You know what would be awesome?
What?
If the media didn’t try so hard to treat us like we’re stupid.
Well…
What? We’re not stupid!
I don’t know. If people weren’t receptive to it then it wouldn’t sell, right? So doesn’t it follow?
Nope. If you mean television or movies, I don’t think it does.
All right, why?
We have no choice. If the media puts out enough stuff, over time, that treats most people like idiots, then that’s what they’ll watch, because what else is there?
But that’s not how it is. There are also smart things on, and they get cancelled. Wouldn’t they, given your idea, be the hits?
Not always, no. People are so used to the dumbed down offerings now that they get used to them. It doesn’t mean they are stupid, but people will watch what they’re used to.
So if only smart things were produced, for long enough…
They would become the norm, and it would work, because people aren’t dumb.
I don’t know. That’s an awfully rosy view of humanity, Mark.
Better than assuming everyone but you is an idiot. No one considers themselves an idiot, so everyone just assumes that this stuff is aimed at the “other guy” and then watches it.
That doesn’t change their own idiot status, though.
No, but unless you are willing to admit you’re an idiot, too…
But I don’t like that stuff!
That’s just it! Maybe no one else does, either! Maybe they watch it because they don’t know about the other stuff, or do watch the other stuff but since there’s so little of it, it still doesn’t matter.
Maybe?
Maybe is good enough. If we all stopped treating everyone else like idiots, then we could all stop being idiots.
So you’re an idiot?
Probably.
All right.
No, seriously. Doesn’t this bother you?
Yeah, but I just opt out of the entire game a lot, you know? Don’t watch much TV, don’t catch many movies.
If we called a channel “The Smart Channel,” then…
People would stay away thinking it was going to be boring.
Damn.
No if you want to increase the general level of smart you have to sneak up on it, these days, I think.
That’s sad.
It is.
I don’t like it.
Doesn’t make it stop being the case.
Bah!
So what’s really getting you?
What do you mean?
This sudden ranting, this passion-filled display…
I’m just sick of it.
Uh-huh. Why today, why now?
No reason.
That I don’t buy.
Stupid Karate Kid remake. It could’ve been so good!
The original was smart?
Well this could’ve been!
No. It was a Karate Kid movie.
It could’ve been smart. Not even dumber than the original.
And yet? Still a Karate Kid movie.
Bah!
Uh-huh. Have a cookie.
Oooh, a cookie.
Yup. We’re all idiots.
Hush. Cookie.
June 17th, 2010 on 1:04 am
So… I take it you didn’t like the new Karate Kid?
June 17th, 2010 on 9:07 am
My opinion is not any of these characters. Hell on twitter the other day, a few of them didn’t like Skittles. I like Skittles more than they do.
June 17th, 2010 on 9:23 am
As soon as I saw the commercial, I thought “Why that movie? Wasn’t the first time around enough? Still dislike that ending…”
Beyond that, we may all be idiots, but to paraphrase Roald Dahl, I like to think we can be discriminating idiots* who have some sense of refinement about what they will consume. Now give me a cookie, dammit!
*Dahl’s comment used the word ‘pigs’ instead of idiots, but the meaning still applies, I think :)
June 17th, 2010 on 9:25 am
Well the why was because Jaden Smith wanted to do it and Mommy and Daddy can produce things like this, frankly.
But I did like the ending of the first film. Well, I have a whole theory about how Daniel only ever wins by emitting stupid rays that make his enemies just STAND THERE for a crucial second.
June 17th, 2010 on 10:37 am
Entertainment doesn’t always have to be smart and not every movie has to be a masterpiece. That said, there IS a lot of junk out there… But if you don’t want to watch it, well… just don’t:P that’s my opinion anyway^^
June 17th, 2010 on 10:42 am
DFJ: It’s true. PErsonally I think the amounts are in the wrong weight, you know?
June 17th, 2010 on 11:39 am
You could be right about that.. I don’t watch much tv anyway, maybe I would if there were more quality on the air:/ As for movies though, I find that there are a lot of gems out there, it’s really just a matter of finding it.
June 17th, 2010 on 11:40 am
Yeah. There’s joy and goodness to be found – both in the smart and the pure mindless entertainment. Mark is a grouch. *laugh*
June 17th, 2010 on 12:18 pm
hah, yeah, but aren’t we all from time to time ;D
June 17th, 2010 on 11:50 pm
I like to amuse myself by imagining the blatant kicking that Daniel-san would have got in the car park after the credits rolled in Karate Kid 3…
June 21st, 2010 on 8:25 am
What’s this? There’s a NEW Karate Kid movie? Y’mean the three, plus the one where she was a girl weren’t enough…a whole new generation couldn’t figure out Netflix, or Redbox, or Blockbuster…so a whole ‘nother film had to be made…
June 21st, 2010 on 9:17 am
Heh, well they felt every generation needed its OWN Karate Kid movie. Or something.
June 23rd, 2010 on 1:46 am
…..I like skittles. There that might not push any buttons.