The Media and their Need for Controversy

I'm not a big fan of the generic news media these days. They seem to feel that controversy is required at all times and as a result they will overblow the most ridiculous things into huge stories.

Examples of small items that became huge national stories in recent years include:
The Shark Attacks
The Terri Shiavo case
Chandra Levy

There are a million more, the worst of which is of course propagated by Fox News who seem to think that the best way to prop up the Bush Administration is through fear.

This morning I was struck by how insane it has really gotten when I turned on local sports radio just to reinforce the good feeling I had following the Red Sox's victory last night. I was disgusted to find the local media ripping the general manager of the Red Sox, Theo Epstein for the signing of a few underperforming players (or at least, players performing under expectations).

Here is a team that is in the World Series and up 1-0 in that series. This is the very definition of success in baseball, yet here we have some moron on the radio trying as hard as he can to manufacture controversy where there is none. I don't know why I bother to pay any attention at all when the people in a position to provide meaningful commentary insist on this garbage. What's even worse is that when someone has the temerity to complain about the coverage they are screamed at and shut down (a la Bill O'Reilly).

I haven't got a single complaint about the Boston Red Sox right now. They have succeeded to exactly where I would want them to be. I literally could not possibly, reasonably expect any more of the team. Does this make for "boring" news and discussion? Maybe, but that does not mean that controversy should simply be created where there is none.