Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id MAA00506 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Wed, 25 Apr 2001 12:26:23 +0100 Message-ID: <2D1C159B783DD211808A006008062D3101745DEA@inchna.stir.ac.uk> From: Vincent Campbell <v.p.campbell@stir.ac.uk> To: "'memetics@mmu.ac.uk'" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk> Subject: RE: Is Suicide Contagious? A Case Study in Applied Memetics ( Lon gDraft) Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 12:22:30 +0100 X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21) Content-Type: text/plain Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
> <Couldn 't it not be that what the media standards are concerned that
> the double standard of the public plays a far more greater roll than we
> expect !?
> After all, the conflict between the public interest and what the public
> really wants aren 't particularly compatible like you rightly write, but
> are
> in fact
in contradiction which eachother.>
Certainly what people say is acceptable, and what they then do can be very
different things, which is important.
On the other hand this issue of public interest versus what the public are
interested in is a problematic distinction for me. If one sees these as
contradictory, then what is the solution? Left to their own volition, the
public tends to avoid serious issues and politics and what not, and favours
escapism and entertainment (in very general terms of media use that is).
so, the only way to get people to engage with their responsibilities as
citizens (i.e. to be interested in politics etc.) is to coerce them or
"educate' them in some way.
But this can be highly ineffective. Making kids read Shakespeare in school
is clearly an example fo this kind of thing- but does it make most people
like Shakesspear and pursue his work after leaving school? Not at all (not
in a general sense). But West Side Story is still a firm film favourite.
I think we have to meet audiences half-way, and acknowledge that
accomodating audiences' preferences needn't completely undermine civic
culture. Leonardo di Caprio in 'Romeo and Juliet' (following my example)
would be a good illustration here- movie stars, music video style, but
dialogue taken directly from the play. Best of both worlds or worst of it?
Similar arguments could be made about TV talk shows like Jerry Springer-
exploitation of marginal groups for audience voyeurism, or vibrant forum for
such groups to express their concerns in ways familiar to them and
audiences?
Vincent
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