WATCHING THE NEWS TONIGHT

It is said: Perception is reality. Really...?

Psychologists and sociologists make a good case for it. In the case of both individuals and societies. A handy experiment would be the news we watch tonight (our perceptions) being reported on television (our reality). Night after night, we sit/slump/hide on our couch as we face this unforgiving barrage of sights & sounds. And while we are virtually helpless to do anything about this news, our perceptions continue to define and refine the reality we're watching:

* What we (and the networks) perceive as news is invariably "bad" by definition. And yet, if it takes something bad to warrant all this attention, is it possible such bad exceptions prove the rule most of the everyday world is good?

* What we (and the networks) perceive as "good" is more and more being defined in terms of rankings. If something or someone is ranked higher by some self-appointed ranking service, this/they is deemed to be good. And yet, is it possible our obsession with being ranked first (teams, movies, sales, elections, GNP, missiles, etc) totally ignores all that is creatively happening in second, third, even fiftieth place?

* What we (and the networks) perceive as entertainment has evolved over time. From the early days of puppet shows to westerns to family sitcoms to sci-fi and now a catastrophe of reality programs. Programs in which for some sociopathic reasons we have concluded that bizarre is normal, vulgar is endearing, and over-the-top stupidity is engaging. Why is what once sent people to the principal's office or jail, is now celebrated as show business?

* What we (and the networks) perceive as democracy-in-action has often degenerated into fury-on-the-screen. Seems as if what concerns us most are the bureaucratic mistakes, off-camera gaffes, hotel-room trysts, and the talking-heads who have mastered volume over validity. Whatever happened to political philosophies, facts and policies as the issues that should be examined?

But lets be honest here.

Complaints and questions like these are standard fare these days at dinner tables, golf courses, even houses of worship. Makes us feel good to know what's wrong with our world. And to speak our piece. Trouble is, tonight we'll be back on that couch in front of that set just the same. And because most of us will be doing the same thing -- well, that's not news.