.:HSTuners::

GT40FIED · 09-27-2004, 08:20 PM

Ok...so the board is picking up but still a bit slow...so I now present you with my new theory.

I have come to the conclusion that American newspapers (I can't speak for the validity of foreign newspapers) are on a mission to make us all less intelligent...or at least less aware. They are second only to public schools which suck hard mostly because many parents are too chincey (sp?) to pay for them. It is my belief that our public school systems are meant to keep those who are not what most would call privilaged at a disadvantage. When was the last time you saw a CEO of a Fortune 500 company who attended a public school? Not often, if ever. But that's a whole other topic. Back to newspapers.

If you think about it, it becomes fairly obvious. First of all, the industry standard for the ratio of advertisement to actual column space in newspapers is around 60/40. That's 60% ads vs. 40% column space. Then there's the content of those columns. There is more than one section solely there for the purpose of pacifying people and helping them ignore important events. An example...the sports section. Instead of providing news that could educate people on affairs at home or abroad that go unnoticed by 97% of people everywhere (like the actual contents of the Patriot Act), they tell you who won some trivial game that in the grand scheme of your life means nothing and in-depth reviews of strategies of said trivial game. By now you're probably saying to yourself "But Steve, surely some people don't want to know what goes on in other parts of the world". That's fine...they get their own special paper. I'll call it "The Moron Times" or "The Idiot Post". It will consist of op-ed article by that asshole who hosts "Sports Machine", a column by that idiot who hosts "Wind Tunnel" (Dave Dispain or something like that), some snippets about which bar is having lady's night and when, and a column by Bill O'Reilly for good measure. "God" forbid a NEWSPAPER should provide me with NEWS. It's in their name, but I'm sure it's a mistake. And I'm sure it's just coincidence that the truely important news goes into little by-lines and on page A-4 or something of the like. Bottom line...newspapers, much like TV news, is trying to make you dumber. For more information on the subject, check out Noam Chomsky's wicked cool documentary "Manufacturing Consent". Noam Chomsky is better than you. Hell...he's better than me. Not even god can claim that position.

ebpda9 · 09-27-2004, 08:25 PM

i don't read the papers and i am still dumb.

*KwikR6* · 09-28-2004, 01:15 AM

I currently don't read my newspaper..it's BS...
But i'm drunk....so what do I know

mylittlecivic · 09-28-2004, 02:00 AM

Newspapers are full of whatever story someone can get a hold of and exaggerate. You should be glad you dont have my job. Have you ever seen weekly world news or sun?:o Where do people come up with all that crap

GT40FIED · 09-28-2004, 02:04 AM

I DO have to see both of those at work.

IALuder · 09-28-2004, 07:37 AM

i dont read period. i read the newspaper when people tell me to read something out of it. but yet i still dont read the whole thing. i also dont watch the news. the internet isnt any better at giving you news neither.

09-27-2004, 08:20 PM	#1
GT40FIED Best...mod...ever Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: At the end of the longest line Age: 43 Posts: 7,451	Newspapers vs. your intelligence Ok...so the board is picking up but still a bit slow...so I now present you with my new theory. I have come to the conclusion that American newspapers (I can't speak for the validity of foreign newspapers) are on a mission to make us all less intelligent...or at least less aware. They are second only to public schools which suck hard mostly because many parents are too chincey (sp?) to pay for them. It is my belief that our public school systems are meant to keep those who are not what most would call privilaged at a disadvantage. When was the last time you saw a CEO of a Fortune 500 company who attended a public school? Not often, if ever. But that's a whole other topic. Back to newspapers. If you think about it, it becomes fairly obvious. First of all, the industry standard for the ratio of advertisement to actual column space in newspapers is around 60/40. That's 60% ads vs. 40% column space. Then there's the content of those columns. There is more than one section solely there for the purpose of pacifying people and helping them ignore important events. An example...the sports section. Instead of providing news that could educate people on affairs at home or abroad that go unnoticed by 97% of people everywhere (like the actual contents of the Patriot Act), they tell you who won some trivial game that in the grand scheme of your life means nothing and in-depth reviews of strategies of said trivial game. By now you're probably saying to yourself "But Steve, surely some people don't want to know what goes on in other parts of the world". That's fine...they get their own special paper. I'll call it "The Moron Times" or "The Idiot Post". It will consist of op-ed article by that asshole who hosts "Sports Machine", a column by that idiot who hosts "Wind Tunnel" (Dave Dispain or something like that), some snippets about which bar is having lady's night and when, and a column by Bill O'Reilly for good measure. "God" forbid a NEWSPAPER should provide me with NEWS. It's in their name, but I'm sure it's a mistake. And I'm sure it's just coincidence that the truely important news goes into little by-lines and on page A-4 or something of the like. Bottom line...newspapers, much like TV news, is trying to make you dumber. For more information on the subject, check out Noam Chomsky's wicked cool documentary "Manufacturing Consent". Noam Chomsky is better than you. Hell...he's better than me. Not even god can claim that position. __________________ 1984 1/2 Mustang GT350 #842, Faster than you...nuff said Anna Fan Club President/Dictator Someday, in the event that mankind actually figures out what it is that this world actually revoles around, thousands of people are going to be shocked and perplexed that it was not them. Sometimes this includes me. "If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever." - George Orwell Welcome to the new Amerika

09-27-2004, 08:25 PM	#2
ebpda9 Repost Wagon Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: over here Age: 44 Posts: 17,266	i don't read the papers and i am still dumb. __________________

09-28-2004, 01:15 AM	#3
KwikR6 Mind Blowing Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Cloud 69 Age: 44 Posts: 8,871	I currently don't read my newspaper..it's BS... But i'm drunk....so what do I know __________________ I JDM. I My Honda The epitome of stupidity is expressed so fluidly with the shity lyric theory you try to spit at me. I CAN'T WAIT FOR SUMMER!!!

09-28-2004, 02:04 AM	#5
GT40FIED Best...mod...ever Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: At the end of the longest line Age: 43 Posts: 7,451	I DO have to see both of those at work. __________________ 1984 1/2 Mustang GT350 #842, Faster than you...nuff said Anna Fan Club President/Dictator Someday, in the event that mankind actually figures out what it is that this world actually revoles around, thousands of people are going to be shocked and perplexed that it was not them. Sometimes this includes me. "If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever." - George Orwell Welcome to the new Amerika

09-28-2004, 07:37 AM	#6
IALuder Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Des Moines IA Age: 38 Posts: 7,908	i dont read period. i read the newspaper when people tell me to read something out of it. but yet i still dont read the whole thing. i also dont watch the news. the internet isnt any better at giving you news neither. __________________ 93 Si H23vtec......soon to be 12lbs 95 Civic EX....automatic DD if you cant dazzle them with your brillance, baffle them with your bullshit.

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