#44, Expectations, the news media and apathy

posted by Jeff | Tuesday, January 20, 2009, 1:00 PM | comments: 12

I find it interesting, perhaps it makes me sad, that some people feel that there is too much hype and fanfare over the inauguration of President Obama. It seems to me that there can't be enough.

Let's think about where we've come from. The last two inaugurations were met with a fair amount of indifference, and the last one was barely a footnote to the day's news. People have been apathetic toward government for a long time, which in my estimation is exactly why it has failed us for so long. So for people to be energized and excited the way they are, that seems to me to be a good thing.

I also believe the historical significance of this can't be understated. While I don't believe he won because of his skin color (in fact many pundits believe it was a liability), the fact that this country is not being governed by an old white man for the first time in its 233-year history is huge. The symbolism of that both at home and abroad can only work in our favor. As much as we'd like to sit in the burbs and pretend race doesn't matter anymore, it does.

Much has been said about the news media's coverage of this event as well, and I'm not sure why. We don't install new presidents very often. It's strange to me that there have only been seven presidents in my life time, and I'm not sure I count Ford since I was too young to know what a president was. And again, given the historic significance of this one in particular, it deserves the attention. But more to the point, I have to bring up again that the news media has to make a judgment call on what it thinks the public finds important. Sure you have the fringe outlets that tailor the content to an audience, but generally speaking, I believe they make the right call to cover this carefully. They've been reasonably critical of him so far in the news that I read, and I don't doubt that will continue now that he's officially on the job.

Obama has probably some of the highest expectations of any president since the Civil War. He seems to be surrounding himself with smart people and he's very collaborative. I have high hopes for him, but only time will tell if he can meet the challenges in front of him.

But you know, the guy has been president for an hour. Let's see what he can really do.


Comments

Joe

January 20, 2009, 6:12 PM #

OMG! He hasn't fixed anything yet! FAIL!

But in all seriousness, I'm hoping he is able to make the haters see that he isn't all charisma and no action. And this is coming from a guy who didn't vote for him. This guy has a shot at uniting the country, so I hope the people and media stop focusing on race and focus on the man -- how he plans to get the job done, and what he does to meet those ends.

Carrie

January 20, 2009, 6:23 PM #

Well, I think if people are talking about this event, regardless of their opinion, then that counters the idea that they are being apathetic or indifferent. They are still participating with their own ideas.

There is no doubt that this is a significant event for the country and its future. No doubt.

But there is something strange going on in the backdrop, also, with the merchandising and marketing. And let's not forget the paparazzi coverage so far. Only time will tell what all that might mean, too.

CPLady

January 20, 2009, 6:41 PM #

I've been quite miffed, myself, at those who have been complaining about the hype. I, too, see the importance in energizing Americans...and people in other countries.

Many people I talk to aren't excited because he's the first black president. They are excited because they are hopeful. And I think this country has been living with hopelessness for too long.

And those in my circle of friends who are complaining about the hype ARE apathetic. A statement complaining about the hype isn't making them any less apathetic.

The good news is there are far less apathetic people today than there were four years ago.

Carrie

January 20, 2009, 7:03 PM #

Yes, a lazy statement that there is too much coverage can be apathy. A statement discussing the coverage and the potential consequence it might bring is not.

I have said before and I truly believe that hope and faith is essential for survival. But magical thinking is dangerous and there is a difference.

My hope lies in that all the young hopefuls donning Obama shirts and chanting his name took a moment to hear his words when he spoke about the fact that real change will have to begin with each American. That we, as individuals, will have to make difficult decisions we have chosen not to make in the past about our lifestyles and futures. Because if not, there will inevitably be disappointment.

Obama can pave the way. But each individual will have to choose to drive themselves.

Jeff

January 20, 2009, 7:51 PM #

I disagree, I think faith and "magical thinking" are one and the same, because both are intangible and hard to define.

But Linda is right that people are just desperate for hope. People are tired of bad news. Heck, that's why everyone was so into the plane crash last week. At the same time, I don't think this is people burying their head in the sand and pretending everything is super, but a turning point, however symbolic, is something to latch on to.

Carrie

January 20, 2009, 8:17 PM #

Just because both are intangible and hard to define doesn't make them one and the same.

Magical thinking is believing that something will occur without any effort or work to see it happen. Faith is believing that something will occur when the right steps are put into motion.

I don't disagree that people are desperate for hope. Who doesn't want positive change? Of course people want that. I don't begrudge anyone those feelings.

But at some point people need to accept that real change can only occur for themselves when they themselves put the wheels into motion.

Again, I am hopeful that Obama will pave the way for the potential for change. But I know that no change will occur until individuals themselves choose to make it happen.

CPLady

January 20, 2009, 8:19 PM #

I think the feeling of hope is what will drive people to make difficult decisions and changes.

I mean, why bother to make difficult changes when you have no faith that things will get better if you do? And that's the sense I've had from people over the last few years...or at least those who have fallen on extremely difficult times.

The thing is, even those who are struggling right now are willing to give up even more if it means things will get better in the long run.

Carrie

January 20, 2009, 8:27 PM #

That would be my hope, Linda. :)

Jeff

January 20, 2009, 8:59 PM #

I don't believe that anyone has any illusion "that something will occur without any effort or work to see it happen." I like that Obama has reminded people of that continually since winning the election.

Carrie

January 20, 2009, 10:40 PM #

You don't believe that anyone thinks that way? Seriously?

Jeff

January 21, 2009, 12:07 AM #

Well of course some people do, but I think you're connecting dots where there aren't any, that the hype comes out of that. I don't think it does.

Rob

January 21, 2009, 4:47 AM #

I can appreciate the historical significance of Obama's inauguration. It is a huge deal. For the first time in my lifetime the Clinton - Bush dynasty is over (I don't think we'll see Hillary run again, and Bush 41 was VP when I was still sharting myself uncontrollably).

I hope for President Obama with the best of wishes. I'm happy to see people interested in government and hope that it'll continue well beyond the inauguration. I hope Obama can inspire people to pick themselves out of situations and not rely on the government to do so, all the while holding their own representatives, Senators, state and local governments accountable with their decisions and actions.

Some of his ideas on "fixing" the economy are not ones I agree with, but it's something that is worth a try, such as long as it doesn't mean we inch closer to socialism. I do think what's happening is a long overdue correction and that American ingenuity, unrestricted, is what will pull us out of this slump.


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