Is Media Burning People for their Stupidity?

So I just read this ridiculous article about aNew Jersey woman who pleaded guilty to putting her 5 year old daughter in a tanning bed. She was charged with second-degree child endangerment, because after all the kid had “serious burns.” The woman obviously denies the “crime” even though her daughter told authorities that she was put in a tanning bed, and the mother is cross between an oompah-loompah and a leather couch. She claims to be a “wonderful mother.” Regardless, the issue is just straight up absurd and I’m not really sure who to believe. A few comments on the issue are that media is getting too involved in other people’s lives. However, that’s media job in a sense. People love hearing/reading about crazy people or people doing stupid things. One, it’s amusing, and two, it raises awareness and makes the audience feel more superior. I honestly am not sure whether I find the situation ridiculously hilarious, yet still sad because that poor child is burned, or if I find it repulsive that people are interested in it. I guess that is my fault when it comes to media. Reporters always find a way to make you say wow and question your feelings about something. Here, I can just say that, the situation is funny because it is so unexpected and out there, but at the same time, it is not news worthy (but it is blog worthy haha). Maybe it just serves the purpose to send a message to people. Don’t do stupid crap like this or else the media will make you look like a huge fool.

New Energy-Efficient Light Bulb

In honor of Earth day, I read an article from the Los Angelos Times website Earth Day: Would You buy a $60 energy-efficient light bulb? that explains a new product by Philips that is a LED light bulb that consumes less than 10 watts to produce light that’s generally equivalent to an regular 60 watt light bulb. Because of this, the bulb would be saving approximately 83% of energy. That’s a rather large number I think! Also the major plus about this new bulb is that it can reportedly last the common household up to 10 years, therefore saving money from buying many light bulbs over the course of time when others go out.

Going back to that energy number, if every household in the U.S. used this new light bulb over 60 watt light bulbs, the U.S. could prevent up to 20 million metric tons of carbon emissions! That’s huge! “That’s enough electricity to power the lights of nearly 18 million U.S. households, or nearly triple the annual electricity consumption of the city of Washington D.C.,”a company fact sheet says. After all, it is Earth Day, why not go out and buy at least one new energy efficient light bulb? Well, it isn’t sold in stores yet, but they will be soon. Also, I’ve failed to mention the hearty price tag of $60 per bulb. However, that seems steep for light, it saves over $100 over the course of 10 years in changing light bulbs. Then too, there will be other produces or ways of purchasing the bulb that will be cheaper than $60. I say having at least 1 or 2 of those bulbs is worth it. Buy a new bulb over time; maybe one every Earth Day? That to me sounds like a good investment and a perfect way of celebrating and helping out on Earth Day.

Is this Hacker Story Hilarious?

Newswer.com, a news headline website, posted an article entitled “Scar Jo Hacker Pleads Guilty” reveals that the man who hacked into Scarletr Johansson’s email pleads guilty. He hacked her email and released nude photos of her to tabloid sites. He also hacked into Christina Aguilera’s email and Mila Kunis’ email. Yes, of course what he did was wrong and he should be punished for it, but are the responses worth complete mockery?

On each Newser article, statistics show voters opinions about what the public thinks (if the issue is hilarious, depressing, scary, intriguing, brilliant, or annoying). Voters show that 38%, being the majority, thinks this issue is hilarious. Then comes the bigger issue of what is media coverage like this doing for viewers? Many people think that the lives of celebrities are solely for entertainment, even if it is embarrassing for the celebrity (which typically gets more interest). Then again it depends on the celebrity. Scarlett Johansson has that sexual image and it’s almost expected that nude pictures be released but the fact that it happened due to being hacked is really not fair. Also keep in mind that I am not a fan of Scarlett Jo as an actress or person, but she has rights as a human being. I personally don’t find being hacked on a personal level hilarious.

M.I.A., Her Little Birdy, and the Consequences

Although I did not watch the Super Bowl (Yes, I know I’m a horrible human being – who cares?) I did get the news of M.I.A.’s apparently obscene gesture during her performance. There are many speculations about whether or not she should be punished for her flick ing the bird. An E! News article also questions the act of punishment, stating that at most she probably will not get her after show installment (her 2nd paycheck for her performance). Many people were offended by M.I.A.’s middle finger slip and yes, it is rude and most importantly against the rules of her contract, but honestly, people need to calm down. The slip was hardly even noticeable. Plus, even though the performance was live and there ‘s a clear agreement that does not permit obscenity, it does not mean it’s worth a big fuss. There are worse things on daytime television.

Yes, she probably shouldn’t have done it to begin with, but the issue isn’t worth legal punishment. Go ahead, take away her money, it won’t take away the past or the tons of videos already posted online. Like the article says, “…if worse comes to worst, she can always sell that exotic head dress on ebay.” Regardless of the money M.I.A. might stand to lose from this whole thing, it will not really make a difference. Live T.V. is LIVE, anything can happen. She clearly knew her consequences but I can too relate in thinking it’s really not a big deal. She didn’t direct it at anyone specific, simply to the words of her song.

Well I’m sure many people can’t wait till next Super Bowl mishap.

In case you missed it.