Why is there a difference between our perceptions and reality? We have been doing virus crap all year. Media handling is the major factor in creating a Edit Post ‹ Granite Grok — WordPress different from the Covid reality. So, perhaps we should examine how the media functions and how we consume news.
Think about this; shark attacks make headlines. They play on our fears and result in tragedy and death. These fears run so deep we’ve had four Jaws and six Sharknado movies. With that said when was the last time you were subject to a shark attack? Most days we’re spared from shark attacks. The point is, the commonplace isn’t newsworthy.
For that reason we don’t hear news reports saying we had another day safe from sharks. It’s not newsworthy; it’s expected. But when impossible occurs? That’s rare, maybe miraculous, thus it becomes newsworthy.
The media’s focus on rare, deadly events affects how we view the world. It also colors our perception of the risks that we face. Airplane crashes make huge news. Yet, people are more likely to die in a car accident than a plane crash. But the fear of flying is common and fear of driving even sounds odd. The media is well aware of this but how aware of it are we?
Years ago Neil Postman wrote about how the medium of television. He was observed the rise of cable news was changing the way we consume the news. The content of news has changed to fit the medium of delivery. Cable news competes for viewers with other TV programs. This causes then to be receptive to providing a level of entertainment to acquire and retain viewers.
News features flashy graphics, attractive anchors, and correspondents in exciting or dangerous locations. Each of these serves to provide entertainment and keep our attention. The news became shows rather than improving the information we can glean from our watching.
This trend has grown to traditional print media outlets. Now they all have an online presence. They increasingly focus online and compete with other websites for clicks and retweets. They too are providing more than just the facts. Does this help explain why there is a difference between our perceptions and reality?