I don’t know the date of these issues, but they’re current. I’ve posted a few (see here and here). It breaks my heart. And it’s not that Time magazine thinks we’re shallow. It’s that they know we’re shallow. Magazine cover choices are entirely about selling copies. The hard facts of the real world don’t seem to sell very well here. And Time knows that.
You can have wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, or democracy. But you cannot have both.
Whatever Works 
Not again! What is it with these magazines!?
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They have civic responsibilities that they ignore. And we make it all too easy.
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Isnt there a term for that? Narcissist, just replace person with Nation.
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I think that’s a pretty good description.
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You are so ahead of everyone. Jon Stewart just did a bit on this tonight.
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Saw it this morning! He must be reading WW.
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Moe – I hope you stop by today.
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Quite a thread you’ve got going there frank!
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Thanks Moe … and even had a comment by someone with an economics background.
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Good morning Moe
I have a book recommedation you might like too. “The creature from Jeckyll Island”. Im reading it right now and all I can say is if this guy is accurate, wow. 😉
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Oh my TFT, I’m a big reader, but even so that looks pretty wonky for me!
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Oh, no doubt its wonky………..But……..I suggest you give it a try.
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It is my theory that United Statians cannot accept reality as result of the hard-sell media bombardment has ingrained a ‘Magic Kingdom’ or ‘Emerald City’ curtain over the eyes of all watchers.
Here is an example of media manipulation — Whitney Houston.
Nobody gave 2 beans about Whitney two weeks ago. She was a living ghost out of sight, out of mind. She dies, and now she was the greatest entertainer ever! Oh, how sad, the world is told to miss her and buy all here old albums, and re-live the good ole’ days when she was with us.
Or am I just cynical?
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They only cater to what the public wants to read and know.
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I disagree. No one ‘wants’ to read about Kim Kardasian and her skank sisters, we are subjected to them. I don’t know one person who says, “Oh, I wonder what Kloe is wearing today?” Do you really want to know what underwear Britney Spears is wearing?
They only cater to what they want the consumer to know. Not one second goes by on T.V. that isn’t about capturing our money.
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Okay check Youtube and see the hits at Justin Beiber, Kim Kardasian and Rihanna’s videos and compare them with videos addressing US war or issues of unemployment. If you do find one that has more views then please do share.
It is the reality that I have come to admit after a long time. Juniors and Seniors in High School don’t even know where their Soldiers are deployed, meaning where Iraq and Afghanistan is located. Worst they don’t care, otherwise, simple Google Search would have enlightened them.
It is a hard fact. It is hard to confront and accept. I have come to terms with it.
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Great counter.
I think we are both right, it is a vicious cycle. You see the complacency of the United Statians, and I see the media’s exploitation. One feeds the other. (It is unfair to include Canada, Central and South Americans, which is why I call us United Statians.)
I guess I don’t see your side as well since most of the people I associate with are a bit anti-social. Most of my friends are minimalists and intellectuals, so pop-culture is very passe’. Sounds to me you are in the same boat.
Thanks for the good argument without nasty name calling. 😉
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Umer – about the high school kids. . . again, I blame media. TV news barely covers the wars anymore. By the way – I just realized that for a 15 year-old we’ve been at war his whole life – since he was 4 years old.
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Umer: I agree with wookie mostly that there are corporate interests who are invested in keeping Americans stupid. The less attention we pay, the more they can arrange the important stuff to their liking. They’re very invested in diluting education, encouraging illiterate ideas, and entertaining the people with an endless parade – of bread and circuses. We take the bait umer, eventually we take the bait. It’s all veyr ugly and very sad.
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That is true too. As wookie said it is a vicious cycle.
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One question for me is: are the stories on the cover of the overseas’ editions actually absent from the US edition, or just not featured as prominently? I think it’s the latter, and I’m not as concerned.
That said, I’d agree US citizens are pretty parochial for the most part, but I think that’s partially because we’re a large nation only contiguous to two other nations. Most European nations border many other contries and traffic in large amounts across those borders. It would behoove us to accept that attitude is less and less appropriate.
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It seems we only pay attention to other nations when they threaten us for the most part. So how do you suppose other nations act to get our attention? They look for a way to become a threat. Result: Iran’s bomb, etc.
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Bruce, you make good points. It’s very true that the sheer physical size of US and bordered by only two other nations makes us very different from, say, Europe or the Middle East. But what about the South Pacific? As for the cover, I’m sure the US edidtion had a story inside but that really doesn’t change anything. They are saying witth their US cover that Pakistan doesn’t matter.
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In this day and age of the internet, is there really any excuse?
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People don’t seem to want to be bothered with the world around them and yet they vote . . . . for me it’s still a matter of the press failing it’s responsibilities.
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EXACTLY! Love this. 🙂
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PS Freedom of Press is only an illusion.Shame most American’s haven’t figured that out yet. But then again there are reality shows to keep up on. tsk tsk
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And there are pretty blond girls who get killed and kidnapped now and again, requiring weeks of round the clock coverage.
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Do NOT get me going on this one..
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