Network

After recently viewing the critically acclaimed film Network, and by recently I mean last week, I was pretty impressed. It was compelling, dramatic, humorous at times, all in all a complete film. It does seem to be most interesting because of how timeless it is. Being made it 1976, it can still be compared to our current media situation. For example, the littlest things such as when the Diana character is spewing what the newspapers are containing, things haven't changed much. Wars between small militia groups over territory or religion, oil prices skyrocketing, etc. Opening today's newspapers would be quite similar. If we dive further, and look at the techniques they were using to become the top network, nothing has changed, and in fact that could be the scariest part. They wanted their network to have the highest rating, and how? By having the most sensational program at any cost. Beale was a rambling idiot, making some sense, but really just loony with a camera on him, and he was put on air because people were watching. He wasn't put there because of the message he was conveying to the American people, he was making money. The same was true with the programs Diana was expecting for the new season, something that would almost disgust people, but keep them tuned in. This was the train wreck theory, terrible, horrible, catastrophic event that no one wants to see, but yet when its covered, no one can turn away.