[Eowyn-of-Rohan]

Good arguments, but I ask you, how is what THEY are doing not social engineering ? They are shaping and sculpting our culture--and the image we are known by around the world. How can this not be social engineering?? We need new engineers!

[StupidQuestions]

It is not social engineering because it is reactive. Programmers run focus groups and big research projects all to find out what you want. Free TV isn't pushing the envelope. That is going on on the premium channels. It is going on in the theaters. But what succeeds in those venues eventually makes its way to the commercial channels because they are fighting for the same audience.

There is no group to which I'm willing to entrust a social engineering project. We do it as a people all by ourselves. We do it everytime a movie is a hit or bombs. We do it every time we turn the channel on our TV --- and that's the only way I want it. Anything else is censorship (although it can carry much fancier labels).

[kcar]

Everyone tries to socially engineer with every arguement they make, but the PROBLEM is that freedom thing again, the Constitution, not everyone even listens, and many who do don't care, and some who do don't like the angle.
Frankly I've never been in the Board meeting when they talked about anything other than P&L anc cash flow issues - maybe there's a special session where they say "Are the shoe-clerks gone? Good. Let's get down to business." (flipping on the Social Engineering Powerpoint slide).

[LanPB01]

If you want "new engineers", start your own network and let the market decide if it's worth watching.