Misconceptions of Marriage

The episode of "Adam Ruins Everything" shown in class gives many examples of myths and misleading information about weddings and marriage. One is the 'tradition' of spending an enormous amount of money. Bridal magazines aim to sway the bride-to-be toward more expensive, glamorous items. People could save a lot of money if they understood that they may not need the accessories which cost the most. Industries profiting off of weddings just want their consumers to think they do. Another cost related myth is that if the couple spends more money on the wedding, that they will be happier. In reality, the more money that is spent on the wedding, the more likely the marriage will end in divorce. This realization could also help save bank accounts as well as relationships. A third important point Adam makes is that "the one" or "a soulmate" isn't really out there. Couples who believe in these types of things are more likely to break up sooner. Understanding that relationships take work, rather than expecting the universe to put in the labor to make the relationship successful, can make a marriage work.

Cultivation Theory

The cultivation theory, an idea introduced by George Gerbnur, explains how something changes our view of our life's aspects. This theory suggests that something can influence a person to the point where their perception of the line between a fictional life and reality becomes blurred. Gerbnur was interested in understanding why people do things they do, especially when those actions were violent. This was perhaps a reflection of his harsh youth. At a young age Gerbnur fled his homeland in Hungary, needing to escape the viscous wave of fascism. After arriving in America Gerbnur became employed with the OSS, which required him to interact with the enemy in foreign territory.

John Oliver provided us with a prime example of this theory at work in the real world. Oliver discussed how television has morphed people's beliefs, especially about torture. He explains that many people would agree that torture is sometimes justifiable, and sometimes useful. People believe this because that is what they see on movies. The bad guy is tortured until he gives the good guys useful information. In real life, torture seemingly never helps.

Moral Panic

People are Scared for Their Lives... of Nothing

A moral panic occurs when a person's fear of something is exaggerated. The worry is much stronger than the possible negative effect that could occur. The person experiencing moral panic believes their life is at risk when it is not. These moral panics are often blown up through media such as momo and Dungeons and Dragons.

Momo is an example of a moral panic because the "challenge" escalated from a simple piece of artwork to a "killer". People were quick to believe that children were in danger, and the topic blew up Facebook feeds and news stories. Dungeons and Dragons had a similar situation. A correlation was made between the game and a missing boy based on the only fact that the boy seemed like the type of person who might enjoy D&D. People caught wind of this and all of a sudden the game was "linked" to the devil. There was no reason for people to think this, yet parents wanted their kids to stay away from the game, and people feared for the lives of those who enjoyed it.

Timothy Caulfield Interview (Post #1)

Our Culture Craves Celebrity Status

Towards the beginning of the interview, Timothy Caulfield discussed the change in culture that has occurred, making celebrity even more popular than before. As Americans we are all effected by the desirability of being a celebrity. We are surrounded with news, advertisements, and stories about them. Caulfield describes how younger people now express the want to be famous when they grow up as a singer, actor, sports payer, or something of the like. 

Another important point which is made during the interview is how many people actually believe that they will become a celebrity themselves. Caulfield conducted his own experiment as he attended an American Idol audition. Out of the ginormous sea of people trying to get on the show, most of them thought they would make it. Many of them also believed that once they did make it on the show that their popularity would somehow "fix" or "improve" their lives. This connects with a third important point made by Caulfield: celebrity status does not equal happiness. 

This may be the most important topic discussed during the interview, as happiness is often intertwined with "making it" as a celebrity. It is thought by many that they will be happier or more satisfied with their lives if they are recognized for something and in return achieve a higher status. Though, the question can be posed whether the (nearly impossible) struggle to fight against the odds within our low socially mobile culture is even worth it. This is related in the way that Caulfield mentions that celebrities have found little correlation between their status and their happiness. They still encounter day to day struggles just like us "common folk", and theirs are even bigger than ours because they are a celebrity. Perhaps their popularity is the reason for their amplified troubles. Last week's reading "Inside the Star Machine" discussed how involved the media and paparazzi are in celebrities' lives. Their every move is recorded, dissected and broadcasted to the world. It is easy to see how the constant judgement and need to please would create/ broaden troubles within daily tasks.