I'm sick of the media

I'm so sick of this kinda stuff!!! It puts a bad name on rolller coasters. The bottom line is that there is nothing wrong with coasters, it is other rides. My news last night last night that they were gonna show people trapped on a roller coaster. When the report came, some no name park in Iowa was the one with the accident. It wasn't a roller coaster, it was a Skyride. They sais that they were trapped, and dangling above other rides. Yeah right, they were like in a ring very safe, and they probably weren't even all the way up!!!! Also, I know the media gets to other people, because the person that cuts my hair asked me. Has there been any accidents on Millennium Force?? I say, Nope it has a perfect safety record. Becasue I have heard rumors.... NO NO!!!! There is nothing wrong with it. I think we should all send comments to all of these magazines to make them STOP WRITING THESE ARTICLES!!!!!! Thank you for listening!!!!!!!

-------------
DOWN WITH TRIM BRAKES!

You would have to tell the media to stop writing all together. I doubt they are making a conscious attempt to create the wrong impression about roller coasters. The problem is that when they write about that or any other technical subject, they really don't know anything about it and are just turning out a report. It's obvious to most of us here concerning roller coasters. Just keep that in mind when you read other articles; the reporters are always laymen when it comes to most subjects, so be especially wary when reading articles about stuff in which you're not familiar. The media just can't be trusted, not because they're trying to be manipulative, but simply because they don't know anything about half the stuff they report.

First of all, media is such a vague and broad term. It's abused and tossed around to the point no one ever stops to think what it means. This site is part of "the media."

While I don't condone some of the recent things they've written about our biz, it's not appropriate to use the media as a scapegoat for everything. The media didn't kill kids at Columbine nor did it toss the kid out of the giant drop last year.

Keep in mind that "the media" produces what we'll consume. Why else would Jerry Springer be on the air?

-------------
Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

Well journalism in general, and broadcast journalism in particular, has been becoming more and more sensationalized in recent years. There has been a growing trend of abandoning factual information in light of eye-catching half truths, for instance, the whole "DateLine" expose on the himalaya accident. In the report they called the himalay ride a "rollercoaster". While we (enthusiasts) would not consider this a rollercoaster it's not technically incorrect, as the ride does run on rails. However, the terms connotation invokes thoughts of tall wooden and steel structures. And hey, that would draw more interest (i.e higher ratings, greate numbers of papers sold, more website hits). And as for the Columbine thing (since you brought it up) why did they do such in depth reporting on a suburban middle-class shooting as opposed to the other inner city, or rural area school shootings (e.g. Little Rock)? I'll tell you why, cause that appealed to the suburban middle class who spends the most money. Just my take on things, if you want to debate that further we can do it offline (email me a hostyl1@rollercoaster.com)
lata,
JCSN

Yep... you're right on there. They should've spent less time blaming KMFDM (who was always anti-violence when their lyrics were considered in context) and more time blaming the parents who were too disinterested in what they're kids were doing to know they were going to shoot up the place.

But to get back on topic, people want to think that society reflects the media, when quite frankly it's the opposite. I've been a media professional all of my life, in radio, television, print and the Internet, and the biggest consideration was always what the consuming public wanted.

-------------
Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

Good thing they didn't drag out the Ellian gonzalez case...oh wait they did. just saw a thing about more government intervention for parks from ABC. It was so biased from the media for it..it was not funny (like they would be against it)

-------------
Closing Time: 5:30
CP Arrival Time: 5:50

Whose Line is it Anyway?

2hostyl said some key points in his take. Why has the media become over-sensational? I may have a clue/ or not...Have we all checked our new cable TV listings. Mine has 61 channels, now. Take the amount that offer news. Probably about 15 of those. The competition between those channels for advertisement must be unbearable. Whenever something negative comes on, we watch, just to see what it is...heck, we're still seeing JFK Jr. on TV and in the fishwrap. The almighty dollar speaks to the producers of the show. If no one watches, they lose their jobs. How many Americans watch those "Cops" shows with live footage of car chases?? It sells.

Take a fun thing to do, like Coasters, if something negative happens they 'sell' it to us.



-------------
There's nothing like a woodie...

I think the original post here was referring to traditional media like network news and newspapers, where we'd like to assume we're getting facts. Sensationalism media (like Jerry Springer)is its own beast and appeals to certain segments who choose to watch it and to garner ratings. When it comes to 'regular' media (news and papers), the problem is a) the reporters don't have enough background in many of the technical areas and b)the slant is always in terms of a controversy or a question about society. Concerning school shootings, there have been many unfortunate cases over the past several decades, but it seems like the problem is growing only because they're reported more nationally and covered more. Same with coasters. Once somebody reports one, they'll be a rash of stories dealing with problems. Ever notice whenever a plane crashes the next few weeks have stories about near misses. It's not that they've increased in frequency, it's just that it's top of mind and the news reports it. For the average viewer (me) I would think (incorrectly) that there was an increase in potential air safety issues. Coaster problems are always popular with news because it evokes an entirely different image from what one normally associates with amusement parks and children having fun. Since parents are always interested in what might affect their children, a lead-in like, "Coaster Trouble in (such and such) Park" will always keep viewers tuned in, even if the problem turns out to be something minor. To make a long post short, the media always has to take a slant against popular conception to generate interest. The general idea is that coasters are safe, so a story hinting otherwise will be grabbed up by lots of local news channels.

As long as we are talking about "the media", I just want to let you know that EXTRA on the ABC network is doing a report on rollercoaster saftey this (TUESDAY 8/1) evening. The teaser went as the following: "They dip. They loop. Why roller coasters are dangerous. Next on Extra." Now come on Jeff, even you have to admitt that's a least a stretch.
lata,
Jeremy

Extra is syndicated, not ABC.

-------------
Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

I agree with Starfire's comments, well said. After the Concorde crash, I did hear a report about a Concorde that made "an emergency landing". I'm sure that Concorde flyers hate this because the media is doing the same thing they do to us. Now whenever I hear reports, I take into account that they are probably stretching the truth. Becasue they certainly do with roller coasters. Whenever there is a small accident about a carnival, Millennium Force is always brought into it. THAT is what I don't like. That is how the media is always gonna be so I guess we just have to deal with it.

-------------
DOWN WITH TRIM BRAKES!

oops sorry about that. I didnt know. It comes on on ABC here in the District. I have never really watched the show. I just had the TV on the football game and didnt change the channel all night (too busy playing RCT =])