Comments on: Who owns your mind?

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:53:22 +0000

We’ve unwittingly let branding permeate our culture in the name of free markets and democracy. This ubiquitous socio-economic construct has altered the way society navigates social dilemmas, making us resistant to issues that threaten our wellbeing. It is in this world where Bush got a second term via an ad-friendly message that leveraged the vulnerable memescape of a paranoid nation. It is in this world where raunchy 30” ads for burger brands, newscasts featuring the climate crisis and Britney blowouts become the white noise of our modern social consciousness.

By: Trudie

Trudie — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:44:24 +0000

A less positive point about blogging and civic journalism is that it can also be used as a vehicle for advertising.

By: Mandy de Waal

Mandy de Waal — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 08:43:20 +0000

@Trudie: Everyone who writes here is setting their own media agenda, that’s the absolute beauty of blogging and civic journalism.

By: Trudie

Trudie — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:15:33 +0000

If only we had a more media literate society…

Mandy de Waal setting the agenda, and providing a platform for Wadim Schreiner to spread the message about his company? That he can show you how to influence the media agenda?

Media freedom on media terms, and who are the losers?

By: Charlie

Charlie — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 12:32:42 +0000

It’s strange to think,but the truth is the US news media either has less of a grasp on what is going on in the USA or else they have chosen to ignore it.
On another note,U-Tube has started to spell out things I wouldnt have considered for a momemnt.Last week someone inadvertently sent me an email containing a U-Tube message,along with which was also included a talk Oprah did on her apparent fixation with so-called New Age religion.I wouldnt have believed it…until I heard it through my own ears.Oprah says we as Christians dont need the Cross,that we oursellves are Holy,and that religion as a whole is obsolete.She had subscribed to some philosopher she’d read and was recommending to her host of television friend,but you could see she was way off-base.Now,here is a case where someone is trying to manipulate our minds.Whether they are black minds or white minds,or Asian minds,or what is irrelevant.Personal theology is just that-it’s personal.Oprah,you just lost someone who formerly throught you were the greatest.Hope you get back on track!

By: Mandy de Waal

Mandy de Waal — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 13:48:02 +0000

@Siphiwo Qangani with kangaroos: In short there is a media agenda and it can control how you think, and what you think about.

@Mac: Very interesting point. That’s why Wadim and I feel very strongly about the media agenda and that people understand how it works. It’s the old adage: “Knowledge is power.” Being media literate enables people to seek out better opinions, and to filter news so as to best make up their own minds about issues.

@Manosa: Thanks for your comments.

By: Alisdair Budd

Alisdair Budd — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:08:53 +0000

In answer to your question:

The Thought Police.

Remember Big Brother is watching you, and will shortly be selling you time share apartments in the Eastern Cape during the advertising break.

By: Manosa

Manosa — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:34:11 +0000

Said so well.Thank you Mandy.

By: Mac

Mac — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:53:22 +0000

There is a slightly worrying relativism here. Regarding something like HIV/Aids science for example, the media for a long time perpetuated denialist myths. And when writing on something like the link between HIV and Aids giving equal weight to both sides would actually be misleading. In this way false controversies are often created where the underlying facts are really quite clear.

By: Who’s negative - the DA or the media? « Ant’s World

Who’s negative - the DA or the media? « Ant’s World — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:18:41 +0000

[...] Mandy de Waal published an interview with Media Tenor SA CEO Wadim Schreiner on Thought Leader yesterday that [...]