"Off Course"

To be honest I'm really feeling torn about this issue. I grew up in middle class, small town America. My friends and I absorbed any amount of pop culture we could in order to better understand "the world outside of Downsville," which of course is a gross distortion of what reality is. And I watched many of my friends' parents censor what they could consume. I, on the other hand, was pretty much allowed my freedom of choice in movies, books and television. My parents monitored what I did and if there was anything questionable we would discuss it. I'd like to think that is why I am the person I am today.

Massing's arguments are compelling though. His critique of The New York Times is one that I have never heard before. I had always absorbed the culture section as an elitist critique on high fashion, art, theater and entertainment. I had never considered its ability to report on social trends in pop culture and how the effect middle America. I actually never really thought that section knew what Middle America was.

Perhaps that is the basis of Massing's article, that The New York Times culture section is out of touch. Reporting on pop culture issues would offer a stronger more well-rounded section. And many people are concerned about social issues involving video games and rap music. I just don't know if those kind of issues would spark a greater debate that would lead to censorship. To me, our freedom to choose what content we take in is a precious gift. But I do think that a healthy discussion about pop culture and its effects on children and families is needed in this country -- and maybe that's just what the culture section in The New York Times needs to appeal to a broader audience.