by Amanda Coyle

Created on: May 16, 2008

Negative Messages in the Media

"Actions have consequences, first rule of life. And the second rule is this - you are the only one responsible for your own actions." (Holly Lisle, Fire in the Mist- 1992) I think Holly summed up life pretty well. In today's society, the influence of the media is extremely high. What individuals don't stop to think about is whether what is being portrayed is a positive or negative thing. People have become so wrapped up in having their lives depend on other people that they may not even realize it. This is the first step to how trends develop as well as violent behavior. Television, I think, is one of the most influential pieces of technology because it not only reaches to a state, but to the entire world. Messages and information can be transmitted to various regions of the world. But are these messages positive or negative?

Celebrities have been lecturing people about their lives and how they got there. They portray a sense of personal fulfillment that they received and they try to get you to have the same goal. Now I am a believer in following your dreams, but where do you draw the line? Media and celebrities tell us all these positive things, but they forget to mention boundaries. No one just jumps into a position of high power without struggle and hardship. They give this "dream" a sense of easiness considering that half of them were discovered at a local fast food restaurant or something of that nature. They should tell an individual that they can do whatever they put their mind to, but at the same time have a sense of dignity and respect for yourself and others.
This is the first step to how crime starts. People want to get to the top, and they think nothing can stop them. What happens when something gets in their way? They diminish it. Now I am not necessarily saying they go around killing people but it has quite a negative effect in various situations. People get shot down from their dreams all the time as well, and they just give up leaving themselves in depression or even worse leading to death. The pressure put on by these celebrities is causing more harm than good in my opinion. They take away the sense of happy dreams and hope, and put on a sense of pressure and hopelessness until they reach their dream. No one can dream and wish innocently anymore, it now turns into a race to get where they want to be no matter what the cost. Now is that the kind of chaotic world you want to live in? Of course not, but the media portrays it as your only option. It's either fight to succeed or die trying. Whether or not they say those words, it what gets engraved in people's minds. What's the point in living, if you can't be at the top? Why suffer at the bottom knowing that the dream celebrities portray as easy to get, seems impossible?
Ultimately I think the personal fulfillment is up to you, not what the celebrities or media express. Why let someone else lead your life? Be your own person, maybe personal fulfillment to you is as simple as a family, not the luxuries of the world. Don't let someone tell you what to do, know that actions come with consequences. If things were as easy as the media tells us, then we would all be rich and it would be a perfect world. That's why life is the way it is, it's unique. Write your own story; don't let someone write the ending for you that force you to fill in the blanks.

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