Agenda

I do like to watch some tv.  Sometimes it is a quiz show, while at other times it is a slice of history or people building something or a “who done it.”  Whatever it is, I tend to get engrossed.  Sometimes I choose to watch a live broadcast.  It can be news, or someone giving a talk.
I missed what I wanted to watch last night.  I just watched it on the computer.  What stuck me again was the pushing of an agenda.  It almost seemed the audience was handpicked to support what was said.  They clap when they are supposed to, and groan on cue.  It does not seem to matter what media it is, that is the case.  It is often said that it was different once.  I was presented with a case and left to make up my own mind.  Now it seems I am encouraged to make up my mind in a certain way. 
Personally, I am not against agendas as I believe I have one whether I admit it or not.  It is when an agenda is pushed that makes anyone who does not hold that view appear crazy I have a problem.  Program promotions are sometimes a problem to me. They may say something like tomorrow we bring you a story on this low life.  They may indeed be a low life, but I would prefer not to have my mind made up for me.
They may not be a low life too.  Based on what is presented I could never reach that conclusion.  To me it is like being on a jury and only getting to hear one side of the case.  I would naturally conclude as I am expected to due to a lack of balance.
I have seen it many times but one that sticks in my mind was one of these “hidden camera” shows.  I could not help feeling that only what was being promoted was being shown.  Another time I saw a guy have questions asked of him and some of his answers drew a round of applause.  His comment was “different crowd” to the other show he had been on.
To me, that highlighted that when something is unscripted it will not necessarily go as planned for the powers that be.  I don’t like being told how to think and it seems that is common.  I do like having something presented and then making up my own mind.  Sometimes silence results and sometimes I applaud.  The bottom line is that for me it is my choice.
When I was in charge of the table tennis club I was very much against being presented with one persons view only.  As much as possible I preferred a big picture.  It did not guarantee popularity.  Especially with the views it went against, but I always figured it was the fruit it produced that did the talking.
In my final interview I cannot imagine the boss saying, “you got me there,” or “why didn’t I think of that?”  I reckon that one will be all about me (sorry folks, yours I think will be all about you).  It will be less about what I’ve got and more about what I did with what I’ve got.  Less about views held, and more about how I treated the people with the views they held.  Agreeing or not agreeing is not a prerequisite to love.  I may need to get down and dirty with those I do not agree with - agendas and all.  With help, I reckon I can do it.