Kids Today

We can’t help but be flooded with the information everyday about the recession and comparisons to the Great Depression. There is no doubt that our country is at an economic crisis and has been in one for some time. The affects of the economy are apparent as home prices fall and luxuries are not given much thought by many. We know the current affects and what is happening now, but it makes me think how will this influence people in the future? Not in terms of when the economy will rebound, but how will the development of people growing up in this recession will contribute the future society. We studied in class the baggage that many of our grandparents still carry from their struggles in the great depression. The need to save every penny and the stinginess in buying items has followed many who lived through the great depression until now. Many kids now are dealing with issues of self-esteem and confidence arising from their insolvency compared to their peers. Is the recession creating a generation of self-doubting people? If so how will this affect the work force of the future? The test of time will be the only thing that will tell us how the recession affects the kids of today and grown-ups of tomorrow.

Maury Povich = Saint?

Flipping through the channels the other day I caught an episode of the Maury Povich show and it brought an idea that I remembered reading from Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson . Ralph writes that “Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.” This makes obvious sense that you cannot trick yourself into believing that you are doing good when in reality you know you are doing wrong, only principles will bring you peace. Then I started wondering how Maury Povich sleeps at night.
Maury calls is show a talk show, but in reality is filled with ‘who the daddy’ results, confrontations, and basically pain for many that appear on the show. Here Maury exploits a girl that has severe issues and making it a dilema on national televison, but acts like he is doing a great deed in 'helping' this girl.
A similar show is Jerry Springer where girls are seen lifting their tops in between commercials, physical fights, and audience interferences. In essence both shows are the same, they both exploit the people on the show. Maury Povich seems like he has the best intentions when he comforts the fourteen year old prostitute or the pregnant twelve year old, but in reality he is taking advantage of their state for ratings and topics on his show. This could make him feel better, but like Emerson says in reality ‘nothing will bring him peace but the triumph of principles.' He is hiding behind the destruction he is really causing.
Jerry Springer on the other hand is more obvious when exploiting people with his coverings on very similar topics, because he does not hide under a façade of lies like Maury. Here on the Jerry Springer show fights are being played out revealing the true nature of the show. Maury pretends to be such a saint with his calming voice, the comfy sofas, and home like environment on his stage. While Jerry captures the vulgarity of his show with rowdy audience members, insulting guests, cheap single chairs and brick walls. A T.V show that showcases the world the pain they are causing in confrontations and revelations cannot possibly have good intentions. So why pretend to be a salvation for these people when in reality you are using them? Springer does not hide behind a front and would never be caught saying that he is helping people with his show. Jerry Springer is attacked for being tasteless, while Maury Povich had is own news show on MSNBC! Although both shows are inherently wrong the one that doesn’t pretend it is saving lives is surprisingly more morally sound in my opinion.