subject: Georgia Peaches Got Nothing On High Definition Television [print this page] The state of Georgia has got a couple of things that many non-natives tend to think of when their namesake is brought up in conversation. For one, the state fruit is probably the first association that many will make when taking about the deep south. Peaches and good southern cooking go hand in hand, giving a little more shape to this states character. Beyond that, the Coca-Cola factory provides a bit more dimension, and the bustling urban hub of Atlanta brings the states identity into clearer view. Yet the images we muster up when Georgia comes to mind have no comparison to the clarity of high definition television as its broadcast throughout the state, giving more life and substance to this place than anything else.
More than a mere source of entertainment, satellite tv has done more to reveal the complexity of our well-rounded popular culture than virtually any other form of media. With the exception of maybe the internet, tuning into the countless number of dish channels has enabled viewers from places as far as Georgia to Alaska to take advantage of the many forms of entertainment available to us. In this sense, those simplistic ideas of state, compiled by our fragmented stereotypes do little justice to the true identity of a place. Instead, its the many local and national programs broadcast to our very homes that allow us to understand the comprehensive nature of people and places.
Many times we fall victim to simplistic generalizations that allow us to understand what a state may or may not represent. In Georgia, for example, the idea that a states identity be comprised of peaches and Coca-Cola is far from the actual truth. Instead, it is our responsibility to utilize new forms of media to in order to inform ourselves. Satellite TV is just one of the many new forms of media that has granted us access to information that helps us to break down these stereotypes. By engaging with different local, national, and international broadcasts, we are better able to understand what a place and a culture is really all about.
Furthermore, tuning into the different channels and programs from our own homes has become a more pleasurable viewing experience in many ways. The quality of high definition television has improved some peoples ability to concentrate and stay attentive to different kinds of programming. When trying to education yourself about a place, remaining attentive is fundamental. This allows us to comprehend the real facts and not just the superficial icons and catch phrases that define a particular place. By actually engaging with the visual and cultural meaning of a people and a place, we can potentially enjoy the place to a greater degree. This same philosophy can also be applied to visiting different places around the world. Learning about the importance and cultural significance of museums, monuments, and famous people allows us to penetrate a culture to a greater and more profound degree. This practice is entirely achievable with the power of new media like satellite tv in the 21st century.
