Does anybody care?
Escape-ism is fine, however as Tim Robbins say -
What is the state of broadcasting today….” He has three “prongs” for broadcasting’s future (joking, of course): erase diversity, stay focused on sex scandals (talking about Clinton-Lewinsky and comparing it to Bush), find more racially-divisive news and play it constantly — “the more our news outlets and talk radio can distract us, the better.” It is our moral responsibility to destract. Brings up Britney. “Let’s stop burdening people with facts.”
“The internets.” There are too many people in this world that take creativity too damn seriously. “Just when we were getting close to a national playlist… satellite technology is providig music people actually want to hear.” “The internets allow its users a choice on the news its users want… and YouTube, my god we have to stop them.” After all, YouTube provided meaningful responses of candidates and millions watched. How do you fight that?
Seriously, “we are at an abyss as an industry and as a country.” You, the broadcasters, have a tremedous power and tremendous potential to effect change. “We don’t need to look at the car crash. We don’t need to live off the pain and humilitation of the unfortunately. We don’t need to celebrate our pornographic obsession with celebrity culture. We are better than that.”
“Some of you are trying… but against the odds of ratings and job security. It is really up to the leaders in this room… to leave behind formulas and focus groups and job security… we can imagine a world of broadcasting where the general consensus of leaders is enough is enough… we are not just businessmen but the guardians of the human spirit… instead of catering to voyuers and gossip… we can appeal to the better nature of our audience.”
Standing ovation complete with “here! here!” from the crowd.
