Mooks and Midriffs

Majority of what we see on TV, and movies or celebrities and music videos contain mooks and midriffs, or also known as obnoxiousness and sex. These two factors have taken over our generation and has made influences on most of us. Even when we were very little, TV programs have been advertising this. In the documentary "Merchants of Cool," the people that were being interviewed or were researching found that the factors of obnoxiousness and sex have taken a huge step in our lives.

For my two years that I've been at McClatchy, I have noticed that there are some boys in the hallways that are mooks. When it's messing around in class or playing pranks these boys are most likely influenced by their surroundings which involve video

games or television. TV shows on MTV such as "Silent Library" and "Jackass" use these types of obnoxious actions. These men, or boys, do crazy and immature things such as riding in a grocery cart and crashing into the food stands. Another most recent group that do these stunts are You Tubers called the "Janoskians." These group of guys are in the same age groups as teenagers today. With over 1 million subscribers on their channel, teens find their pranks amusing and want to do these things. Because of the age, that is so close to ours, teens are wanting to do these obnoxious stunts as well. Producers or You Tubers of the have been thinking for years that the stereotype of teens is loud and crazy. Because of this, they have created shows that what they think teens crave for. They not only think we want obnoxiousness but also violence.

Not only do audiences like to see mooks, but they also like to see midriffs. Midriffs are occasionally girls that like to show off their assets. Many movies have these types of girls that are consumed by appearances and is seen not being afraid of showing off her sexuality. Mostly movies show midriffs for entertainment just like mooks. Producers have done this for years, thinking that the audience wants more of this because this is what generations have been watching for so long. If they stopped advertising this, then there wouldn't be much to watch. Our generation has grown to this characteristic because that is what we have known ever since we were very young. But it doesn't have to be in films or shows. Celebrities are the most common people that are midriffs.  Brittney Spears, who is having a comeback, is one of those celebrities who girls "idolize." What she advertises is that "Your body is your best asset. Flaunt your sexuality even if you don't understand it." This message is pointed to most girls out there. By watching them and movies, girls get the idea of doing the same thing, wanting to grow up faster.

Based on what I have seen in the documentary, this is what we have grown up with and all we know. These are the things that we want to see according to producers. If there weren't shows, movies, etc., then there wouldn't be much things to watch on TV and teens wouldn't be influenced to be a mook or midriff.