It’s no new concept that the media plays a big part in shaping how people see and internalize the news reports, magazine ads, radio talks or even music lyrics that become popular beliefs in the world. I have not done personal qualitative research aimed at this topic and cant give stats to my beliefs, but it holds true for me that people (who involve themselves in modern media) seem to let that shape how they communicate with the rest of the world.
Our text talks about news as entertainment and all the bias it creates when dealing with important matters, and how they’re , “almost always chosen for their entertainment value” (Rodman p. 382). And I have to say that I agree, but a more important question could surround the impact that these news flashes could have on younger generations and their morals. The book pointed out an instance where Time magazine asked a number of people on a questionnaire after the September 11th attack, whether we should go to war or not? The results indicated that the majority of people thought it right to go to war, but when a second poll was administered and one of the questions asked was with whom should we go to war with, that same majority of people weren’t sure (Rodman p. 382-383). The leaking of this data, out to the public’s ears could present a huge mess of problems and lead people to believe certain information to hold true when really it is false.
The quality of the news programs has to be entertaining to keep the ratings up, I understand this, and I don’t believe we can blame the news for doing its job as a semi-entertainer. Again, as with many mass communication outlets already discovered thus far I think it’s up to the parents to teach strong morals and boundaries to their children. Letting them know when to discredit something and when to take information at face value.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Friday, November 9, 2007
Life and the Internet
The internet, for me involves a love-hate relationship surrounding the disconnection of people and the increase in cyber-relations. I believe the world wide web is beneficial for multiple reasons, research, entertainment, work related projects or even to connect with hard to reach parts of the world, yet a piece of me has always been wary of its obvious power.
Our text gives an explanation of the four basic components that make up the internet….
1. Email (private text conversations and mailing list distributions)
2. Information and entertainment services (advertiser supported and pay-per-access)
3. Electronic commerce (advertising, consumer sales and business-to-business transactions)
4. Cyberspace communities (social networks and people with common interests...)
(Rodman p. 324)
After looking over these main areas one can easily see that the world relies on the technology of the internet to maintain a large percentage of their lives. My personal thought is to create a mild resistance against the overpowering technological importance of the day and age we live in. Verbal conversations including work, family and friends are becoming a thing of the past as people are becoming busier and using the internet to save time. I think it’s important that people in general maintain a minimal use of technology, using it when necessary but relying on a more naturalistic reality to keep up with life, in doing so people will be forced to slow down, to make time for loved ones, and to spend moments reflecting. I believe this is vital for mental health; and would be so hard to do for so many people.
I've added an interesting and kinda strange example of the value people place on the internet..it's by an unknown writer but I think parallels my point! :)
Our text gives an explanation of the four basic components that make up the internet….
1. Email (private text conversations and mailing list distributions)
2. Information and entertainment services (advertiser supported and pay-per-access)
3. Electronic commerce (advertising, consumer sales and business-to-business transactions)
4. Cyberspace communities (social networks and people with common interests...)
(Rodman p. 324)
After looking over these main areas one can easily see that the world relies on the technology of the internet to maintain a large percentage of their lives. My personal thought is to create a mild resistance against the overpowering technological importance of the day and age we live in. Verbal conversations including work, family and friends are becoming a thing of the past as people are becoming busier and using the internet to save time. I think it’s important that people in general maintain a minimal use of technology, using it when necessary but relying on a more naturalistic reality to keep up with life, in doing so people will be forced to slow down, to make time for loved ones, and to spend moments reflecting. I believe this is vital for mental health; and would be so hard to do for so many people.
I've added an interesting and kinda strange example of the value people place on the internet..it's by an unknown writer but I think parallels my point! :)
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