Beck vs. Oprah

Earlier this year, Americans voted t.v. entertainer Glenn Beck their second-favorite television personality, after Oprah Winfrey.

In 1938, a decade before the advent of commercial television in America, the children's author and essayist E.B. White (Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little) saw his first demonstration of the invention.

"I believe television is going to be the test of the modern world," he wrote, "and that in this new opportunity to see beyond the range of our vision we shall discover either a new and unbearable disturbance of the general peace or a saving radiance in the sky. We shall stand or fall by television – of that I am quite sure."

It is interesting to note that the two top-rated television personalities stand in direct opposition to each other. Oprah Winfrey challenges us to seek out and develop the best of the human spirit. She believes in our innate intelligence. Glenn Beck's success rests upon the ignorance of his viewers as he exploits the darkest sides of human nature.

Which will prevail? The jury is still out on that, but I believe E.B. White got it right.