media journal entry #2

For this week's journal entry I find it appropriate to journal about Super Bowl XLIII, which will air Sunday. I have been asked numerous times what I am doing for the super bowl, and I find it absurd how popular this event has remained since its commencement. It shows me something about American values considering how this football game is the most widely-viewed, televised event annually. A football game! I find it also appropriate to comment about this event due to the fact that my ad for deconstruction was only aired to the public during this game, years ago.
The Stealers face the Cardinals, with Bruce Springsteen playing the half time show. I wonder if this choice in half time entertainment is directly correlated to the newly inaugurated president Barack Obama. Considering Springsteen's ties with the democratic party and his liberal activism this wouldn't surprise me.
It is unfortunate that regardless of growing knowledge and the United States' esteemed power American football remains at the height of so many individuals' lives, especially apparent juxtaposing the super bowl with other media choices and seeing how unsubstantial the super bowl is in terms of the masses.
The game serves as a corporate advertising tool, the actual players and coaches receive bonuses, and in my mind the super bowl is completely monetary. American football and sports in general are elevated as leadership builders, exercises in teamwork and sportsmanship. The enveloping reality of the Superbowl tells me sports remain a means to earning more money in one game than a fourth grade teacher, per say, will make in a year. Thus this Super Bowl XLIII, while Americans are eating pretzels and getting wasted for "their" team, I'll be wishing we gave as much attention to the maths, sciences, social liberation and education...not entertaining however. Reading the tabloids from yesterday, I have been informed scientists working for the National Institute of Science spend 20% of their research and work time viewing Internet porn. Another indication that substance and knowledge will not attract unless entertaining. This ongoing question of what's substantial is fundamental in my venture into the world of media literacy.