English placement exam overview and assessment

¶ … seated fear of the current state of culture as witnessed in television programming. He argued that through the evolution of ideas beginning in literature with horror writers such as Stephen King, and seen in the present in reality TV programs, a sadistic mental illness has encapsulated the collective viewing audience. He used examples from current television reality programming to highlight his ideas and present a very dangerous environment for those who choose to engulf their minds in the programming produced by such sources. The author empathetically concludes his article with a plea with his audience to observe National Turn Off Your TV day and enjoy the freedom of a TV-free life.

Essay

I strongly resonate with many of the arguments presented in the writings of Goodspeed (2004) as they identify a disturbing trend within culture and media. The author's ability to summarize many of the problems that are noticeable within the mainstream television menu reflect my own opinions on television and its ability to confuse reality with fiction and create an environment of false lies and deception that may not be beneficial to those participating in its viewing.

I myself do not watch television and do not own a television device. This is due to many of the arguments that were brought up in the authors diatribe against the quality of television programming demonstrated in the macabre and inane selections available. Television has physical effects on me that were not mentioned in the article that surely affect those who enjoy its company. Television causes a sense of lethargy and worthlessness in me when I used to watch it for hours on end. Eventually my body became sick with watching it.

The source of my disdain for television aligns closely with the author's arguments as his confusion and frustration rings out clearly in his words. I felt a strong companionship with this author as I read his words "Many have compared current trends in American culture to the last days just before Rome fell. Some even say that no culture in the history of the world has ever recovered from the depth of decay we are currently experiencing in American society." This extremely negative viewpoint, while dramatic helped provide me with a greater understanding of television and its use in society.

Television is a method of self-induced trance that puts one's subconscious at the mercy of the programmer according to many psychologists and empirical studies. Television has a mesmerizing and hypnotic method of luring its viewer into a state of receptivity that can be taken advantage of by those with such an agenda. This power can be used in many ways, either for good or evil, depending on its wielder and their purposes. From a personal standpoint however, myself developed nature tends to reject the core values and ideas that are being presented on television in today's age as described by the author's critical approach to the subject.

For me, this essay brings up many more questions about the sinister nature of television and how it can be used to spread ill messages of propaganda that are not serving the consumer's best interests. The use of fear and disgust in the article is helpful in garnering the necessary emotional interest to identify with the author's point-of-view . This is used with great effect when the author stated: "If "reality" programs are a source of "entertainment" for you and your family, you must understand one thing: taking pleasure in the suffering of others is a form of MENTAL ILLNESS called SADISM. Watch these shows if you like, but as you guffaw at the sight of innocent, unwilling, non-consenting humans suffering enormous mental and physical anguish, take a moment to look in the mirror, and ask yourself if you like what you see."

These are challenging words that are meant to have a direct impact on the reader and make him think about the causes and effects of watching television and question one's own behavior. For many, this type of alarmist statement might discourage the reader from taking the author seriously as he comes off as too paranoid. While that rationale may be wise, personal experience on this idea leads me to fully support the author's warnings and feel that in some instances fighting fire with fire, or in this case fear is necessary.

The main fault of the article is that it is based in fear and not success of optimism. The evil of reality television according to the author is that it presents a sadistic viewpoint of life and experience. Sadism is based in fear and loathing, so to fight off sadistic though may initially require a counterpunch in the style of the author's, but eventually the best way to escape the problem is avoidance.

The quality of my life since eliminating the ritual watching of television has increased dramatically in the last few years. During this time I have also noticed more compassion and humanity within my behaviors and explicit pictures or themes of violence are much more shocking to me now as I have become re-sensitized to violence and the ills of mankind in a way that I once felt as a child. Goodspeed's argument could be enhanced with a more positive outlook on the solution rather than just suggesting to turn off your TV. It is more important for those to understand why that choice is being made than to simply just to do it because bad things will happen to you.