Thursday, September 07, 2006
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
A stuffed clown discusses media conglomeration...
Man in suit: Thank you, clown, for joining us here today.
Clown: Oh, you're too kind.
MIS: Well, let's get down to this. Mass media as a whole is really in the hands of four or five major corporations.
Clown: I know. And those corporations are all controlled by one entity.
MIS: Oh, you mean the government?
Clown: No, I mean the ocean.
MIS: Um, okay. Could you elaborate?
Clown: It's pretty self-explanatory, really. Tidal waves, coral, the submarines. Jessh! Fucking jeesh!
MIS: Please, clown, try to avoid profanity. We're on network TV.
Clown: I'm just trying to make my point.
MIS: Let's move along. There are some good aspects of media conglomeration...
Clown: It's relaxing to just sit and watch the oceanliners, I guess.
MIS: Uh, I'm talking more about the fact that large media companies can bring in-depth coverage of events to places all over the country. You can get the 'New York Times' in Fargo, North Dakota, for instance and...
Clown: Fargo? That'll be under water someday.
MIS: What?
Clown: In twenty years, we're all gonna be sea creatures.
MIS: Okay, clown, you said you were an authority on the current media environment.
Clown: I am. For one thing I have a post-graduate degree in marine science.
MIS: That doesn't...
Clown: And for another, I'm made entirely of butter.
MIS: I thought you were a stuffed clown!
Clown: Nope. Here's some bread. Rub it against my arm.
MIS: Okay.
Clown: Tastes good, right? Real, real good.
MIS: That's...that's absolutely delicious.
Clown: ATLANTIS!