WHAT A SHAME- A look at the low points in the modern media. PSEUDOSCIENCE ON TELEVISION- LOGIC AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD NEED NOT APPLY. PT 4.

So what is the appeal of such shows, and are they really nothing more than what they seem, frivolous entertainment?

Everyone loves a good story involving the supernatural, the History of Literature bares that out. In the U.S. alone, authors such as Poe, Lovecraft and Bierce remain popular, even in todays society. They, and authors like them, are read and studied in the classroom all over the world.

The difference is, of course, that the stories are read, studied and enjoyed as pieces of fiction.  Their quality is measured in terms of literary value.  They were never meant to be taken as scientific works of knowledge.

Unfortunately,  there are many people who wish to undermine the academic quality of science taught in the classroom.  

This is often done with the same type of reasoning that would place the classic Ghost/ Monster story in the realm of fact, not fiction.  Anti- Science Theories such as Creationism are pushed on the public, usually by self- serving politicians, to be taught in Tax Payer funded schools.  

However, Religious Faith masquerading as science does a disservice to everyone; 

The Faithful-  Who are told belief in God and Holy Teachings aren't good enough, you must also accept bogus science.  This is emphasized in the following INVALID, IRRATIONAL AND INSULTING LINE OF REASONING: TO BE A GOOD CHRISTEN, MUSLIM, JEW etc., YOU MUST ACCEPT CREATIONISM AS FACT, AND REJECT ANY EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY. 

The General Public-  Where, in Public Schools, Creationism would be taught along side Evolution and Cosmological Theory as equally valid subject matter, when in truth they have nothing in common. This is a crime against Reason and Critical Thinking, and opens the door for the introduction of other fringe and unscientific methodologies into the classroom.

The Result-  Decreasing the value of a Public School Education.  Unfortunately, Pseudoscience on Television may help this become a reality.  How?

See PT 5.

WHAT A SHAME- A look at the low points in the modern media. HUMILIATION TELEVISION; IT DOESN'T GET ANY LOWER THAN THIS. PT 7.

Your establishment, be it a Restaurant, Bar, Club etc, is in trouble. Your looking for solutions, but nothing you try seems to work. Suddenly, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  A "Good Samaritan" reaches out to you, in the form of a TELEVISION PRODUCER.

Consider the following Scenario, which has the Television Executive offering the Owner/Operator a deal that will benefit them both.

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Need a new look, no problem.

New equipment for your Kitchen and Freezer, no problem.

Redecorate the Dining Room, no problem.

Change the Exterior, no problem.

Publicity to introduce the "New You".  No problem.

Cost.  No Problem.  Free of charge.

However, to make up for the cost of all these improvements, we need to air a show that will attract viewers.  

The Host is the boss, and we need you to follow his lead.  No one is going to watch a show about competent people, having a run of bad luck.  So, were gonna "Create" situations that might not be exactly true to life, but in the end you'll be better for it.

What type of problems?  Nothing much.  We might have to;

-  Dirty up the Kitchen a bit.  Don't clean the grill very well, and let the grease traps fill up.

-  Show some improperly stored foods, like defrosted raw Chicken, that may cause a risk of contamination. 

-  Poke fun at your Decor, inside and out.  Also, we don't want a really clean dining room.

As for your employees, we can't have a staff that knows and performs their jobs well.  A big part of the show is the "Experts", brought in by the host, who will provide instruction to alleviate the incompetence they see.  So your workers have to "Dumb it down a bit."  Also, I'm afraid we may have to ask you to play the "Fool", so there are management weaknesses the Host can correct.  DON'T WORRY, IT'S ALL FOR THE BEST.

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The above scenario will, basically, create a work of fiction passed off as true to life.

What are the possible consequences?

(Look for PT 8 in a future posting.)

WHAT A SHAME- A look at the low points in the modern media. HUMILIATION TELEVISION; IT DOESN'T GET ANY LOWER THAN THIS. PT 8.

As the episode finally ends, there are smiles and tears or laughter and sobs. The Owners, Management and Employees are humbled by their second chance for success.  From the newly renovated Interior and Exterior, to the new skills they have acquired, they express their immense gratitude to the host.  It is a case of HERO WORSHIP that borders on the ludicrous.

Forgotten are the Insults, Threats and Demeaning Attitude towards the staff that were present earlier.  It is a new day for the Restaurant/Bar/Club, and the compliments from the customers seem to ensure future success.

Yet, through all of this, there is the unanswered question;  How much of what we have seen was true to life, and how much was scripted fiction, created by writers?

To be honest, I find anyone willing to treated like a piece of garbage, no matter what the reward, to be a failure waiting to happen.  Think about it, how bad is the situation for the business, that sacrificing pride and dignity is acceptable.  Do these Operators have such low self-esteem, that they are willing to fake or magnify incompetence just to please an arrogant, self-important blowhard?  In other words, even if the show is 100% scripted, why would any Self-confident Owner/Operator agree to such humiliation, which extends to their employees and family?

Think about it.  Suppose you are a viewer, and you live near the establishment.  A visit is considered, so how would the information provided on the show influence your decision? The only things you can know for certain are;

-  Management is willing to be portrayed as incompetent. To what degree they are actually incompetent, you have no way of knowing.

-  Safety concerns about the mishandling of food products, which could lead to illness if consumed, may have been an actual problem.  Would you take a chance that such practices have stopped now that the cameras are shut off?

-  For the new menu to work, the line staff must be properly trained.  Do you really believe that 2-3 days training can turn a below average cook, into one that has seen the light, and will prepare meals that are appealing and satisfying.

-  That a new look, will turn laziness and sloth among the wait staff into dedication and desire.  At least that is the claim.

In the end, if the Owner/ Managers, Line Staff, Wait Staff etc. are willing to look like

buffoons for the sake of free redecorating and an appearance on Cable Television, I doubt that customer satisfaction is high on their list of priorities.

SO, DINER BEWARE.

Look for a new chapter of HUMILIATION TELEVISION in a future post.

QUICK HITTERS. HAS IT REALLY COME DOWN TO THIS? PT 1.

Although I have Alluded to This Before in Other Posts, its Continuing Influence on a Certain Segment of the ELECTORATE IS UNSETTLING, and may be a LEGITIMATE INFLUENCE ON THE OUTCOMES OF SOME IMPORTANT POLITICAL RACES.

IT IS THIS:  THAT CERTAIN CANDIDATES AND POLITICIANS OF WEALTH ARE GIVEN FREE PASSES BY A PERCENTAGE OF VOTERS, FROM CRITICISM ON NUMEROUS ISSUES, BECAUSE THEIR AFFLUENCE IS CONSIDERED THE ONLY THING OF REAL IMPORTANCE, AND THE HOW AND WHY SUCH ECONOMIC PROSPERITY WAS ATTAINED, AND RETAINED, IS OF LITTLE CONSEQUENCE.

However, What is Really Hard to Understand, is that This Attitude Does not Seem to Extend to AFFLUENT POLITICIANS OR ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO ARE MORE SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS TO THE INADEQUACIES OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND SAFETY NETS, AND THE INABILITY OF PARTICULAR GROUPS TO ACCESS FINANCIAL AID AND SUPPORT THROUGH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS. 

IT IS INCREDIBLE, BUT THIS GROUP OF POLITICAL LEADERS IS OFTEN ATTACKED FOR EVEN SUGGESTING THAT LOWER INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES BE GIVEN, AT LEAST, A MINIMAL CHANCE FOR GROWTH AND PROSPERITY, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME BEING CHASTISED FOR NOT BAILING OUT BAD INVESTMENTS AND FAILED FINANCIAL DEALS BY INVESTORS AND POLITICIANS WHO ARE PRAISED FOR THEIR "ECONOMIC WISDOM."

INCREDIBLY, IT IS SOME OF THE VERY VOTERS WHO MUST FOOT THE BILL FOR GOVERNMENT RESCUE, WHO CONTINUE TO SING THE PRAISES OF THOSE POLITICIANS WHO "HAVE ACHIEVED THE AMERICAN DREAM," FORGETTING WHAT IT IS COSTING TO KEEP THAT DREAM ALIVE.

STAY TUNED.