AS, Bourdieu

Pomo commentary on nice-news-obsessed American culture via surfer turned alt-rocker, Jack Johnson:

A billion people died on the news tonight
But not so many cried at the terrible sight
Well mama said
It's just make believe
You can't believe everything you see
So baby close your eyes to the lullabies
On the news tonight

Who's the one to decide that it would be alright
To put the music behind the news tonight
Well mama said
You can't believe everything you hear
The diagetic world is so unclear
So baby close your ears
On the news tonight
On the news tonight

The unobtrusive tones on the news tonight
And mama said

Why don't the newscasters cry when they read about people who die?
At least they could be decent enough to put just a tear in their eyes
Mama said
It's just make believe
You cant believe everything you see
So baby close your eyes to the lullabies
On the news tonight


“Why don't the newscasters cry when they read about people who die?” That’s a pretty significant question, especially considering Bourdieu’s claim that “Our tv philosopher’s are called in to give meaning to the meaningless,” while they at the same time masquerade the meaningful as the meaningless. Through unbalanced coverage, topics of vital importance are white-washed in the neon glare of celebrity breaking news. Watch the news for a half hour, any channel will do. If you’re not terrified by the plastic commentary, then you’re dead or stupid. TV news personalities are difficult to tell apart, given their patented expressions. Both male and female broadcasters study the playbook of appropriate facial expressions, consisting of Congenial Camaraderie, Slight Concern, Deep Thought, and the all popular, Benevolent Relative. None of these faces can harm us, just as surely as they cannot alarm us. A well-publicized byplay between anchor and expert on the war, or the political landscape, or Nichole Richie’s weight boils down to nothing more than a light hearted chat. All topics are given equal weight, but may include a change of expression. Our philosophers tell us there’s nothing to fear except everything, but do so with a smile. We tune in for guidance, for wisdom, for sound bites. We tune in for comfort and there’s the kick. Real(!?!) news doesn't comfort -- it exposes, alarms, and incites. Unfortunately, our news gurus remain unequipped for that. They deal in "unobtrusive tones" only.