However much I try not to follow what is going on in Ukraine and the rest of the world, I am inexorably drawn to the video posts from both MSM (mainstream media) and independent journalists (mainly the latter as I am beginning to doubt the former’s credibility, or at least, their evenness).
I cannot help but compare the scenes in the news these days to the video games that my son played and grew up with. Actually, my son, who has his own family now, still does. And so do millions of others globally. I wonder if it has occurred to anyone about a possible a connection between the constant barrage of violent battle scenes in video games in the young and not-so-young minds for the past few decades, to what is happening in the real world now.
For myself, I have no doubts that the brutal combat events in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine now are the effects of what millions of minds have been exposed to day in and day out. Some will say it is because Russia invaded Ukraine. Some others opine that it is because other countries provoked the events. Or that the war profiteers are engineering endless wars. To be sure, the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine and the interlinked events did not happen in a vacuum. And life does not work unconnected.
Seemingly, the mind works in mysterious ways, which is not so mysterious actually. It is, in truth, scientific. As scientific and logical as the concept GIGO.
GIGO or garbage in, garbage out is a concept in computer science and mathematics, which means – the quality of output is determined by the quality of the input. Think about that. Does anyone think we would be bombarded with all those violent video games scenes with impunity?
Another case in point – take note of the news here in Canada lately of the rising incidents of aggressive and violent behavior in our schools. Our public transportation places has not been spared as well. According to CBC, “recent data shows violence against passengers on the TTC rose 46 per cent last year from the year before.”
It makes one think twice about the concept that “thoughts are things”. It rang true to me as I watch the violent battle scenes on video in Ukraine, which are, uncannily, much like the scenes in the video games that have been so popular since the 70s or 80s. Sadly, they still are.
These days, I am glad our grandchild, who just turned 1 year old (Happy Birthday, Raya! – as if she would get to read this, ha ha.) is confined to Sesame Street and to the toddler learning videos of Ms. Rachel. The same with another 1 ½ year old grandchild in Tokyo. Even happier to know that their parents (my children) limit their exposure to screen time. May they be successful in this endeavor as long as possible.
BALANCED NEWS, A THING OF THE PAST?
I mentioned in my first paragraph that I find myself, more and more, listening to independent journalists, while listening or viewing mainstream media as well. I am inclined though to listen to the latter.
More often than not, I get the impression that the mainstream media do not give out all the facts. Choosing only to amplify the elements in the event which they feel will elicit the reaction they would like from the viewers. Sometimes, some significant events (which I stumble on while browsing through independent people who report on other events not mentioned in mainstream media) are not given airtime at all. There are many techniques to amplify.
Though I am not an expert, the many ways I learned were just collateral effects to when I was working in entertainment media for many years. In a way, I realized, to a certain extent, that news was, or rather, still is, entertainment. Or at least, ratings is still king – for news or entertainment content. The more eyeballs on you, the more advertisers, the blacker the bottom line. Profit is usually the goal. Fair enough. After all, corporate media is a business.
One thing stands out though. It seems to me that balanced news or programming is not in the horizon anymore. It used to be. In fact, in the awards events before, at least in the Philippines, the highlight of the awards night was the channel or station that wins the award for the network with the “Most Balanced Programming”. “Di na yata uso ito”. Evenness or balance is not alive in the consciousness of media for now.
One thing I have learned from the daily barrage of news and purported news, one must do one’s own balancing act, so to speak. I do my own vetting, listen to different sides, and make my own judgment, trusting that I come up with what is right. Right for me and for the rest of humanity. In short, I take my life into my own hands.
Whereas before, we would just take what the media dishes to us, and put our faith in what they say, lock, stock and barrel. We became lazy. Those days are long gone. Thanks to the internet. It forced me to think, sift through many ideas, wade through both sludge and clear water, and in the end, make my own judgment. Sometimes, when new things are uncovered, we work with these new variables. This scenario reminds me of a blurb that Toronto Star published in one of their issues. It said “It is what it is, until it isn’t.” Loved that. Still loving it as the clipping is tacked on the topmost part of my reminder board at home. Just as I have another daily reminder which says “’Tis the season to be thankful”. But I added the word “always”.
A little late as it is – Warm and congratulatory thoughts to my (and to a million other Filipino Canadians) home country the Philippines, on the occasion of its Independence Day – the celebration and commemoration of the declaration of independence from Spain in 1898.
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!
Tessie O. Taylor
Taylorteresita@gmail.com