Commentary: Do we value spectacle over substance?
Dennis Patrick Slattery, For the Express-News
July 14, 2021
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Television is not only society’s primary form of mass communication, it is the source from which a large segment receives not just news but what they consider reality.San Francisco Chronicle file photo
When we take a well-earned break from the onslaught of news that bombards us daily, we might wonder, as we should, how fantasies of reality have gained such strength and support in these past years and seem to coagulate today with greater concentration.
I returned to a book I had read in 2012, published in 2009 by a foreign correspondent of 20 years and a New York Times writer for 15 years, Chris Hedges: “Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle.” His cultural diagnoses have become more prescient and more ubiquitous with time.
Core Dance returns to its collaboration with Global Water Dances for a week-long cultural immersion and environmental activation project in Hawaii, June 6-13 .
Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce
Flores, Alarcon and Williams with Elected Officials.
CARPINTERIA, Calif. The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce announced the 2020 Junior Carpinterian of the Year on Monday afternoon.
Lucia Alarcon was named the 2020 Junior Carpinterian of the Year.
Alarcon receiving a plaque from Congressman Carbajal.
Laura Flores from Carpinteria High School and Luke Williams from Bishop Diego High School were the finalists.
Alarcon will receive a $4,000 scholarship and Laura Flores and Luke Williams will each receive $1,500 scholarships.
“The purpose of the award is to honor outstanding seniors for their leadership abilities and special contributions to their school, to Carpinteria and beyond. While academic standing is important, community and school involvement are usually the deciding factor, said Joyce Donaldson, COO and Carpinteria Liaison of the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce.
Housing and Development Newsletter
On hand to congratulate the honorees with resolutions and certificates of recognition were U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal, 1st District Supervisor Das Williams and Mayor Wade Nomura.
The chamber will also honor the students at the 63rd Carpinteria Community Awards event on Saturday, Oct. 23 at Pacifica Graduate Institute.
The 2021 Community Awards Gala will honor the Carpinterian of the Year, Jr. Carpinterian of the Year, two Jr. Carpinterian Scholarship Finalists, two Teachers of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and the Ambassador of the Year.
The Jr. Carpinterian of the Year Scholarship application was made available to any graduating senior currently resides in the Carpinteria Valley. For more information, contact [email protected] or call 805-967-2500 ext. 106.
In a year filled with the unexpected, one thing has been constant: the rigorous pursuit for excellence among Carpinteriaâs most ambitious teenagers. Among this cohort of exceptional Carpinteria young people are three seniors, Laura Flores, Isa Alarcon and Luke Williams, who have been selected as finalists for Jr. Carpinterian of the Year, an honor bestowed annually to one graduating senior by the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce.Â
Flores, Alarcon and Williams have excelled in academics, sports and civic engagement, and each will receive a scholarship from the chamber. The student named Jr. Carpinterian of the Year will receive a $4,000 scholarship and each of the two finalists will receive $1,500 scholarships.Â