tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302245627574027504.post3568049829741992717..comments2019-05-15T23:59:20.159-07:00Comments on Feminist Legal Theory: Recipe for social changeLisa R. Pruitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16469550950363542801noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302245627574027504.post-85866663577732596762009-11-06T11:37:21.354-08:002009-11-06T11:37:21.354-08:00You raise a really important point about the "...You raise a really important point about the "soundbite" media culture in the United States. If you aren't already familiar with it, Noam Chomsky delves really deeply into the function of the American media in his book "Manufacturing Consent." There is a documentary by the same name as well. Both are little dated, but I still think they are really helpful in understanding how and why the media set the agenda for what is and isn't newsworthy.<br /><br />Specifically relating to the soundbite idea though, Chomsky argues that the media like soundbites because they meet the need for concision. Anything that you say on TV news has to be said in small, easy to digest soundbites. Chomsky asserts that the reason for this is that speaking in soundbites is only possible if you say things that don't challenge conventional thought. So, you can go on TV and say that we need the three strikes law in order to be "tough on crime," without offering any detailed argumentation why, because that represents the status quo position, supported by powerful groups in this country.<br /><br />On the other hand, if you wanted to go on TV and challenge the three strikes law, that would require the introduction of some evidence and more complex reasoning to back up your arguments. But since doing so flies in the face of the concision requirements, you aren't fit for television.<br /><br />Maybe Chomsky is right in that the requirement for concision is part of a concisous effort by the giant media corporations to exclude challenges to the status quo, or maybe concision is required because the media thinks anything more complex would cause viewers to change the channel. Either way, I agree with you that the solution will have to start with a recipe for grassroots activism.RHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06751080929137894841noreply@blogger.com