The Opiate of the Masses

Marx only said that religion is the opiate of the masses because he died before the invention of television.

This week I found myself playing pop culture catch up, sitting in a hotel room channel surfing. What I again found most dismaying is that the most inane shows are the so called news shows. In depth coverage of Paris Hilton's battle with depression and spirituality dominated. On news shows.

I realize that this drives ratings, but it rather reminds me of what has become quaint advice from mothers to daughters. "Sure, all the boys like to date girls who are easy, but when it comes time to marry, they won't be interested in you." One can almost hear the editors telling the business executives, "Sure, the audiences will all tune in if we cover inane topics that titillate but are of no consequence. But when it comes time to choose politicians or policy, they won't be interested in our station. When they want something serious, they'll go elsewhere." But what if all the news stations have become tabloids? What happens to democracy then?