Interviews

Interviews are a necessity of the modern world.  From research for a paper to the news, from job interviews to documentaries.  First hand information and meetings important, and how you phrase a question in them can change everything.

We were asked to read two interviews in our book. The first one was by Terrence Smith about war reporters who travel with the U.S. military.  The second was about George Ritzer and his works on the topic of the "McDonaldised society".

Terrence Smith discusses how having reporters among the soldiers on the frontlines has changed our view on war.  Being able to see and here what really is happening in battle shows who we are fighting, and what we are fighting to achieve.  However, he also mentions how it is not an easy job, sometimes costing the lives of the reporters out there, and that the view we get is not always the full view, merely slices of what is happening.

In the interview with George Ritzer, by asking the questions in the right way, the reporter conducting the interview is more able to gain Ritzer's perspective on the situation.  By asking the question "Do you go as far as to say that McDonald's represents capitalism?" the way he does, the reporter is not wanting a 'do you believe this, yes or no?' answer, but is asking about Ritzer's personal beliefs, and getting an answer based on that.