According to our reporters, New York has a large agency over the rest of the world, having an influence on how others are socialized. The people, places, and events of this city are being transformed from reality into a hyperreality that shape how others view and construe their own lives. We speak to five New York residents, Ted, Barney, Marsha, Lilly, and Robin, to hear what they have to say about New York’s increasing influence.

Ted explains pretentiously, “here in New York, our interests are interesting and relatable.” He continues on to say that the activities he and his gang practice, like drinking at their favorite bar, are relatable and give any audience the impression that what they are watching can be their reality as well. They create a desirable reality amidst a set of relatable social and cultural points of reference. The profile of the typical HIMYM resident (middle class, modest home, thirties, practices casual activities) is not so extravagant that is becomes unbelievable.

The next step in the production of the construction of images and ideas with the ability to socialize is explained by Lilly, an artist, who is well versed on the use of symbols. “My friends and I try to keep things lighthearted and humorous so when we need to talk about... feelings and emotions. Rather than get too sappy and deep we usually just use symbols to communicate.” This seems to be an observable occurrence throughout the inhabitants of NEw York, allowing people to express themselves without needing to stray from comedy. This gives off the impression that being emotionally available will only get you into trouble and that by turning strong emotions into comedy, one can avoid being hurt. Our panel of expert researchers hypothesize that this will lead to a generation fearful of expressing themselves emotionally.

As a highly acclaimed businessman, Barney is used to making some tough decisions. “Some things have got to stay and some things have got to go, it’s just the way it is. Like with women: after they stay once, then they gotta go.” This is the same with stories, he goes on to say. Everybody needs some privacy and some stories need distorting to become more interesting. But on a broader level, New York and other audiences are getting a removed version of the truth that reflects less of a reality and more of a scripted, contrived experience that people strive to model their existences after. Since HIMYM is a hyper reality, unfortunately, nobody will be able to achieve the lifestyle they might be modeling theirs to after.

Marshal continues on to say that these filtered images have been having serious repercussions. The values and ideals expressed in his life are being manufactured and imitated worldwide after being put through a filter of fabrication. "Everybody thought I was a saint when I quit my job to become an unpaid activist. But what they didn't see was that I quit after just two days- they completely left that out!" By broadcasting these nontruths, the public is seriously misinformed and unable to form their own right opinions and arguments.

Robin began her interview by admitting to often being the butt of may jokes from her friends for being Canadian and therefore being viewed as somewhat vapid. Being from a different cultural background, she often misunderstands the information. “There is always a certain level of distortion when I communicate with others. Just the other day, my friends were trying to tell me that my new boyfriend is a dog. I thought they meant he was playful and charming but they really just meant he was a clingy nuisance who would chase his own backside.” This charming commentary may seem innocent enough but when looked at on a large scale, this can have certain negative consequences. The controvercial banter that our five interviewed guests have going between them is clearly meant to be lighthearted. But it is also clear that their stabs at seeing women as sexual objects and their casual use of marijuana might easily be misunderstood as offensive and crude behavior. On the other end of the spectrum, they might be interpreted as a reality, shaping the opinion of the audience to perpetuate things like sexist ideals and drug use.

It is clear why these packaged pieces of information are making headlines. Continue exploring this lead throughout the rest of this online journal to discover which messages are being encoded and how, upon being decoded, they have important social implications.