Framing Class, Vicarious Living, and Conspicuous Consumption

Kendall's assertion is that the media molds how we live life, and it does not reflect it.  I would have to disagree to an extent.  I believe that the media is a mirror of our society, because if it wasn't then we wouldn't fallow so intensely what happens in the media.  In order to be successful the media has to cater to the audiences wishes and needs.  However, I do think that the media eggs on our values by making extremes out of all of them.  Like over emphasizing wealth, appearance, and power.  In this way they do control society.  They take our values and over emphasize what they can in order to sell it, and thats how they influences us.  I do agree with Kendall's claim that the media distorts our idea  of social inequality.  The media plays up the "American Dream," because they know that what people are most interested in.  People want to know and vicariously live through the wealthy by watching popular t.v dramas that usually revolve around the wealthy.  Because of this, the main focus of shows is around wealth, and people with no money or an average amount of money are played down as not important.  I don't think T.V is exactly what causes Americans to run up a credit card debit, but rather the need to have the latest technology item or the latest clothing trends.  But, this need and want comes from the media, which can be seen from television.  We get our ideas of what is in or popular from the media, which in return causes us to want it to fit in with everyone else.