I stopped watching the Olympics long ago because of the wall-to-wall advertising. I stopped nearly all network news viewing because of the corporate ad seepage. I stopped watching network television for the same reason. I stopped listening to National Public Radio as corporate "sponsors" tainted coverage. The Jim Carrey 1998 comedy "The Truman Show" is now a documentary. If anyone reading this is unfamiliar with the film check here for a good summary of it and the corporate mindf*ck modern 'Merica has become: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Truman_Show
It has been so sad losing NPR. There was a time when it was quite good. I had many "driveway moments" to the end of a segment. For years I used a Scott Simon on-the-street interview with an early crack addict in a substance use group I led. Seeing him become a little liberal lumpkin has been especially sad.
Yes, although I don't remember NPR ever being a bastion of anti-establishment dissent. I remember someone long ago (maybe it was Norman Solomon?) referring to it as National Pentagon Radio.
They did a lot of good work on poverty -- street level life. In the Scott Simon piece, they did an excellent job of framing the addiction of the individual within the national epidemic. The reporting team kept in contact with the man, worked to get him services, then he just disappeared ... probably died of an OD on the street. It was so well and compassionately done I used it in groups for 5 or 6 years.
Now NPR has a woke wacko running things and it's all woke all the time. Check this out:
"I’ve Been at NPR for 25 Years. Here’s How We Lost America’s Trust" ... Uri Berliner, a veteran at the public radio institution, says the network lost its way when it started telling listeners how to think.
Have not followed the current Olympic nonsense for the same reason I don't watch TV, the Super Bowl or political debates. Thanks for another amusing essay. I really look forward to reading your Substack posts. 🐈⬛
I often find myself following and watching things like that, but they're like my way of visiting a traveling fair to marvel at the weird sights. And thanks, Grimalkin, the appreciation goes both ways!
I know little to nothing about this, but probably not, at least under the broadcasting system in the U.S. I guess BBC does through its funding from the British public
I'd be surprised if any other country intersperses as much advertising as broadcasts in the U.S. do. England for sure, doesn't, because of BBC's funding.
Does South Africa compare in commercial exuberance?
I stopped watching the Olympics long ago because of the wall-to-wall advertising. I stopped nearly all network news viewing because of the corporate ad seepage. I stopped watching network television for the same reason. I stopped listening to National Public Radio as corporate "sponsors" tainted coverage. The Jim Carrey 1998 comedy "The Truman Show" is now a documentary. If anyone reading this is unfamiliar with the film check here for a good summary of it and the corporate mindf*ck modern 'Merica has become: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Truman_Show
Well said, Mark. Yes,the phrase “underwriting support” is a uniquely NPResque euphemism. Truman Show sure does endure!
It has been so sad losing NPR. There was a time when it was quite good. I had many "driveway moments" to the end of a segment. For years I used a Scott Simon on-the-street interview with an early crack addict in a substance use group I led. Seeing him become a little liberal lumpkin has been especially sad.
Yes, although I don't remember NPR ever being a bastion of anti-establishment dissent. I remember someone long ago (maybe it was Norman Solomon?) referring to it as National Pentagon Radio.
They did a lot of good work on poverty -- street level life. In the Scott Simon piece, they did an excellent job of framing the addiction of the individual within the national epidemic. The reporting team kept in contact with the man, worked to get him services, then he just disappeared ... probably died of an OD on the street. It was so well and compassionately done I used it in groups for 5 or 6 years.
Now NPR has a woke wacko running things and it's all woke all the time. Check this out:
"I’ve Been at NPR for 25 Years. Here’s How We Lost America’s Trust" ... Uri Berliner, a veteran at the public radio institution, says the network lost its way when it started telling listeners how to think.
https://www.thefp.com/p/npr-editor-how-npr-lost-americas-trust
Oh right, I can see that. You've sold me on the Scott Simon piece. I'm goign to read it.
I did read the Uri Berliner piece. I remember it created quite a furor when it came out.
Have not followed the current Olympic nonsense for the same reason I don't watch TV, the Super Bowl or political debates. Thanks for another amusing essay. I really look forward to reading your Substack posts. 🐈⬛
I often find myself following and watching things like that, but they're like my way of visiting a traveling fair to marvel at the weird sights. And thanks, Grimalkin, the appreciation goes both ways!
I tape everything and then fast forward through the commercials
That's a sensible post-event approach, but a challenge for live viewing!
Is there another way to provide international television coverage of the Olympics without commercial advertising?
I know little to nothing about this, but probably not, at least under the broadcasting system in the U.S. I guess BBC does through its funding from the British public
Do other countries display less advertising than the USA?
I'd be surprised if any other country intersperses as much advertising as broadcasts in the U.S. do. England for sure, doesn't, because of BBC's funding.
Does South Africa compare in commercial exuberance?
I don’t have a TV. I watch the news online, so no adverts.
And, to your point, you don't watch the Olympics. Because even if you did, you'd still get the ads