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Have You Become Comfortably Numb?

Rick Casillas
The Commuter

Monday, April 20, 2009

For years, advocates and experts have spoken against the media’s exposure of brutal imagery and news stories to the public. The constant presence of its influence they believe to be acidic, slowly eroding the morality of viewers who insulate themselves from emotional reaction. In an effort to engage ourselves in the debate, The Commuter has located two speakers to argue the topic for your viewing pleasure.

The Media Is Too Violent

By: Billy ‘Can’t Taste The Difference’ Montana

I read the news for information, because I like to stay informed, but only if that information makes me happy. Every time I open a damned paper, I’ve got to deal with the harsh reality of living in a world where somebody is getting killed on the side of the road. Why don’t these bigwig print tycoons run something about all them people that ain’t getting killed roadside, huh? I seen plenty of ‘em when I’m driving to the Wal-Mart. I know It’s happening. Problem is, good news don’t put ink in the typewriter, people would rather read about our economy crumbling than some nice old lady finding the perfect big hat to wear to a garden party. Now there’s a story I would like to read.

Here’s some facts for you, did you know a puppy gets born every 20 minutes? I googled it last time I was at the library, so It’s probably true. Here’s another one, making a new friend is a nice thing to do, that’s a fact. Just ask anybody. Bam! There’s two stories, right there. Does anyone care, though? The answer is a big fat “No!” You folks is too busy chattin’ each other up on the myface and ridin’ around on segways to notice there’s a whole wide world of good news out there if you stop and take a gander. And why should you give a hoot and a half, pleated jeans is more interestin’ than a songbird finding a new home inside of my garage, ain’t it?! Wrong, champ, and until you learn that good news and happy hearts go together like Velveeta and Spam, you’re about as happy as a dead pig in the sunshine.

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The Media Isn’t Violent Enough

By: Count Mellencamp Von Stroffonburger

After an unfortunate carriage fire accident, I have found myself relegated to my estate for these last eighty years and as a result have been cut off from the outside world entirely. From what bits of information that filter through by way of the UPS delivery man, I gather that the media has made a habit out of lifting the case of entropy to the eye-line of those commoners who possess the remarkable talent of literacy, which in turn upsets them to no end.

What those single-celled, abjectly idiotic plebeians fail to realize is that greatness is tempered in the fires of violence. Like many of you, I remember the first time I killed a rabbit with my bare hands, I cradled its trembling body against my chest watching the life slowly drain from its eyes. And yet, the thrill subsided after the ninth or tenth one, and I moved on to cats, then sheep, and before I knew it I was choking four oxen to death a day just to get through the morning .

Today, thanks to the internet and television, there’s no end to the volume of horrifying imagery I can consume. Hatred and violence cries out from the marrow of humanity and we seek upheaval at every turn. Were it not for the attentive coverage of major news publications, we would have no idea where to find these terrible events and would be forced to lash out at our neighbors to sate our unquenchable bloodlust. I can’t very well start killing my waiting staff, now can I? That would be silly and unproductive, and no one would know I did it. No, if I must search out in the great gray yonder to make a name for myself, who better to announce my arrival than the voice box of the media. My re-emergance will make ‘Jack the Ripper’ look like ‘Jack the didn’t try hard enough.’ Soon, all will know the name and correct pronounciation of Count Mellencamp Von Stroffonburger AND TREMBLE IN ITS COMING.

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