The Effects of Media.

                  Paradise Lost and Bowling for Columbine exemplifies the direct effects the media plays on our lives. After watching excerpts from these documentaries, I believe Jenkins and Seiter would observe how the kids in Paradise Lost were labeled deviant for their hobbies and interest. The media reflects societies standard way of living and what we consider to be normal. We can see this by watching television shows and advertisements. Bowling for Columbine explains how the government manufacturers fear and is distilled by the media. The documentary also shows how the fear is built into our minds and shows how America has been the aggressor nation when it comes to conflicts and war. Jenkins and Seiter would tell us how this manufactured fear and influence from the media contributed to the massacre at Columbine and the kids being convicted in Paradise Lost.

                  What I found interesting about Paradise Lost was the statements made by the kids being convicted and the way the media portrayed them. If the media was absent during the trial; the whole case would have played out differently. Since there was heavy influence coming from the media, the scope and focus was on why the kids would commit these murders and what caused them to do it. The media focused on how they dressed and their hobbies; wearing black, listening to heavy rock and roll music, the Wicca religion, and Gothic activities. Since this was not the popular culture and considered abnormal behavior amongst our society, the media synchronized their way of life as the cause to their actions.  

                  The interesting part about Paradise Lost was how and what the media focused on. They outlined the News reports to certain statements made by the kids that was Newsworthy. "If it bleeds it leads", is a term mostly used to describe a story like this but it also relates to a large demographic on the scale of newsworthiness, not only the youth. Overall, the media was mirroring the characteristics of the mass.

                  Bowling for Columbine mocks the Government and also uses music to relate and show irony. Moore's  choice of music for the Beatles to "what a wonderful world", while showing the aggressive action America has taken on the world over the years. He examines how America has a higher rate of violence, especially with guns, compared to other nations with even higher rates of violent games, less restricted gun policies and Gothic groups. Yet, America still manages to has a higher violent crime percentage. He gives us insight and reason to question why this is occurring and what role the media is really playing in our society.