Boorstin claims that the media has manipulated Americans to mistake pseudo-events for real news by creating an addictive news consumption culture. The need to create and consume leads to the creation of “planned news” or as Boorstin says, “pseudo-events.” He then assesses the current state of American culture by focusing on how Americans want to believe the illusions created by media as they suffer from “extravagant expectations” (p.7). As he highlights extravagant expectations, he explains how Americans are an entirely tailored audience, corresponding to public media. With the example of pseudo-events, Boorstin effectively analyzes how the amount of power the media holds is enough to alter the consumption methods of an entire country.
Boorstin claims that the media has manipulated Americans to mistake pseudo-events for real news by creating an addictive news consumption culture. News is continuously consumed without questioning if a story is real or fabricated. The news yearns for anything to put on its pages to the point where events are planned to occur at the most convenient time. Boorstin also argues that the way Americans travel has changed. Travel used to be about stepping out of your comfort zone and experiencing a new language, culture or way of life. Now, people travel to re-create an environment similar to the one they left.
Boorstin’s critiques of American culture resonate with me because I have been a part of this culture without realizing it. His examination of pseudo-events forced me to see the many ethical violations of current news media. It also helped me better identify what I consider to be real news. Boorstin’s arguments around travel have resonated with me because I want to experience a different culture and lifestyle instead of trying to recreate an environment comfortable for me. Boorstin has pushed me to further examine my own culture and I can think of no better way to do it than to experience someone else’s.