Rather than celebration and closure on the war, NBC’s production of the pullout of American comba... more Rather than celebration and closure on the war, NBC’s production of the pullout of American combat troops from Iraq in August 2011 left audiences and broadcasters split over whether the war was over, and, if it was not, why this was a historic moment in television. Without a clear narrative for the event that producers and audiences could agree on the network turned to self-promotion and long stories about the technologies that made war fighting and war reporting possible. In these ways TV commentary about the pullout was useful for its state and TV organizers because it deflected questions about the war’s beginnings and promoted the view that the war was either over or almost over. The case study of the August 18, 2010 “end of combat” media event thus offers important insights into how dominant interests are constructing Iraq War history.
Stephanie Houston Grey's response to our essay on “Genetics, Race, and Crime,” clearly illustrate... more Stephanie Houston Grey's response to our essay on “Genetics, Race, and Crime,” clearly illustrates the utility of audience studies. Her response highlights the fact that discourse is clearly open to multiple interpretations, for we could never have anticipated her reply in advance.
Are all races equally gifted when it comes to athletic ability? A quick observation casts doubt o... more Are all races equally gifted when it comes to athletic ability? A quick observation casts doubt on the notion. Roughly three-quarters of the players in the National Basketball Association and the National Football League—two of the largest commercial sports industries—are African-American. Further, Olympic track events have for years been dominated by black athletes from across the world. How can we explain the disproportional presence of black athletes in these elite classes of professional sports?
Rather than celebration and closure on the war, NBC’s production of the pullout of American comba... more Rather than celebration and closure on the war, NBC’s production of the pullout of American combat troops from Iraq in August 2011 left audiences and broadcasters split over whether the war was over, and, if it was not, why this was a historic moment in television. Without a clear narrative for the event that producers and audiences could agree on the network turned to self-promotion and long stories about the technologies that made war fighting and war reporting possible. In these ways TV commentary about the pullout was useful for its state and TV organizers because it deflected questions about the war’s beginnings and promoted the view that the war was either over or almost over. The case study of the August 18, 2010 “end of combat” media event thus offers important insights into how dominant interests are constructing Iraq War history.
Stephanie Houston Grey's response to our essay on “Genetics, Race, and Crime,” clearly illustrate... more Stephanie Houston Grey's response to our essay on “Genetics, Race, and Crime,” clearly illustrates the utility of audience studies. Her response highlights the fact that discourse is clearly open to multiple interpretations, for we could never have anticipated her reply in advance.
Are all races equally gifted when it comes to athletic ability? A quick observation casts doubt o... more Are all races equally gifted when it comes to athletic ability? A quick observation casts doubt on the notion. Roughly three-quarters of the players in the National Basketball Association and the National Football League—two of the largest commercial sports industries—are African-American. Further, Olympic track events have for years been dominated by black athletes from across the world. How can we explain the disproportional presence of black athletes in these elite classes of professional sports?
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