Jun 14

News You Can Use: How the News Media Skew Depictions of Class, Race, Poverty in America

Since its advent, television has become the predominant means in which Americans have come to learn about themselves and the issues of the day. But television has done a poor job of presenting some of the most important issues facing America, that of class and race. Gregory Mantsios was
 correct when he wrote in his essay, “Class in America: Myths and Realities,” that the “institutions that shape mass culture and define the parameters of public debate have avoided class issues.” (Rereading 319) But he failed to realize that television, particularly the evening news, does deal with class and race but in ways that skew the debate rather than add clarification. The news, both local and network broadcasts, tends to perpetuate stereotypes of the underclass and present an inaccurate depiction of poverty. Their avoidance of class issues is driven by a desire to pursue high ratings and the demographics, primarily middle class or the 18 to 49 year old age group, that are the most appealing to advertisers. But, in doing so, not only does the news media help create inaccurate perceptions of class and poverty in America, it also leads the public to want political or legislative answers to problems that exacerbate rather than resolve them.

Jun 11

Dating Sites for Smart People: A Guide to Niche Dating for Singles

Guide to Niche Singles Dating for Geeks and NerdsThe following is a brief analysis of dating/singles websites that are designed to bring nerds, dorks, geeks, or whatever you want to call “smart, quirky” people together for casual dating or long-term relationships (most of the sites leaning toward the former).Nerd Passions This online dating sphere is for those who consider themselves (or possibly are considered by others) to be geeky, nerdy, dorky, or however you choose to define this gro0up of people that in most social situation are considered to
 be outcasts. Basically, judging from the homepage alone, the term geek or nerd in this context is supposed to define the super intelligent, overly studious and maybe just the awkward, eccentric folks. The brunette girl on the homepage is adjusting her stereotypical thick nerdy glasses and the site describes itself as “boldly eschewing the shackles of conventional popularity, a place to embrace your nerdiness. This site definitely seems quality and worth the time it takes to fill out an enticing profile- that is, as long as you can keep up with the rest of the smarties. Your geekiness will be put to the test in the free chat room or forum (or even more so through the site Instant Messenger) when you are asked to discuss your favorite books and favorite websites. And you better work hard on that profile, for people can search by keywords and some of the most popular sear5ches today alone were certainly bizarre and unlikely when it comes to what most people look for in a date. Among the typical “busty” and bisexual” people also searched for “physics”, “Lincoln”, “Lovecraft”, “Geology” Matrix” and “seti”. Who puts “Matrix” in their profile except those hardcore fans of Keanu Reeves? Or for that matter, Lincoln? Nerd Passions is fascinating, well designed and plenty of geeky members. And better yet, everything you do there is free! (Or so they say).Nerdlicious

Jun 7

Married and Bored: Understanding Gossip

Advice from the Opposing Views of Single-n-Lonely, Married-n-BoredIf you are married and truly bored, there is usually only one reason for it: you are in a stable marriage. Huzzah! Rejoice in the unfailing monotony of your life! Essentially you have achieved the goal of marriage, and that is to never be blindsided by anything that wasn’t planned for. A cheating spouse, an unexpected death, the loss of a job, your house catching on fire – none of that has happened, you lucky
 guy! Just because you haven’t had sex in four months is no reason to fret. Your marriage is going terrific, and your wife couldn’t be happier with you (so long as you keep moving up the ladder at work). But there is one thing missing from your wife’s life, and that is drama. If your wife loves to gossip, that’s a good thing. Let me explain. As long as your wife gets excited over gossip, there is a good chance she is not having afternoon trysts with the lawn boy and his well oiled blade. Women who are in affairs are detached from gossip because they are actually living. Gossippers take joy in hearing about other people because their own personal lives are actually deceased. Imagine this situation: you obtain a rich piece of gossip about her brother-in-law and his skirt-chasing problem. Your wife says, “Well, his problems are really none of our business.” No doubt that statement would shock you like unregulated high-voltage because your wife loves gossip so much that her nipples naturally point toward People magazine wherever she goes in the supermarket. This is the rule of gossip: gossip is only exciting to bored people. People who create gossip are too busy living in their own affairs to waste time talking about rumors of other people. If your wife stops asking about that cheating brother-in-law, she is definitely cheating on you. Fans of gossip love the misery of others. Here’s a few reasons explaining your wife’s need for endless soap operas: