Turn It up to Eleven

By Phil Robibero on 07/09/2009

During the medevil times a blasphemous attack towards the crown would have cost you more than an arm and a leg. Subversion was suppressed by an iron grip and free speech was a privilege rather than a right. As technology advanced so did the level and range of discourse. Leaders came out of the woodwork and sparked revolutions.  With them they took the voice of the people to the door step of the deities and in the end those who were in power had no choice but to concede to our right to free speech.

Today we live in a free speech society where the level of discourse seems to have degenerated into overblown statements rather than concise arguments..  Such is the case, though not limited to, right wing punditry.

Since they are immune to any public recoil and their controversy only spurs higher ratings, conservative pundits have free reign to say what they want at any decibel level.  Granted many of the conservative hosts are the butt end of many jokes, it hasn't taken away their viewers.  Hyperbole is key to their subversion and most of all to their success.

Just as reality TV is considered to be on a hot streak because of it's over-the-top (and produced) nature, so are many overblown Fox News programs.  The recent success of Glenn Beck is directly attributed to his ability to dramatize events.  In the span of one year Glenn Beck has procured a huge viewer base.  One moment that was a staple mark for the show was when Mr. Beck infamously began to cry, while expressing his fears about today's America.  The moment was spread across media outlets like conflagration.  Though it can be seen as a loss of integrity and professionalism, it was a brilliant move  in gaining recognition.  

But what is interesting about this new wave conservative movement is that it might not be about pushing an agenda, but rather simply, making money.  NewsCorp also owns liberally slanted shows such as "Family Guy" and the "Simpsons" which can be seen as just as hyperbolic as anything on O'Reilly. America has no interest in lukewarm news channels such as the BBC or PBS, so the only way to create interest to turn it up to eleven.

[Additional Photos: "Beck", Time.com, 2008]