Mar 13 2013: Sarah, do you think we should always take the risk or do you think there are instances when the risks are too large? I agree with the idea overall, that we need to take risks to move forward but there may be times when this just isn't practical.
Mar 13 2013: I agree with both of you. It is the person using the tool who is responsible for the consequences, not the inventor or creator. However, I would really leave religion out of this discussion. While religion is responsible for the creation of ideas and beliefs, religion does not create things in the sense of physical inventions. However, it is as influential as physical inventions and like Arkady said, we need to understand its impact.
Mar 13 2013: I definitely agree. Even things created with good intentions can be used as weapons. Sarah, I believe if a scientist creates something for one purpose and it is later used for another unforeseen purpose, that is no longer the scientist's fault.
Mar 11 2013: I believe that legalizing marijuana would have a number of fairly beneficial upsides and also a few drawbacks worth considering as well. I think the legalization would stimulate the economy to some extent. The government could tax it and make money of off people who will continue to smoke whether it is legal or not. Also, costs for punishing people charged with possession will be eliminated. Despite this, one cannot overlook the health problems this could create. Also, people high on marijuana could cause more public disturbances and car accidents. It is difficult to predict the outcome, but I believe overall it would be more beneficial than harmful. I believe marijuana would come to be treated the same way as alcohol. Some people would abuse it, but for many people, it wouldn't be a problem.
Mar 8 2013: At the end of the day, reality shows exist because they make money. People watch them, so they will continue to be made. This doesn't necessarily mean that they are good or bad. Shows like "Chopped" on the Food Network don't really offer any underlying messages or suggest a way of life. These types of shows simply offer a half hour of entertainment involving food, cooking and competition.
On the contrary, other shows seem to suggest things about society and life in general. "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" and "The Real Housewives of ______" depict people living a lifestyle that is far from one most people can relate to. At the same time, are people really affected by this? Do people really watch the Kardashians and think, "This is how I want to live my life."? Hopefully not. People watch them because they are absurd, because they are entertaining and because they are dramatic.
Whether "reality" shows represent anything real or not, they make money. Because of this, they will continue to exist. Do people watch them to see how to live their lives or purely for entertainment? I would like to believe the latter.
Mar 8 2013: Kelly, I definitely agree with you. Reality shows, however real or fake they actually are, should merely be forms of entertainment. However, I do agree with Questions First, too. I agree that people are influenced by entertainment. It is human nature to put ourselves in the situations we see portrayed in movies and on TV. That's why we are so attracted to these things. However, I would like to think that people do not do the same thing when it comes to reality shows. I know I have never been influenced by "Dance Moms" or "Storage Wars." I only watch these shows because I find them amusing. When I turn the TV off, I turn off anything I may have felt while watching the show. I don't think I should go out and buy a storage unit to make money. I'd like to think people are smart enough to do the same.
Mar 8 2013: You make an excellent point here. The media has such an influence on culture today. Media tells us what to eat, what to wear, what is acceptable, what is desirable, etc. Reality shows are the culmination of all these influences. Reality shows can present whatever they want society to see. Shows like Jersey Shore portray people living irresponsibly and foolishly with virtually no repercussions. Other shows simply present skewed versions of actual events.
"Perhaps the better question is whether media shapes culture or merely reflects it."
This is a very interesting question. I believe both are true to some extent. The media gives society what it think we want (i.e. ridiculous shows about ridiculous things) and then uses these shows to send specific messages. However, I think if ratings started suddenly dropping for these types of shows, the media would find another method of influence.
Do you think these types of shows are harmful or just fail to accomplish good?
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A reply on Conversation: Are scientists responsible for the consequences of their discoveries?
A reply on Conversation: Are scientists responsible for the consequences of their discoveries?
A reply on Conversation: Are scientists responsible for the consequences of their discoveries?
A comment on Conversation: What changes do you think will result from the legalisation of Marijuana.
A comment on Conversation: Are reality shows good for society?
On the contrary, other shows seem to suggest things about society and life in general. "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" and "The Real Housewives of ______" depict people living a lifestyle that is far from one most people can relate to. At the same time, are people really affected by this? Do people really watch the Kardashians and think, "This is how I want to live my life."? Hopefully not. People watch them because they are absurd, because they are entertaining and because they are dramatic.
Whether "reality" shows represent anything real or not, they make money. Because of this, they will continue to exist. Do people watch them to see how to live their lives or purely for entertainment? I would like to believe the latter.
A reply on Conversation: Are reality shows good for society?
A reply on Conversation: Are reality shows good for society?
"Perhaps the better question is whether media shapes culture or merely reflects it."
This is a very interesting question. I believe both are true to some extent. The media gives society what it think we want (i.e. ridiculous shows about ridiculous things) and then uses these shows to send specific messages. However, I think if ratings started suddenly dropping for these types of shows, the media would find another method of influence.
Do you think these types of shows are harmful or just fail to accomplish good?