Media Talk | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

Media Talk

Lets be honest: the media sucks.

210
Media Talk

The media is one of the worst things we have going on right now.

Think about it: What type of people do you see on commercials — lets say about clothing. They are all small, fit, and look like the perfect person. They never show someone who isn't fit — or god forbid — have acne. This isn't just in clothing commercials, its literally in all commercials. Kids toys, food and drink (even the sugary ones have small people enjoying a chocolate bar), games, music, literally anything that you can think of.

Now think of the people watching these, majority being kids. How do you think this affects their thinking? It makes them think that if I do/eat/drink/wear this thing it will make me just like the people on the TV. At some point kids begin to realize that yeah this thing is cool, but it doesn't do the main thing. It doesn't make them look like that person they saw, and that can cause issues. But first we are going to talk about the ads that are only pictures.

You are probably thinking "Well aren't they the same thing?" Well, yes but with pictures you have this thing called Photoshop which can make people face clear skin, white teeth, the perfect hair, the perfect body with the perfect curves, lines, muscles and look. These in my opinion can cause more issues than the commercials seen on TV because they can be so false in how everything it is portrayed. This will mostly affect people from about middle school and long into their 20's, and the affects that it has on people can be bad for their health.

For most, the way they go about looking like the people in the ads is by not eating. This can go from eating smaller amounts, going a couple of days of not eating much, to not eating anything. or they will over exercise to either 1) lose the calories they just ate or 2) push there bodies to their limit. There are two eating disorders, anorexia and bulimia, and both are used by people who feel they need to lose weight. anorexia is when people just refuse to eat much of anything, and they always feel that they are bigger than what they actually are. bulimia people tend to eat food, but then after they eat they fell guilty and find away to get the food out of there body which is usually by puking. Majority of people who have these eating disorders are females, but that doesn't mean males don't struggle with this issue either because they do.

When companies have used people in ads or commercials that don't follow the "norm" (aka plus size) people lose there minds. Saying "why are we promoting obesity" when it is such an issue in our county? Well here is a news flash: they aren't promoting obesity or saying that it is OK, they are promoting positive self image. The models or actors/actresses in these are bigger than what they should be sure, but they are not the people who are on "My 600 Pound Life" (those people are the ones that are obese) but those people in the ads? They are no where near close to what that show shows. People ask why are those kinds of people on an ad? It's because as a society, we have this definition of what perfect is and anyone who does not fit within that small circle are now imperfect (which is why people freak out when they see something different because it isn't the norm) which then leads to the eating/body issues. So having people who are not usually on ads help the "imperfect" people finally feel perfect.

So how about we make a change here. Have more realist people in all ads (and TV shows they are just as bad, but getting better slooooooowly), showing the good and the ugly because that is just life. Show more body types and not just the thin girl with big boobs, butt, and somehow be small everywhere else. Show more guys that aren't these muscle machines.

If we can change what is seen as "normal" then it will help everyone feel more comfortable in there own skin and not feel ashamed.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Lifestyle

The Great Christmas Movie Debate

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

577
The Great Christmas Movie Debate
Mental Floss

One staple of the Christmas season is sitting around the television watching a Christmas movie with family and friends. But of the seemingly hundreds of movies, which one is the star on the tree? Some share stories of Santa to children ("Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"), others want to spread the Christmas joy to adults ("It's a Wonderful Life"), and a select few are made to get laughs ("Elf"). All good movies, but merely ornaments on the Christmas tree of the best movies. What tops the tree is a movie that bridges the gap between these three movies, and makes it a great watch for anyone who chooses to watch it. Enter the timeless Christmas classic, "A Christmas Story." Created in 1983, this movie holds the tradition of capturing both young and old eyes for 24 straight hours on its Christmas Day marathon. It gets the most coverage out of all holiday movies, but the sheer amount of times it's on television does not make it the greatest. Why is it,
then? A Christmas Story does not try to tell the tale of a Christmas miracle or use Christmas magic to move the story. What it does do though is tell the real story of Christmas. It is relatable and brings out the unmatched excitement of children on Christmas in everyone who watches. Every one becomes a child again when they watch "A Christmas Story."

Keep Reading...Show less
student thinking about finals in library
StableDiffusion

As this semester wraps up, students can’t help but be stressed about finals. After all, our GPAs depends on these grades! What student isn’t worrying about their finals right now? It’s “goodbye social life, hello library” time from now until the end of finals week.

1. Finals are weeks away, I’m sure I’ll be ready for them when they come.

Keep Reading...Show less
Christmas tree
Librarian Lavender

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is one of my personal favorite holidays because of the Christmas traditions my family upholds generation after generation. After talking to a few of my friends at college, I realized that a lot of them don't really have "Christmas traditions" in their family, and I want to help change that. Here's a list of Christmas traditions that my family does, and anyone can incorporate into their family as well!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Phases Of Finals

May the odds be ever in your favor.

1982
Does anybody know how to study
Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

3245
How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments