The Spectacle of the Media

The spectacle cannot be abstractly contrasted to concrete social activity. Each side of such a duality is itself divided. The spectacle that falsifies reality is nevertheless a real product of that reality. Conversely, real life is materially invaded by the contemplation of the spectacle, and ends up absorbing it and aligning itself with it. Objective reality is present on both sides. Each of these seemingly fixed concepts has no other basis than its transformation into its opposite: reality emerges within the spectacle, and the spectacle is real. This reciprocal alienation is the essence and support of the existing society.

The media's take on war is a perfect example for this aphorism. The statement says that "real life is materially invaded by the contemplation of the spectacle, and ends up absorbing it and aligning itself with it." The media displays a perfect example of this every single day. The news will very rarely replay to the public exactly what is going on overseas each day. Rather, they put their spin on it, and relay only the message they deem necessary. What the media relays as the spectacle becomes the reality in the situation because it is what is relayed to the public and what the public sees, therefore what the public deems the truth or "real situation."