Am I a Hypocrite?

I find it somewhat ironic that my project, which laments the influence of media, is published online. As much as I have gone on about how media can be dangerous and manipulative, I will say that the internet is a truly amazing place. Over the course of my blogging experience, I have been inspired by the interaction I've had with other bloggers. The opinions and questions in the comment section have been eye opening and thought provoking.

I believe that media should be used as a tool, not a weapon. Media has infinite potential. The notion of positive conscious media working to unite the global community excites me. I hope that reflection upon the past (i.e. the coverage on 9/11) will spark a discussion on the role of media in our lives and the ways in which we can begin using media in a more positive fashion. While technology presents challenges, it also presents opportunities. I am skeptical, curious, excited and intrigued by the evolution of media today. Websites like Wikileaks are changing the way millions of people view the world and global issues. As time goes on, it will be interesting to see what the results and possible ramifications of this sort of media are. Writing the blog helped me find my voice in this often overwhelming place called cyberspace. I am grateful to anyone who has taken the time to read my sometimes long-winded musings about such a complicated social justice issue. This project has opened my eyes to a world of possibilities, both in the physical and virtual world. Even if only in small ways, I hope that readers have had a similar experience with my blog. The blog has allowed me to "show" and not "tell" my project to my peers. Instead, it has posed questions and opened discussions which will hopefully continue to develop long after I have retired my fast-typing fingers from the keyboard. 

30,600,000 Google search results

The issues associated with the war in Iraq reflect the downfalls of the human condition. The course of events that followed 9/11 exposed the dangers of media persuasion and the risks individuals and countries alike will take for a chance at power.

I chose to blog about the war in Iraq, because I was fascinated by the complexity of the issue. The answers to my questions took time and care to answer. Exploring the root causes of the war in Iraq, although difficult, was rewarding. Through my studies, I gained a greater understanding of the complexities of International relations and began to view the similarities between the U.S. and Canada in a new light. While skimming through 30,600,000 search results, countless books, and hundreds of database articles drove me crazy; in the end it paid off.

I strive to be a responsible, educated, "conscious" person and global citizen. In order to accomplish that goal, I have to gain an understanding of how the world works. I know that as time goes on so will the course of human evolution. I sense and see the changes that are occurring in the World. I often wonder about the future and think about the responsibilities and "burdens" that lie ahead for my generation. I believe that history repeats itself. Consequently, I believe that understanding history is an integral part of preparing for the future. In studying the war in Iraq, I have learned not only of atrocities that once took place; but also of viable solutions for a peaceful future.

What I learned from Roger Waters

Last weekend, my parents gave me tickets to Roger Waters' "The Wall" for my birthday. Like many re-touring rockstars, Waters came with a message of peace. His show featured multiple political messages and thousands of pictures of fallen soldiers from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The whole show was accompanied by dazzling 3D video projected onto "the wall".  One particularly striking sequence was shown during the song "Run Like Hell". A parody of the iPod lower case "i" concept is used to show social intolerance, stakeholders in war, and propaganda. The white headphones symbolize propaganda, belief systems, and social "traps" that prevent us from bettering ourselves and the world. If you're interested there is a high quality video from the show here:

Waters' choice to make a political statement, while inspired, was not surprising. However, the crowd's reaction to him was. Being in a crowd of 40,000+ people all understanding and angry about the injustice highlighted in the video gave me a small glimpse at the possibilities of positive media and the influence of celebrity. As a musician, I am always interested to see how celebrities and fellow musicians tie their art in with social justice issues. This concept ties in with my previous post on solutions. By nature, human beings look up to celebrities and power figures. If the people we look up to promote a message of peace, so will we take on those ideals. Unfortunately, the same can be said for people who promote violent messages. Seeing "The Wall" gave me a newfound concept of digital media and music's place in the political arena. 

Despite my best efforts, I can be very cynical. Seeing celebrities like Bono or Angelina Jolie on TV talking about peace doesn't often inspire me to listen or take action. A few months ago at a reunion show by Swedish hardcore punk band "Refused", I was actually somewhat irritated by the lead singers approach to addressing his political platform onstage. Nothing that he said was offensive or even gratuitous. I was just bothered by the way his anarchist message randomly interrupted his otherwise calm and thoughtful stage banter. Perhaps its just me, but these types of scenarios turn me cynical. However, in the case of "The Wall" the message worked. Waters' understated delivery made his political messages more palatable. The video was thought provoking and engaging. At the end of the show, after the wall came down, a teenaged Middle-Eastern girl wearing the white headphones appeared on the small remaining part of the screen. In slow motion, she removed her headphones and raised her hands up victoriously. At that point, the entire stadium erupted into applause and cheers. It was then that I realized how engaged I had been in the message and how the video had really spoken for itself without the anarchical 'rah-rah' commentary from the lead singer of the band. 

My experience at "The Wall" brings me back to my thesis on media misrepresentation. Over the course of this blog I have aimed to explain how media has the power to make or break society. I have found that there is no simple formula for successful positive media. However, what I do know is that when an audience is held accountable and engaged in depiction of global issues, pandora's box opens, we take off our proverbial headphones and the discussion begins. 

"Waiting for Superman"

The holy grail of society is a solution to global conflict and crisis. Come election time, a slew of shined up politicians grace podiums around the world and promise just that. Time after time, voters put their trust and reliance into politicians who, time after time, fail to follow through. Often politicians and "the government" take the blame for this. However, I believe that the fault truly lies on the common people. We are 7 billion people, each a part of the complex of global society. Yet often I wonder, are we working for eachother or against eachother? What can be done, if the "villians" in this saga are ourselves? Where is our hero? 


I believe that when we see a politician grace the stage and promise "solution" we project the superhero image onto them and all of a sudden they take on God-like responsibilities (which later prove impossible to fulfill). Take current U.S. President Barack Obama for instance. During his campaign, it was hard to determine which was stronger: Obamas celebrity status or his political presence. He was on talk shows, made into pop-art and trending all over social media. Soon after his election, it became clear that Obama's promise of change would be harder to achieve than it seemed. A year after his election, support for Obama wained. Was this because he was doing a poor job as a politician? Had he lied just like all his predecesors in hopes of getting into office? No. Obama simply wasn't saving the world in the superman like manner that Americans had envisioned he would.


In the case of the war in Iraq, a solution is hard to determine because the blame cannot be placed on any one party. Consequently, I feel it is imperative to examine the role that the global community played in the War in Iraq. Terrorism, in essence, is the act of instilling terror. The attacks on the World Trade center achieved this effect. However, it is interesting to re-evaluate the source the terror sprung from. At first glance, the blame can be put on Al Qaeda. However now, years after 9/11, I am beginning to view the course of events through a new lens. I have begun to factor in the role of the media in the terrorization of the world. My research has provided me enough evidence to choose a suspect of my own.So I believe our hero who, had they acted properly could have prevented the War on Terror and provided solace in a time of global turmoil is the American Media.


Watch this clip from Fahrenheit 9/11. Start at 8:29.

Media is the most influential institution in North American society. Each day we are bombarded with advertising, news updates, and social media feeds. The technology (smartphones, facebook, twitter, online news, blogs, youtube etc.) we use today, provide a vast array of opinions which influence our own ideals and values. While media can be positive and beneficial; it is often harmful, misinforming, and confusing. Post 9/11, CNN and ABC News among other networks began covering the war in Iraq and the hunt for terrrorists. The program titles involved words like "Terror Watch!" "The Fight against Terrror" and "American Heroes". Images of flames, explosions, and a soundtrack of grunge guitar rock were all parts of the over-exagerrated program intros. The programming on television perfectly echoed the idea that no one was safe. 

As I mentioned before, I feel that the solution to the war in Iraq begins with ourselves. It is evident that the idea that "the Government will take care of it" is not realistic. If we want influence on what happens in our world, we must take charge of our own ideals and values. A nation full of sheeple will not change anything. Being cognizant of how media affects us is invaluable. Carrying cell phones, watching tv, and having a constant social media audience at your fingertips; comes with responsibilities. In 2001, we let the media control the evolution of our thoughts and ideals. The result was fear, racism, and a lack of dialogue. Assumptions and misunderstanding arose. This problem was fixable and the solution fell upon ourselves.

It has taken years to re-adjust the prejudices that were formed as a result of the media's coverage of the war in Iraq. Sadly, some people will carry those beliefs for life. This story should be a lesson to us all. I think sometimes we forget that not everything the news says is 100% accurate. Human beings are impressionable. We don't always see how powerful that is. Media is as much of a tool as it is a weapon. If used improperly, it can have detrimental  impacts on massive amounts of people at an alarming speed. Before we take in media or formulate ideals based on media, we must check in on our own beliefs and emotions. Ultimately these are the only tools we have to determine how we feel about each issue life presents. We must remain vigilant. For on occasion, we get the opportunity to be superheroes.