Who's affected, what's the effect?

I've come to learn how influential media can be after only a week at one of the most influential media vendors. For example, we ran a story this morning about the MegaLotto or whatever it's called being at $500 million, and walking home today I saw a sign that said it was now at $540 million. That's nearly a 10% increase in one day, and I have to wonder if correlation had something to do with causation this time.

The Trayvon Martin case is another example. Before the case was closed, details leaked slowly, and people reacted quickly. The hundred hoodie march didn't just happen on its own, obviously. Now more details are being leaked, more pictures of both men involved have surfaced, and public opinion is changing again. Not to say the public is stupid - I wholeheartedly sided with the Martins in the beginning as well, but it goes to show how sensation is a powerful motivator.