Lauren M. Rich
The media always seems to grab a hold of any current event
ad make it into something they can make a profit out of. Today there are dolls,
teddy bears, video games, and movies all with the central theme of war.
Today after class I actually was able to witness an example of
this media exportation of the war. While working out, a show titled “U.S.C.
Ultimate Soldier Challenge” came on the history channel. The show takes a group
of soldiers and puts them in head to head challenges to see who the Ultimate
Soldier was? The “players” use real guns are put in real situations. They must
then see who can complete the task most effectively and most quickly. Some of
the challenges include “killing” two men who have captured a prisoner of war.
After they climb down a hillside in 110 degree heat, they must shoot these men,
then take the prisoner back up the hill. One of the men passed out while he was
trying to complete the challenge. When I look at it, it seems almost like a real
life video game.
I look at this show two different ways. First off, when
watching this show you feel like you are actually watching people train for
battle. These soldiers have all been in active duty, so they know what they’re
doing. However, when they get shot, they don’t die. The competitors use rubber bullets
so they won’t get severely injured. People may get caught up in the show and
think, “wow, I could do that.” What they don’t think about is if they get shot,
they won’t just walk away.
I also look at this show as
informative. People are able to see the hard work that these soldiers actually
put in. Like video games, all of the challenges are based on actual events. The
difference between the two is that one uses actual humans doing the actions,
not just thirteen year old boys behind a controller.
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