Update April 16: here’s a column in Broadcasting & Cable by Paige Albiniak that makes the points I really wanted to make here without being incendiary. You should probably read it instead of what’s below. Perhaps it is all in the title. Hers was “Tim Robbins’ Beautiful, Impossible Media Dream”. I went the direction I did because I like focusing on the possible…
Actor Tim Robbins who has starred in two of my favorite movies, Bull Durham and The Shawshank Redemption gave the keynote at today’s NAB (National Association of Broadcaster’s) confab and railed against the machine.
“We are at an abyss as an industry and as a country,” Robbins said according to an article on Broadcasting and Cable’s web site. From the article:
Ditching the chance to give his views in an exchange with TV critic David Bianculli, who appears on National Public Radio and in the pages of Broadcasting & Cable magazine, Robbins described that abyss using expletives that would not be allowed on free over-the-air radio or television by the Federal Communications Commission. These included the common vulgarity for copulation, known as the f-bomb, and, “Die, you Nazi c___suckers.”
He also called on the industry to turn away from reporting on all the stuff that people really care about, like pictures of Britney and Paris with their skirts half way up their thighs when they step out of cars when they weren’t wearing any underwear. Robbins says the focus reduces the variety of voices delivered on any given issue and distracts the public and that it takes no energy and requires little thought.
Grow up, Tim Robbins and DEAL WITH REALITY. I wrote about 40,000 words last summer on the topic of whether capitalism is self-destructive (anyone interested in a link can e-mail me). The correct conclusion is no, but people sometimes are. With all things in the system called planet earth, the blessing is usually the curse and it’s no different with Capitalism. The advantage is, it plays to the strength of the human condition. The weakness is, it plays to the weakness of the human condition. That’s the way it is, and in 13,000 years or so of recorded history, the way human nature works is that a system always arises that both plays to our strength and our weaknesses. Capitalism is among them. That will not be changed by cursing out the NAB.
It may suck that people are interested en masse about things which require no energy and little thought, but that doesn’t change this: en masse people are interested in things which require no energy or little thought.
Of course rantings like Die, you Nazi c—suckers…also no energy and little thought. So Mr. Robbins, you freaking hypocrite who takes advantage of the capitalistic system of things, as well as the antics of Britney, when it suits you…please say hello to Paris Hilton for me next time you run into her.
If Gorman and I were to play “Oddsmakers” a la PTI on this one, I’m sure we’d both agree the odds of Robbins being invited back to give an NAB keynote are ZERO.
So as not to *just* be a total excuse to post a (clothed, no private parts exposed) picture of Ms. Hilton, B&C is giving comprehensive coverage of the NAB show here.
“Idealistic” is way too kind.
The guy is an elitist self-important blow hard chucklehead.
“Idealistic” is way too kind.
The guy is an elitist self-important blow hard chucklehead.
I’m in a “kinder, gentler, less cynical” phase
I'm in a “kinder, gentler, less cynical” phase
I was there, I saw it happen. He was great. It was clear, once things began unfolding, that he did not expect to be interviewed by Bianculli. He had a speech prepared, and it had to be given.’
What is astonishing is that the NAB, under current Prez ___ Rehr, invited Tim to speak. What was he thinking?
I predict he is canned before the end of May.
I was there, I saw it happen. He was great. It was clear, once things began unfolding, that he did not expect to be interviewed by Bianculli. He had a speech prepared, and it had to be given.'
What is astonishing is that the NAB, under current Prez ___ Rehr, invited Tim to speak. What was he thinking?
I predict he is canned before the end of May.
I was there, I saw it happen. He was great. It was clear, once things began unfolding, that he did not expect to be interviewed by Bianculli. He had a speech prepared, and it had to be given.'
What is astonishing is that the NAB, under current Prez ___ Rehr, invited Tim to speak. What was he thinking?
I predict he is canned before the end of May.
What was very interesting was to watch the audience reaction. At first, there was just a smattering of applause. By the end of the speech, he got an enthusiastic standing ovation from nearly 1/2 of the crowd. The rest sat there is stunned silence.
Robert Seidman’s analysis missed the point. Tim’s speech was heavy on irony, and masterfully delivered.
What was very interesting was to watch the audience reaction. At first, there was just a smattering of applause. By the end of the speech, he got an enthusiastic standing ovation from nearly 1/2 of the crowd. The rest sat there is stunned silence.
Robert Seidman's analysis missed the point. Tim's speech was heavy on irony, and masterfully delivered.
What was very interesting was to watch the audience reaction. At first, there was just a smattering of applause. By the end of the speech, he got an enthusiastic standing ovation from nearly 1/2 of the crowd. The rest sat there is stunned silence.
Robert Seidman's analysis missed the point. Tim's speech was heavy on irony, and masterfully delivered.
Listen to it here: http://www.broadcastingcable.com/contents/media/Tim%20Robbins-NAB%20Keynote.mp3
Listen to it here: http://www.broadcastingcable.com/contents/media...
Listen to it here: http://www.broadcastingcable.com/contents/media...
“That’s the way it is, and in 13,000 years or so of recorded history, the way human nature works is that a system always arises that both plays to our strength and our weaknesses. Capitalism is among them.”
And another fiend with a simpleton’s understanding of Capitalism is heard from. Your inept tautology is breathtaking, truly. But among those who think as you do, you make a splendid cheerleader. You do your masters proud!
“That’s the way it is, and in 13,000 years or so of recorded history, the way human nature works is that a system always arises that both plays to our strength and our weaknesses. Capitalism is among them.”
And another fiend with a simpleton's understanding of Capitalism is heard from. Your inept tautology is breathtaking, truly. But among those who think as you do, you make a splendid cheerleader. You do your masters proud!
“That’s the way it is, and in 13,000 years or so of recorded history, the way human nature works is that a system always arises that both plays to our strength and our weaknesses. Capitalism is among them.”
And another fiend with a simpleton's understanding of Capitalism is heard from. Your inept tautology is breathtaking, truly. But among those who think as you do, you make a splendid cheerleader. You do your masters proud!
you’re a knucklehead NYCIC, Bill G is the MBA, I’m the college dropout. But give me ONE example of a utopian system that *didn’t* take advantage of human nature (or humans) that has ever exsited. I’m not asking for 2, 3, 5 or 10. Just give me one. One. Just one.
And no, the fictional Atlantis doesn’t count. Though it’s fun to think about.
you're a knucklehead NYCIC, Bill G is the MBA, I'm the college dropout. But give me ONE example of a utopian system that *didn't* take advantage of human nature (or humans) that has ever exsited. I'm not asking for 2, 3, 5 or 10. Just give me one. One. Just one.
And no, the fictional Atlantis doesn't count. Though it's fun to think about.
you're a knucklehead NYCIC, Bill G is the MBA, I'm the college dropout. But give me ONE example of a utopian system that *didn't* take advantage of human nature (or humans) that has ever exsited. I'm not asking for 2, 3, 5 or 10. Just give me one. One. Just one.
And no, the fictional Atlantis doesn't count. Though it's fun to think about.
I find it ironic in a discussion of free speech, diversity of view points and the destruction of society someone is afraid to use the word fuck or cocksucker. If we can’t say fuck, were all fucked if you know what I mean. Its not like he was saying it to be salicous, it was meant in irony. You demean rightfully political correctness and then implement it in your own writing and words. Perhaps you should listen to the actual speech which is now online at:
http://a330.g.akamai.net/7/330/2540/20080414194408/www.broadcastingcable.com/contents/media/Tim%20Robbins-NAB%20Keynote.mp3
and try to put your political bias in your pocket while you let the words sink in. He says some important things that need to be said. Oh and by the way he takes issue with the way people have been trained to diss the messenger rather than discuss the message, somewhat like your headline where you call Tim Robbins an “Idealistic Dope” I guess you really don’t have to look much farther than your own mirror to see where the problems lie and who is responsible for fixing them.
I find it ironic in a discussion of free speech, diversity of view points and the destruction of society someone is afraid to use the word fuck or cocksucker. If we can't say fuck, were all fucked if you know what I mean. Its not like he was saying it to be salicous, it was meant in irony. You demean rightfully political correctness and then implement it in your own writing and words. Perhaps you should listen to the actual speech which is now online at:
http://a330.g.akamai.net/7/330/2540/20080414194...
and try to put your political bias in your pocket while you let the words sink in. He says some important things that need to be said. Oh and by the way he takes issue with the way people have been trained to diss the messenger rather than discuss the message, somewhat like your headline where you call Tim Robbins an “Idealistic Dope” I guess you really don't have to look much farther than your own mirror to see where the problems lie and who is responsible for fixing them.
I find it ironic in a discussion of free speech, diversity of view points and the destruction of society someone is afraid to use the word fuck or cocksucker. If we can't say fuck, were all fucked if you know what I mean. Its not like he was saying it to be salicous, it was meant in irony. You demean rightfully political correctness and then implement it in your own writing and words. Perhaps you should listen to the actual speech which is now online at:
http://a330.g.akamai.net/7/330/2540/20080414194...
and try to put your political bias in your pocket while you let the words sink in. He says some important things that need to be said. Oh and by the way he takes issue with the way people have been trained to diss the messenger rather than discuss the message, somewhat like your headline where you call Tim Robbins an “Idealistic Dope” I guess you really don't have to look much farther than your own mirror to see where the problems lie and who is responsible for fixing them.
Jane, if it’s your contention that I, you, or the world was advanced by Robbins speech, I disagree with you as much as you disagree with me. We’re both free to do so and that’s a great thing.
There’s no upside to cursing on this blog. It doesn’t accomplish anything. I’m not afraid of words, ideas, or people. I drop the F-bomb all the time. But doing so here wouldn’t bring usmore traffic, it would bring less.
I listened to the speech this morning. Know what I thought afterwards? I thought Tim Robbins was still an elitist dope. If I said I thought he was a *fucking* elitist dope, would it change your opinion of my opinion any? If your answer is yes then I’m definitely missing something that won’t be solved by looking in the mirror.
I don’t like ALL the conventions of the civilized world. But the aggregate, not any one person, not you, not me, not Tim Robbins determines what is and isn’t considered civilized behavior. It’s not perfect by any means. While not perfect, I still consider it far more optimal than *not* living in a civilized world.
I have no issues with Robbins having his opinion. What I have issues with is him playing the game up to the point where he had what is known as “Fuck-you money” and *then* telling other people they shouldn’t play that game.
P.S. My personal politics are that I don’t like politics. I can’t say I hate any of them, but I don’t think there’s one I like either. It’s another system though that while not perfect, seems better than the alternatives.
Jane, if it's your contention that I, you, or the world was advanced by Robbins speech, I disagree with you as much as you disagree with me. We're both free to do so and that's a great thing.
There's no upside to cursing on this blog. It doesn't accomplish anything. I'm not afraid of words, ideas, or people. I drop the F-bomb all the time. But doing so here wouldn't bring usmore traffic, it would bring less.
I listened to the speech this morning. Know what I thought afterwards? I thought Tim Robbins was still an elitist dope. If I said I thought he was a *fucking* elitist dope, would it change your opinion of my opinion any? If your answer is yes then I'm definitely missing something that won't be solved by looking in the mirror.
I don't like ALL the conventions of the civilized world. But the aggregate, not any one person, not you, not me, not Tim Robbins determines what is and isn't considered civilized behavior. It's not perfect by any means. While not perfect, I still consider it far more optimal than *not* living in a civilized world.
I have no issues with Robbins having his opinion. What I have issues with is him playing the game up to the point where he had what is known as “Fuck-you money” and *then* telling other people they shouldn't play that game.
P.S. My personal politics are that I don't like politics. I can't say I hate any of them, but I don't think there's one I like either. It's another system though that while not perfect, seems better than the alternatives.
Jane, if it's your contention that I, you, or the world was advanced by Robbins speech, I disagree with you as much as you disagree with me. We're both free to do so and that's a great thing.
There's no upside to cursing on this blog. It doesn't accomplish anything. I'm not afraid of words, ideas, or people. I drop the F-bomb all the time. But doing so here wouldn't bring usmore traffic, it would bring less.
I listened to the speech this morning. Know what I thought afterwards? I thought Tim Robbins was still an elitist dope. If I said I thought he was a *fucking* elitist dope, would it change your opinion of my opinion any? If your answer is yes then I'm definitely missing something that won't be solved by looking in the mirror.
I don't like ALL the conventions of the civilized world. But the aggregate, not any one person, not you, not me, not Tim Robbins determines what is and isn't considered civilized behavior. It's not perfect by any means. While not perfect, I still consider it far more optimal than *not* living in a civilized world.
I have no issues with Robbins having his opinion. What I have issues with is him playing the game up to the point where he had what is known as “Fuck-you money” and *then* telling other people they shouldn't play that game.
P.S. My personal politics are that I don't like politics. I can't say I hate any of them, but I don't think there's one I like either. It's another system though that while not perfect, seems better than the alternatives.
My point is that we are all trapped in the lens of the media. People are dying in Iraq, the president says torture is cool and discusses the best way to do it and he has the discussion in the Whitehouse, he taps our phones without court order, has a private police force (Blackwater) fighting in Iraq on no bid contracts, with waiver to protect them from criminal prosecution, etc. etc. etc. and we spend our time discussing which curse words Tim Robbins used in a speech to point out the lack of focus,comittment and civil responsibility in the media and its stakeholders.
The problem isn’t Tim Robbins and it isn’t his language. Hell Mark Twain could curse with the best of them and he did it with pride. We’ve let ourselves be beaten down on so many sides that were afraid to use common language.
The problem is if nobody looks further than the next dollar, soon there won’t be a next dollar. Our economy is on the verge of collapse, the 5th largest bank/trading house is bankrupt, write downs by the rest of the banking industry are expected to exceed 1 trillion dollars, the dollar is falling like a rock against our trading partners currency. We burning money like it was paper in Iraq on a war that no one can explain why we are fighting or what consititutes victory. I haven’t ever seen things this bad in this country. The people are polarized, left vs right rich vs poor etc etc and the media make no effort to explain, to investigate, to educate or even to comment. They just chase the next idiot that decides he can outrun the cops on the freeway. We can give an hour to a car chase, but sorry were out of time on that discussion of Iraq, we’ll be right back with more of what show we’ll be running this evening that you don’t want to miss, so stay tuned. And no one knows why ratings are down, viewers are turning to the internet for the news, cause they can find out in 5 minutes what it takes CNN an hour to spit out in bits and pieces.
The media is broke along with the nation, Tim Robbins said it if you listen past the curse words. Shall we take turns condeming the messenger or shall we discuss the words he brought to us?
My point is that we are all trapped in the lens of the media. People are dying in Iraq, the president says torture is cool and discusses the best way to do it and he has the discussion in the Whitehouse, he taps our phones without court order, has a private police force (Blackwater) fighting in Iraq on no bid contracts, with waiver to protect them from criminal prosecution, etc. etc. etc. and we spend our time discussing which curse words Tim Robbins used in a speech to point out the lack of focus,comittment and civil responsibility in the media and its stakeholders.
The problem isn't Tim Robbins and it isn't his language. Hell Mark Twain could curse with the best of them and he did it with pride. We've let ourselves be beaten down on so many sides that were afraid to use common language.
The problem is if nobody looks further than the next dollar, soon there won't be a next dollar. Our economy is on the verge of collapse, the 5th largest bank/trading house is bankrupt, write downs by the rest of the banking industry are expected to exceed 1 trillion dollars, the dollar is falling like a rock against our trading partners currency. We burning money like it was paper in Iraq on a war that no one can explain why we are fighting or what consititutes victory. I haven't ever seen things this bad in this country. The people are polarized, left vs right rich vs poor etc etc and the media make no effort to explain, to investigate, to educate or even to comment. They just chase the next idiot that decides he can outrun the cops on the freeway. We can give an hour to a car chase, but sorry were out of time on that discussion of Iraq, we'll be right back with more of what show we'll be running this evening that you don't want to miss, so stay tuned. And no one knows why ratings are down, viewers are turning to the internet for the news, cause they can find out in 5 minutes what it takes CNN an hour to spit out in bits and pieces.
The media is broke along with the nation, Tim Robbins said it if you listen past the curse words. Shall we take turns condeming the messenger or shall we discuss the words he brought to us?
My point is that we are all trapped in the lens of the media. People are dying in Iraq, the president says torture is cool and discusses the best way to do it and he has the discussion in the Whitehouse, he taps our phones without court order, has a private police force (Blackwater) fighting in Iraq on no bid contracts, with waiver to protect them from criminal prosecution, etc. etc. etc. and we spend our time discussing which curse words Tim Robbins used in a speech to point out the lack of focus,comittment and civil responsibility in the media and its stakeholders.
The problem isn't Tim Robbins and it isn't his language. Hell Mark Twain could curse with the best of them and he did it with pride. We've let ourselves be beaten down on so many sides that were afraid to use common language.
The problem is if nobody looks further than the next dollar, soon there won't be a next dollar. Our economy is on the verge of collapse, the 5th largest bank/trading house is bankrupt, write downs by the rest of the banking industry are expected to exceed 1 trillion dollars, the dollar is falling like a rock against our trading partners currency. We burning money like it was paper in Iraq on a war that no one can explain why we are fighting or what consititutes victory. I haven't ever seen things this bad in this country. The people are polarized, left vs right rich vs poor etc etc and the media make no effort to explain, to investigate, to educate or even to comment. They just chase the next idiot that decides he can outrun the cops on the freeway. We can give an hour to a car chase, but sorry were out of time on that discussion of Iraq, we'll be right back with more of what show we'll be running this evening that you don't want to miss, so stay tuned. And no one knows why ratings are down, viewers are turning to the internet for the news, cause they can find out in 5 minutes what it takes CNN an hour to spit out in bits and pieces.
The media is broke along with the nation, Tim Robbins said it if you listen past the curse words. Shall we take turns condeming the messenger or shall we discuss the words he brought to us?
Robbins’ speech was great. Your column is dumb.
Robbins' speech was great. Your column is dumb.
Robbins' speech was great. Your column is dumb.
What Bianculli thought:
TV critic David Bianculli offers a favorable review of FAIR advisory board member Tim Robbins’ no-holds-barred keynote address at the conference of the National Association of Broadcasters. Robbins opened his speech “apologizing” to Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly and other right-wing broadcast pundits:
A few years ago, they told America that because I had different opinions on the wisdom of going to war, that I was a traitor, a Saddam lover, a terrorist supporter, undermining the troops.
I was appealing at the time for the inspectors to have more time to find those Weapons of Mass Destruction. I was a naive dupe of left-wing appeasement.
And how right they were. If I had known then what I know now, if I had seen the festive and appreciative faces on the streets of Baghdad today, if I had known then what a robust economy we would be in — the unity of our people, the wildfire of democracy that has spread across the Mideast — I would never have said those traitorous, unfounded and irresponsible things.
I stand chastened in the face of the wisdom of the talk radio geniuses, and I apologize for standing in the way of freedom.
Bianculli, noting the overwhelmingly positive responses to Robbins, observes:
Much of Robbins’ speech urged an increased diversity of voices, allowing minority viewpoints and artistic expressions to have their day, and their say. By booking Robbins as their keynote speaker, the NAB ended up doing precisely that. Perhaps accidentally, but the outspoken actor hardly was an unknown quantity, and the results should speak for themselves.
What Bianculli thought:
TV critic David Bianculli offers a favorable review of FAIR advisory board member Tim Robbins' no-holds-barred keynote address at the conference of the National Association of Broadcasters. Robbins opened his speech “apologizing” to Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly and other right-wing broadcast pundits:
A few years ago, they told America that because I had different opinions on the wisdom of going to war, that I was a traitor, a Saddam lover, a terrorist supporter, undermining the troops.
I was appealing at the time for the inspectors to have more time to find those Weapons of Mass Destruction. I was a naive dupe of left-wing appeasement.
And how right they were. If I had known then what I know now, if I had seen the festive and appreciative faces on the streets of Baghdad today, if I had known then what a robust economy we would be in — the unity of our people, the wildfire of democracy that has spread across the Mideast — I would never have said those traitorous, unfounded and irresponsible things.
I stand chastened in the face of the wisdom of the talk radio geniuses, and I apologize for standing in the way of freedom.
Bianculli, noting the overwhelmingly positive responses to Robbins, observes:
Much of Robbins' speech urged an increased diversity of voices, allowing minority viewpoints and artistic expressions to have their day, and their say. By booking Robbins as their keynote speaker, the NAB ended up doing precisely that. Perhaps accidentally, but the outspoken actor hardly was an unknown quantity, and the results should speak for themselves.
What Bianculli thought:
TV critic David Bianculli offers a favorable review of FAIR advisory board member Tim Robbins' no-holds-barred keynote address at the conference of the National Association of Broadcasters. Robbins opened his speech “apologizing” to Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly and other right-wing broadcast pundits:
A few years ago, they told America that because I had different opinions on the wisdom of going to war, that I was a traitor, a Saddam lover, a terrorist supporter, undermining the troops.
I was appealing at the time for the inspectors to have more time to find those Weapons of Mass Destruction. I was a naive dupe of left-wing appeasement.
And how right they were. If I had known then what I know now, if I had seen the festive and appreciative faces on the streets of Baghdad today, if I had known then what a robust economy we would be in — the unity of our people, the wildfire of democracy that has spread across the Mideast — I would never have said those traitorous, unfounded and irresponsible things.
I stand chastened in the face of the wisdom of the talk radio geniuses, and I apologize for standing in the way of freedom.
Bianculli, noting the overwhelmingly positive responses to Robbins, observes:
Much of Robbins' speech urged an increased diversity of voices, allowing minority viewpoints and artistic expressions to have their day, and their say. By booking Robbins as their keynote speaker, the NAB ended up doing precisely that. Perhaps accidentally, but the outspoken actor hardly was an unknown quantity, and the results should speak for themselves.
Jane, we are not all trapped by that lens of the media. Some of us can get away with not paying any attention to it for the most part. I shy away from all of the things you wrote about, including Iraq…because I can. I’m not saying it makes me a saint, or a patriot,but I’d rather use that energy on something I enjoy like watching Lost and following my favorite sports teams.
I agree with you one hundred percent that the masses are polarized. I have a theory on that too: polarizing is good for fund raising! If you have a bunch of moderates it’s fracking hard as hell to work anyone up into a frenzy and get them to part with their cash.
It’s for primarily this reason that I don’t like politics at all. But I think it’s because it works so well that it doesn’t change — both sides are happy with the frenzy that causes the average joe to part with their cash. I don’t have an answer for how to change this — cursing isn’t the answer. But if you think Tim Robbins is a moderate compared to Bill O’Reilly extremist, I respectfully disagree. I think they are BOTH extremists (and interestingly BOTH are in show business!).
It’s perhaps a problem with language and labels but “liberal” and “conservative” do wind up being extremes on the poles. It’s set up to be polarizing from the get-go. I find no magnetic attraction to these extremes personally. And I’d (probably) be as prone to calling O’Reilly a dope if I ever listened to him as I was Robbins.
Jane, we are not all trapped by that lens of the media. Some of us can get away with not paying any attention to it for the most part. I shy away from all of the things you wrote about, including Iraq…because I can. I'm not saying it makes me a saint, or a patriot,but I'd rather use that energy on something I enjoy like watching Lost and following my favorite sports teams.
I agree with you one hundred percent that the masses are polarized. I have a theory on that too: polarizing is good for fund raising! If you have a bunch of moderates it's fracking hard as hell to work anyone up into a frenzy and get them to part with their cash.
It's for primarily this reason that I don't like politics at all. But I think it's because it works so well that it doesn't change — both sides are happy with the frenzy that causes the average joe to part with their cash. I don't have an answer for how to change this — cursing isn't the answer. But if you think Tim Robbins is a moderate compared to Bill O'Reilly extremist, I respectfully disagree. I think they are BOTH extremists (and interestingly BOTH are in show business!).
It's perhaps a problem with language and labels but “liberal” and “conservative” do wind up being extremes on the poles. It's set up to be polarizing from the get-go. I find no magnetic attraction to these extremes personally. And I'd (probably) be as prone to calling O'Reilly a dope if I ever listened to him as I was Robbins.
Jane, we are not all trapped by that lens of the media. Some of us can get away with not paying any attention to it for the most part. I shy away from all of the things you wrote about, including Iraq…because I can. I'm not saying it makes me a saint, or a patriot,but I'd rather use that energy on something I enjoy like watching Lost and following my favorite sports teams.
I agree with you one hundred percent that the masses are polarized. I have a theory on that too: polarizing is good for fund raising! If you have a bunch of moderates it's fracking hard as hell to work anyone up into a frenzy and get them to part with their cash.
It's for primarily this reason that I don't like politics at all. But I think it's because it works so well that it doesn't change — both sides are happy with the frenzy that causes the average joe to part with their cash. I don't have an answer for how to change this — cursing isn't the answer. But if you think Tim Robbins is a moderate compared to Bill O'Reilly extremist, I respectfully disagree. I think they are BOTH extremists (and interestingly BOTH are in show business!).
It's perhaps a problem with language and labels but “liberal” and “conservative” do wind up being extremes on the poles. It's set up to be polarizing from the get-go. I find no magnetic attraction to these extremes personally. And I'd (probably) be as prone to calling O'Reilly a dope if I ever listened to him as I was Robbins.
The speech has nothing to do with capitalism. Broadcasters use the public’s airwaves for free. It goes with their license that they are supposed to better the public’s interest. Do you want to argue that they do?
This speech is about corporations buying and paying for representatives and Presidents and getting over on the public so they can enhance their profits. (Maybe that’s what you mean by capitalism?)
The speech has nothing to do with capitalism. Broadcasters use the public's airwaves for free. It goes with their license that they are supposed to better the public's interest. Do you want to argue that they do?
This speech is about corporations buying and paying for representatives and Presidents and getting over on the public so they can enhance their profits. (Maybe that's what you mean by capitalism?)
The speech has nothing to do with capitalism. Broadcasters use the public's airwaves for free. It goes with their license that they are supposed to better the public's interest. Do you want to argue that they do?
This speech is about corporations buying and paying for representatives and Presidents and getting over on the public so they can enhance their profits. (Maybe that's what you mean by capitalism?)
Tim Robbins made some fantastic points, what he should have also reflected on was how people tend to have a really hard time seeing past next week ontop of trying to see years down the line when the type of media he is referring to has a hand in destroying the ideals and good will of humans who fall prey to it (yes, we could argue about how they are going to fall any ways but I think one of the main topics of Robbins speech was *compassion* and a hard change).
According to Robert it seems like its just fine to dehumanize Britney in every which way the media foals like it to make a quick buck (or ANY person for that matter that is making the cash flow) or show tv shows that numb people out and do not promote anything worth wile at all; a good ol boy mix of tits , violence and “humor” that is on a middle school level?? and lets not even get into how horrible our news outlets are, none of them really tell us anything that important that is going on and try to dumb us down about mainstream issues that every other “utopian” system shows on a daily bassis (example, BBC NEWS,even Al Jazeera (not the radical one that mainstream american news likes to tell us is the only Arabic news station out there), the one that most countrys can get on tv,) has significantly greater unbiased news then any American channel has)..
I could go on and on and on, but you say DEAL WITH IT.. and people like tim robins say , NO fuck you, you fucking natzi cocksuckers, and I stand firm right by him. Fuck you for choosing to make a quick buck over choosing to show Americans some honest news that would shake and rattle their spirits like nothing seen in a good long time and fuck you on top of that for knowing well what you are doing and just playing into what you deem people “want” to see (or maybe they are just plain scared of how the people they are dumbing down would react being to some honest thought provoking media); how about what people *need* to see to try and make this country a better place.
My hat goes off to Robins or anyone who promotes this, they are always going to be more powerful then the other side who just sits back idle and says “deal with it”; they cause people to think and maybe one of two of them will take action and change may occur.. change will never occur on the “deal with it” side.
Oh, and on a side note, this is NOT a utopian society, there has never been one in the history of mankind (I am not sure if thats what you were getting at, that this would be impossible and people like myself are aiming to high; don’t be mistaken here, I do not think utoipa is possible but a shift towards social awareness and compassion would be great for better or worse) but yes, by definition a utopian society is nearly impossible to come by.
Tim Robbins made some fantastic points, what he should have also reflected on was how people tend to have a really hard time seeing past next week ontop of trying to see years down the line when the type of media he is referring to has a hand in destroying the ideals and good will of humans who fall prey to it (yes, we could argue about how they are going to fall any ways but I think one of the main topics of Robbins speech was *compassion* and a hard change).
According to Robert it seems like its just fine to dehumanize Britney in every which way the media foals like it to make a quick buck (or ANY person for that matter that is making the cash flow) or show tv shows that numb people out and do not promote anything worth wile at all; a good ol boy mix of tits , violence and “humor” that is on a middle school level?? and lets not even get into how horrible our news outlets are, none of them really tell us anything that important that is going on and try to dumb us down about mainstream issues that every other “utopian” system shows on a daily bassis (example, BBC NEWS,even Al Jazeera (not the radical one that mainstream american news likes to tell us is the only Arabic news station out there), the one that most countrys can get on tv,) has significantly greater unbiased news then any American channel has)..
I could go on and on and on, but you say DEAL WITH IT.. and people like tim robins say , NO fuck you, you fucking natzi cocksuckers, and I stand firm right by him. Fuck you for choosing to make a quick buck over choosing to show Americans some honest news that would shake and rattle their spirits like nothing seen in a good long time and fuck you on top of that for knowing well what you are doing and just playing into what you deem people “want” to see (or maybe they are just plain scared of how the people they are dumbing down would react being to some honest thought provoking media); how about what people *need* to see to try and make this country a better place.
My hat goes off to Robins or anyone who promotes this, they are always going to be more powerful then the other side who just sits back idle and says “deal with it”; they cause people to think and maybe one of two of them will take action and change may occur.. change will never occur on the “deal with it” side.
Oh, and on a side note, this is NOT a utopian society, there has never been one in the history of mankind (I am not sure if thats what you were getting at, that this would be impossible and people like myself are aiming to high; don't be mistaken here, I do not think utoipa is possible but a shift towards social awareness and compassion would be great for better or worse) but yes, by definition a utopian society is nearly impossible to come by.
Tim Robbins made some fantastic points, what he should have also reflected on was how people tend to have a really hard time seeing past next week ontop of trying to see years down the line when the type of media he is referring to has a hand in destroying the ideals and good will of humans who fall prey to it (yes, we could argue about how they are going to fall any ways but I think one of the main topics of Robbins speech was *compassion* and a hard change).
According to Robert it seems like its just fine to dehumanize Britney in every which way the media foals like it to make a quick buck (or ANY person for that matter that is making the cash flow) or show tv shows that numb people out and do not promote anything worth wile at all; a good ol boy mix of tits , violence and “humor” that is on a middle school level?? and lets not even get into how horrible our news outlets are, none of them really tell us anything that important that is going on and try to dumb us down about mainstream issues that every other “utopian” system shows on a daily bassis (example, BBC NEWS,even Al Jazeera (not the radical one that mainstream american news likes to tell us is the only Arabic news station out there), the one that most countrys can get on tv,) has significantly greater unbiased news then any American channel has)..
I could go on and on and on, but you say DEAL WITH IT.. and people like tim robins say , NO fuck you, you fucking natzi cocksuckers, and I stand firm right by him. Fuck you for choosing to make a quick buck over choosing to show Americans some honest news that would shake and rattle their spirits like nothing seen in a good long time and fuck you on top of that for knowing well what you are doing and just playing into what you deem people “want” to see (or maybe they are just plain scared of how the people they are dumbing down would react being to some honest thought provoking media); how about what people *need* to see to try and make this country a better place.
My hat goes off to Robins or anyone who promotes this, they are always going to be more powerful then the other side who just sits back idle and says “deal with it”; they cause people to think and maybe one of two of them will take action and change may occur.. change will never occur on the “deal with it” side.
Oh, and on a side note, this is NOT a utopian society, there has never been one in the history of mankind (I am not sure if thats what you were getting at, that this would be impossible and people like myself are aiming to high; don't be mistaken here, I do not think utoipa is possible but a shift towards social awareness and compassion would be great for better or worse) but yes, by definition a utopian society is nearly impossible to come by.
Dehumanize Britney? The MSM has made her uber human. What’s more human than the struggle for control? Ok, so she’s not winning the struggle, but it’s very, very human.
I believe you can’t change anything or move the needle of progress until you actually can accept the way things are. The way things are: there’s a lot of money to be made on the train wreck that is Britney. The train keeps moving (even when it smashes into a lot of stuff) because on an individual basis, nobody capitalizes on this more than Britney herself.
I’m well aware there has never been Utopia. If you want to get yourself all twisted and angry about stuff going on 15,000 miles away, that is your choice. It doesn’t change anything though — you’re just venting. Again, I think change comes from asking “why does it happen to begin with? And what is really going on”.
Honest news? I don’t watch the news or care about the MSM much. The diversity of voices issue? Pssh. There are MILLIONS of voices on the Internet. Read them, and perhaps you will change the world. Vent your anger here and you will have accomplished nothing.
Your choice.
Dehumanize Britney? The MSM has made her uber human. What's more human than the struggle for control? Ok, so she's not winning the struggle, but it's very, very human.
I believe you can't change anything or move the needle of progress until you actually can accept the way things are. The way things are: there's a lot of money to be made on the train wreck that is Britney. The train keeps moving (even when it smashes into a lot of stuff) because on an individual basis, nobody capitalizes on this more than Britney herself.
I'm well aware there has never been Utopia. If you want to get yourself all twisted and angry about stuff going on 15,000 miles away, that is your choice. It doesn't change anything though — you're just venting. Again, I think change comes from asking “why does it happen to begin with? And what is really going on”.
Honest news? I don't watch the news or care about the MSM much. The diversity of voices issue? Pssh. There are MILLIONS of voices on the Internet. Read them, and perhaps you will change the world. Vent your anger here and you will have accomplished nothing.
Your choice.
Dehumanize Britney? The MSM has made her uber human. What's more human than the struggle for control? Ok, so she's not winning the struggle, but it's very, very human.
I believe you can't change anything or move the needle of progress until you actually can accept the way things are. The way things are: there's a lot of money to be made on the train wreck that is Britney. The train keeps moving (even when it smashes into a lot of stuff) because on an individual basis, nobody capitalizes on this more than Britney herself.
I'm well aware there has never been Utopia. If you want to get yourself all twisted and angry about stuff going on 15,000 miles away, that is your choice. It doesn't change anything though — you're just venting. Again, I think change comes from asking “why does it happen to begin with? And what is really going on”.
Honest news? I don't watch the news or care about the MSM much. The diversity of voices issue? Pssh. There are MILLIONS of voices on the Internet. Read them, and perhaps you will change the world. Vent your anger here and you will have accomplished nothing.
Your choice.
There is nothing inherently wrong with capitalism, but I think your argument fails to consider when capitalism can go awry.
Your stance seems to be that capitalism should not be checked, and that unfettered capitalism is the way of the future. Look no further than the Wall Street Journal to see just how great a system capitalism is (read: Bear Sterns bailout by the Federal Government).
Ultimately, your argument suffers from a false dichotomy. We can have a media system run by companies and conglomerates, but the role of the FCC is to make sure that they don’t gain enough power to significantly influence the populus. Unfortunately, this is yet another executive branch that has been trivialized by the recent administration (along with the FAA, FEMA, and pretty much everything else with an acronym).
Finally, I find your last comment that no one should come here venting their anger to be laughably ironic, since that would seem to have been the ostensible purpose of your initial post.
There is nothing inherently wrong with capitalism, but I think your argument fails to consider when capitalism can go awry.
Your stance seems to be that capitalism should not be checked, and that unfettered capitalism is the way of the future. Look no further than the Wall Street Journal to see just how great a system capitalism is (read: Bear Sterns bailout by the Federal Government).
Ultimately, your argument suffers from a false dichotomy. We can have a media system run by companies and conglomerates, but the role of the FCC is to make sure that they don't gain enough power to significantly influence the populus. Unfortunately, this is yet another executive branch that has been trivialized by the recent administration (along with the FAA, FEMA, and pretty much everything else with an acronym).
Finally, I find your last comment that no one should come here venting their anger to be laughably ironic, since that would seem to have been the ostensible purpose of your initial post.
There is nothing inherently wrong with capitalism, but I think your argument fails to consider when capitalism can go awry.
Your stance seems to be that capitalism should not be checked, and that unfettered capitalism is the way of the future. Look no further than the Wall Street Journal to see just how great a system capitalism is (read: Bear Sterns bailout by the Federal Government).
Ultimately, your argument suffers from a false dichotomy. We can have a media system run by companies and conglomerates, but the role of the FCC is to make sure that they don't gain enough power to significantly influence the populus. Unfortunately, this is yet another executive branch that has been trivialized by the recent administration (along with the FAA, FEMA, and pretty much everything else with an acronym).
Finally, I find your last comment that no one should come here venting their anger to be laughably ironic, since that would seem to have been the ostensible purpose of your initial post.
So basically what you are saying is “keep on keepin’ on”.
Yeah sure… go for it. Your country is pretty much doomed anyway, so why even bother to try and slow things down a little by actually using the airwaves to keep people abreast of what is going on in the world? Just serve them pap 24/7.
Jesus panty-sniffing Christ. How did Americans get so stupid? Oh wait… I think we know.
So basically what you are saying is “keep on keepin' on”.
Yeah sure… go for it. Your country is pretty much doomed anyway, so why even bother to try and slow things down a little by actually using the airwaves to keep people abreast of what is going on in the world? Just serve them pap 24/7.
Jesus panty-sniffing Christ. How did Americans get so stupid? Oh wait… I think we know.
So basically what you are saying is “keep on keepin' on”.
Yeah sure… go for it. Your country is pretty much doomed anyway, so why even bother to try and slow things down a little by actually using the airwaves to keep people abreast of what is going on in the world? Just serve them pap 24/7.
Jesus panty-sniffing Christ. How did Americans get so stupid? Oh wait… I think we know.
Joseph — believe me, I’ve considered that to the tune of about 40K words written on the subject,none of which are really appropriate for this particular blog (”Is Capitalism Self-Destructive” is not the stuff of TV by the numbers).
You worry about government issues much more than I do, as is your right, but utimately your argument is false to me because it puts the problems on people in power and acronyms and not on ourselves. The problem with any system being imperfect is us — all of us. We’re not perfect! Would it mean more to anyone if I said “we’re not effing perfect?” Nope.
I was not angry with Tim Robbins – it was just topical at the time, so I wrote it. If I had to do it over again, I likely wouldn’t have as it is so far afield from this blog’s primary objective (television metrics).
That said, I have no objection to people venting their anger here whatsoever. But that’s not the same thing as thinking it accomplishes anything.
I’m under no illusion that this particular blog post moved the needle forward any. And if I thought that, it would indeed be laughable.
Joseph — believe me, I've considered that to the tune of about 40K words written on the subject,none of which are really appropriate for this particular blog (”Is Capitalism Self-Destructive” is not the stuff of TV by the numbers).
You worry about government issues much more than I do, as is your right, but utimately your argument is false to me because it puts the problems on people in power and acronyms and not on ourselves. The problem with any system being imperfect is us — all of us. We're not perfect! Would it mean more to anyone if I said “we're not effing perfect?” Nope.
I was not angry with Tim Robbins – it was just topical at the time, so I wrote it. If I had to do it over again, I likely wouldn't have as it is so far afield from this blog's primary objective (television metrics).
That said, I have no objection to people venting their anger here whatsoever. But that's not the same thing as thinking it accomplishes anything.
I'm under no illusion that this particular blog post moved the needle forward any. And if I thought that, it would indeed be laughable.
Joseph — believe me, I've considered that to the tune of about 40K words written on the subject,none of which are really appropriate for this particular blog (”Is Capitalism Self-Destructive” is not the stuff of TV by the numbers).
You worry about government issues much more than I do, as is your right, but utimately your argument is false to me because it puts the problems on people in power and acronyms and not on ourselves. The problem with any system being imperfect is us — all of us. We're not perfect! Would it mean more to anyone if I said “we're not effing perfect?” Nope.
I was not angry with Tim Robbins – it was just topical at the time, so I wrote it. If I had to do it over again, I likely wouldn't have as it is so far afield from this blog's primary objective (television metrics).
That said, I have no objection to people venting their anger here whatsoever. But that's not the same thing as thinking it accomplishes anything.
I'm under no illusion that this particular blog post moved the needle forward any. And if I thought that, it would indeed be laughable.
To all those “pissed off” Americans;
I’m sitting here reading all the anger, hate and it is appalling. The polarized “Left” is the party of hate as much as the polarized “Right”. One of the big problems with the world today: everyone has a strong opinion and is an expert on everything because they read it somewhere on the internet.
BBC not biased? ppffft. Please. I live off an on in Europe, and it’s sickening. the BBC (ages ago) said Hitler would teach Churchill a lesson because Hitler was a proper Socialist. They haven’t changed much. They sensationalize as much as any media outlet… they are just more underhanded about it… and spin left, which makes you happier.
You’re belief in “right wing only media” is as foolish as those who believe only in “left wing media”. You’re duped as badly as those who think Bill O. is not biased. If you can’t see this, you’re what you hate. If you can, you’re doing well.
Venting, cursing and Bush-bashing on the internet really wont solve anything but create more pissed off people like yourself who blame the “other” political party.
If you believe that you can “change people’s mind” with anger-speech is as foolish as the anger and temper itself. It is akin to those who spit on soldiers coming back from Vietnam.
Here’s what you should do. Turn off the news. Watch sports of your choice, pick up a good fiction book. Play sports outside. Save money instead of going into debt. Buy American if you want to help the economy. Watch what you eat. Dont watch the news. That, or go into politics if you really want to change something. Stop being an arm-chair-quarterback.
To all those “pissed off” Americans;
I'm sitting here reading all the anger, hate and it is appalling. The polarized “Left” is the party of hate as much as the polarized “Right”. One of the big problems with the world today: everyone has a strong opinion and is an expert on everything because they read it somewhere on the internet.
BBC not biased? ppffft. Please. I live off an on in Europe, and it's sickening. the BBC (ages ago) said Hitler would teach Churchill a lesson because Hitler was a proper Socialist. They haven't changed much. They sensationalize as much as any media outlet… they are just more underhanded about it… and spin left, which makes you happier.
You're belief in “right wing only media” is as foolish as those who believe only in “left wing media”. You're duped as badly as those who think Bill O. is not biased. If you can't see this, you're what you hate. If you can, you're doing well.
Venting, cursing and Bush-bashing on the internet really wont solve anything but create more pissed off people like yourself who blame the “other” political party.
If you believe that you can “change people's mind” with anger-speech is as foolish as the anger and temper itself. It is akin to those who spit on soldiers coming back from Vietnam.
Here's what you should do. Turn off the news. Watch sports of your choice, pick up a good fiction book. Play sports outside. Save money instead of going into debt. Buy American if you want to help the economy. Watch what you eat. Dont watch the news. That, or go into politics if you really want to change something. Stop being an arm-chair-quarterback.
To all those “pissed off” Americans;
I'm sitting here reading all the anger, hate and it is appalling. The polarized “Left” is the party of hate as much as the polarized “Right”. One of the big problems with the world today: everyone has a strong opinion and is an expert on everything because they read it somewhere on the internet.
BBC not biased? ppffft. Please. I live off an on in Europe, and it's sickening. the BBC (ages ago) said Hitler would teach Churchill a lesson because Hitler was a proper Socialist. They haven't changed much. They sensationalize as much as any media outlet… they are just more underhanded about it… and spin left, which makes you happier.
You're belief in “right wing only media” is as foolish as those who believe only in “left wing media”. You're duped as badly as those who think Bill O. is not biased. If you can't see this, you're what you hate. If you can, you're doing well.
Venting, cursing and Bush-bashing on the internet really wont solve anything but create more pissed off people like yourself who blame the “other” political party.
If you believe that you can “change people's mind” with anger-speech is as foolish as the anger and temper itself. It is akin to those who spit on soldiers coming back from Vietnam.
Here's what you should do. Turn off the news. Watch sports of your choice, pick up a good fiction book. Play sports outside. Save money instead of going into debt. Buy American if you want to help the economy. Watch what you eat. Dont watch the news. That, or go into politics if you really want to change something. Stop being an arm-chair-quarterback.
Whoa, you opened up a can of worms there. Maybe Tim Robbins has been transformed by watching Eckert Tolley on Oprah, for he is certainly not one known for his G rated stuff. Perhaps now he will stop letting his wife er live-in whatever, go and flash her …all over the screen in whatever movies she will now do. I say, give the guy a break, he like the former queen of sleaze, Madonna, has got “religion” and had the seen the error of his former ways. The Ring has been tossed, all bets are off.
Whoa, you opened up a can of worms there. Maybe Tim Robbins has been transformed by watching Eckert Tolley on Oprah, for he is certainly not one known for his G rated stuff. Perhaps now he will stop letting his wife er live-in whatever, go and flash her …all over the screen in whatever movies she will now do. I say, give the guy a break, he like the former queen of sleaze, Madonna, has got “religion” and had the seen the error of his former ways. The Ring has been tossed, all bets are off.
Whoa, you opened up a can of worms there. Maybe Tim Robbins has been transformed by watching Eckert Tolley on Oprah, for he is certainly not one known for his G rated stuff. Perhaps now he will stop letting his wife er live-in whatever, go and flash her …all over the screen in whatever movies she will now do. I say, give the guy a break, he like the former queen of sleaze, Madonna, has got “religion” and had the seen the error of his former ways. The Ring has been tossed, all bets are off.