Shock Jocks

THE PASADENA NEW PROGRESSIVE

first published: September 21, 2008]

The phenomena of the "shock jock" has often been ignored by the Left and the Media, for the level of danger as a tool of the Right (via the Media) they pose. Sarah Palin, as an astute political observer, knew this. That is why she openly appeared on the Alaskan version of the Howard Stern show, "The Bob and Mark Show". [see Bob's sexually-graphic self-written bio: here]

The internet has been proven to, a lot more quickly access buried, inner (even forgotten) prejudices. It does this by the nature of the extreme privacy it offers. So of course, the right-wing propaganda masters, saw this as the Golden Opportunity of a Lifetime (i.e. unregulated media!). It had the potential to be their "Roman Circus" as indeed, it truly became.

A prominent feature of the Roman Circus' were, blood baths as entertainment. This was where Christians (and plenty of other subgroups) really did get thrown into an arena, surrounded by the deafening cheers of the spectators. The house was always packed, and people were eating and often brought their kids. The Christian/subgroup person, was forced into the arena, where they fought a starving lion, often by hand.

The crowd was not there to cheer that Christian on, no way. The crowd was there to relish in the gore.

Nigel B. Crowther wrote of the Roman Circus, in his book Sport in Ancient Times:
"The circus became a political tool for the emperor to gratify his citizens... By supplying...the games to the large mass of unemployed people, the emperor hoped to control them by directing their emotions into the circus and away from their daily problems."

What better method of directing their emotions away from their daily problems, than via the shock jock, your very own "circus clown", who carries a message of hate. War-mongering, could also fall into this category. Hate-groups as well.

Hence the gaining prominence of legions of "Bobs" (and Aarons and Renes). "Bob" works! and Sarah Palin knows it.

Because "hate" as an emotion, is the equivalent of the gore-watchers. It filled - or more often, created - a base need. It is the emotion that allowed the spectators of the Roman Circus to cheer. This is why Hate is wrong. It is also why the Right tries to stoke it.