11/5/98

To: The Media

As a content creator for the new media, I for one relish that the web gives me more control over what I choose and choose not to digest. For the past few years I've become so disenchanted with the popular media that I've chosen to tune out, rather than subject my consciousness to the deluge of trivial ranting that permeates the press.

I've scrapped cable TV, rarely listen to radio, outside of CBC public radio [one thing the Canadian government has done right] and shun the popular printed press for their slanted and sensationalistic view on the world. Am I tuned out? Do I have a grip on what's happening in our world? I do in my world, a world that doesn't care about who blew who, among other things; a world that does care about technology, social issues and the challenges that face our planet.

Each and every one of us is responsible for the garbage pumped out over the airwaves; we are the market. If we choose to not participate, we reduce the market. If there is no market there is no product. I for one, refuse to care about fellatio-obsessed presidents, murderous celebrities or dead princesses. None of these press prizes directly affect the real issues in our world - the issues that challenge our very existence.

So call me tuned out if I didn't know the Yankees won the World Series 'til two days later, or if I didn't follow the drama of OJ. Go ahead. And don't expect me to ever fall prey to the Jerry Springer, mob-mentality of sensationalistic drivel and make up the numbers that drive the ad revenues of such ventures.

Sincerely,