DO YOU SMELL WHAT THE MEDIA'S COOKIN'? (Cultivation Theory)

A grandiloquent spectacle of opposing forces each representing their own subjective virtues - an event so spectacular, so grandiose, so Jansenistic in nature that it can only be described by one acronym: WWE. Ah yes, the epitome of all that is dramatization. These creatures, these heathens that engage in such vehement roleplay, lurk out from the deepest and darkest psyches that are known to control the entertainment industry today. Who or what do they represent? The paragon of "manhood". How did such an image become so prominent, and almost absolute, in the hearts and minds of so many individuals? Well, to understand that, we must first understand cultivation theory.

Cultivation Theory suggests that after enough visual imprinting, usually through the media's behalf, an image or ideology can become somewhat of a reality to the public. In other words, people start developing these perceptions of what certain groups might represent or do. For example, news reports may attribute terrorist activities to a certain ethnic group or popular television shows may set certain social or physical standards for individuals. People start to believe that that's the way the world does or should work (irrelevant to the fact of whether it does or doesn't). They become delusional in a sense.

In the popular film Tough Guise, Jackson Katz goes on to say that boys are brought up in an environment that forces them to behave a certain way: a way that is acceptable to "society". But what comprises this so-called "society". Individuals spoon-fed these erroneous values and standards of what it takes to be a "man". Characteristics such as aggression, dominance, bigotry or intolerance paired along with a tall stature or muscular body is what (according to media framers) defines you as a prominent male.

DO YOU SMELLLLL WHAT THE MEDIA'S COOKIN'? A perfect example of a "tough guise" is none other than Disney's Dwane Johns-I-I mean, WWE's "The Rock".... in his former years (*ahem*). This fictional character is the manifestation of testosterone. Young lads look up to him as almost a mentor. Impressionable minds can't help but be influenced by his "strength" (pun intended) of character and muscular physique. As a result, individuals such as these consistently propagate and breed new "Rocks" that influence other infant Rocks. It's a never ending cycle.




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POST ASSIGNMENT: I actually like the Rock. I was merely taking a piss at him since he's such an easy example. Don't be offended Mr. Johnson seeing as how you can easily break me in two; like an egg for an omelet. Then I'd be the one who'd you SMELL COOKIN'! Ahahaha!