Media Monday - What a Week!

Phew!! What a week in the media. If I was still teaching, these are the 3 things I’d be discussing with my students. And, no doubt, they would have lots to say about them.

1) Coldplay “Kiss Cam” - By now, there can’t be many people who don’t know what this is, whether you saw the original or a meme imitating it. It raises many interesting questions about privacy in public places, our surveillance society (mainly done by us) and our enjoyment in seeing others humiliated. What I find fascinating is how quickly something like this moves through our social media and the behaviours it encourages in a culture where so many are so desperate to be famous.

2) The Surrounded Episode where Mehdi Hassan (a progressive) debates 20 Far-Right Conservatives - https://youtu.be/2S-WJN3L5eo?si=1CqdZJQQQbZ0PdSo

I don’t usually watch things like this, but I found it quite fascinating. Although it’s important to remember that, because it is also a version of reality like ALL media, the 20 were likely chosen to get the biggest reaction. That said, I can’t help but wonder how Conservatives feel about having people who advocate for authoritarianism and fascism on their side? Also, the last debate about ending birthright citizenship is quite interesting. As Mehdi points out, I wonder how many “natural” citizens wouldn’t be able to pass a citizenship test?

3) I continue to wonder if one of the biggest problems in our culture is that so many people are unable to recognize irony and satire. The photo below that I took last week is a good example. I think it’s very funny as my wife was trying to photobomb me as I took a selfie. However, those who only read headlines or look at the images might be convinced that I actually let my wife drown (she did not). And would use my post as proof that our world is broken. The lesson - make sure you read and look beyond the photo and headline…always!