CNN suckage

[Kitsune]

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

Christ, people still get their news from the television?? That's what the computer is for.

I've come to respect television exactly for what it is: entertainment. Anything produced for television has to keep the viewer's interest, has to hold it, has to maintain it, and has to do it every second to keep the person from hitting the button and going elsewhere. The result is 24 hours news that jumps the gun on stories, adds in a lot of fabricated drama, and reports incorrect information without taking the time to check it.

But you just keep on watching it and, because of that, there is no incentive to correct any of that. In fact, I promise you'll simply continue to see more of it.

Did you notice the 9/11 "breaking news" ticker hasn't left any of the screens even after the emergency is over? Do you remember what CNN/Fox/MSN/whatever was like before they had that?

The worst is when very little is going on during any given hour. That is when you get stupid reports about how warm it is, etc.

I cannot stand it that televisions in bars, break rooms, restaurants, airports, waiting rooms, lobbies, and even on the street are now tuned, perpetually, to a 24 hours news channel. I'd like, for just once, to be able to eat dinner out in peace and not be constantly reminded that the terror alert is currently "yellow", the market is down a couple points, and fifty cent has released a new album that is sure to take the youth market by storm.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by Kitsune

I cannot stand it that televisions in bars, break rooms, restaurants, airports, waiting rooms, lobbies, and even on the street are now tuned, perpetually, to a 24 hours news channel. I'd like, for just once, to be able to eat dinner out in peace and not be constantly reminded that the terror alert is currently "yellow", the market is down a couple points, and fifty cent has released a new album that is sure to take the youth market by storm.

They put TVs in our elevators at work a few months ago. They actually call it the "Captivate" network, which, I might note, is derived form the word "captive." The screen is split, with a commercial on the right side (often a Hummer) and some CNN Headline News style factoid on the left side. Most people watch the TV, because it's bright and shiny and has pretty colors. Captive is right. I have the urge to smash these TVs that are pumping commercials out at me as I am at work. I wonder if my employer gets a cut of the advertising revenue, or if it's just the building owners who do.