Are We Living In A Fool's Paradise?

Post by **jones jones** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 8:28 am

Do you believe in “absolute reality?” By that I mean, should the world media, be it by way of visual or print reporting, bring the news into your living room just as they witness it? Or would you prefer that the nasty bits were edited out? Obviously nobody wants their young and impressionable children to be exposed to pictures, still or moving, of “man’s inhumanity to man.”

But in today’s world where children as young as six already own and are able to operate a sophisticated cell phone, are we fooling ourselves by such “over protection?” Are they not already watching the very news we forbid them to share with us on prime time television every night?

What do you think?

AnneBoleyn · Post by **AnneBoleyn** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 9:48 am

I believe that many rules/laws we say are to protect children are in reality used to control & manipulate adult behaviors. Legalization of pot comes to mind. Not that I'd necessarily like to see on TV every gross act committed, but we are adults & as such don't warrant patronising in the guise of protection. The adults are responsible for what their children see & hear, not the media. I know, too many adults abdicate their responsibilities, but that in no way should cause censorship for adults.

It's hard for me to fathom that there are adults who want to censor the evening news for their kids as if reality were porn. With that attitude, the kids grow up forming no political opinions & I think those "in charge" are happy with that. The less the population is informed & can think critically the more they can get away with.

Post by **jones jones** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 9:57 am

You have made a very good point here. Uninformed children grow up to be uninformed adults and then when grow up they perhaps have a ready made built in excuse for not having acted against injustice in their society.

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 10:20 am

jones jones;1379559 wrote: Do you believe in “absolute reality?”

..............................What do you think?

Congratulations on making a real thread topic, rather than the 'random' stuff you are famously known for..........

Right.........back on topic.

No such thing as “absolute reality”, only the reality of the reporter and their inbuilt bias.

Any News can be reported with or without graphic pictures, a report of someone's affair doesn't need pictures of the act to give you the facts.

I want the facts the whole facts and nothing but the facts, the only way to do that is to use different sources and filter out the natural bias.

I think there is no need for gory graphic images to convey the facts of a bomb exploding.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 11:58 am

I think children should be kept as 'children' for as long as possible. Let them enjoy their childhood for it Is what moulds them as adults. If they are happy In childhood, they will grow up well adjusted, happy Individuals who can take on the evil In the world and deal with It.

I don't believe In wrapping kids In cotton wool but I do believe there are things they do not need to b exposed to early In childhood..

Post by **jones jones** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 12:03 pm

oscar;1379580 wrote: I think children should be kept as 'children' for as long as possible. Let them enjoy their childhood for it Is what moulds them as adults. If they are happy In childhood, they will grow up well adjusted, happy Individuals who can take on the evil In the world and deal with It.

I don't believe In wrapping kids In cotton wool but I do believe there are things they do not need to b exposed to early In childhood..

I agree with you Oscar ... It would be nice if they could beleve in "make believe" as long as possible.

AnneBoleyn · Post by **AnneBoleyn** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:54 pm

"I don't believe In wrapping kids In cotton wool but I do believe there are things they do not need to b exposed to early In childhood.."

"It would be nice if they could beleve in "make believe" as long as possible."

I agree too, but I'm not including the News of the world they live in. What "things" do you mean, exactly, and what ages are we talking about? I shudder to think about pre-teens knowing so much about sex, or porn, & I was surprised when 2 recent comedies, "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" & "Hall Pass" had male frontal nudity scenes. I remember once taking my little boy to a movie & wanted to melt into the seat, the sex scene was so unnecessary to the plot. That was years ago, btw.

Knowing the news at a young age molds adults, too. For me, it was the Civil Rights Movement. Actually, I knew about the horrors of the Holocaust since the day I was born. It's hard to ignore certain things.

Clodhopper · Post by **Clodhopper** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 6:28 pm

Are We Living In A Fool's Paradise?

Yes. We have no control over our population or energy consumption. This is not good.