Sunday, May 29, 2011

pbs and America

Hello all;
  It is no secret that the Republican machine has targeted PBS as not only a "waste of American tax dollars but a biased and left leaning orgainazation".  Well, it is likely difficult to define anything as such when "fox and friends" is the news source choice for republicans wanting to live in the party line.  As most Americans, I occasionally watch news from a variety of sources - except the newspaper.  In my town, it is a joke.  Still, even still, I find that I typically receive the "headline" type of news -- 'if it bleeds, it leads' stuff.  Real understanding and real news cannot be wrapped up in 2 minutes so the commercial can be played.
  And, that my friends, is the diference between the network news organizations and PBS.  The role of the network news in today's time is to enlighten a bit, entertain a bit, and sell product a lot.  Okay, the purpose is to sell product.  These are businesses, and like all business the goal is to create and maintain a happy customer.  PBS has no real commercials.  They have sponsors, of course.  But, the sponsorship is in addition to the public money in the form of tax dollars and donations.  The goal of PBS is not to sell product, it is to educate. 
  I realize this is all understood, and I'm probably simply telling you what you already know.  I knew it too, and were it not for taking the moment to do a bit of searching for things about tornados, I would likely not have bothered going to the PBS page.  I would be much the poorer for that.  I have really enjoyed and come to better understand a great deal of the goings on in the world by these stories that aren't governed by needing to fit in between another advertisement for better living through chemicals and the fluff pieces that make everyone smile and believe all is well in the world.
  So far tonight I've come to understand the role global warming does and does not play in the rash of tornados this year; the stability and lack there of in African countries; the reclaiming of blighted towns, and since I'm writing this before I've managed to see it all, who knows what's next.  I also watched a neat short story told in first person by a veteran of WW2.  I'm excited to actually learn about something with some depth. 
  Here is the link I am using:  http://video.pbs.org/video/1954884553 but you could likely just use the pbs.org and go from there.  It's truly a gold mine, and I feel much richer for my time spent there this today.   -randy.

6 comments:

Doug said...

I watch a lot of shows on PBS. They have a lot of excellent shows, much better than on regular television. The best thing is no commercials during the shows. It is a tragedy that the federal government is thinking of not supporting such a wonderful thing. I can think of a lot of other things that should be cut instead.

Anonymous said...

Do you have no "non-commercial" channels in TV. In my meaning the "öffentlich-rechtliche" (regulated by public law) TV-channels here in Germany are more openminded and objective.
Nikki

randy said...

Hi Doug;
You are so right in all points! I don't have the opportunity to watch a lot of tv, between working nights, doing lawns during the day, blogging and exploring on the computer, and sleeping in the late afternoons and evenings before work....this weekend has allowed me to see a lot more. I love what I've seen, and I can easily see the threat some see of PBS: it teaches and doesn't just tell.
Thanks for the comment!
randy

randy said...

Hi Nikki;
No. Outside of PBS, there are no government sponsored chanels...well, I guess there is the college public access chanels and such like you saw in the movie "Wayne's World".
Thanks for the visit.
-randy

Scottie said...

Hello Randy. I try to listen to both "Car Talk" and "Wait, Wait Don't tell me" but have missed them for a while now. When I could get them they made me laugh and I do thank them for that.

Hate the fund drives, and the cheesy gifts. Normally refuse it. But Guess we have to get noncommercial programing some how. Hugs

randy said...

Hi Scottie;
Yeah, I could do without the fund drive "prizes", but that is usually the time some really cool concerts come about. Like you basically say, good with the bad.
Great to see you here!
hugs and love;
randy.