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The Media Zone

How the media make sense and nonsense of the world.

Social Life
Is There an Epidemic of Vampire-Imitating Love Biters?

Stuart Fischoff Ph.D. on July 14, 2010

 "Love bites are cool" No doubt we will be in for a rash of such illusions, delusions and obsessions for a bit of time and many vampire clubs and raves will flourish. And maybe Lestat will be just another face in the crowd, looking for blood in all the wrong places.

 "Love bites are cool" No doubt we will be in for a rash of such illusions, delusions and obsessions for a bit of time and many vampire clubs and raves will flourish. And maybe Lestat will be just another face in the crowd, looking for blood in all the wrong places.

Anger
How the Social Media Can Help You be Neurotic for Fun, Profit, and Celebrity

Stuart Fischoff Ph.D. on July 6, 2010

They are playing the game of how to be neurotic for fun, profit and celebrity.  It's an idea whose time has come and shows no sign of going very soon.

They are playing the game of how to be neurotic for fun, profit and celebrity.  It's an idea whose time has come and shows no sign of going very soon.

Anger
The Gulf Coast Nightmare: Technological Hubris and the Anger of Impotence

Stuart Fischoff Ph.D. on June 3, 2010

Unlike Bush, Obama has no evil Dr. Evil Cheney to distract and divert the fury and revenge lust, no Karl Rove to play Iago to Obama's Othello. Ironically, in the game of blame, Obama's image as smart against Bush's image of dull, will work against him as well. If he's so smart, why can't he fix things? Those from whom we expect the most fall the farthest in disappointment or failure.

Unlike Bush, Obama has no evil Dr. Evil Cheney to distract and divert the fury and revenge lust, no Karl Rove to play Iago to Obama's Othello. Ironically, in the game of blame, Obama's image as smart against Bush's image of dull, will work against him as well. If he's so smart, why can't he fix things? Those from whom we expect the most fall the farthest in disappointment or failure.

Ethics and Morality
Entertainment Tonight and the C-Word: Beating Up Women for Laughs

Stuart Fischoff Ph.D. on May 24, 2010

It seems that 51% of our species must account for, be punished for, not being perfect, not sporting 11 year old skin; must be ridiculed, derided for showing any signs of wear, tear and imperfection. Why there is there not more insanity in women beyond what we usually see is most amazing. As a woman, where do you run? Where do you turn?

It seems that 51% of our species must account for, be punished for, not being perfect, not sporting 11 year old skin; must be ridiculed, derided for showing any signs of wear, tear and imperfection. Why there is there not more insanity in women beyond what we usually see is most amazing. As a woman, where do you run? Where do you turn?

Sexual Orientation
Elena Kagan is an Obamalyte, Lesbian, Pentagon Hater

Stuart Fischoff Ph.D. on May 12, 2010

 There is no biological or psychological evidence of which I am aware that heterosexuality provides the innate or acquired path to truth, logic, and the American way. And certainly not to justice.

 There is no biological or psychological evidence of which I am aware that heterosexuality provides the innate or acquired path to truth, logic, and the American way. And certainly not to justice.

Freudian Psychology
Can Digital Sex with Your iPad Ever Be Wrong?

Stuart Fischoff Ph.D. on May 6, 2010

Truth is, everyone is a potential addict waiting for their personal drug, their action, to come along -- heroin, running, junk food or social media. They all can be streetcars of desire to someone, for a month, a year, or a lifetime. Others just use the action to make life easier, more fun or more productive, and move on.

Truth is, everyone is a potential addict waiting for their personal drug, their action, to come along -- heroin, running, junk food or social media. They all can be streetcars of desire to someone, for a month, a year, or a lifetime. Others just use the action to make life easier, more fun or more productive, and move on.

Anger
The Media and America’s State of Political Disunion – Part 2

Stuart Fischoff Ph.D. on April 13, 2010

It is my contention that the GOP has cultivated its radical elements to take back by deceit, disingenuous burps of patriotism, and brilliant manipulations what it lost through the electoral process. It has harnessed money, media, and angry troops to help in that dishonest endeavor.

It is my contention that the GOP has cultivated its radical elements to take back by deceit, disingenuous burps of patriotism, and brilliant manipulations what it lost through the electoral process. It has harnessed money, media, and angry troops to help in that dishonest endeavor.

Anger
The Media and America's State of Political Disunion - Part 1-My Rant

Stuart Fischoff Ph.D. on April 5, 2010

Let us not forget our rabble-rousers-in chief, the four horsepersons of the Foxapocalypse: Glen Beck, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly and Sarah Palin, and their fellow traveler, Rush Limbaugh. Together, this tag team throws enough red meat out to their faithful, to give the right wing a colossal case of gout, enough red meat that FoxNews should rebrand itself "The Butcher to the airways" and drop the borderline psychotic "fair and balanced" masquerade.

Let us not forget our rabble-rousers-in chief, the four horsepersons of the Foxapocalypse: Glen Beck, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly and Sarah Palin, and their fellow traveler, Rush Limbaugh. Together, this tag team throws enough red meat out to their faithful, to give the right wing a colossal case of gout, enough red meat that FoxNews should rebrand itself "The Butcher to the airways" and drop the borderline psychotic "fair and balanced" masquerade.

Health
I'm Not A doctor But I Play One On TV

Stuart Fischoff Ph.D. on February 17, 2010

Many people learn their versions of reality from fictional portrayals of reality in the media. We would be wiser media producers and consumers if we recognized that benign entertainment for some is serious education for others.

Many people learn their versions of reality from fictional portrayals of reality in the media. We would be wiser media producers and consumers if we recognized that benign entertainment for some is serious education for others.

Anger
The Grammys, Ageism, and Fighting Back Against Youth Idolatry

Stuart Fischoff Ph.D. on February 11, 2010

 Youth spend less discriminately, more rashly, and more freely on more popular culture-related items like music and clothes than "non-youth." The young have been found to be more brand conscious as well. The youth market is thus perceived as a cash cow, or a golden revenue stream (I could say "golden shower," but I shall restrain myself.)

 Youth spend less discriminately, more rashly, and more freely on more popular culture-related items like music and clothes than "non-youth." The young have been found to be more brand conscious as well. The youth market is thus perceived as a cash cow, or a golden revenue stream (I could say "golden shower," but I shall restrain myself.)

Media
The 52nd Annual Grammys: Magnificent but Geezer-Phobic

Stuart Fischoff Ph.D. on February 2, 2010

If the Grammy youth march continues apace, Mr. Jamie Fox may not be allowed on stage next year without a performing fetus beside him.

If the Grammy youth march continues apace, Mr. Jamie Fox may not be allowed on stage next year without a performing fetus beside him.

Trauma
Cerebral Strokes, Media Games and the Kindle

Stuart Fischoff Ph.D. on January 29, 2010

Inside/Out was about a compulsive gambler (Jimmy Morgan, played by Eliott Gould), who, while being agoraphobic, (powerful fear of going outdoors) nonetheless managed to live a rather diversely occupied life with the aid of high technology in the Internet's Paleolithic period.I was reminded of this movie after my second hemorrhagic stroke last October, when, in my left hand, I lost ... much of my sense of touch as well as fine motor coordination. It left me feeling like there is a quarter-inch callous on my fingers.

Inside/Out was about a compulsive gambler (Jimmy Morgan, played by Eliott Gould), who, while being agoraphobic, (powerful fear of going outdoors) nonetheless managed to live a rather diversely occupied life with the aid of high technology in the Internet's Paleolithic period.I was reminded of this movie after my second hemorrhagic stroke last October, when, in my left hand, I lost ... much of my sense of touch as well as fine motor coordination. It left me feeling like there is a quarter-inch callous on my fingers.

Media
Adam Lambert and Tiger Woods: A Tale of Two American Idol Scandals

Stuart Fischoff Ph.D. on December 19, 2009

 Tiger Woods cannot avoid the negative publicity, mocking gossip, the reach of the intrusive paparazzi, late night TV comedy evisceration -- or the dreaded, whiney wrath of CNN's Nancy Grace. All that's missing is a giant, Times Square running Bimbo score board.

 Tiger Woods cannot avoid the negative publicity, mocking gossip, the reach of the intrusive paparazzi, late night TV comedy evisceration -- or the dreaded, whiney wrath of CNN's Nancy Grace. All that's missing is a giant, Times Square running Bimbo score board.

Sexual Orientation
Adam Lambert and Performance Porn at the AMA Show

Stuart Fischoff Ph.D. on November 27, 2009

So, Lambert has run smack into both the American hetero-homosexual double standard but also the lesbian-gay double standard.  

So, Lambert has run smack into both the American hetero-homosexual double standard but also the lesbian-gay double standard.  

Bullying
Rush Limbaugh, the Rams and My Reader Outrage

Stuart Fischoff Ph.D. on October 15, 2009

 Such is the case with Limbaugh. His broadcast droppings are redolent spoors good hunters pick up on, track down and finally hang on their own broadcast walls, trophies of "the good hunt."

 Such is the case with Limbaugh. His broadcast droppings are redolent spoors good hunters pick up on, track down and finally hang on their own broadcast walls, trophies of "the good hunt."

Intelligence
If Rush Limbaugh buys the St. Louis Rams, Will it Become All White or All Right?

Stuart Fischoff Ph.D. on October 12, 2009

When it comes to the passions of prejudice and the bellowing of bigots, the Id dominates. When the microphone or the camera beckons, that's catnip for exhibitionists like Rush.  

When it comes to the passions of prejudice and the bellowing of bigots, the Id dominates. When the microphone or the camera beckons, that's catnip for exhibitionists like Rush.  

Politics
Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize to Shock, Awe, and Dismay

Stuart Fischoff Ph.D. on October 9, 2009

...one can just imagine the Rumplestilson reactions that will echo across this nation. Some will trumpet their disdain, others will whisper it. Both will try to minimize it or find some scintilla of socialism lurking below the surface.

...one can just imagine the Rumplestilson reactions that will echo across this nation. Some will trumpet their disdain, others will whisper it. Both will try to minimize it or find some scintilla of socialism lurking below the surface.

Addiction
An Incest Tale that Oprah Doesn't Like

Stuart Fischoff Ph.D. on September 24, 2009

Regardless of the incestuous bonds they share or the silent rape of body and mind that forms the nerve endings of their pasts, Oprah doesn't seem to like Mackenzie Phillips.

Regardless of the incestuous bonds they share or the silent rape of body and mind that forms the nerve endings of their pasts, Oprah doesn't seem to like Mackenzie Phillips.