It's media

This is one of the most powerful images I've seen, and I think it says a lot about our society and today's generation. I feel that we, as people, have come to the point where the media is blindly trusted. We aren't educated, but instead, we are spoon-fed with what the media wants us to see. Now this is a broad generalization, and I may be completely wrong. But from what I see around me, the media uses its audience as a way to manipulate our thoughts and form our opinions on our behalf. It doesn't allow us to do our own thinking; rather, we are told what to believe and how to act.

The media glorifies certain aspects or lifestyles that affect its audience in a negative way. Channels like MTV, which is watched by thousands of teenagers all over the world, convey messages that not only misguide us, but also harm us. For starters, it displays and promotes the reckless lifestyles of music artists. A typical Li'l Wayne music video teaches teenagers to smoke weed, get drunk, disrespect women, and party. It shows us that being "bad" is "cool", that going against the rules and breaking the law will get us fame and respect. Furthermore, the existence of shows like "16 and Pregnant" teach teenagers that it's okay to be irresponsible because we won't be the only ones.

The actions of celebrities also seem to have a large impact on our lives, because of the media. I was watching the news last week, and I was surprised to see that the headlines were "Kim Kardashian embraces her pregnancy by wearing flats". Now, I'm not targeting against flats, nor Kim Kardashian, but it amazed me to see people's priorities. The same week, a "functional cure" for HIV had been discovered through French studies. Children continue to starve in Somalia. Violence and unrest continue in the Middle East. Yet, the media chooses to focus on Kim Kardashian's desired footwear. We have been channeled to focus on glamour, appearance, and fame instead of intelligence or social issues. For example, it doesn't take long to name an attractive actress, or a favorite rapper. If you ask an average person which movies won an Oscar recently, they'd be able to name a few. But if you ask an average teenager who won the Nobel Prize for Literature, or Medicine, recently, I don't think they'd be able to answer it. Media glorifies celebrities and fame to such an extent, that we become ignorant or oblivious to what is important- the discoveries being made, the people being hurt, the wars and the crimes and the ruthless murders being committed.

However, at the end of the day, media plays a large role in our life. It brings us closer to the rest of the world, and gives us access to information and what we deserve to know. All in all, I'm not saying that we need to eliminate the use of media. I'm just saying that it's our responsibility as people to make the right decisions, focus on the important aspects, form our own opinions, and to be a well-informed global citizen of the world. The media has a great potential, and it's our duty to use it the right way.