I can honestly say that I spend far too much time on my computer and my cell phone. Far too much. Each keep me in touch with the friends that I have moved away from, and with the new ones that I have made in my time here at school.
Without my computer, I would be completely oblivious to the people and the world around me. I use my computer as a means of communication with friends and family, I use it during my classes to take notes, I use it to research for upcoming tests and papers, and I use it to find out what is going on in the world.
My computer has become a major part of my daily routine, and I am not ashamed to say so. I wake up in the morning, I walk over to my desk, and I turn on my computer. That way, I can go brush my teeth and such, and by the time I walk back into my room, my computer is running, my msn has opened, and I am able to see how many new emails I have. I check my emails, I check my Facebook, I say good morning to my Dad over msn, and then I grab some breakfast and cruise news sites. I look at the Toronto Sun's headlines for the day, and read any stories that catch my eye, I look at BBC's website and do the same thing... Then I cruise over to Yahoo and Sports Illustrated and get my latest sport's scores and updates.
My computer has reformed my daily routine. I can no longer go a day without being on my computer; whether I'm doing homework (less likely) or chatting with my friends over Facebook and MSN (most likely). I feel no shame about the fact that my life has been mediated, because I know that I am FAR from alone. There are people out there just like me, a lot more than most people realize.
My name is Laura, and my life has been impacted by technology and media. And I'm neither alone or upset. =)
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Theory/Praxis
Ideology, by definition is the body of doctrine, myth, belief, etc. that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class or large group (dictionary.com). This, to me, can be directly related to the media!
Media is what brings the masses together. Whether we like it or not, everyone in almost every place, everyday is affected by the media. Everyone has a form of media that they seem to not be able to live without.
There have been many media ideologies that have, over the years, drawn in a large following. One of the most obvious being the television: when the television first came about, everyone wanted to get their hands on one. The television was this new, never before seen form of media. Something that could keep you updated on local news, something that could let you watch your favourite shows. Also, people with televisions were seen as being wealthier than others. This media ideology had a large following at the time of its appearance, and it still has a large today.
Another, more recent, media ideology that has come about is Facebook. Let's face it, almost everyone you talk to has heard of Facebook, and has a Facebook account. This social networking service has become a major hit with the masses. People can talk instantly, post pictures, and keep in touch with those people who have drifted away from them. I know a ton of people who go on Facebook once a day; I myself seem to always be on it.
There are many media ideologies that effect the lives of people everyday. I am a major follower of the media, and I'm not afraid to admit that I always will be.
Media is what brings the masses together. Whether we like it or not, everyone in almost every place, everyday is affected by the media. Everyone has a form of media that they seem to not be able to live without.
There have been many media ideologies that have, over the years, drawn in a large following. One of the most obvious being the television: when the television first came about, everyone wanted to get their hands on one. The television was this new, never before seen form of media. Something that could keep you updated on local news, something that could let you watch your favourite shows. Also, people with televisions were seen as being wealthier than others. This media ideology had a large following at the time of its appearance, and it still has a large today.
Another, more recent, media ideology that has come about is Facebook. Let's face it, almost everyone you talk to has heard of Facebook, and has a Facebook account. This social networking service has become a major hit with the masses. People can talk instantly, post pictures, and keep in touch with those people who have drifted away from them. I know a ton of people who go on Facebook once a day; I myself seem to always be on it.
There are many media ideologies that effect the lives of people everyday. I am a major follower of the media, and I'm not afraid to admit that I always will be.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Advertisement Analysis
The advertisement that I chose to analyze is the commercial for stupid.ca, where the kids put an advertisement over the side of a working complex that states that "everyday in Ontario, 36 people die from smoking. at that rate, this building would be empty in 33 days".
This advertisement, along with all the other advertisements from stupid.ca, really have a purpose for me. I like the fact that the people who are always seen setting up these images of smoking facts are teenagers, as teenagers are seen to be the age group most influenced to smoke. The stupid.ca commercials always relay some message as to why smoking is bad, why is should be stopped, how people can stop it. These commercials have a purpose to me, because they are relaying a positive, educational message, as opposed to some of the commercials that are on television today, which are only on there strictly for the monumental gain of the company or corporation they represent.
The stupid.ca commercials are educational, and they have an impact on the society of today. Even if people choose not to stop smoking after seeing the commercials, their conscience is a little guiltier after seeing them, because they now have on more tidbit of information on how they are poisoning themselves and society.
The commercials are always acted out within a highly populated area, such as a city or a mall. This helps the message spread to a maximum amount of people. The activities are also always recorded by those involved in the activities, so that the message can be sent across the airwaves via television and reach millions more people and relay its message.
I chose to analyze the stupid.ca commercials because to me they are commercials that are worth watching, because they are for a good cause and for the benefit of the greater good. They are not to advertise for any companies, they are not for self gain. They are put across the airwaves solely to benefit the people of the world, and to reduce the amount of people in Ontario dying from smoke related diseases everyday.
This advertisement, along with all the other advertisements from stupid.ca, really have a purpose for me. I like the fact that the people who are always seen setting up these images of smoking facts are teenagers, as teenagers are seen to be the age group most influenced to smoke. The stupid.ca commercials always relay some message as to why smoking is bad, why is should be stopped, how people can stop it. These commercials have a purpose to me, because they are relaying a positive, educational message, as opposed to some of the commercials that are on television today, which are only on there strictly for the monumental gain of the company or corporation they represent.
The stupid.ca commercials are educational, and they have an impact on the society of today. Even if people choose not to stop smoking after seeing the commercials, their conscience is a little guiltier after seeing them, because they now have on more tidbit of information on how they are poisoning themselves and society.
The commercials are always acted out within a highly populated area, such as a city or a mall. This helps the message spread to a maximum amount of people. The activities are also always recorded by those involved in the activities, so that the message can be sent across the airwaves via television and reach millions more people and relay its message.
I chose to analyze the stupid.ca commercials because to me they are commercials that are worth watching, because they are for a good cause and for the benefit of the greater good. They are not to advertise for any companies, they are not for self gain. They are put across the airwaves solely to benefit the people of the world, and to reduce the amount of people in Ontario dying from smoke related diseases everyday.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Mass Media
To me, the term mass media is a means of communicating to the masses. To reaching numerous amounts of people using various forms of media. To me, mass media is used effectively in our everyday society. People are communicating to each other in numerous ways, and all of these are engaging our society and aiding in its growth.
Mass media is a useful tool within our society. With the use of mass media, people can communicate their ideas to the masses as ease, whether its through email, the television, or even just in the way they express themselves with their appearance. People today are accepting the idea of media and embracing it to express their individuality.
Mass media should not be repelled; should not be hated. It should be loved, and people should really start to see how useful the media is to them, and that whether they like it or not, their lives will always be touched by the media in some way.
Mass media is a useful tool within our society. With the use of mass media, people can communicate their ideas to the masses as ease, whether its through email, the television, or even just in the way they express themselves with their appearance. People today are accepting the idea of media and embracing it to express their individuality.
Mass media should not be repelled; should not be hated. It should be loved, and people should really start to see how useful the media is to them, and that whether they like it or not, their lives will always be touched by the media in some way.
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