Poll on Hollywood's Influence on Public Opinion

[Rider]

Simple poll question here-
Yes or No

Do Hollywood movies, dramas, sitcoms and other productions have any affect on public opinion in the United States?

[Elrathin]

Yes, they have an influence on people, however, it is not their fault for said influence.

In fact EVERYTHING has an influence on something. That doesn't mean that influence is bad nor is the fault of someone.

If people are going to believe fictional things as facts, the blame is on them, not Hollywood.

[Rider]

The influence they have on people is not their fault? Whose fault is it?
I guess then that propaganda ministers in totalitarian regimes are blameless because the people didn't have to pay attention to them.

[Elrathin]

The influence they have on people is not their fault? Whose fault is it?

The person that is stupid enough to believe fiction is fact, that's who.


I guess then that propaganda ministers in totalitarian regimes are blameless because the people didn't have to pay attention to them.


Ok so now you're comparing Hollywood to Totalitarian Regimes? Gimme a break. :rolleyes: And they say liberals are the ones that believe conspiracies.

[Rider]

Elrathin wrote- Rider Wrote:

The influence they have on people is not their fault? Whose fault is it?


The person that is stupid enough to believe fiction is fact, that's who.

Blaming the victim now? The sad fact is that the overwhelming majority of Americans are abysmally ignorant of the world around them, past or present; ignorant, not stupid.

Rider Wrote:

I guess then that propaganda ministers in totalitarian regimes are blameless because the people didn't have to pay attention to them.



Ok so now you're comparing Hollywood to Totalitarian Regimes? Gimme a break.Â*Â*And they say liberals are the ones that believe conspiracies.


How am I comparing Hollywood to totalitarian regimes? Conspiracy theories? Give yourself a break.

[Elrathin]

Blaming the victim now? The sad fact is that the overwhelming majority of Americans are abysmally ignorant of the world around them, past or present; ignorant, not stupid.

If someone watches a movie and then goes out and kills their parents, they have more problems than just that movie. That movie ALONE did not cause them to go kill. So again, stop blaming Hollywood. It has NO CONTROL over you.

What ever happened to PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY that you Conservatives Love to scream about?


How am I comparing Hollywood to totalitarian regimes? Conspiracy theories? Give yourself a break.

Again, you said it RIGHT HERE just a few posts above, READ PLEASE before you type.

Here it is again what you wrote:


I guess then that propaganda ministers in totalitarian regimes are blameless because the people didn't have to pay attention to them.

So if you werent' comparing Totalitarian regimes to Hollywood, the Why the F**k bring up totalitarian regimes in the first place? Oh yeah, you were COMPARAING THEM.

[CheesyMuslim]

Sorry bout that,

1. But Hollywood is biased towards liberalism, its a fact.
2. If you are in show business in California, you better keep your mouth shut if your Conservative.
3. And or agree with it if you want to work there.
4. Tow the Liberal line, or find a different job.
5. Trust me, I know of what I speak.
6. I am well connected, and have inside information.

Regards,
SirJamesofTexas

[Elrathin]

5. Trust me, I know of what I speak.
6. I am well connected, and have inside information.



And what connections do you speak of? This to me sounds like a 4 year old saying "I have a super secret I am not going to tell you" and in the realm of debate, it means nothing.

[Rider]

Elrathin wrote-
Rider Wrote:

Blaming the victim now? The sad fact is that the overwhelming majority of Americans are abysmally ignorant of the world around them, past or present; ignorant, not stupid.


If someone watches a movie and then goes out and kills their parents, they have more problems than just that movie. That movie ALONE did not cause them to go kill. So again, stop blaming Hollywood. It has NO CONTROL over you.

The original question of this poll was- doe the media influence public opinion through their productions? I contend that this is true. I'm not suggesting that anyone be excused of criminal behavior using some fictional account on the big screen as an excuse. For writers, producers and actors to use their talents to spread propaganda for political reasons is irresponsible, not illegal. I'm not suggesting that it should be illegal. I'm just putting forth the opinion that it DOES affect public opinion. I started the poll to see who agreed and who disagreed.

What ever happened to PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY that you Conservatives Love to scream about?

Actually, I'm not screaming about anything and I do believe in personal responsibility, including the responsibility that the media has to the entire nation during a time of war.

Rider Wrote:

How am I comparing Hollywood to totalitarian regimes? Conspiracy theories? Give yourself a break.


Again, you said it RIGHT HERE just a few posts above, READ PLEASE before you type.

Here it is again what you wrote:


Rider Wrote:

I guess then that propaganda ministers in totalitarian regimes are blameless because the people didn't have to pay attention to them.


So if you werent' comparing Totalitarian regimes to Hollywood, the Why the F**k bring up totalitarian regimes in the first place? Oh yeah, you were COMPARAING THEM.

Where, exactly did I even mention Hollywood in that statement? My point was that if the media is blameless for the production of material that deliberately misrepresents reality in the pursuit of a political agenda; placing the blame on viewers who believe it, then it would seem that you would have no problem with government propaganda either. I am not comparing Hollywood to a government propaganda ministry. I am merely pointing out how I find your reply to be fallacious.

And please watch your mouth. I find your language offensive and it certainly doesn't help your case any.

[Elrathin]

My point was that if the media is blameless for the production of material that deliberately misrepresents reality in the pursuit of a political agenda; placing the blame on viewers who believe it, then it would seem that you would have no problem with government propaganda either.

The only thing that Hollywood has produced that deliberately misrepresents reality is REALITY SHOWS. Which by the way I am against. Other than that, please show me what show, movie, etc that they have misrepresented as reality. Hell even Michael Moores film was not considered a documentary by Hollywood.


I am not comparing Hollywood to a government propaganda ministry. I am merely pointing out how I find your reply to be fallacious.

My reply was that people should have PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY in their lives. You brought up the totolitarian regimes, which doesn't even fit into this discussion and is quite off topic.


And please watch your mouth. I find your language offensive and it certainly doesn't help your case any.[/color]


I used asterisks so fill in the word you like. I could have been used funk for all you know. The rules are no excessive swearing and I have not done so IMO. If a mod tells me that f**k is not allowed, I will stop using it gladly and happily. This is the first time I have and since I don't make a habit of using it here, I don't see the problem.

[Proud American]

I think the answer is Yes and here is why.

Today we as people not only Americans are the modern day ostriches. We stick our heads in a hole aka personal lives and ignore what goes around us a sa whole. The majority of people only care what involve themselves which brings me to the point why these things influneces Americans.

Clones, drone and carbon copies is what the majority of Americans have become. People seem to have a facination with famous people and idolize them for reasons the famous people themselve became famous for...self indulgence. They say the majority of famous people (this was about movie star and singers) are full of themselves and for some reason people try to clone that thinking it worked for them then why not me.

Todays society is mostly about self improvment and with that the kids get lost into the whole wrath of media and other television markets wanting to look, be and act like those they see on tv and the movies. The parents do not take the time to educate the kids and spend less and less time with their kids and more time in work. We are programmed as a whole much like relgion to act, look and feel a certain way, only a few of us actually break apart and see the truth and coruption the parent refuse to address that lies within the sociecty we live in.

[Mayberry]

only a few of us actually break apart and see the truth and coruption the parent refuse to address that lies within the sociecty we live in. Sad but true. It sickens me to see these robots running around wearing the latest clothes, driving the "hippest" cars, listening to the garbage they call music today. Television has corrupted us and turned us into mindless idiots. Shows like Entertainment Tonight, and the whole slew of "reality" shows, and moron talk shows like Oprah and Dr. Phil are dumbing us down. How can an intelligent person actually derive any entertainment from this junk? These shows make me sick, and the people who worship them make me sicker. Young girls/ women seem to be the most susceptible as they are the ones who are prone to gossip and drama. I am doing my best to impart individual thinking to my kids. I always tell them it's not important what other people think of you, but how you think of yourself that is important. Hopefully I can counteract the onslaught of "pop culture". And turning the TV to enlightening programming, or better yet, turning it off, is the first line of defence.

[bobbylien]

It sickens me to see these robots running around wearing the latest clothes, driving the "hippest" cars, listening to the garbage they call music today.
I'm sure your parents said the same thing about your generation.
I've grown up with rap and screaming music and lol its just never caught on for me. I refuse to listen to music with a lot of swearing.

[Elrathin]

only a few of us actually break apart and see the truth and coruption the parent refuse to address that lies within the sociecty we live in. Sad but true. It sickens me to see these robots running around wearing the latest clothes, driving the "hippest" cars, listening to the garbage they call music today. Television has corrupted us and turned us into mindless idiots. Shows like Entertainment Tonight, and the whole slew of "reality" shows, and moron talk shows like Oprah and Dr. Phil are dumbing us down. How can an intelligent person actually derive any entertainment from this junk? These shows make me sick, and the people who worship them make me sicker. Young girls/ women seem to be the most susceptible as they are the ones who are prone to gossip and drama. I am doing my best to impart individual thinking to my kids. I always tell them it's not important what other people think of you, but how you think of yourself that is important. Hopefully I can counteract the onslaught of "pop culture". And turning the TV to enlightening programming, or better yet, turning it off, is the first line of defence.


And who's to blame? That's right, the PARENTS.

[Mayberry]

And who's to blame? That's right, the PARENTS. You're absolutely right (gasp!:D). Too many parents are not involved in their kids' lives, and the ones that are seem to be more concerned with being their kids best buddy than raising them. I was lucky in that my parents struck a good balance with me. I'm sure your parents said the same thing about your generation. Probably so, but hell, so did I. I was never into the same stuff as kids my age. I was the last of the real hot rodders when kids were more worried about having a "thumpin' system" (lucky me to be part of the birth of the boom boom:rolleyes: ). I went fishing with my Dad when everybody else was hanging out at the mall. I wore jeans and Justin Ropers when everyone else was wearing black or had their pants hanging off their butts (when will that one DIE?!!) My Dad would have shot me if I tried to leave the house looking like that. And I'm thankful for it.