"Coming Up, More On This Week's Top News Story..."

Continuing from yesterday, it is said that there are three sides to every story ~ yours, mine & the truth.

But it would seem that nobody's really interested in the truth any more, so all we get from the news services is your story & mine. We're all invited to become part of the news-covering process by calling 1800 numbers, SMSing photos & tip-offs, or ~ as ranted yesterday ~ being invited to air our tuppenceworth views & reactions to reporters who value quantity of content over quality. Somewhere in that melange, the truth withers & dies of neglect, 'cause we're all more concerned with bignoting ourselves ~ "Well, I was there (3 streets away) & I was doing this or that (with a baby, preferably) when I heard/saw... nothing of factual import really, but dammit, I WAS (sort of near) THERE SO YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO ME!! LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME!!"

Somebody save me from all this self-serving sensationalism.

Via thebellman comes the alarming view that this same presentation of 2nd & 3rd-hand spin-doctored information as undisputed fact is increasingly practised with the 'big' news stories as well. Not so much for sensationalist purposes, though that plays a part, but through a combination of overwork & laziness... if that's possible...

How far are we then from this sort of scenario...

(News studio ~ man in suit behind desk): "And now, a chilling eyewitless account of global warming"... (Cut to disshevelled-looking mother & child standing on wet street): "Well, I was sitting in the gutter with my baby when all this water came up from the drain. I thought the sea-level was rising & I was so scared. I had my baby & I was just in shock & started screaming..." (Cut back to studio ~ manicured man): "A disturbing report that no caring & responsible parent can afford to ignore" (stares soulfully & meaningfully into camera 4)

As a result of the ensuing panic, nobody fixes the faulty drainage system that's backed up...

"After the break, the shameful state of our sewers. Have YOUR say on who's to blame. Then, how YOUR phone cameras can help us catch dole-cheats. Plus, we name & shame the doctors & nurses YOU say are Australia's rudest..."

Edit: There's a valid argument that I'm a glutton for this punishment because I continue to look at tabloid 'news' sites like news.com.au, but this list of the current 10 most popular stories there both beggars belief & displays the disease:

Most Popular News
~ All Saints actor found dead
~ Two-headed baby boy under police guard
~ Underwear wars leave Rice's fans in a fury
~ Students 'told to read porn'
~ Sign of the times or just climate porn?
~ iPhone factory worker becomes web celebrity
~ All Saints actress Jolene Anderson in car...
~ Dad forced siblings to live under house
~ Vesna's tirade at Australian Idol
~ Two-headed baby boy under police guard (just in case you missed it the first time!!)

Headless Body In Topless Bar... anyone?

Stimulus - Response

Let me state for the record, I don't like Tom Hanks as an actor.

Let me also state that I dislike & avoid 'BIG' Hollywood button-pushing movies ~ you know the type I mean, which usually, happily, means I can avoid seeing him in anything.

However...

Having just seen the last half of Forrest Gump, damned if that bloody movie didn't push every single one of my buttons it was meant to... again! Haven't seen the damned film in years, since the one & only time I was told to sit through it & reacted like Pavlov's pooch at the sound of every bell, enjoying it regardless.

And Tom Hanks is really good in it.

I think I need to go watch Dirty Harry to get over it.......

3000 Words

I've written enough for one day...


In the Ricketts Sanctuary ~ you are being watched

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