Breaking News - Biscuits devoured by a Man!
"Mostly the news relates to doom and gloom events like earthquakes, terrorism and Celine Dion updates!...or even "scientists prove that winter is colder than summer"
The other day I was working merrily away in the Mothership when I was attacked. No, it wasn't by a co-worker but it was an attack of the hunger pangs. So I quickly left my desk and headed to the kitchen. Actually the kitchen is called a 'breakout' room. This in itself is a strange term as the only way to 'breakout' is to smash the window and free fall 10 floors! Most people naturally use the same way they came in.
Anyway, I digress. So I entered the 'breakout' room and made my way to the cookie jar. I grabbed two biscuits with cream in the middle, as they are some of my favourites. Whilst there I noticed that the plasma television was on. Again, this is not unusual as a number of staff like to keep up to date with the latest business news and all the important goings on with 'Oprah' and 'Dr Phil'.
This time it was a news channel and at the bottom of the screen was a 'breaking news' story. Now when these appear on the screen it is normally for some important news event. Mostly the news relates to doom and gloom events like earthquakes, terrorism and Celine Dion updates! This time, however, the breaking story was about a Godparent of an old Queensland Rugby League legend who had passed away.
Now while it is sad that this gentleman had died, it struck me as strange that this should be considered a 'breaking news' story. Especially when they didn't even name the person concerned! Actually, there was no mention of it on any of the prominent Australian websites (all 3 of them!).
So it got me to thinking as to whether the television stations are over using the 'breaking news' concept. It does appear that this is the case. The question is how irrelevant are the 'breaking news' stories going to be?
The way things are heading we will soon be receiving 'breaking news' stories such as "Angelina buys unborn twins pink toothbrushes" or "Barack Obama admits to reading the newspaper while sitting on the toilet" or even "scientists prove that winter is colder than summer".
The point that I think I am making (very badly) is that our craving for inconsequential news items is increasing dramatically. Or is it a case of the television stations 'dumbing down' the news for the viewers? Whatever it is I think we are on the path of no return (straight to a Kylie Minogue concert - noooooo).
So the next time you see a 'breaking news' story just assess it to see if it really is as important as the television station wants you to believe it is.
As for the biscuits, well they were eaten very quickly and felt no pain at all!
The other day I was working merrily away in the Mothership when I was attacked. No, it wasn't by a co-worker but it was an attack of the hunger pangs. So I quickly left my desk and headed to the kitchen. Actually the kitchen is called a 'breakout' room. This in itself is a strange term as the only way to 'breakout' is to smash the window and free fall 10 floors! Most people naturally use the same way they came in.
Anyway, I digress. So I entered the 'breakout' room and made my way to the cookie jar. I grabbed two biscuits with cream in the middle, as they are some of my favourites. Whilst there I noticed that the plasma television was on. Again, this is not unusual as a number of staff like to keep up to date with the latest business news and all the important goings on with 'Oprah' and 'Dr Phil'.
This time it was a news channel and at the bottom of the screen was a 'breaking news' story. Now when these appear on the screen it is normally for some important news event. Mostly the news relates to doom and gloom events like earthquakes, terrorism and Celine Dion updates! This time, however, the breaking story was about a Godparent of an old Queensland Rugby League legend who had passed away.
Now while it is sad that this gentleman had died, it struck me as strange that this should be considered a 'breaking news' story. Especially when they didn't even name the person concerned! Actually, there was no mention of it on any of the prominent Australian websites (all 3 of them!).
So it got me to thinking as to whether the television stations are over using the 'breaking news' concept. It does appear that this is the case. The question is how irrelevant are the 'breaking news' stories going to be?
The way things are heading we will soon be receiving 'breaking news' stories such as "Angelina buys unborn twins pink toothbrushes" or "Barack Obama admits to reading the newspaper while sitting on the toilet" or even "scientists prove that winter is colder than summer".
The point that I think I am making (very badly) is that our craving for inconsequential news items is increasing dramatically. Or is it a case of the television stations 'dumbing down' the news for the viewers? Whatever it is I think we are on the path of no return (straight to a Kylie Minogue concert - noooooo).
So the next time you see a 'breaking news' story just assess it to see if it really is as important as the television station wants you to believe it is.
As for the biscuits, well they were eaten very quickly and felt no pain at all!
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