Mainstream Media Wants To Ensure That You're Frightened Out Of Your Wits

Walking past the TV the other night, I saw three grim-faced gargoyle puppets doing their best to instill paralyzing fear into an already edgy television audience. An orange-hued and stiffened Larry King led a discussion with squish-mouthed Barney Frank about the bleak future of the United States and whether or not we should just give up on our crumbling economy.

Adding more dramatic flair to the Theater of Morose, the perpetually sullen-faced Ben Stein was paraded out to deliver his typical hopeless and dreary monotone commentary.  I know CNN had intended this broadcast to deliver fear and anxiety in the form of "news", but I saw it as a circus act and found it absurdly funny.

I took a pic of the TV screen in hopes that you might find it humorous as well.

As Deepak Chopra says, "Fear deprives people of choice. Fear shrinks the world into isolated, defensive enclaves. Fear spirals out of control. Fear makes everyday life seem clouded over with danger. Many people are approaching the economy that way and not enough leaders are warning them that it's the worst possible reaction. Being happy in a recession means resisting fear and the lure of consumption."  Also, laughing at the mainstream media hype seems to help too.  Medium: ink and graphite in moleskine, digital color.

Comments

[knox Bronson]

I am cooking, I figured out that I could cook the turkey, stuffing, and gravy at home, thereby avoiding my ex-wife's kitchen and her meddling at the same time.

I was wondering when we would see a new post from you, 14. Thank you!

[Psychochick]

Ben Stein says in a monotone voice:"It's a calamity." "wow....."

[JM]

fabulous! thank you for this. (can't wait to see more Vegas drawings too)

[Glorious Karl]

I couldn't tell if the Deepak Chopra quotation was ironic or not. I feel the same confusion when someone mentions Ayn Rand. It's been a long time since I was even marginally hip.

[Vern]

I think the real fear for these folks is that their bran muffins will (or maybe won't) start working!

[Dooder city]

the larry king photo is so classic!
Vern, I think you are right about the bran muffin although larry looks like his bran is starting to work!

[Sweet Subversion]

Deepak is correct. Who gains when we are all shitting on ourselves?

[fast eddie]

You are by far the funniest and most talented person on the internets. This is the first I've seen this new blog and it is great. After this past election and financial collapse one has to realize that the people in power (both parties mind you) are complete and total idiots deserving to be called out for the assholes that they truly are. Your satire does the job like no other. Thank you for the endless laughing. I have to go now as I soiled my underpants from laughing so much.

[Kai]

You know Vern, I read that as brain muffin. That added a whole new twist for me. I think I will use "brain muffin" in conversation. For example, "Someone's brain muffin is a little undercooked". It makes sense to me, okay? And yeah. I have intense anxiety and paranoia, and the media does NOT help. I can't listen to the news or pick up a newspaper anymore. I feel like I'm the ideal demographic for these people. "You're afraid of the TV? Let's do a special on how the TV will give you cancer, lower your quality fo life, and make you impotent. Feeling depressed? Why don't we report on the miserable state of the world that you could do nothing about, short of becoming Batman/the President/James Bond". Love the faces. They could make me feel intensely concerned about yogurt. You did a great job presenting them, very true to life, and a good point made... In other news, I'm working on becoming Batman/the President/James Bond. Just my luck, I look fabulous in black...

Cheers,
Kai

P.S. US headed for depression? Gee, I wonder why? I know they're talking about the economy here, but who WOULDN'T be depressed after looking at those faces/watching the news? Blah...

[14]

I read it as BRAIN MUFFIN too, and like you Kai, it got me thinking of all sorts of fun possibilities. Perhaps one of us should create a "Brain Muffin" sticker?

Thanks for your brilliance, Vern!

xoexOH!
14

Wow 14!
Thanks for the Loving!
You are the cinnamon in my brain muffin!

I must admit I hadn't thought of it that way, all I meant to imply was that they were full of sh*t. But actually, for a bunch of talking heads it makes sense.

Thanks for pointing it out Kai!
And we share a fantasy about batman/bond/the president, but I don't look so good in black, perhaps I can be "smart-ass-girl"
Love,
Vern

[Jerms]

So true.
We don't have cable or anything at my house, thank goodness. Whenever we're out at a pub or at a friends house and the TV is on, we notice how quickly we turn into zombies mesmerized by the flashing colours and clever commercials. Then we shake it off, gasping, and reiterate how thankful we are that we said "no" to the idiot box. It's like having a little media finger swirling your brains around, disabling your ability to think for yourself.

[glenn maguire]

14,
FYI,Elizabeth Hasselbeck asked on The View the other day, "What's that that glitter despeckled East Indian's name? Indeed.
I'm at the library laughing out loud reading your take on Frank en Stein. People are looking at me. Do I read it out loud, or just appear slightly deranged? Help. Resplend chaos is "too" funny.
Regards,
Glenn

[WebmasterPete]

My GOD how I hate politicians and the press. Over 90% are total dumbfucks - and so rarely does anyone take notice and give them the skewering they deserve. Thanks for giving me some momentary relief through cynical laughter. Your talent is truly appreciated.

[Zar]

What's funny is that just a little while ago, all of these clowns were scoffing at the nay-sayers who suggested that maybe we're might possibly be having some economic problems.

[javelin]

it really bothers me that the media selfishly exploits downturns in the economy so people will cling to the news for support-- and when things are okay they exploit consumerism so people will think everyone else is spending! arrgh, it pisses me off!

my fear comes from not knowing if I matter to the universe.. but most of the time I think fear is overcome by passion.