American Idol

Although I have yet to watch an episode of American Idol I have heard some very mixed things about the show. However from the responses on “When did American Idol get emotionally violent it seems that it has rapidly become one of those shows clinging desperately to their viewers. I feel that using people’s misery, failure, and strangeness to create a link from American Idol to the American Dream is wrong, a misinterpretation of our country’s foundations, and simply cruel. The American Dreams, the very basis of country, is the simple evolution from the average man to something much more. Furthermore, American Idol, a very family oriented show, should not be televising programming that is demeaning towards anyone nor should they document the sad lives of people only to have their dreams crushed. This is NOT how the American Dream should be portrayed nor is it something we should encourage our children to watch. We have already deteriorated so much as a culture we don’t need to also derive pleasure or entertainment from these people’s suffering and misfortune.

Schadenfreude is the satisfaction from other people’s misery.

The Stupidest Drug Story of the Week.

In “The Stupidest Drug Story of the Week” the author is poking fun at both the “Drug Czar’s” press release and the New York Times story that mimics it. The author brings up some very good points such as the lack of evidence backing both stories. Furthermore, the author talks of how the press release simply reiterated well known facts. One such example was methamphetamine levels in ecstasy. Even worse was the omission of important facts such as levels of methamphetamine in seized drugs was 16 mg whereas the recommended medical dose for CHILDREN is 20-24mg. Facts such as these make a huge difference in public opinion. Moreover, as the author said, the “Drug Czar” was simply scaremongering” to make a mountain out of a anthill. The author uses the word because it seems as if the “Drug Czar” need something and anything to back his theory and thus threw a whole bunch or facts together. Regardless of this though, a well established and highly trusted newspaper source such as the New York Times should know better then to rip off a press release. Despite the fact that the press release came from the government, the NYT article needed more facts, more evidence, and quite simply more opinion. The author is right in naming this the stupidest drug story, especially when there are much more important things going on in the country. The fact of the matter is, the “drug Czar” may be well on his way to making a mistake. As for the New York Time, they really should consider hiring new writers.