Enough About You

Enough About You 5/3/10
Enough, enough already! Our culture has become obsessed with….ourselves. Which is no surprise really, since up until recently the majority of Americans received their news and information from traditional media sources such as Broadcast News, and print newspapers, all of which are falling by the wayside in this new digital media popularity explosion, and now approximately ¾ of us receive their news “via e-mail or updates on social media sites” (Doug Gross CNN).
That’s impressive, and a bit concerning. A full 61% of Americans get all of their news online, vs. 54% from news radio, and 50% newspaper. (Gross) Brian Williams, a ‘blogger journalist’, would like us to consider what is lost with the digital media overtaking the traditional, to think about what are we missing when everyone is a “potential expert” (Brian Williams Signs of Life). With this new ability, our intake of news and ideas tends to be tailor made for us…because we’re the Most Important Person in our lives. (and maybe even the world!) Williams also speaks to the idea that in focusing mainly on ourselves, we lose out on many “alternate perspectives” seriously curtailing our ability to make informed decisions, or even be aware of all that is going on in the BIG, real world.
The web takes over. It is so easy, so busy, so active and quick…. Ahhh, true bliss. According to Michael Agger (Lazy Eyes) we love “bulleted list(s)” the “use of bold”, “short sentence fragments” and anything else that allows us to be spoon fed only what we want at that moment. Williams brings up the idea that online media consumption is attractive because it allows you to find ANYTHING, and “All of it exists to fill a perceived need”.
What do we need? We need to be important. We need to be winners. We need to feel as if we’re the center of the universe. Maybe a little dose of (gasp) Communist theory would balance out the American idea of “me me me”?
In our glorified celebration of ourselves, we lose the very importance that we crave. When everyone wins, and everyone is ‘special’, it’s not really that special anymore. This need to share all aspects of our lives with perfect strangers would seem bizarre to most cultures. So why do I think that I need to post “just bought the cutest shoes today!!!” on Facebook? WHO CARES? Well, everyone must! And luckily, Jorge in Panama can now keep up with my shoe purchases via the social sites…thank goodness!
Such things that were once considered intimate and private are broadcast to the entire world. “John and Kate plus 8” wow! They truly believe that their lives are so important that we should all share in each and every moment, but I think I’ll pass….Real Housewives of Dallas is on.
We are honestly losing out on so many experiences by limiting ourselves to that which strikes an interest in us, and appeases our senses. Immersed in online sites with “internet programs ready to filter out all but the news you want to hear” while we listen to our Pandora radio, as to not hear any unwanted songs (Williams).
There is so much more that we should allow ourselves to be aware of! We are doing a great disservice to ourselves, and each other if we remain focused solely on what is comfortable and familiar, instead of reaching out, and becoming more aware of the amazing amount of information and ideas that exist elsewhere! “The danger just might be that we miss the next great book, or the next great idea, or that we fail to meet the next great challenge” (Williams), and that is a sad and depressing idea to ponder.
623 words J Parker