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Modern Western civilization is characterized by an unprecedented technological development and almost unlimited opportunities for sharing information almost in the twinkling of an eye. Fax, telephone, internet, satellite connection, — the list of information-sharing options is almost endless and features devices that significantly facilitate the task of transmitting information.
The volume of information people are getting nowadays is enormous, and therefore information selection is essential for adequate grasp of affairs. Nowadays, this selective function is by large performed by mass media that are thus responsible for shaping the world image for their billion audiences.
The outrageous problem with mass media is that the information they select to present promotes unhealthy life habits, violent attitudes, and distorted views on interpersonal relationships.
Although there seems to exist an endless amount of articles, blogs, and TV programs about healthy lifestyle, the ideas promoted by mass media in general do not contribute to overall health of the population.
First of all, the ideals of body popular nowadays are far from generally attainable — and yet, internet sites and TV broadcasts are flooded with images of lean, almost dystrophic girls and muscular Schwarzenegger-like guys. This cannot be overlooked by the audience who pick up the standards and try to squeeze themselves into the unrealistic parameters.
As shown by multiple research, compared to other sources of influence on body influence, the imagery presented by the media bears by large the most powerful impact on human perception of their body (Grogan 106–107). Therefore, those girls whose measurements do not comply with the famous 31”-22”-32” obsessively involve into dieting that borders on starvation, exhaust their bodies, and get nothing else than nutrition disorders and mental challenges.
Another cultural standard widely inculcated by mass media is that of the ‘angry world’. Popular Hollywood action movies teem with scenes of violence, ranging from domestic crime to massive interplanetary wars. Everyone is presented as a potential enemy: if not the neighbor, then the boss; if not the boss, then a guy from the street; if not that, then a foreigner; if not human, then alien.
Anger and frustration is the core of many a plot, and demands of revenge or mere attack for personal self-assertion are the motives that drive the heroes. With such abundance of violence prevalent in the media, it is not surprising that young generation imagines the world as a hostile dangerous place and starts acting accordingly, eliminating trust, kindness, and friendliness from their attitudes.
Last but not least, the views on relationship are scandalously distorted in the information provided by mass media. Advertizing strategies are by large aimed at annihilating any interpersonal relationships and replacing them by relationships with the advertized objects.
According to popular advertisements, chances for a true relationship are slim; therefore it is not worth trying to have it at all, easily satisfying oneself with some material possession instead — a car, a fabric softener, or a chocolate bar (Pozner 105–107).
Girls are taught to manipulate men by means of new lipstick, hair color or bag, and therefore forget that the essence of human relations lies far beyond the realm of appearance.
Those who live in a hundred years will look indignantly at the level of dissoluteness of the modern mass media. Lacking cultural censure, mass media seem to have forgotten about their enormous responsibility for shaping social norms and outlooks, and are exploiting their informational capacities for the sake of material, not spiritual benefit. And that is the great disgrace for our generation.
Works Cited
Grogan, Sarah. “Media Effects.” Body Image: Understanding Body Dissatisfaction in Men, Women, and Children. New York, NY: Routlege, 1999. 94–116. Print.
Pozner, Jennifer L. “You’re Soaking in It.” Common Culture: Reading and Writing About American Popular Culture. 5th ed. Eds. Michael Petracca and Madeleine Sorapure. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice, 2009. 102–111. Print.
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