February 27 - "The Braindead Megaphone"

“The Braindead Megaphone”
by George Saunders
The Braindead Megaphone (2007)

* * * * * (Excellent) Essay

We no longer live in a world where we can think clearly, think without the interruption of the world around us. This chattering media onslaught has worked to dumb us down, as it loudly spews forth the inane, the obvious, and the stupid. It has succeeded in masking the troubles of the world and decreasing our ability to make intelligent and thoughtful decisions regarding the lives we live and the people we impact.

Now, I’m not normally one that gravitates toward nonfiction, especially essays, but this is some interesting – and engaging – material. The problem is: great writing easily sways me. I’m quick to jump to a way of thinking if it is explained in a way that I find enjoying. Saunders, in this essay, would say that is true of most Americans – that we would be easily pacified by the “dopey communication” that has become the media norm since the sensationalism of the O.J. Simpson trial (the first one) and each major media event afterward. The premise of the essay is that the loudest man is the man heard, even if the loudest man is unintelligent, uninformed, inexperienced, and with an agenda, subtle or not. Our developing reliance on this man has limited our ability to think, reason, and make intelligent choices. There’s a great example of how newscasters present such frivolous and idiotic stories such as malls getting busy at Christmas with such seriousness and solemnity. And we swallow it as news and truth and importance.

The following sentence was what sealed this essay’s strength and impact for me:

“Furthermore, I suspect, it [stupidity dominating reason] subtly degraded our ability to make bold, meaningful sentences, or laugh at stupid, ill-considered ones.”

I see this all the time in the weak sentences passed off as quality work, and it frustrates and saddens me. It is why I appreciate great writing as much as I do.