What are the pros and cons of mass media to the public?

Question

just a concerned citizen of a chaotic world.

Answer 1

I can think of a few:

Pro: You're better informed about what's happening in the world. You hear more of the news and gain an awareness of just what human life is like on this dusty little orb of ours.

Con: You're so well-informed that you begin to get the impression that the whole world's going to h**l in a handbasket. Every day you hear more and more about crimes happening here and there and everywhere...  It takes the joy out of the fact that actual violent crimes are on the decrease. It makes it seem like that couldn't possibly be correct, because you're hearing about so much more crime than you ever did when neighborhoods were supposedly much more -seriously- crime-ridden.

Pro: If there's something awry in your neighborhood, you're more easily informed of it and can keep a lookout.

Con: Paranoia sets in. It's like, "There are so many weirdos out there, surely to god that sort of thing must be happening -here-, too, and we just hain't heard about it yet..."

Pro: You have access to more information.

Con: Too many people don't care if they're informed or not or else they're too lazy to get off the d***ed couch and make their ever-expanding glutes actually do a little -digging- for the truth, preferring to let mass media make up their minds -for- them.

Pro: Anything you want to know, you can find.

Con: Anything your enemies want to know, they can find.

Pro: Knowledge is power. You can improve your security and safety if you read the right things.

Con: Thinking that "Knowledge is power" conveys a false sense of security - someone may well get you bad in an off-guard moment.

That's just a few. I might add more later, I'm absolutely shocked that no one has answered this yet after an entire hour. *whew*