From Sidekick to Sideshow- Celebrity, Entertainment, and the Politics of Distraction

Why Americans Are “Sleepwalking Toward the End of the Earth

Dados Bibliográficos

ID3759550
AutoresTimothy C Weiskel (Harvard University's Extension School, autor correspondente)
Ano2005
Volume49
Fascículo3
Páginas393-409
Data de publicação2005-11-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoAmerican Behavioral Scientist (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0002-7642 • E-ISSN: 1552-3381
EditoraSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0002764205280203
OpenAlexW2056241224
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas21
Referências citadas1

In America, entertainment celebrities have entered politics, and the news media have become part of the entertainment industry. At the same time, political figures cultivate their role as celebrities, with image handlers and engineered media campaigns that treat voters like fans. President Bush has modeled himself on Ronald Reagan-the "western" movie actor as much as the president. The role bears little relation to reality, but it has become commonly accepted by a politically obsequious press and amovie-loving public. The persona is actively promoted by the White House as part of the politics of distraction-a strategy designed to keep the public from learning about what is being done in its name and with its tax dollars. The politics of distraction can explain why the public has failed to perceive the global climate crisis, but Americans will need to awake soon from this dream state if they wish to survive

Advertising · Art · Business · Distraction · Entertainment · Media studies · Persona · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Reality television · Sociology · Spectacle · State (computer science · White (mutation · Climate Change Communication and Perception · Law · Media Influence and Health · Media Studies and Communication · Psychology