After thinking about it for a long time I have come to a conclusion. Without a shadow of a doubt, media literacy educators MUST watch TV (even if it is sparingly) in order to connect to the kids they are teaching. Anyone under the impression that they can teach media literacy without having watched Flavor of Love, Tila Tequila or Skunk Fu, is in for a rude awakening.
Its nothing to be proud of but general audiences are watching absolute garbage on TV. I know I do. Its not because some of these shows are mentally stimulating; quite the opposite. However, if you are a kid with two working parents, coming home from school, (or an adult avoiding work on a thesis project), more likely than not you will be flipping on that TV to watch your share of bad, mind numbing, reality bending TV. And as we all know TV influences your everyday thinking activities more than you know, especially because you are not aware of it.
As media literacy educators, we have to be familiar with what's on the good old tube. How else can we talk about it and teach about it in a more informed manner? If, as a media educator we are unaware of shows like Mind of Mencia or the Hills, then we cannot connect with the kids we are "educating". We become unaware of their influences and thought processes because we are disconnected from their everyday lives and relationships with their good friend TV.
Just as a parent should know what type of kids their child is involved with in order to attempt to prevent bad behavior (ie: substance use, etc), so too as media educators, must we be aware of what our kids are watching, who they are listening to and what is influencing them.
So, spare a few unused brain cells and watch some brain damaging TV. You never know when you are going to need some of the useless and mind numbing information that TV has to offer.
4 hours a day, keep brain cells away!
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1 comment:
I must say, I agree 100%. Why is it that people who claim to be in the field of analyzing, teaching, commenting on culture in some way will ignore one of the foremost elements of popular culture? It's not all bad after all. You must be a bit selective, but I think people feel that they somehow will be perceived as more intellectual if they say they don't watch TV, or better yet, don't even own one. I only sit home nights and read books. Whatever!
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