Watching CBC News: Sunday this morning, I was interested in a short report on the new trend in male dating approaches. “The Cad” is back! There is a show, I didn’t catch the name of it, but it follows male competitors who are out at bars and clubs trying to pick up women. The competition, and alarming, part of the show is in the men picking out a woman they see and then trying to get their number or hook up with them. All the while a camera follows them and the men are miked so we hear their conversation, with subtitles added for viewers. There are four judges who are viewing the man’s approach and tactics who give a commentary on it and make comments about the women these men have chosen. This sounds like a scary show to me. Do these women eventually learn that they were targetted and their reactions and discussion displayed on tv for an audience to view? Are they given a disclaimer that they have signed to allow the use of their picture and name? Does this not seem quite predatory of guys to narrow in on a woman they think is a ‘target’, for whatever reason, and pull out all the stops to nab the prize? And how far does this show go? Do these guys stop at just getting a number?
The report on CBC this morning was discussing the return of ‘the cad’ or ‘the player’ in media and popular culture. For those who have viewed “Briget Jone’s Diary”, the character of Daniel, played perfectly by Hugh Grant, is a perfect example of a guy out there to get the ladies and play around, seeking his own enjoyment and fullfillment, at the expense of others. He took advantage of Briget’s vulnerability and lied to get what he wanted from her, ultimately letting her down and hurting her cruelly.

The ‘media log’ potential that exists here is to do a study of a number of movies or tv shows and figure out if you’re seeing a trend in the ‘user’ as well. Or, do you think instead, that it has always continued to be there in media? This report seemed to make the claim that it is socially acceptable ‘again’ to be this kind of manipulator, for men, so it gives the impression that it was cool at one point and then was unacceptable for a time. What do you think? Do you think this is a trend in media moving towards the more predatory dating style, or is this just one of the many types of dating approaches demonstrated in media. Another question for you: Are women made to seem more predatory now as well? Maybe this isn’t just a male trend but a general social trend towards relationships and dating, the unhealthy, selfish, casual experience for both men and women alike. What do you think?

Lots of questions. Could you find an answer you would be satisfied with? This is the purpose of media logs.