want to be, not what the media trains them to be. Nonetheless, the media can try to persuade the masses that their methods for obtaining knowledge is completely ethical--but they're not fooling anyone. After all, in the immortal words of Mitch Hedberg, "I know a lot about cars: I can look at a car's headlights and tell you exactly which way it's coming." Clearly, the media is frankly more obvious than they will elusively admit.