There is a bombardment of negativity that is making life in the USA a challenging task for the citizens of the country. Negativity is thrust upon US citizens when they turn on the TV, log onto the internet, or go to social media platforms. Negativity is even force-fed upon the US populace when they watch sports. In the near future, US citizens need to grab onto something good if they want to keep their sanity.
The news media is one of the key components in instilling negative vibes in people. The negativity that can saturate one’s mind from watching one newscast is appalling. The news media has gone from telling facts and reliability, to flash and yellow journalism. The sensation factor of television news has made it a perverse form of The Jerry Springer Show. The more appalling the story, the more likely the TV news will use it as a lead off. This scare tactic is one that increased viewership which means increases revenue for TV stations.
Most people in the USA are scared of something. Once again the news media is a major force in driving fear down people’s throats. The news uses negative stories to lure viewers in. The media then plants fear of whatever the story is about inside the viewer’s head. It doesn’t matter that the event may have taken place 500 miles from their location. The fear that what took place may happen in their zip code drives the viewers to become frightened rabbits.
Paranoia is another offshoot from the negativity that US citizens face on a daily basis. Look at the number of guns that are sold in the USA. You have people carrying guns who don’t understand how to use a pencil, much less an AR-15. Why are these people carrying weapons? Negative bombardment they receive via the media has many US citizens fearful that they are going to be the next victim of some heinous crime. Yet, can you blame US citizens when all aspects of media are hitting them with stories of crimes from all points of the country? Is it really Granny’s fault that she is packing a .38 snub nose in her purse at church? Granny heard a news story, or read a post on the internet, about a murder that took place in Florida. Granny is scared that something similar may happen to her in her home town of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Can you see how this negative information can create the situations that may lead to unpleasant results?
In the US sports is the gladiatorial venue designed to occupy the average citizen’s mind. Citizens of the USA are treated to a healthy dose of negativity when watching sports. The talking heads are often extremely critical of the players in the sport. Everyone in the booth or on the pre-game broadcast has their take on the upcoming game. Often these views are critical of players, coaches and management. The fun and frivolousness of sports becomes a hotly debated topic that often turns negative. How many arguments over sports have you observed? How many times have you heard people degrade an athlete they have never met, much less know? Exactly.
Yes, there are crimes and atrocities being committed in the USA. There is misery in the USA. There are also good things taking place in the USA. In order for the citizens of the USA to keep their sanity, they must find something good in their lives. It can be something as small as savoring the taste of Doritos during lunch. US citizens should take at least 15 minutes of every waking hour to think about something they find good. Grab this good and hold onto it and don’t let any form of media take it away.
Frank James IV © 2024
beingfrankwithfrank@gmail.com
The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the writer and not of the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper or HT Group, LLC, its staff or management. “Being Frank” is a bi-weekly column exclusive to the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper.
