Geraldine's
World Will Soon Be Run Solely by Insiders
RECEIVED Mon., March 8, 2004
Dear Editor,
Like many people in America, it drives me nuts that I can't get away from certain sensationalized events in the media. Regardless of the subject, some things warrant little coverage if any, yet Americans love to get involved on some strange voyeuristic level.
Tabloid coverage of the rich and famous is anything but novel, although instantaneous information transmission is taking it to a new level in modern society. Usually the person being covered is an athlete, politician, musician, or movie star. These people should expect the slanderous coverage they receive; they volunteered to be in the public eye.
Moreover, Americans have always drooled at the success of business tycoons since the era of 19th century trusts. However, unlike the tabloid news originating in Hollywood and D.C., news coverage of today's CEO is something we should all keep our eyes on.
Optimistically, I see capitalism in a late phase of existence and hope to see its evolution in my lifetime; however, realistically I understand that capitalistic excess will get worse before it gets better. International corporations are already without boundaries; largely unchecked by national governments, their power is intangible and largely uncontrollable. Acting as an emblem for these corporations, the CEO will gain a level of power and control that is all too comparable to that of the U.S. president.
The interesting thing is that these CEOs, with the power that they wield, are not something the common man can vote out of office. Even if a person has stock in that company, their voice is small and unequal compared to the board of directors and large shareholders. To remove a CEO from office requires internal bickering rather than public debate.
My point? Michael Eisner is a case study for how the world will soon be run solely by insiders.
Like many people in America, it drives me nuts that I can't get away from certain sensationalized events in the media. Regardless of the subject, some things warrant little coverage if any, yet Americans love to get involved on some strange voyeuristic level.
Tabloid coverage of the rich and famous is anything but novel, although instantaneous information transmission is taking it to a new level in modern society. Usually the person being covered is an athlete, politician, musician, or movie star. These people should expect the slanderous coverage they receive; they volunteered to be in the public eye.
Moreover, Americans have always drooled at the success of business tycoons since the era of 19th century trusts. However, unlike the tabloid news originating in Hollywood and D.C., news coverage of today's CEO is something we should all keep our eyes on.
Optimistically, I see capitalism in a late phase of existence and hope to see its evolution in my lifetime; however, realistically I understand that capitalistic excess will get worse before it gets better. International corporations are already without boundaries; largely unchecked by national governments, their power is intangible and largely uncontrollable. Acting as an emblem for these corporations, the CEO will gain a level of power and control that is all too comparable to that of the U.S. president.
The interesting thing is that these CEOs, with the power that they wield, are not something the common man can vote out of office. Even if a person has stock in that company, their voice is small and unequal compared to the board of directors and large shareholders. To remove a CEO from office requires internal bickering rather than public debate.
My point? Michael Eisner is a case study for how the world will soon be run solely by insiders.
Rad Tollett
