Is TV brain washing?

[Blue Wulf]

One very consevercial topic in today's society (especially with children) is that of "is watching too much TV brain washing or over powering someone?". Well in my mind it's the persons fault if they do anything, they are the one choosing to watch TV for how ever long they want. And just because they see something bad happen on TV, it doesn't mean that they are going to see the bad thing on TV happen in real life.

[James Lewitzke]

I would definitely say yes.

Television can be a bad influence on us all. I'd say that if we limit how much we watch TV, society would be much better off.

Then there's always specific programs to be aware of. For example, if you consider Children's shows like Barney or game shows like wheel of fortune, they don't have too much of a negative impact. Unlike Satanically influenced shows like Charmed or judicially Law and Order.

[hamesy]

Actually I don't think TV shows are the problem. Its the news...

What we see and hear in the news affects us by what we do etc. For instance, this morning on the news, a report was saying that your more likely to conceive a boy if you eat a high calorie diet and also eat breakfast. People don't realise that woman are now going eat a high calorie diet are try and have boys. Now if you look into this deeper, the birth rate of boys here in the UK is falling. Could this be a plot by the government to try and increase the birth rate?

[Blue Wulf]

Originally Posted by hamesy

Actually I don't think TV shows are the problem. Its the news...

What we see and hear in the news affects us by what we do etc. For instance, this morning on the news, a report was saying that your more likely to conceive a boy if you eat a high calorie diet and also eat breakfast. People don't realise that woman are now going eat a high calorie diet are try and have boys. Now if you look into this deeper, the birth rate of boys here in the UK is falling. Could this be a plot by the government to try and increase the birth rate?

I do agree with you that people live by what we hear or even see. Some of this is factual or is actually backed up by proof, like medicine or the earth. But the question to your high calorie diet in conceiving boys theory is do they have proof or any studies to back them up?

[Blue Wulf]

To the point that it's more the news that brainwashes us then TV or movies I'd just like to say that yes I do believe that most news does try to brainwash people. But there is news that we need and won't necessarily brainwash us. Some examples are the weather and the traffic reports. These types of news helps us with our daily lives/routines, it doesn't change them in a brainwashing way.

[hamesy]

Originally Posted by Blue Wulf

But the question to your high calorie diet in conceiving boys theory is do they have proof or any studies to back them up?

It was a study of around 740 first-time pregnant mothers in the UK.
BBC NEWS | Health | High-calorie diet linked to boys

[Moxxnixx]

The most susceptible to brainwashing methods are the weak-willed and simple-minded, which pretty much describes most children (and some adults).

Now, with that said, I think if the media were intentionally trying to brainwash us technologically, they would have been exposed by now. Signals would have been discovered by some geek in his mom's basement and would have posted it all over the internet.

Hell, you've the news trying to cause a panic right now by saying there's a food shortage. I currently live in Wisconsin, which is mostly farmers, and I don't see any shortage. If anything, I see too much food being wasted because they can't relocate it fast enough. I just watched Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert ridiculing it on their shows.

[James Lewitzke]

Great Topic

Originally Posted by Moxxnixx

Now, with that said, I think if the media were intentionally trying to brainwash us technologically, they would have been exposed by now. Signals would have been discovered by some geek in his mom's basement and would have posted it all over the internet.

Actually, I think it's less of a technological issue and more of a psychological issue.

Rather than using tools like radio frequencies, flashy lights, etc., I believe that News anchors and executives alike use their words of persuasion and control the amount of information we receive to form our thoughts and opinions for us (as displayed in those ridiculous "gallop polls" and the like).

Originally Posted by Moxxnixx

Hell, you've the news trying to cause a panic right now by saying there's a food shortage. I currently live in Wisconsin, which is mostly farmers, and I don't see any shortage. If anything, I see too much food being wasted because they can't relocate it fast enough.

I live in Wisconsin too, and haven't heard any story like that. But then again, I don't watch Network news (or much TV at all, actually, I feel 99% of programming is crap. You'd think in the year 2008 owners could hire some quality writers or something)

Originally Posted by Moxxnixx

I just watched Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert ridiculing it on their shows.

A few of the actual *Great Shows*, Maybe they're trying to brainwash us too .

[Moxxnixx]

Originally Posted by James Lewitzke

Great Topic
Actually, I think it's less of a technological issue and more of a psychological issue.

Rather than using tools like radio frequencies, flashy lights, etc., I believe that News anchors and executives alike use their words of persuasion and control the amount of information we receive to form our thoughts and opinions for us (as displayed in those ridiculous "gallop polls" and the like).

That could be. But, whether its tech or psych, how would they be able to accomplish this without word getting out? I'm sure they didn't pick up a "Brainwashing For Dummies" book and learn it over the weekend. Hypnotic and subliminal suggestive techniques require a vast amount of training to be successful. It would be hard to keep that training secret for TV personalities.

Originally Posted by James Lewitzke

I live in Wisconsin too, and haven't heard any story like that. But then again, I don't watch Network news (or much TV at all, actually, I feel 99% of programming is crap. You'd think in the year 2008 owners could hire some quality writers or something)

Actually, it wasn't WI specifically, but the whole country.
No disagreement there about the programming. It's all crap.

Originally Posted by James Lewitzke

A few of the actual *Great Shows*, Maybe they're trying to brainwash us too .

Maybe. You think the "Colbert-Nation" could be a front for some new cult?

[In Lak'esh]

Understanding how our ancestors functioned without TV for thousands of years is totally beyond many avid TV viewers. TV gradually destroys both the mind and body, slowly eradicating any desire for intellectual creativity or physical activity. Sitting in a darkened room staring at an object is the ultimate in sensory deprivation, a state which makes the mind malleable and suggestible, and in which the subconscious will accord extraordinary authority and importance to the loudest and most forceful voice ("Buy Now!" "Tune in tomorrow!"), which is the very definition of hypnosis. TV is indeed hypnotizing us. It separates us from humanity's natural means of understanding the world- direct experience. It is a pale and pathetic substitute for life itself. Our real-life knowledge of the world is being replaced by the knowledge and values that advertising executives want us to have- namely, brand identification and consumerism. The couch potato justifies his addiction by saying that TV-watching enables him to empty his mind and not think after a long hard day's work. Indeed, the mind is being emptied, but it is also being re-filled with images and desires of someone else's choosing. For instance, picture the Energizer bunny in your head. You will see it no matter what because the image has been planted inside your head.

TV is designed to plant ideas into the subconsciousness, so that people buy things they don't need and never knew they wanted, in order to perpetuate a never-ending cycle of consumerism. TV is an instrument designed to dominate other people's minds, a dangerous enough tool in the hands of advertising executives, but when used by authoritarian-minded political manipulators-which it is- it is a deadly weapon. In short, TV has created a nation of barely sentient, obedient zombies- the perfect market for the advertising industry and the perfect citizenry for the political class.

There was a study done recently on many of the children who have been committing extreme acts of violence. It was found that they tended to flood themselves with TV watching and video game playing. The study went further to measure brain activity in these kids and found that video games and excessive TV watching do reduce higher level brain activity, leaving us with lower level, reptilian-like, medulla activity.

[James Lewitzke]

Originally Posted by Moxxnixx

That could be. But, whether its tech or psych, how would they be able to accomplish this without word getting out? I'm sure they didn't pick up a "Brainwashing For Dummies" book and learn it over the weekend. Hypnotic and subliminal suggestive techniques require a vast amount of training to be successful. It would be hard to keep that training secret for TV personalities.

The "word" already is out, people just don't want to admit, or believe, that it's happening. I don't believe it's really so much a secret, there's been tons of books, websites, etc. dedicated to the topic of TV brainwashing, although I don't have them sourced off-hand.

Originally Posted by Moxxnixx

Maybe. You think the "Colbert-Nation" could be a front for some new cult?

Could be? I already think it *is* .

[James Lewitzke]

Originally Posted by In Lak'esh

The couch potato justifies his addiction by saying that TV-watching enables him to empty his mind and not think after a long hard day's work. Indeed, the mind is being emptied, but it is also being re-filled with images and desires of someone else's choosing. For instance, picture the Energizer bunny in your head. You will see it no matter what because the image has been planted inside your head.

This is definietly an interesting perspective . Many people think it's harmless to watch and it's a nice tool to use to relax. I know many people, including my sister (OP), who have a tough time breaking away from the hold it can have on our minds. It's a one-way communication device, there's virtually no interaction on the user's end, they just sit there and soak up whatever information the machine spews.

Some even watch it for five to six hours a day, and while they say they can stop watching it any time they wish, I believe they can't. It's an addiction to them, they just can't admit it.

Originally Posted by In Lak'esh

TV is designed to plant ideas into the subconsciousness, so that people buy things they don't need and never knew they wanted, in order to perpetuate a never-ending cycle of consumerism. TV is an instrument designed to dominate other people's minds, a dangerous enough tool in the hands of advertising executives, but when used by authoritarian-minded political manipulators-which it is- it is a deadly weapon. In short, TV has created a nation of barely sentient, obedient zombies- the perfect market for the advertising industry and the perfect citizenry for the political class.

The Television industry is huge (dealing with billions upon billions of dollars), so I don't think there's much doubt that it can have a significant impact on our lives. I think most just don't know (or want to know) just how powerful it's influence has on society.

IMO, Television is a distraction, and can produce as you said, "zombies". Keeping attention away from more important things in their lives (family, communication financial situations, etc.)

Originally Posted by In Lak'esh

There was a study done recently on many of the children who have been committing extreme acts of violence. It was found that they tended to flood themselves with TV watching and video game playing.

Hey.... I play video games too

Although the idea can arise that they are being used for brainwashing too. For example, Grand Theft Auto plants the idea of rebelliousness and anarchy in young people's minds, thinking its OK to sleep with prostitutes, murder innocents, steal cars, etc. Even Halo, which I'll admit I'm a fan of, I heard was being used as an army recruiting tool.

[Barcs]

I disagree with the idea that TV violence and video game violence is to blame for violence in children. They are definitely the scape goat, but I feel it's more the parents fault for letting them watch so much TV or giving them the violent games in the first place. IF I have kids (doubt it) I will focus more on physical activities and reading, and most likely I won't even subscribe to cable.

I feel that playing violent video games gets it out of your system so that you won't do it in real life. Most kids, who have been raised properly, can tell the difference between fiction and reality and if they can't then they should be seeing a doctor. Video games can be great educational tools because they are interactive whereas with TV & Movies you just sit back and take it in.

I do agree that there is TONS of subliminal brainwashing going on TV though. Some is very apparent (like the news) and some is harder to catch (commercials, symbols, etc). Some TV is very good though. There are some great educational channels (History, TLC, Discovery) who's primary goal is to teach people. There are also TV shows like Lost (I'm addicted!) that really make you think and analyze, which can be beneficial as well. Also laughing is very healthy, so some comedy can't hurt every now and then.

There's no need to completely rely on TV for anything though because you can learn about or research just about anything online now. I personally believe that the key with Television, as with most things, is moderation. It's one thing to watch TV for an hour after work, but to spend your entire evening every night watching TV until you pass out is not good.

[bl1984]

As with any other product YOU have a choice as to how you use it. YOU are in control. The whole idea of TV as brainwashing is preposterous. YOU can change the channel. YOU can turn it off. YOU can use it as an educational tool or as entertainment. It's all up to YOU!

[Barcs]

That's true, however, it does not negate the concept that subliminal brainwashing/advertising is everywhere. Yes you can choose to ignore it, but it's still there and it affects many people who aren't as aware of it as we are. Yes we choose, but we don't necessarily choose what concepts they pound into our heads and things like that.

[In Lak'esh]

Originally Posted by bl1984

As with any other product YOU have a choice as to how you use it. YOU are in control. The whole idea of TV as brainwashing is preposterous. YOU can change the channel. YOU can turn it off. YOU can use it as an educational tool or as entertainment. It's all up to YOU!

Yes and guns are supposed to be used for defensive purposes only.

Guns-Defensive--(unwarranted) Death. TV-Entertaining--(mental) Retrogression.