The Flavor of the News

I am a college student and I like video games. These two contributing factors result in the phenomenon that is never watching television programming. The few intervals of free time I have between games is usually reserved catching up on the news via Jon Stewart and/or Stephen Colbert.

I feel that my political views tend to lean more toward the liberal side of things though I like to consider myself fairly balanced. I can feel this most when I'm watching and listening to others present their political views. It is in these instances of comparing and contrasting that I feel I come to know my own views better and can see the biases in myself and others.

It is generally excepted that both Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart share similar, liberal views. However, in the years that I have been watching their shows back to back and covering, generally, the same stories you begin to pick out subtle differences in the way they present their ideologies.

Maybe it is because of his satirical alter ego but I find that I always seem to interpret Stephen's views to be pretty strictly liberal in almost any situation, though this may be tainted through his satire.

On the flip side I find Jon Stewart to be the more balanced of the two. He doesn't seem to have a problem admitting faults on either side of the political spectrum.

These differences may seem minuscule but I bet there are people out there that if asked the political views of the two they would think they were both the same. It is these little differences in the media that tend to sway our opinions the most I think. If I were to watch something on Fox News, I would have an automatic bias against what they were saying because of my personal feelings toward their program. However, if someone like Jon Stewart were to express the same opinion on his show I would feel it had good solid reasoning. This isn't something I'm proud of, of course, but I can admit to it. And just like that I am swayed to an opinion I wouldn't normally hold because of its subtle introduction through a medium I trust.

I suppose my overall point here is that the presentation of ideas in a show has a lot to do with how the viewers will accept or reject them. Some are subtle and balanced and some are in your face over the top. How does your news source present its information? Which do you best respond to? These are questions that not only help you choose your medium of information but are also an insight into yourself and your own personal views.

(I'm a fan of Coco myself.)

Nerd Etiquette

I just recently returned from an anime and gaming convention called Katsucon. Conventions are something I thoroughly enjoy on many levels and I still continue to go despite the somewhat negative connotation that comes along with them. I like dressing up in costumes, meeting talent in the afore mentioned industries, buying rare merchandise, and being around those with similar interest to myself. However, as it turns out "those with similar interest to myself" happen to be flaming nerds.

Now, in my excursions into the heartlands of all nerddom (conventions), I find that when nerds get around a large group of other nerds they really let their true colors shine. It seems this large amount of social stimulation can bring out the best and worst in people. For example, this past weekend I have witnessed a nerd climbing up a tree and wrecking property, that being inside the ritzy resort where the convention was being held, was probably worth more than he was, just for a couple laughs and some attention. On the other hand, there was a second nerd who had the social skills and awareness not to buy into this stunt and calmly and kindly reminded the first nerd that he was a guest in this resort and should be respectful of their property.

It has been my experience that this duality of nature comes from a mix of maturity levels, social skills, and a need for attention. Nerds are some of the kindest people I have ever met. This weekend while saving a table in a restaurant for a group of my friends a total stranger in head to toe rave gear said I looked sad sitting by myself and invited to her table of friends. On the flip side, many nerds will not reach out to people this way because they are trying to gain attention through other actions like being aloof.

All this may be because I myself am a nerd and it is very common for nerds to be most kind or try to gain the approval of other nerds by whatever means. Going to conventions is both a highly rewarding and highly frustrating social experiment in itself and it really gives you a look into a culture that may not be fully comprehended through the media of today.