In my mass communication theory class, my professor had us watch the movie, “Good night, and Good Luck” (2005). I had seen parts of this movie in a previous class at my old school, Lyndon State College. I found the movie to be interesting, but one quote really stuck out to me in the last segment of the film:

“To those who say people wouldn’t look, they wouldn’t be interested, they’re too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter’s opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach. It can illuminate and, yes, it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it towards those ends. Otherwise, it is merely wires and lights — in a box.” – Edward R. Murrow¹

Is television just merely “wires and lights –in a box?” Or is it something more? Does television offer some value in our society? If television ceased to exist would we as a society we better off? Does television have value, but the programming doesn’t?

I’m not sure what struck out about the quote, but it definitely left me inspired. I think I just connected with what Murrow wrote and the way the actor,
David Strathairn read it. In my opinion, television doesn’t have to be “wires and lights — in a box,” television is much better than that.

What do you think?

1. http://www.americanrhetoric.com/MovieSpeeches/moviespeechgoodnightandgoodluckmurrow.html [↩]