@Drnaline,
Okay, ZoZo...
you have a point or two, but you're spouting as much blind Canadian propaganda
as people in the U.S. spout blind American propaganda. You're brief recount
of Candian history left out the warts and makes it seem as if you just sent
letters and were divinely granted statehood. That's not accurate, and other
factors contribute to the situations being different. Perhaps a "People's
History of Canada" is in order.
The difference between the BBC and CNN is that the BBC is operated by the
government (the CBC too, to some degree... right?) and CNN competes for
ratings. Unfortunately, when the bottom line is the bottom line news does
become entertainment, and the level of awareness for the general public
does suffer. America's print and broadcast media is aimed at a sixth grade
education level, because that is the average in the U.S. Man, does it pain
me to write that...
I work for the PBS system. It is somewhat funded by the government (though
if the Reps had their way it'd be history) and is aimed at people beyond the
average, as a sort of public interest service, which gets it branded elitist.
I am a graphic designer, and the history of graphic design as relating to printing
tells me that there is an ongoing little battle in this world to keep the "elites,"
the literate and educated, just a bit ahead of everybody else as far as
information goes which gives them the edge. For example, now that the
internet is widespread as a tool of spreading information, if you know anyone
who is pretty wealthy they probably get RSS feeds to their blackberries or
PDA phones. Just a little way of staying ahead... or business reports on satellite
radio. Ever wonder why the world would need satellite radio? Doesn't regular
radio work just fine? Satellite radio is pay, therefore selective. The history of
communication is like this, throughout all of human existence. It's how the
people on top retain their edge. Information is power, and those who have
information first get the power.
As for the declining state of American education, you're right about the fact
that it is declining. A big part of that is the unfortunate result of "political
correctness" aimed at enhancing inclusion of marginalized groups in our society.
That mindset, though meaning well, is wrong, because it is inherently racist
to exclude minority groups from sharing partial ownership in the triumphs
of
human civilization... a case were liberals are actually selling those
they wish to help short. Can you really appreciate liberal democracy in
America when you've never read the theories it was based upon? When you
haven't read Plato and Machiavelli, Locke and Mill, Jefferson and Franklin?
The point with any media is to use it to get a starting point, and look further
into things on your own.
I know "liberals" who drive me as crazy as "conservatives" I know, and "libertarians"
who have the same effect on me, because they simply repeat shallow info
from whatever source they choose to believe, without thinking for themselves.
Oh, my girlfriend just gave me this book that's pretty brilliant. You should all
read it if you can.
Lies My Teacher Told Me.
