The Pseudo-Event of Charitable Work: Uncovering Wal-Mart's Hidden Agenda
Location
CSU 201
Start Date
24-4-2006 8:45 AM
End Date
24-4-2006 10:15 AM
Student's Major
Communication Studies
Student's College
Arts and Humanities
Mentor's Name
James Dimock
Mentor's Department
Communication Studies
Mentor's College
Arts and Humanities
Description
On August 29, Hurricane Katrina slammed into Mississippi and Louisiana. But during the following days, the human, social and economic damage of Katrina was overshadowed by another story. The story of Katrina became a story about the failure of trusted safeguards, about bureaucratic red tape and about crisis in leadership. But this story, too, had its heroes and perhaps the most unlikely hero - ever - was one of the most hated corporations in America: Wal-Mart. While FEMA stalled, Wal- Mart responded. However, Wal-Mart is not as heroic as they would like us to believe, and we as consumers of not only merchandise, but also the media need to be educated as to the many ways corporations use the media to manipulate our wallets, our hearts, and our minds. Analysis of Wal-Mart's relief efforts begins with David Boorstin's theory of the 'pseudo-event' as developed in his 1961 text Images. Boorstin's theory provides a method of analysis, which distinguishes between news and public relations stunts. This method offers a framework from which Wal-Marts relief efforts can be analyzed as a PR event.
The Pseudo-Event of Charitable Work: Uncovering Wal-Mart's Hidden Agenda
CSU 201
On August 29, Hurricane Katrina slammed into Mississippi and Louisiana. But during the following days, the human, social and economic damage of Katrina was overshadowed by another story. The story of Katrina became a story about the failure of trusted safeguards, about bureaucratic red tape and about crisis in leadership. But this story, too, had its heroes and perhaps the most unlikely hero - ever - was one of the most hated corporations in America: Wal-Mart. While FEMA stalled, Wal- Mart responded. However, Wal-Mart is not as heroic as they would like us to believe, and we as consumers of not only merchandise, but also the media need to be educated as to the many ways corporations use the media to manipulate our wallets, our hearts, and our minds. Analysis of Wal-Mart's relief efforts begins with David Boorstin's theory of the 'pseudo-event' as developed in his 1961 text Images. Boorstin's theory provides a method of analysis, which distinguishes between news and public relations stunts. This method offers a framework from which Wal-Marts relief efforts can be analyzed as a PR event.
Recommended Citation
Thompson, Lindsey. "The Pseudo-Event of Charitable Work: Uncovering Wal-Mart's Hidden Agenda." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 24, 2006.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2006/oral-session-A/5
