24

The season premier of "24" was tonight, and Jack was back to his heroic ways - surprisingly so, if you ask me. What man can honestly endure two years of Chinese torture and self-inflicted silence, and STILL remember the coordinates of a potential air-strike? Well, who else but Jack - the hyperbole of the American male: faulted yet impervious, loyal and yet independent, rebel and saint. He's a "I like my football on Sundays" kinda guy ... well, that is, he would be a football on Sunday's kinda guy if the whole world were not in a frantic, apocalyptic descent into nihilism. No, the football watching gets done by all the other poor schmoes Jack and the rest of CTU are always rescuing from the edge of annihilation. And apparently Jack never needs to use the restroom or sleep. He shrugs such mortal limitations off as easily as two pair of handcuffs.

Well, clearly I know way too much about this show to say I don't watch it, or don't care about it. But, what I also want to say is this: "24" is a classic example of the culture of fear dominating our media. Horrific, troubling images and scenarios are flashed before our eyes on a daily basis, paralyzing us by the worst possible outcome. This, then, is meant to minimize all other threats to our culture and nation, effectively shifting attention away from more manageable issues. Thus, the environment, the health care system, education ... they all get displaced by the issue that invokes the most fear: other people attacking us (personally or as a nation). Well, part of this is certainly understandable given the events of September 11th. But, what fault does our national media own in this culture of fear as they continue to create television shows and movies that routinely bring the subject of terrorism and torture into the conversation (if not before our very eyes)? Television producers always argue here that they are only dealing with issues presented to them by real circumstances occuring in the world. Baloney.

And another factor is at play here: the more often the media can make you feel uncertain or uneasy about your well-being in life, the more likely they are to influence your behavior ... which equates to influencing your behaviors as a consumer. So, whether it is presenting the subtle reminder that you are never safe alone or that you are not important if you don't have the proper gadget or latest bit of information, the ultimate goal is to slowly convince you that you need a way to be in touch ... and wouldn't you know Sprint happens to be one of the companies backing the television show you're watching.

And, clearly, by this point, you've realized what I've realized. Anyone, like me, who has this many conspiracy theories is clearly desperate for the return of "Lost." Now, that's some good television.

Wes