More Gym Observations
Readers may recall that I use my local gym for my amateur anthropology studies on yuppie culture. (A bit disingenuous of me to see yuppies as Other, given that I work out regularly at a gym, drive a VW Passat, and often wear polo shirts, but anyways ...)
Here's another brilliant anthopological observation: There is a bank of television sets around the exercise bike and treadmill area, and many of the TV's are tuned to the various cable news channels. And no matter what news is being covered, Fox News garners most, if not all, of the attention among those working out.
It has nothing to do with political affiliation. I know several fellow democrats at the gym, and they succumb to watching Fox News over the other channels. I have to admit observing the same tendency in myself. I am confident that if we ran an experiment (anyone care to give me a grant?) with chimpanzees placed in front of television sets tuned to the news channels, we'd observe the same behavior. (DRUDGE REPORT EXCLUSIVE: "Study finds 4 out of 5 chimpanzees prefer Fox News.")
What leads people to watch Fox News over the other stations, despite their better judgment? There may be several factors at work. First, Fox News has far superior aesthetics to the other channels. Their picture is crisper and brighter. They have more interesting visual and sound effects. Their anchormen and women tend to be more attractive. Second, their stories are more entertaining. They mix up straightforward news stories with the violent, profane and weird. Third, they insert strong opinions in their reporting that attract attention despite because they are so perverse. Even I find myself drawn in, wondering what absurd thing they'll say next.
None of this is all that surprising. But I wonder why the other news channels haven't been able to improve themselves in some of these areas. Let's face it: the aesthetic of CNN and MSNBC is dark and raged by comparison. CNN's very studio seems not to have enough light. As for their news personalities, I wouldn't mind their looks if they were sharp, well-informed, objective, and had a backbone. If instead they wish to keep the same mediocre characters they have now, at least make them attractive or interesting. Hell, how about having Wolf Blitzer don the clown makeup?
Anybody who has watched the news channels should not be shocked that Fox News is kicking their asses.
12:53:46 AM 
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