Marketplace of ideas and media

To answer this question, I want to start with an example: When I watch TV and there is a commercial break, there might be an ad for a certain kind of chocolate. The next ad might also be for chocolate, leaving me wondering what kind is the better one. The overwhelming variety of commercials tends to make people feel indecisive about what they should think. Concerning the media, this phenomenon is even more notably. The huge diversity of newspapers, magazines, radio stations and TV channels all tell different stories, creating doubt about reality. Certain topics, e.g. the US election, are fiercely discussed in every form possible and because each medium reflects an individual opinion, society is divided. The US election further illustrates this topic. Instead of helping the people with their decision, the immense flood of information overwhelmed some people so much that they didn’t vote at all. So, the marketplace of media and ideas might really make us feel indecisive instead of helping us to take action.

Aaron's Edit:

To answer this question, I want to start with an example: When I watch TV (P - ^ ,) and there is a commercial break, there might be an (ad) [Reg - ^ advertisement] for a certain kind of chocolate. The next (ad) [Reg - ^ advertisement] might also be for chocolate, leaving me wondering (what) [W,Gr - ^ which] kind is (the better one) [E - ^ better]. The overwhelming variety of commercials tends to make people feel indecisive about what they should think. Concerning the media, this phenomenon is even more (notably) [WF, Gr -  ^ notable]. The huge diversity of newspapers, magazines, radio stations and TV channels all tell (different) [WF, M - ^ differing] stories, creating doubt about reality. Certain topics, e.g. the US election, are fiercely discussed in every form possible (P - ^ ,) and because each medium reflects an individual opinion, society is divided. The US election (further) [foc] illustrates this (topic) [W - ^ point]. Instead of helping (the) [no set] people with their decision, the immense flood of information overwhelmed some people so much that they (didn’t) [reg - ^ did not] vote at all. So, the marketplace of media and ideas might really make us feel indecisive instead of helping us to take action.




To answer this question, I want to start with an example: When I watch TV, and there is a commercial break, there might be an advertisement for a certain kind of chocolate. Th next advertisement might also be for chocolate, leaving me wondering which kind is better. The overwhelming variety of commercials tends to make people feel indecisive about what they should think. Concerning the media, this phenomenon is even more notable. The huge diversity of newspapers, magazines, radio stations and TV channels all tell differing stories, creating doubt about reality. Certain topics, e.g. the US election, are fiercely discussed in every form possible, and because each medium reflects an individual opinion, society is divided. The US election illustrates this point further. Instead of helping people with their decision, the immense flood of information overwhelmed some people so much that they did not vote at all. So, the marketplace of media and ideas might really make us feel indecisive instead of helping us to take action.

Overwhelming and disaffected

The marketplace of ideas and media today might seem overwhelming. Information on anything can be obtained anywhere anytime since the World Wide Web provides sources of all kinds, the radio broadcasts news quickly, and the print media remains widely available. This is illustrated by events like the electoral campaign of the United States of America this year, which was monitored extremely closely by the press and consequently the media attached to it.

Social media, e.g. facebook, serve to further disseminate media content to a degree that individuals might find it hard to withdraw from news. Notably when accounts of events such as the terrorist attack in Nice are being accompanied by actual footage, the question arises as to how much an individual can process without feeling overwhelmed by the news. The same goes for the widely publicized picture of the little refugee boy washed up on the shore.

In the end, the media omnipresence runs a risk of leaving people disaffected by news. While accounts of catastrophes (of any kind) might have used to move someone to tears, the fact that catastrophes are being reported on daily in all kinds of media can leave people dulled.

Importance of American and British media in Germany

Over the last decades, American culture has influenced European culture more and more, with the media playing one of the most important roles. In Germany, we take a huge interest in political and social happenings in America and Great Britain and make sure to inform ourselves. An example for that would be the forthcoming US-election. We know that the results will not only affect America but also the whole world, including Germany. Therefore, we strongly engange in the topic. In addition to that, the American and British media give us a broad and better understanding of global affairs and widen our knowledge about the rest of the world. Moreover, American and British movies and TV Shows have arrived in Germany, providing us with entertainment different from what we have. After all, most movies that we watch were produced in America. Another benefit might also be the cultural knowledge one gains from American and British media. Not only does it help us to learn more about these country’s politics, but also about their people and their values. Furthermore, we need to ask ourselves the most important question of all: How bored would we be without HBO or BBC shows? ;)