These last several decades we have watched the news organizations and media outlet conglomerate together. When this began, many were unaware that the same people behind their favorite morning news are often the same people behind their favorite Hollywood movies. This means the people we all count on to give us the truth are the same people feeding us fake stories meant to conjure up certain emotions. We no longer count on the truth if we are entertained. Yet, when we encounter a movie that shows us bluntly the true effects of what is in store, we laugh and call it entertainment. That is exactly what many people did when the film Network was released in 1976. The film uses satire to expose the corrupt greed that arises from the conglomeration
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After causing an uproar about a merger he meets with Jensen. Jensen sets him straight; he says the scariest thing imaginable to Howard, “there is only IBM and ITT and ATT and Dupont, Dow, Union Carbine and Exxon” (Network). This speech to Howard causes him to tow the line and his last full on air speech is the direct result of it. Howard says on stage the most prophetic statement of the entire film, he says, “It’s the single, solitary human being that is finished” (Network). Ironically, we watch as Howard stands on stage feeling despondent about the individual. He speaks as much about the loss of individuality as he does the giving up of companies to large conglomerates. He again urges the audience, but this time it is to basically accept their fate. We see this now; we are told that hanging on to any specific culture is wrong. We are told that wanting to keep the mom and pop shop open will drag us down. We are denied integrity from our news anchors and writers, for ratings. We are told that to save a company and the lively hood’s behind it, we must combine, or be bought out. This we see now, we see it everywhere. The CEO’s of The Disney Company also own large shares of ESPN, ABC (Page); they own films, music and recreation. Where there was once many there is now only a couple. Large giant masses have formed in their stead. What do we get when we allow a giant mass to be left unattended? Usually we are left with a type of cancer, one that eats away all that is good in us. This film points out what many of us are too afraid to say; by allowing these masses to form we have killed the little guy. We are choking the individual, he is taking his last gasp. The film is marketed as satire, and there is a lot of irony. At one point Diana is able to get the Ecumenical Liberation Army to agree to their own show. They are agreeing to be placed in a contract. Like any contract, this will have a hold on them and so too will the type of people
After causing an uproar about a merger he meets with Jensen. Jensen sets him straight; he says the scariest thing imaginable to Howard, “there is only IBM and ITT and ATT and Dupont, Dow, Union Carbine and Exxon” (Network). This speech to Howard causes him to tow the line and his last full on air speech is the direct result of it. Howard says on stage the most prophetic statement of the entire film, he says, “It’s the single, solitary human being that is finished” (Network). Ironically, we watch as Howard stands on stage feeling despondent about the individual. He speaks as much about the loss of individuality as he does the giving up of companies to large conglomerates. He again urges the audience, but this time it is to basically accept their fate. We see this now; we are told that hanging on to any specific culture is wrong. We are told that wanting to keep the mom and pop shop open will drag us down. We are denied integrity from our news anchors and writers, for ratings. We are told that to save a company and the lively hood’s behind it, we must combine, or be bought out. This we see now, we see it everywhere. The CEO’s of The Disney Company also own large shares of ESPN, ABC (Page); they own films, music and recreation. Where there was once many there is now only a couple. Large giant masses have formed in their stead. What do we get when we allow a giant mass to be left unattended? Usually we are left with a type of cancer, one that eats away all that is good in us. This film points out what many of us are too afraid to say; by allowing these masses to form we have killed the little guy. We are choking the individual, he is taking his last gasp. The film is marketed as satire, and there is a lot of irony. At one point Diana is able to get the Ecumenical Liberation Army to agree to their own show. They are agreeing to be placed in a contract. Like any contract, this will have a hold on them and so too will the type of people