Stuff

Today in my literature class we discussed how technology affects the media and, therefore, public opinion. Back in the Civil War era, poetry and prose published in magazines like Harper's Weekly were the main vessels of political and social expression. My professor mentioned the execution of John Brown, the man who is often credited with starting the Civil War by raiding a federal arsenal in the South. She then described how engravings of his hanging were published in magazines, thus making him a martyr for the Union. The Yankees got pissed off and bang - war.

When I learned about the media coverage of John Brown's execution, I immediately thought about the recent footage of Saddam Hussein on the gallows. The images of both these men were available to the public, and both images evoked different types of passion from different audiences. The internet, TV and radio made the experience of Saddam's last moments available to everyone around the world. I wonder if there would be the same outcry from human rights groups had his execution received very little media coverage. I also wonder if Hussein's supporters will react even more violently as a result of this promulgation.

I think it would be interesting to go back to the days when people used the written word (as opposed to images and sound) to spread news and spark emotion.



O brother bards, why stand ye silent all,
Amidst these days of noble strife,
While drum and fife, and the fierce trumpet-call,
Awake the land to life?

Now is the time, if ever time there was,
To strike aloud the sounding lyre,
To touch the heroes of our hold cause
Heart-deep with ancient fire.
- George Boker, Ad Poetas