3 ms·

It's not the same thing, though. If the entire country watches big brother, that's entertainment. Do I understand why they enjoy it, no (though I do enjoy X Fac

by corin_ 15y ago

It's not the same thing, though. If the entire country watches big brother, that's entertainment. Do I understand why they enjoy it, no (though I do enjoy X Factor!). Reading a terrible newspaper is different, and worse. They're not just getting entertainment, they're getting news, they're getting their world view and their political beliefs influenced by it. That's the difference.

speckledjim 15y ago
IMHO You're incorrect. The line between news and entertainment is an arbitrary one. Who are you to tell me not to watch Fox News? Why shouldn't I buy a tabloid paper to see who some celebrity has had an affair with? You're inflicting your views of what is "good for the masses" on others. If the masses want to be misinformed, non-intellectual gossip merchants (Which basically they do), let them.
- corin_ 15y ago
  While I do look down on celebrity gossip reading, I'm aware that that makes me a snob. However, that's not the issue I have here. My issue is with the way papers like this, and indeed Fox News, report real news, important news. Reading celebrity gossip may be something that I don't understand, but it's not something than affects me, whereas the actual news, that has a very real impact on people's views on politics, society, the world and so on. That is something we should all care about.
  - speckledjim 15y ago
    Once again though, you're trying to impose your views on others. If people want to read the bible, and believe it as factual "news", they should be able to. As I say, if people want to live in blissful ignorance, they should be allowed to do that.
    - corin_ 15y ago
      And when they read the bible and decide that being gay is a crime, or one of the many other terrible things in that book, you're OK with that?
      - speckledjim 15y ago
        yes. I believe that people should have the freedom to believe what they like, as long as it doesn't encroach on others rights.

by corin_ 15y ago

speckledjim 15y ago

IMHO You're incorrect. The line between news and entertainment is an arbitrary one. Who are you to tell me not to watch Fox News? Why shouldn't I buy a tabloid paper to see who some celebrity has had an affair with? You're inflicting your views of what is "good for the masses" on others. If the masses want to be misinformed, non-intellectual gossip merchants (Which basically they do), let them.

corin_ 15y ago
While I do look down on celebrity gossip reading, I'm aware that that makes me a snob. However, that's not the issue I have here. My issue is with the way papers like this, and indeed Fox News, report real news, important news. Reading celebrity gossip may be something that I don't understand, but it's not something than affects me, whereas the actual news, that has a very real impact on people's views on politics, society, the world and so on. That is something we should all care about.
- speckledjim 15y ago
  Once again though, you're trying to impose your views on others. If people want to read the bible, and believe it as factual "news", they should be able to. As I say, if people want to live in blissful ignorance, they should be allowed to do that.
  - corin_ 15y ago
    And when they read the bible and decide that being gay is a crime, or one of the many other terrible things in that book, you're OK with that?
    - speckledjim 15y ago
      yes. I believe that people should have the freedom to believe what they like, as long as it doesn't encroach on others rights.