Saturday, August 27, 2011

The Media - It's All Around Us

     The title of this post is very true. Media is everywhere and they play important roles in our everyday life, whether we are aware of it or not. For instance, our cell phones and text messages are sources of media. Most of the population has a cell phone and they text daily. Another example of media’s roles in our lives is clothing companies. Corporations such as Hollister, Aeropostale, and Abercrombie & Fitch sell clothes that sport their logo. Every day we are surrounded by advertisements and sometimes, we don’t even realize it.
     According to Asa Briggs and Peter Burke, Innis, an economic historian, had a theory that “each medium of communication tended to create a dangerous monopoly of knowledge.” This means that there is a point where an individual can become too connected to media and know too much because of that connection.
Video courtesy of MomokoFaust on Youtube and Mars, Inc.
    The Snickers commercial above is conveying a message that if you eat a Snickers bar, your hunger will immediately disappear. This medium wants you to believe its message so the next time you're hungry, you'll buy a Snickers bar.

Which brings me to my next point:
   The media don't always tell the truth. Sunny Delight (or Sunny D) is supposedly a fruit juice with important vitamins that kids need on a daily basis. However, further research can conclude that Sunny D is no better than sugary soda. It doesn't even qualify as fruit juice.

  With all this being said, we are not only consumers, but creators as well. Social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube are all outlets of expression. They are ready for anyone to use. Just one click and bam- your message is sent into cyberspace and can be viewed by anyone. Nowadays, anyone can record their own music and get it out there (i.e. Youtube). As you can see, there are many forms of media created every day by average Americans.

After a week in Comm 100, I hope to expand my knowledge on just how much the media is affecting my life. I hope to recognize it easily after I attend more classes.

Has Comm 100 opened your eyes to the media or have you always been informed on how they're everywhere?