Long time listener, first time caller.
May 19th, 2005 by Jakesg[ed. note - everyone say hi to Jake.]
ahh, my entry to the blogosphere…cue John Williams music.
This whole world is new to me, its success astounds me, and honestly, baffles me. I watched a “report” on blogs by the distinguished Rob Corddry of the Daily Show. Mostly the banter, seen here, comments on the absurdity of the cable news world, and their newfound coverage of blogs. Yeah, you read right, Cable news is out of news, they’re covering blogs. Not that this is news to any of us anyway, Cable “news” has been out of news long before Terry Schiavo, a runaway bride, and Terrell Owens with Desperate Housewives.
I do make an attempt to diversify my news sources. I read the New York Times online, BBC News for an international flavor, and some blogs, but I join many of my generation who are growing in number getting their news from entertainment shows such as The Daily Show. It’s a part of a sad, and not so new trend, how can the media effectively engage younger generations in news and political culture? The answer that the cable news networks have come up with is infotainment, coupled with violent, irreverent stories and talking heads like Bill O’Reilly. Coincidentally Bill will meet his match with the forthcoming new Stephen Colbert show.
My answer is simple. Civic engagement must be addressed at an early age. All those studies that exist explaining how much easier we are influenced as children by what we learn should be applied to civic involvement, such as voting and community activities. Many schools utilize school service requirements, but this often makes it difficult for children to realize the impact one person can have on their community. Some school districts in PA have started to incorperate requirements to ensure students have contact with their local town or city councils.
The book I just picked up from my library is Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam, it addresses the decline of civil society in this country. Check it out.
Thanks for letting me rant. I’ll be back.
–jakesg–
May 19th, 2005 at 1:50 pm
bowling alone is supposed to be great – it was recommended to me as a way to understand the deep-seated changes that are about to affect all social interactions, and particularly those in the arts world.
i’m currently reading blink, which also tackles human interaction.
May 19th, 2005 at 2:20 pm
Welcome aboard Jake. Glad to see you finally got it working.
I’m reading Garlic and Sapphires right now which just deals with food. And human interaction.
May 20th, 2005 at 10:03 am
Great post, Jake. It does seem strange that blogs are now deemed newsworthy.
What I like about blogs is that the writers aren’t paid for their opinion (at least 99% of them aren’t). Reporters have to answer to their network and to their bosses. Bloggers only answer to their readers.