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Media and the new Coronavirus

Started by xSilverPhinx, April 13, 2020, 02:36:11 PM

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xSilverPhinx

Being cooped up inside our caves can be difficult, but that doesn't mean we can't have some sort of contact with the outside word. Most if not all of us have an televised image projector with which we can see shadows of the real world outside.

Popcorn and soda in hand accompanied by the guilt of having overeaten for the past few *cough* *cough* several days you sit in front of your TV and flick through the channels with your remote magic wand until you land on a mainstream news media station.

BREAKING NEWS!
Coronavirus...coronavirus...coronavirus...coronavirus...coronavirus...coronavirus...coronavirus...coronavirus...coronavirus :blahblah:

:watching:

"Ok, enough of this."

You flick through the channels again. CNN coronavirus...*click* BBC coronavirus...*click* BBC Brazil coronavirus...*click* until you finally land on a national news channel with lower ratings.

...and they're talking about something completely unrelated to coronavirus.

"What a lousy news channel," comes a voice from behind you. "We're in the middle of this crisis and they're talking about rescuing feral puppies."

::)

That's it. You turn the TV off (but still finish your popcorn and soda). I guess I'll just swipe through my social media feed instead. Little do you know what's in store for you...
I am what survives if it's slain - Zack Hemsey


xSilverPhinx

I was wondering how you guys feel regarding the saturated coronavirus content that's basically everywhere. Have any of you guys decided to limit how much news you watch?

Regarding mainstream media, I'm not a fan, even though I agree with the message they're trying to incessantly push that we should stay at home and not needlessly expose ourselves and others to the virus. I think they are being counter-productive because if more and more people decide to not watch anymore, the less informed those people will be regarding important updates.

It would be interesting to see a sociological study regarding this in the future. 
I am what survives if it's slain - Zack Hemsey


Asmodean

Honestly, I gave up long ago. I've grown disinterested and desensitized at the same time.

I still follow the numbers - while I was never particularly expert a statistician, they are kind-of fascinating, but those "arse-borne opinions" I mentioned in my own zombie-thread... Yeah. They can shove those back where they came from.

Not having a TV helps, I suppose. Mine is a public display, so no tuner attached. Still, "everything" and "everyone" I follow online or otherwise subscribe to fronts and centers the Zompocalypse. There is some good in it though - listening to shit I've heard a myriad times before is good for my Warhammer 40K model painting. I've finally got my army past 5000 battle points. (If any one is a fan, they will know - if not, it's a tabletop strategy+chance game played with way-overpriced models you assemble and paint yourself)
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on July 25, 2013, 08:18:52 PM
In Asmo's grey lump,
wrath and dark clouds gather force.
Luxembourg trembles.

xSilverPhinx

Quote from: Asmodean on April 13, 2020, 03:07:51 PM
Honestly, I gave up long ago. I've grown disinterested and desensitized at the same time.

Yes, disinterested and desensitized are exactly what I'm beginning to feel as well. I follow several science-related news outlets from which I get my info from, and have given up on mainstream news, which are basically repeating themselves at this point. Not that coronavirus is supposed to be entertaining, but...seriously? Say something new or not blatantly obvious more than once a week! 

Also, I don't care for the opinions of journalists and reporters. If I wanted to hear or read an opinion piece I would look at specialist articles or videos, not theirs. Just another reason to turn the TV off.

QuoteI still follow the numbers - while I was never particularly expert a statistician, they are kind-of fascinating, but those "arse-borne opinions" I mentioned in my own zombie-thread... Yeah. They can shove those back where they came from.

Not having a TV helps, I suppose. Mine is a public display, so no tuner attached. Still, "everything" and "everyone" I follow online or otherwise subscribe to fronts and centers the Zompocalypse. There is some good in it though - listening to shit I've heard a myriad times before is good for my Warhammer 40K model painting. I've finally got my army past 5000 battle points. (If any one is a fan, they will know - if not, it's a tabletop strategy+chance game played with way-overpriced models you assemble and paint yourself)

Is that where you get your minions from? :P Painting little army models sound like fun. ;D I would be a disaster at it, but still sounds like fun. :grin:
I am what survives if it's slain - Zack Hemsey


Old Seer

Quote from: xSilverPhinx on April 13, 2020, 02:36:11 PM
Being cooped up inside our caves can be difficult, but that doesn't mean we can't have some sort of contact with the outside word. Most if not all of us have an televised image projector with which we can see shadows of the real world outside.

Popcorn and soda in hand accompanied by the guilt of having overeaten for the past few *cough* *cough* several days you sit in front of your TV and flick through the channels with your remote magic wand until you land on a mainstream news media station.

BREAKING NEWS!
Coronavirus...coronavirus...coronavirus...coronavirus...coronavirus...coronavirus...coronavirus...coronavirus...coronavirus :blahblah:

:watching:

"Ok, enough of this."

You flick through the channels again. CNN coronavirus...*click* BBC coronavirus...*click* BBC Brazil coronavirus...*click* until you finally land on a national news channel with lower ratings.

...and they're talking about something completely unrelated to coronavirus.

"What a lousy news channel," comes a voice from behind you. "We're in the middle of this crisis and they're talking about rescuing feral puppies."

::)

That's it. You turn the TV off (but still finish your popcorn and soda). I guess I'll just swipe through my social media feed instead. Little do you know what's in store for you...
Agree. Recommendation: If you have a laptop/computer (this probably isn't new to you) bring up you tube. It has a wide variety of subjects that in my estimation would be interesting to anyone. My TV is connectable to my laptop, but watch very little TV programing.
The only thing possible the world needs saving from are the ones running it.
Oh lord, save us from those wanting to save us.
I'm not a Theist.

No one

I've been spending the majority of my time in middle earth and Hogwarts. We only have to deal with orks, the filth Saruman, the lifeless eye, and he who must not be named.

xSilverPhinx

Quote from: Old Seer on April 13, 2020, 05:32:02 PM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on April 13, 2020, 02:36:11 PM
Being cooped up inside our caves can be difficult, but that doesn't mean we can't have some sort of contact with the outside word. Most if not all of us have an televised image projector with which we can see shadows of the real world outside.

Popcorn and soda in hand accompanied by the guilt of having overeaten for the past few *cough* *cough* several days you sit in front of your TV and flick through the channels with your remote magic wand until you land on a mainstream news media station.

BREAKING NEWS!
Coronavirus...coronavirus...coronavirus...coronavirus...coronavirus...coronavirus...coronavirus...coronavirus...coronavirus :blahblah:

:watching:

"Ok, enough of this."

You flick through the channels again. CNN coronavirus...*click* BBC coronavirus...*click* BBC Brazil coronavirus...*click* until you finally land on a national news channel with lower ratings.

...and they're talking about something completely unrelated to coronavirus.

"What a lousy news channel," comes a voice from behind you. "We're in the middle of this crisis and they're talking about rescuing feral puppies."

::)

That's it. You turn the TV off (but still finish your popcorn and soda). I guess I'll just swipe through my social media feed instead. Little do you know what's in store for you...
Agree. Recommendation: If you have a laptop/computer (this probably isn't new to you) bring up you tube. It has a wide variety of subjects that in my estimation would be interesting to anyone. My TV is connectable to my laptop, but watch very little TV programing.

;D Yeah, I'm constantly watching stuff or listening to podcasts or lectures on Youtube while doing something else. There's a lot of crap there, but a lot of good stuff as well.  :thumbsup:
I am what survives if it's slain - Zack Hemsey


xSilverPhinx

Quote from: No one on April 13, 2020, 08:45:26 PM
I've been spending the majority of my time in middle earth and Hogwarts. We only have to deal with orks, the filth Saruman, the lifeless eye, and he who must not be named.

:tellmemore: I've been waiting for an opportunity to listen to all the Harry Potter audiobooks read by Stephen Fry...It's time better spent than watching the news anchors just keep repeating what they said this morning, yesterday, the day before that and before that...

:grin: I just might do that!
I am what survives if it's slain - Zack Hemsey


No one


xSilverPhinx

Quote from: No one on April 13, 2020, 09:02:50 PM
Why is autocorrect so stupid?

The autocorrect shelves in your phone...elves! Elves, dammit!
I am what survives if it's slain - Zack Hemsey


Biggus Dickus

I limit the amount of news I read with regards to Covid-19 on a daily basis, and I am trying to stick to my rule of no virus news from any source after 6-7pm each night...most of the news is the same day to day, so I usually look over a few news items from some of the news feeds in the morning I receive via email or links, and then see if there is anything worth reading in detail, otherwise I ignore and move on.

I will glance over these news feeds during the day to see if they've refreshed with something new or extremely relevant, but otherwise it gets to simply overloading on information.

Even non-news feeds I subscribe to are constantly bringing up the virus. (Like one for classical guitar)

You can definitely over-load on this information...of course it's important and necessary to be informed, but there's a limit to how much information we need.

I haven't said anything to my family, but some of them are constantly texting me information still regarding this...I almost want to block them. I stay silent thought ::)

I bet even porno-sites are relating virus news (I wouldn't know 8))




"Some people just need a high-five. In the face. With a chair."

xSilverPhinx

Quote from: Papasito Bruno on April 14, 2020, 12:35:46 AM
I limit the amount of news I read with regards to Covid-19 on a daily basis, and I am trying to stick to my rule of no virus news from any source after 6-7pm each night...most of the news is the same day to day, so I usually look over a few news items from some of the news feeds in the morning I receive via email or links, and then see if there is anything worth reading in detail, otherwise I ignore and move on.

I will glance over these news feeds during the day to see if they've refreshed with something new or extremely relevant, but otherwise it gets to simply overloading on information.

Even non-news feeds I subscribe to are constantly bringing up the virus. (Like one for classical guitar)

You can definitely over-load on this information...of course it's important and necessary to be informed, but there's a limit to how much information we need.

I haven't said anything to my family, but some of them are constantly texting me information still regarding this...I almost want to block them. I stay silent thought ::)

I bet even porno-sites are relating virus news (I wouldn't know 8))

I'm mostly the one texting my family coronavirus memes and info but I know for a fact my mother watches the news all day long so I don't think she minds. As for the others, not sure... :notsure:

But I thought that porn sites being full of viruses is old news. ;D   
I am what survives if it's slain - Zack Hemsey


xSilverPhinx

Another thing I think mainstream media should probably be doing is giving more human faces to the rising death toll. Instead of just going on repeat like a broken record, over and over again with the same old information and airing the same personal opinions of news anchors/journalists probably clinging onto their 15 minutes of fame, they could give more airtime to putting names and faces to the numbers.

If one of the main purposes of the media is to control people's behaviour and influence opinions, this is way more effective than simply giving growing numbers of deaths, which people are unable to effectively process. Since people are more emotional than rational, airing relatable stories might go a long way in changing people.

For instance, I saw a post on FB just now. A post of a healthy, young man complaining about the immense pain he was in due to the coronavirus and pleading people to stay home. That would be his last.

Sometimes it just takes 1 and not 120,728 (as of April 14, 2020, 12:00 GMT).   
I am what survives if it's slain - Zack Hemsey


Asmodean

I agree, BUT.

Some of our outlets have been running overly-dramatic, teary-eyed stories about how the poor, poor dead were DEAD and their poor, poor relatives, whose relative was now DEAD and tears and woe and viruses in word salads, saying very little of substance. I find that nauseating. There is a graceful way of doing this. For instance, rather than dwell on the tragedy aspect of what is, without question, a personal tragedy for all involved, tell a little about the life of the deceased, or even how they came to lose their final fight - you know, the before the whole coffins and tears and goodbyes through a glass wall and fake-comment-section-pity-parties situation.

I wouldn't even mind talking about the things on which I rag here, provided that they were presented in a manner, which takes into account the cold, hard truth that I, much like the vast majority of the population, don't actually care about the deceased on a personal level. While I sympathize with the loss, it's not for me to grieve for them.
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on July 25, 2013, 08:18:52 PM
In Asmo's grey lump,
wrath and dark clouds gather force.
Luxembourg trembles.

xSilverPhinx

Quote from: Asmodean on April 14, 2020, 01:53:33 PM
I agree, BUT.

Some of our outlets have been running overly-dramatic, teary-eyed stories about how the poor, poor dead were DEAD and their poor, poor relatives, whose relative was now DEAD and tears and woe and viruses in word salads, saying very little of substance. I find that nauseating. There is a graceful way of doing this. For instance, rather than dwell on the tragedy aspect of what is, without question, a personal tragedy for all involved, tell a little about the life of the deceased, or even how they came to lose their final fight - you know, the before the whole coffins and tears and goodbyes through a glass wall and fake-comment-section-pity-parties situation.

I wouldn't even mind talking about the things on which I rag here, provided that they were presented in a manner, which takes into account the cold, hard truth that I, much like the vast majority of the population, don't actually care about the deceased on a personal level. While I sympathize with the loss, it's not for me to grieve for them.

Yes, it isn't something that should be overdone otherwise it could risk putting some people off, as you say. People are at different points in the empathy spectrum, some won't care however you frame it, others will be moved by the numbers alone. Most might fall somewhere in the middle.

There are also obviously entire sets of beliefs that may or may not be 'corrupted' or even conspiratorial that influence how people react to this outbreak, but I won't go into those now. 

Speaking for myself, and going back to the FB post example, it moved me because it was precisely about what you mentioned -- the final days of some regular guy before he lost the fight to coronavirus. It wasn't some death packaged in over dramatic tear-jerking words with some obvious intent to control reactions, it was just a regular post that could have been anybody's, making it feel very real and close to home.

I believe probably most people who are resistant to social distancing will only do so (unless forced to by quarantine decrees) when someone they know personally becomes a victim of this virus.   
I am what survives if it's slain - Zack Hemsey