Thread: Public Morality being taught and discussed everywhere

So, I'm watching sports center this morning and the first 10 minutes is about Ben Rothlessberger of the Steelers and his sexual peccadilloes.



It strikes me funny that our "art" has become more and more immoral (see other thread) and our supposedly secular media has become the place for explorations of morality.



When Tiger's sex problems were being explored, it was week after week after week of stories.



So here's my question. Do they do this for ratings? Do people really want to tune into sports center and get a sermon on morality? They don't just report the information, they have their commentators pass judgment. They scold the perp. They give their moral judgments.



And don't tell me it's just about sex, because they did the same thing with Steroids.

[quote name='kmiller1610' date='16 April 2010 - 04:48 AM' timestamp='1271407737' post='140079']

So, I'm watching sports center this morning and the first 10 minutes is about Ben Rothlessberger of the Steelers and his sexual peccadilloes.



It strikes me funny that our "art" has become more and more immoral (see other thread) and our supposedly secular media has become the place for explorations of morality.



When Tiger's sex problems were being explored, it was week after week after week of stories.



So here's my question. Do they do this for ratings? Do people really want to tune into sports center and get a sermon on morality? They don't just report the information, they have their commentators pass judgment. They scold the perp. They give their moral judgments.



And don't tell me it's just about sex, because they did the same thing with Steroids.

[/quote]



It's what we're good at: pontificating about others while ignoring our actions and speech. It makes us feel better about ourselves, and let's face it; it's good entertainment.



Of course it's unhealthy, but we don't really want to think about that. I think we enjoy, however sick, to target the "moral character" of celebrities because of our own insecurities and day to day delusions. For example, regarding Tiger Woods, many people have been on both ends of an affair. Some people get past it, change their behavior, look to more healthy and mindful lifesyles, or, sit around and watch garbage on TV that makes them feel better about angrily pontificating about what other people have done. It masks their own insecurities.



It just reinforces our own delusions. It also happens to get good ratings. Marketing, perhaps?



The fact of the matter is that humans are prone to do all kinds of mindless or insensitive things, and we cause suffering in all sorts of ways. Everything we say and do affects other people. We never really like to talk about that.



Most media like what you mentioned is like a rag newspaper. It isn't about insight, it's about revenue.

I just have this idea that as we have moved away from traditional morality, it has popped up in other venues.



Plus I really hate having some bonehead sports guy officially passing judgment on other people.



I can make my own judgments, thank you very much.



So freakin shut up and give me the scores.

[quote name='kmiller1610' date='16 April 2010 - 04:48 AM' timestamp='1271407737' post='140079']

So, I'm watching sports center this morning and the first 10 minutes is about Ben Rothlessberger of the Steelers and his sexual peccadilloes.



It strikes me funny that our "art" has become more and more immoral (see other thread) and our supposedly secular media has become the place for explorations of morality.



When Tiger's sex problems were being explored, it was week after week after week of stories.



So here's my question. Do they do this for ratings? Do people really want to tune into sports center and get a sermon on morality? They don't just report the information, they have their commentators pass judgment. They scold the perp. They give their moral judgments.



And don't tell me it's just about sex, because they did the same thing with Steroids.

[/quote]



Advertising based media is about as sure a barometer of popularity as anything. It's different from back when we had CBS, NBC and ABC. Now you can have significant media dedicated to relatively arcane subjects that still make millions in ad revenue. So my guess is that the media doesn't have to be AS "mass media" as it used to be. But, I do think that conflict sells, whether it's the Tiger Woods story or "Biggest Loser."

[quote name='kmiller1610' date='16 April 2010 - 07:50 PM' timestamp='1271461839' post='140363']

I just have this idea that as we have moved away from traditional morality, it has popped up in other venues.



Plus I really hate having some bonehead sports guy officially passing judgment on other people.



I can make my own judgments, thank you very much.



So freakin shut up and give me the scores.

[/quote]



I think people look successful athletes and entertainment stars, who appear to have it all and wonder why they engage in the kind of behavior that puts everything at risk.



It's like why the hell can't Roethliberger just find someone who wants to have sex with him? Why can't Tiger be satisfied with his life?



What is it about money and success that makes some people act like assholes?

Perhaps it's worth understanding the difference between "morality" and "behavior." They're not discussing the "morality" of athletes; they're discussing behavior. And this has been the case as long as celebrities have existed.

[quote name='Djinn' date='17 April 2010 - 07:24 AM' timestamp='1271514291' post='140500']

Perhaps it's worth understanding the difference between "morality" and "behavior." They're not discussing the "morality" of athletes; they're discussing behavior. And this has been the case as long as celebrities have existed.

[/quote]



That is a good point. People have always been interested in the lives of the rich and famous. This goes way way way back too and is not a recent phenomenon.



In Roethlisberger's case, the only party really concerned about the morality of the actions are the Pittsburgh Steelers, but then only because of how it reflects on them and if it will negatively effect their fan base/business.



The subject of morality in sports is usually isolated to the tired old discussion of should an athlete be a role model.

[quote name='boontito' date='17 April 2010 - 10:33 AM' timestamp='1271514807' post='140507']

That is a good point. People have always been interested in the lives of the rich and famous. This goes way way way back too and is not a recent phenomenon.[/quote]



Sometime in the last 30 years, sports was slowly transformed to a state of social consciousness. I blame SI for its many meaning essays.



I honestly can't remember any stories about the behavior of sports stars on "Wide World of Sports" which I used to watch every week.

[quote name='kmiller1610' date='17 April 2010 - 04:38 PM' timestamp='1271547490' post='140569']

Sometime in the last 30 years, sports was slowly transformed to a state of social consciousness. I blame SI for its many meaning essays.



I honestly can't remember any stories about the behavior of sports stars on "Wide World of Sports" which I used to watch every week.

[/quote]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi69utdvDcA&feature=related[/media]



The last 30 years saw the creation of a 24 hour cable/satellite media beast. Hungry for material on all subjects, cooking, sports, news, religion, and so on. And that moster has too much time on it's hands.



But thanks for bringing back some good old memories. Wide World of Sports was a classic. For me it brings back memories of those Sunday dinners, it was fried chicken every week, and watching Wild Kingdom with Marlin Perkins, followed by The Wonderful World of Disney after.

[quote name='kmiller1610' date='17 April 2010 - 04:38 PM' timestamp='1271547490' post='140569']

Sometime in the last 30 years, sports was slowly transformed to a state of social consciousness. I blame SI for its many meaning essays.[/quote]



I blame ESPN, their 24 hour coverage did to sports what 24 hour cable news has done to politics.

I honestly can't remember any stories about the behavior of sports stars on "Wide World of Sports" which I used to watch every week.

There were behavior stories being done back then, but it was all good behavior. Shots of athletes giving out turkeys at Thanksgiving, stories about visits to children's hospitals, and photo spreads showing athletes and their wholesome families.







Part of "the problem" now is that the public is in on the secret, celebrities and athletes are just like everyone else... with good AND bad sides. And there is a large part of society that will tune in to hear about the bad sides.