Television

A common misconception is that "the society of the spectacle" refers explicitly to-->mass accumulation of images-->result of the capitalist mode of production-->rationalized for the purpose of profit. What it really refers to is the social relation that is mediated by the images that are mass produced by television and newspaper|printed news. People watch television as an existential escape from life, but they also rely on it for news, didactic life lessons, and examples of the norms of values of society. When these ideas are controlled by political interests in the case of censorship and corporate interests in the case of advertisement, the results can be dangerous. The creation of false realities is one result. One defense of the spectacle is that there needs to be existential escapes available to people in order for them to enjoy life. The main situationist critique is that the spectacle, because it is produced for profit and for political purposes is a corruptive force and is certainly not art, which should be an actual expression of emotion, is an existential release of higher value, offers greater personal connection, creates situations of charity and altruism, and is of more direct value. Many of the situationists considered themselves to be artists.