We in this country are so blessed with our social accouterments can it be we take our perspectives for granted. Perhaps that is why, from my perspective,  the media, aided by huge marketing corporations, are allowed to get away with selling the public the in thing, i.e.: The new Metro Sexual Man. A heterosexual man that can hang with guys but still likes to get a facial, and wear expensive colognes, and surround themselves with pretty flowers. The sophisticated man that is comfortable in a boutique as well as going hunting with his male friends, or gang banging in a big city. A straight man that allows five gay men to give him a makeover, and demonstrate to him how to get in touch with his feminine side. Madison Avenue is currently in the process of selling this concept to the general public. Through media sound bites, and a carefully marketed cable network television show, (owned by NBC) they are trying to reflect the passion and demand for this new way of life for our growing homogenized society.

I suggest to you that the homogenization perpetrated on us by some of our elitist media has helped developed a plethora of only poll driven factories, which produce images without individuality, and in many cases without honesty, and only driven by numbers. I have labored with that thought, and asked  where does a country go when the numbers overwhelm the substance of an individual’s honesty?

My neighbors, and good friends, had their grown daughter up from Los Angeles to spend the weekend. I have watched her grow from a little girl into a beautiful, well-rounded and accomplished woman. I am so proud of her considering she started at the bottom, without the help of nepotism, and worked her way up at one of the new television networks. I was under the impression that she always wanted to produce, and/or create new entertaining shows or movies.  I was taken aback when I asked her when it would be that I would see her name on the screen, created, or produced by.   She quickly responded that she was only interested in the numbers aspect of television. That is where true success is she said, without taking a beat. That was her perspective on success, and she has seen the results giving it credence. And, when seeing some of the new shows on the Warner Bros Network I feel good about some of our younger people having their hand on the pulse of middle America, and not just trying to cash in, or generate a new fad.  Her perspective on success was precise from her point of view.  And, the numbers supported her opinion in WB's viewer ship. However, I walked away questioning what was my perspective on success?

A view point? An outlook? Perhaps just simply an attitude? I thought it was to strive for 20/20 vision with the ability to appreciate an individual’s intelligence, emotions, their artistry, and most importantly their genuine passion for what they believe in, all demonstrated through their character. I felt that way until I heard my friends' daughter, whom I respect a great deal, correlate her perspective on success with numbers.  She was brutally honest, her perspective on success is indeed numbers.

Then I thought perhaps my assessment of my perspective was missing something. You can be intelligent, and have an emotional artistic passion for your point of view. Many politicians exalt that in their speeches. So what is wrong? Maybe somewhere along the way a person’s character stopped becoming synonymous with honesty. However, my friends' daughter was honest, and right. So, I have concluded that one's perspective can change, and sometimes it might be for the betterment of everyone.  Some of the new shows on the Warner Bros. Network are indeed of quality and substance.  Perhaps honesty can sell products, or people.  And, more importantly, I feel with people, like my friends' daughter who become situated in power positions, making decisions on what we have the choice to see, has created much hope for the future.   

(c) 2003 by Mopam Publishing

Is Time A Measurement, Or Symbol?  6/2/03    by Morris Heldt   

It's a New Concert    by Morris Heldt

Hypocrites  8/16/02   by Morris Heldt 

When Is Why The Answer To Who, What, Where and When?  7-22-02 by Morris Heldt

The Ultimate Battle April 12, 2002  by Morris Heldt