8 replies to this topic

[redlion]

I was thinking about television indoctrination after viewing This thread about global warming.

I just thought that the television clip was a complete joke. Their explanation seemed fitted for a child. It was like explaining fire or something. To be sure, this indoctrination happens at all ages and at both ends of the political/economic spectrum, and is potent in its ways.

I find many people that watch television more unwavering in their beliefs than people who don't watch television. I think its a really heady socialization tool. Its like you see on the discovery or history channel what a crazy indoctrination the bolsheviks did when they took over. Only in fifty years, we'll be seeing how government and economic use of television for brainwashing/indoctrination. The government will never let it out that this is used, so they can't go after private companies and combines from doing it. I mean really large industrial companies.

Anyway, I just wondered if anyone else had thought that television is used to socialize society and does so all the time.

[sonic]

That happens in Physics and other Sciences.

People will see a discovery channel special on a topic and then all of the sudden they are an expert.
Happens all the time at the few Physics Forums I am a member at.

The worst is when its on a contraversal issue.

[Jakerz]

I agree, but then if you don't have a good education, how do you know if anything is real or a form of brainwashing from the government? For example, in the thread you mentioned, as a grade 10 student I don't have the resources/education to know whether or not the graphs/facts Al Gore states in his slide show are correct or not, so I assume they are because he does have the resources to get them.

[dolphinbomb]

I agree, but then if you don't have a good education, how do you know if anything is real or a form of brainwashing from the government? For example, in the thread you mentioned, as a grade 10 student I don't have the resources/education to know whether or not the graphs/facts Al Gore states in his slide show are correct or not, so I assume they are because he does have the resources to get them.

This in itself is a problem. So many people are too quick to believe the first thing they hear, and then they hold fast to that one idea, and refuse to remain open to other ideas and viewpoints.

Television, especially today's news broadcasters, are especially guilty of preying on this fact. Too many people nowadays are content to sit idle and lap up whatever biased drivel is fed to them without question. Too many people will watch a report, and never think that there is another view, or that there may be some omitted information, etc.

No one is willing to question the media anymore. It's a sad state of affairs.

I find many people that watch television more unwavering in their beliefs than people who don't watch television.

I find this tends to be true more often than not. I can't stand watching television, except for a few shows (namely, House and Heroes ). I have several friends who treat television the same way, and we tend to be more open to new ideas and philosophies in general.
Anecdotal evidence, to be sure, but still something to think about

[Jakerz]

I'm normally open to other views, just that topic was a bad example Feel strongly about global warming
I don't normally watch much television though, CSI and Smallville

[Tetiel]

So... so... so... you mean with my watching Animal Planet 24/7 so I don't qualify as a zoologist? ;_;

[Reaper]

I think that a lot of people are brainwashed into thinking that what they see and hear on tv is the truth, but you also need to remember that some people actually expand their mind MORE. What I mean is that lets say I don't know much about history...it never really interested me...then I happened to click through the channels and find the history channel...somethings on that catches my eye. I watch it and therefore learn a little bit. Now, I also believe that once I come to find history interesting...I should read more, get my facts in other places. TV isn't always a bad thing in small doses. I think it can be a tool for opening up yourself to different cultures, religions, places, events etc. You just need to know that you need to un-glue yourself once in awhile. Thats just my opinion...haha!

[Melchoire]

So... so... so... you mean with my watching Animal Planet 24/7 so I don't qualify as a zoologist? ;_;

Not officially. =P

[Amagius]

This in itself is a problem. So many people are too quick to believe the first thing they hear, and then they hold fast to that one idea, and refuse to remain open to other ideas and viewpoints.

Television, especially today's news broadcasters, are especially guilty of preying on this fact. Too many people nowadays are content to sit idle and lap up whatever biased drivel is fed to them without question. Too many people will watch a report, and never think that there is another view, or that there may be some omitted information, etc.

No one is willing to question the media anymore. It's a sad state of affairs.



I find this tends to be true more often than not. I can't stand watching television, except for a few shows (namely, House and Heroes ). I have several friends who treat television the same way, and we tend to be more open to new ideas and philosophies in general.
Anecdotal evidence, to be sure, but still something to think about

I agree with you, except that I don't think there is any problem believing what the media reports. It is Western protocol that any theory is valid unless disproven or another theory is better represented--if someone is willing to evolve beyond their original thought, then it is no one's fault other than the reporter's. (Though, television does deserve this healthy dose of vitriol.)