`` American Psychosis `` By Chris Hedges

Papacharissi and Mendelson (361) examine the notion of gratification among the audience watching reality television shows. They establish that apart from the one-off entertainment viewers get, they also gratify their psychological and social traits. Reality shows make use of ordinary people in doing extraordinary things such as surviving in harsh conditions, winning large sums of money, overcoming extreme fears among others. When ordinary people watch the actions of the participants, it becomes much easier for them to relate to them as their own representatives. Aslama and Pantti say that the shows resemble the political arena where the public vote in representatives to act on their behalf in the great stage of the nation (181).

“What happens to a society that cannot distinguish between reality and illusion?” As our country crumbles and our economy crashes, Chris Hedges asks this one question to his readers. Throughout his article, “American Psychosis,” he provides hit after hit of shocking proof that reveals the United States to not only be in desperate need of change, but also that the American people, with their obtuse nationalism and selfish greed, are blissfully ignorant of what could possibly be the downfall of this country. Hedges wants his reader to be shocked at the startling facts that he throws at them, to be angry at him for saying what must be blatant lies and exaggerations, and then to be inquisitive, to discover for themselves just how real the problems of the United States are and how dire the consequences can become. Hedges uses this article as a warning, he desperately wants his readers to understand just how bad things really are and he wants them to be inspired to change it, to stop whatever dark future that could happen. In this article, Hedges touches many subjects: Americans and

A celebrity is not a person known for his/her talent or achievement, but an individual recognized for his/her reputation created by the media. The phase of stardom is slippery, and media may choose to represent celebrities varying from exaggerated admiration to mockery. The three texts chosen, movie "Sunset Boulevard", feature article "Over the Hilton" and television show "Celebrity Uncensored Six" are texts presenting different perception of celebrities than their usual images - either corrupted by the encircling media, overloads oneself with self-indulgence, or just mocks celebrity in a broad spectrum. Such media items empower and impresses the audience by perceiving celebrities as people who pay the price of privacy to gain well

“Schizophrenia,” written by Jim Stevens depicts how a person with mental illness behave. The author uses the house to symbolize the suffering that people around the sick person lives every day. In my personal experience I know that this disease is more serious than it seems to be. The affected person does not realize the harm is causing to others, and do not want to assume that is sick. Most of them refuse to receive treatment and they find people around them guilty for what is happening. Schizophrenia affects the way people interact and make them be extremely aggressive. The author portrays how the house was destroyed, and although he does not mention any specific character, the house is being destroyed with people inside of it. The author

In Chris Hedges’ “American Psychosis,” the author does an exceptional job of likening the “dying empire” of America to the vapid and decaying housewife who hinges her own life upon the overinflated and televised world of celebrities. Hedges suggests that, once an illustration of preeminence and success, American society is now more concerned with the illusion of such things, incapable as we are in the present day to recreate the brilliance of the past.

Do you know the guiltiest pleasure of the American public? Two simple words reveal all—reality TV. This new segment of the TV industry began with pioneering shows like MTV’s The Real World and CBS’s Survivor. Switch on primetime television nowadays, and you will become bombarded by and addicted to numerous shows all based on “real” life. There are the heartwarming tales of childbirth on TLC, melodramas of second-rate celebrities on Celebrity Mole, and a look into a completely dysfunctional family on The Osbornes. Yet, out of all these entertaining reality shows arises the newest low for popular culture, a program based on the idea of a rich man or woman in search of

In this essay, we will compare and combine ideas from the sources “Hiding from Reality” by Bob Herbert an America journalist from the New York Time from 1993 to 2011 who worries that as the years go by our country is suffering more and more each time that no matter how many benefits they cut off the country and economy remains struggling. and in the second source “Is the American dream Over?” by Cal Thomas an American Columnist who serves as a panelist on Fox News Watch, a media criticism program on fox program. who believes that all the blame is only on politicians and the government

1) After reading chapter 5 in The Power Elite, I wonder, what Mills would have said about the children of the rich who are using all media outlets to gain celebrity status? On page 74, Mills states that our society has a fetish with competition, I absolutely agree. Examples can be seen in TV show titles, such as, “The Biggest Loser,” “ The Amazing Race,” and “Survivors.” The idea that even the rich are using these shows, or similar ones, to advertise who and what they are. A decade ago, Paris Hilton was staring Carl’s Jr. ads, and last year Ivanka Trump was promoting her clothing line on the back of her father’s presidential campaign.

Analytical Essay: “Broadcasting Yourself” Dr. Drew Pinsky chapter “Broadcasting Yourself” (2009), demonstrates how reality television and celebrity behaviors are unfavorably shaping today’s culture. Arguing that today’s celebrities have narcissistic personalities and tendencies for attention driven erratic behaviors. Why are we, as a society, so fascinated with reality television? Is it because normal people see these participants as one of us, or, we can relate to these individuals in the situations. In many of reality television shows “ordinary” individuals are put into unaccustomed environments and placed against unrealistic situations.

This is the new “celebritized” (Combs 123) political culture in which advocacy organizations must function. Because the media is so inundated with celebrity

The Greatest Story Ever Sold: The Decline and Fall of Truth from 9/11 to Katrina is a recap of one of the most vulnerable times in U.S. history; in how patriotism and Bush’s leadership lead the American people into a “fictional reality”.  The main argument throughout the book focuses on how pop culture and media create the reality, in a way that is scripted by those with the power to manipulate it. In this book, the case happens to be George W. Bush creating the reality of patriotism and unity, in a time U.S. society felt destroyed and distrustful. He created a narrative of a fictional reality to the American people of what was going on in Iraq. This was the time when fake news began. The book while it covered a lot of political history

Have you ever wondered what influences us to behave the way we do? Look a certain way? Or even looked for an explanation to what causes us to apply a certain perspective regarding personal and controversial issues? One of the answers to these questions may revolve around the influence we absorb from celebrities. A definitive term for celebrity is an iconic figure to a category or group who has achieved success in one or multiple aspects of their lives. As a result, these individuals have drawn in publicity and fame. Over the years with the advances in media and other forms of communication, celebrities have become topics of discussion worldwide, rather if it’s at school, with colleagues or at the dinner table, it is fair to say that

Celebrities are everywhere in the news, the latest gossip appears in the weekly magazines without fail. Whether they be an actor, athlete, dancer, designer, model, singer or just rich; there is someone out there who is watching that person like a hawk, not letting a single breath go unnoticed. Such is the life of the rich and famous, under the incessant gaze of journalists and the paparazzi. Lives that many people take a great interest in and admire to the point where others would liken this great interest and admiration to a cult-like worship of celebrities. This is a brief description of what I think to be celebrity culture.

Americans are quick to judge the news they hear from major political figures. Americans will form an opinion based on what message they derive from the figure’s words. Although information is coming from such a high figure of authority, American’s should always use their own judgement on the legitimacy and meaning of the information. Rather the information be of ill or good content, The figure could be twisting the truth for the interest of himself, his country, or the people. Furthermore, the information being delivered to Americans is structured and thought out accordingly, rather it be the truth or a lie, the information is designed to promote the wellbeing of the United State only if the intention of the politician is for the success

There has been a huge increase in “reality” based television over the last few years. From Survivor to Big Brother it seems that we are constantly being bombarded with a new type of reality television program. But why do people watch these shows? What makes these shows so interesting? One theory brought up in an article in Psychology Today by Steven Reiss Ph.D. and James Wiltz, a Ph.D. candidate at Ohio State University, is that, “reality television allows Americans to fantasize about gaining status through automatic fame” (Reiss and Wiltz, 2001). This is the American dream, acquiring fame with little to no work at all. And what better way to do it than on television?