Daniel Boorstin, a well-known historical and political figure, published The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America in 1962. This book explains how events that happen in society are frequently not truly actual events; instead, they are events that other members put on to increase reaction from the remaining members of society. Throughout the book, Boorstin argues that many of the “events” that happen in America are not natural, which is why American society has such a skewed perception of news. He believes that for an event to be actual news, it cannot be premeditated, used for media, have an unclear underlying relation to reality, nor be used for a self-fulfilling prophecy. He uses the example of a hotel holding a banquet for the upcoming opening anniversary and how the hotel did not need to hold this event; they merely held it for the press to capture media to present to the public. Boorstin also argues that traveling has become a way for humans to create pseudo-events for their benefit. He believes that tourists are searching for unauthentic and unintended events that better suit their image for traveling.
Since reading this piece of work, it has made me think differently about travel. I was, and still am, the traveler who loves to go on adventures. That has not changed; what has changed is now I am questioning what my intentions behind that were. Was I eager to explore because I was thoroughly interested in what we were doing, or did I want that experience because it fit my image of travel? I cannot answer the question now, but I believe traveling to Paris will help me figure it out. Focusing on media ethics and media literacy will alter how I see this trip because I will think of certain aspects of our journey differently than ever before.