Open McLuhan

At least once a political season some one makes the observation that our political system is being driven by the media. In this instance it is Erica Jong...

Erica Jong

...our media turning every presidential election into a high school popularity contest. And we let them get away with it. And we don't stop Rupert Murdoch, Clear Channel, Disney, GE, Sumner Redstone and a few others from owning all the media all the time.

Our magazines and newspapers are so dumbed down that they never discuss issues, only stereotype or attack or puff up candidates -- and all for the most idiotic things -- like their marriages, which in truth we know nothing about -- or their weight or their clothes or their hair. They don't discuss brains, intelligence, psychological maturity, but only who's up or down in the polls, cuter in photos, who misted up, cried or didn't cry, said "my friends" like Reagan or mimicked Bill Clinton's style or JFK's or whomever's. Our press is a disgrace.

And she is absolutely right, "Our press is a disgrace."

I titled this entry for the noted communication authority, Marshal McLuhan. His oft quoted '...the medium is the message...' observation is most apt in this circumstance. It is not the Press that is driving our political system. In the realm of American politics the Press is echoing the tastes and choices of the general public. What Ms Jong should be railing against are the values of that 'general public'. Sadly I suspect those are values that Ms Jong knows little about.

Lets look at one 'ferinstance' ... Hillary Clinton was an effete political ice queen who couldn't possibly know the trials and tribulations of Joe&Jane Average. That is until she showed her more fragile feeling side. Then all of a sudden Hilly is one of the good ol' boys girls, just a down-home friend of the working ... er, person.

Ok, now Joe&Jane, this is a test. Has Hillary Clinton changed? Not one iota! Does Hilly know anything more about Joe&Jane Average and their real world concerns? Not likely. Has any part of this changed Ms Clinton's political agenda? Ha!

The Press, in presenting Ms Clinton's "moment", didn't change any part of the political environment. They were just pandering to the taste, the true taste of middle america. The Press as a medium is the message and the message is us.

Walt Kelly's Pogo put it so succinctly, "We have met the enemy and he is us."