Tyranny of noise embellished by modern society
The last time you watched the news do you remember what story was featured? Or better yet, what was the last commercial you watched, and if you remember, what promises did that product make? These are both seemingly simple questions most of us should be able to answer, but can’t. Why? Well, these things (News, Politics, Advertisements) are all sources we hear from daily if not hourly; consequently, our minds become flooded with so many message that it’s hard to keep track of what’s important when there’s so much bullshit to cipher through.
Silence is more important today than it has ever been due to the growing issue our society faces known as “the tyranny of noise”, a phrase coined by Benedictine
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This section title is actually another reference to the teachings of Benedictine thinker Thomas Merton, who notes that people are increasingly becoming frustrated by the ever abundance of speech, perpetrated especially by advertisements. Along with the frustration associated with the annoyance of commercials, there is a dilapidation to the meaning of words which are used to enforce pathos of the advertisements. Due to the “increasing abundance of words coming at us by ever-increasing means,” words have lost their meaning due to improper context. Take a look at Subaru’s commercials insisting “Love” makes their car, the car. When we hear words such as “love” used so frequently, even if its subconsciously, they no longer carry weight and importance. “Love” is not meant to be associated with a car, but rather with another human being, or God, or anything that actually deserves the profound emotion that love is. Sure, we might say we love our new car, or a certain dish at our favorite restaurant, but this is a direct example of how the all to frequent use of these powerful words have affected our daily lexicon. The companies whom make these influential advertisements inappropriately correlate inanimate objects with substantial words such as “conviction” and “happiness”. Since all words are being degraded to the same degree of importance, how can we as humans, experience a discourse of varying intellectual and emotional measure, which ultimately create a more comprehensive and effective understanding of one another? According to Kathleen Norris, and Thomas Merton, the answer is in
Silence is an important factor in life and can be encountered in different ways, silence can be seen as peace, harmony and can also be viewed as a negative effect such as depression, sadness or even as evil. Silence also gives time to reflect on life and society and when silence there is time to reflect on faith and religion, this would allow to decide on or question religion. When silence is demonstrated it implicates the importance of peace and the chance for revival.
Of such ultimate, such holiness of silence and peace that all on earth and within extremest remembrance seems suspended upon it in perfection as upon reflected water: and I feel that if I can by utter quietness succeed in not disturbing this silence, in not so much as touching this plain of water, I can tell you anything within the realm of God. (104)
These examples alone will tell you, in great clarity, why we must break the silence, and it is only fitting to start with the man whose views are the basis for this paper.
I've opened my eyes to how receptive I am to the propaganda perpetuated by mass media on topics about which I’m not well informed. I learned about the propaganda model early in school but rarely did I connect that with current events; for example, the irrational fear that vaccines cause Autism. Regardless of having no scientific evidence, this preposterous belief was claimed to be fact by the mass media and it resulted in fearful parents. These parents had vested their trust in the news and were therefore unknowingly putting their children at risk by refusing to vaccinate them, directly resulting in a dramatic increase of whooping cough, leading to the death of innocent
Candidates have used tools such as lies, misdirection, and emotional appeals to convince voters of a made-up reality. These tools only become powerful in the hands of men when they are used on those who lack the necessary knowledge to discern the validity and merits of such claims. In an era where information is easily available, it is disappointing to see such tools have a prevalence in our society. As it stands now, the media is the platform for which these politicians thrive. Making headlines with controversial comments, candidates manipulate information in order to appeal to the politically illiterate. Such candidates vow to remedy problems that do not exist. The propagation of such “realities” misconstrues the actual nature of the world, thus
" The quiet hold a presence of unknown power, they can quiet a whole room with one sound and make you admit your deep secrets just fill one second of silence. Not every quiet person
In “Big Ideas, Big Problems” Stefan Halper observes that American media is flawed because of how it over-condenses complicated and elaborate situations into simple slogans, thus reducing America’s political debate to elementary standards and silencing the voice of rational ideals. Halper explains that the simple slogans, called “Big Ideas”, are one of the main reasons why the public has become misinformed of major world issues. Another reason for the misinformation of the public is the media, whose only concern is the attraction of new viewers, covering stories to entertain and fill spaces of time in their twenty-four hour coverage. These two problems have proven to be active in the decline of our country’s logical decision making. Three generations of Americans
Is silence really an important factor in ife? Silence is described as complete absence of sound, however is there more to it? In The Chosen the theme is taken on with great significance. In the book “The Chosen” by Chaim Potok, silence isn’t ordinary, for it can teach various lessons, and can be looked at in a good way.
Today’s quick-moving world of technology has media texts such as advertisements to make sure that people understand with just a glance. Having adverts on magazines, social media and billboards allow them to use tools such as semiology, genre and narrative because it makes their messages clear instantly. These signs allow us to carry meaning through advertisements, connotations and the signification process. These tools let brands, mainly celebrities, and the option to produce and create a myth of the product such as “Be daring. Be an inspiration” to sell it to the world. We are in a time where advertisers use ‘simplicity’ in their adverts; there are no more paragraphs. It is mainly down to the person and the few words shown in that advert.
In today’s society, remaining connected and knowledgeable of current events and the newest trends is vital to staying ahead in business, education, and social standing. This information is supplied to everyone through the internet, newspapers, television, and radio. One can tune into stations such as CNN, NBC, Fox News, Al-Jazeera, and many others (“SQs of Media Outlets”). In order to meet the needs of viewers, readers, and listeners, the ideal media system would contain accurate, quick information, with a purely impartial view on the facts as they are known. However, this modern media system has not maintained an objective view, pushing opinionated and slanted reporting onto the population in order to create profit and gain customers. The exploitation of information media for personal gain has created a toxic and inaccurate present, constant in today’s society.
Spending spiritual time in silence can be difficult for many individuals because it gives them time to think and be present in the moment. Being silent also requires solitude
“On Noise”, by Seneca, is a literary composition in which Seneca discusses the pursuit of one’s peace of mind. Throughout his work, Seneca discusses all of the possible distracting sounds that he was able to endure in order to achieve tranquility in his head. He also discusses that idleness due to rest and retirement does not necessarily help us achieve peace, but instead can make us feel anxious. Seneca eloquently explains how outside disturbances are not the reasons for our inability to discover peace, but rather it is our emotions in turmoil that block our attempts at finding peace. Seneca begins the essay with an eye catching statement that everyday people can relate to.
North Carolina State University officials have changed the university’s speech policy that previously forced student groups to get a permit from the school in order to promote their club.
The Market place idol is illustrated as a logical hindrance that is based on language, especially word. Bacon describes the hindrances (545) to be established through the association of men with one another ad the unfit and ill words choice to a greater extent acts as an obstruction to understanding. This clearly indicates that the general populace can be misleading easily through the simple word choice that one uses in describing a specific topic. This is vital since as is seen the
I'm going talk to you today about silence. First, we’ll look at what silence is, and how it makes us uncomfortable. Then, we'll compare how being silent is both good and bad. Finally, we'll explore how your life can improve by just being silent, and discover what we've truly been missing in our lives.