The presidential campaigns dominates the media.

As technology evolves, information sharing becomes faster. But technology also causes people to notice mundane details. Television corrupts the election process by magnifying issues that are unimportant.

A dramatic presidential race receives more viewers, but it causes presidential campaigns to loose focus.

“The media abuses presidential campaigns to the point that you forget what the candidate stood for in the first place,” said Tyler Binder, sophomore sociology major.

While watching a televised debate or a public speech, viewers don’t just process words.

Audiences notice arbitrary characteristics such as hand gestures, facial expressions, choice of clothing and the environment surrounding the candidate.

The best example of this phenomena is the 1960 televised presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.

According to The Museum of Broadcast Communications, Nixon had recently left the hospital because of a knee injury. He had also lost 20 pounds and refused makeup.

The result was a pasty man wearing clothes that didn’t fit. In comparison, Kennedy looked healthy and tan from campaigning in California.

The majority of people who watched the televised debate thought Kennedy won, but those who listened to the debate on the radio believed Nixon won. This instance explicitly indicates that our visual interests take away from the comprehension of our hearing too easily.

“Televised media does not spend enough time on the substance of issues but instead concentrates on the horse race of the campaigns,” said Bill Cassidy, assistant communications professor. “There is not enough being said directly from the candidates.”

If debates and speeches were delivered in a way that allowed people to focus on a candidate’s words and connotation, voters could have an impartial opinion.

Many ideas are copies of opinions heard elsewhere. If voters sought out information for themselves, they would turn from media conformists to educated, critical thinkers.

The media has a large impact on society. Certain messages people receive from these shows are not always so obvious. Voters should change their information medium to learn exactly what a candidate will provide.

The Internet, radio, newspapers, magazines and various books all provide information about presidential candidates. Take the time to do independent research.

Don’t let the remote dictate importance.