My Last Blog

Celebrities - it seems as if the American culture has been overtaken with them. We all want to be celebrities. We all want to be rich. Jim Carey once said that everyone wants to be rich and famous. Although everyone knows it doesn't bring happiness, they still want to try it. Carey says, "Don't try it. It isn't worth it." Interesting statement coming from one of the richest and more famous actors in Hollywood. Then I had to think of that book we were reading about Bill Romanowski. He claims in there that because of the melodramatic themes that are portrayed in movies, the American people have lost touch with reality. Professor Rudd says that it is important for us to be taught media literacy so that we can discern as Christians what these mixed messages are really saying.
I'd like to tie these three thoughts together and say this....
For myself, in my setting, in my childhood........I did not have a lot of media literacy teaching.........
BUT
I would like to argue that the training that my parents gave me was still an adequate training that helps me discern media. For instance, my dad always told me that if something is too good to be true than it's too good to be true. I really believe that today, which helps me to be cautious when I hear advertisements saying all kinds of great things about a product. My parents never like lies of any sort.......so, i was taught that tv lies and that santa claus does not exist. This helped me to understand the world of television and storytelling. They simply aren't true. Books aren't real life. I've always had a cynical view of melodrama where the hero always wins. I've been taught by my parents that life isn't always just about me. In fact, they've taught me to think about others my entire life.

However, I'm really glad that I had this class because I really did learn a lot, but I also realized that in a strange way, the teachings that my parents taught me have prepared me to take in a lot of the propaganda from the media. My parents didn't necessarily have media in mind, but the concepts that they taught me can be applied to media. This class has really taught me a lot and helped me to realize how important it is for us to use culture and media to relate to the world. I want to be a difference maker and an opinion leader.

My Favorite Medium

My favorite element of mass media would have to be movies. If you're all stressed out over work or some paper that you have to write thats due the next morning, nothing unstresses you like a good movie. For about an hour and half, you forget about the rest of the world, except for your friends that are with you, and you watch another world. A world where your problems don't exist, but somebody's elses problems do exist. They eliminate their problems one by one and conquer the world. Afterwards, you feel invigorated and invincible. You feel that if the hero in the story can accomplish that much, you can too.. (Sometimes)..Yeah, it's bout the most de-stressing thing you can do. And-------------it's a trip.

The history of the romance novel that we talked about today in class kinda made me think. Professor Rudd brought out the fact that the invention of synthetic glue had a major impact on books. It allowed them to be made much more cost efficiently in the form of paperback books. Wow, such an invention affected thousands of people because now they could access books that were more affordable for them. My thoughts went to, "Like, how crazy is that, that an invention like that could affect books with such a large impact. But, then I thought more deeply. Every single part of mass media has been affected by inventions. In fact, were nothing ever invented, mass media would be a term not in our dictionary today. The printing press, FM radio, camera, video camera, typewriters, computers, internet, and, of course, television are all inventions that greatly affected mass media. Each invention brought mass media to another level. Think with me, Is mass media still changing today. Yes, it is. In fact, Professor Rudd's been exposing us to some new mediums in class. One of the biggest changes in recent years has been through the internet.. The invention of the internet is now changing the face of mass media to some extent. Quite possibly, you may be able to stream your favorite shows on the internet someday. Some shows are already on the internet for you to watch if you miss an episode. College football and basketball games are streamed on the internet for a monthly fee. Maybe you thought of other directions that mass media has been taking. Share them with a comment......or lots of comments.....:)

Why we should pay attention to World News

Interest in international news seems to be seemingly low in most of my friends. I'm embarrassed almost to say this, but one time we were going to pray. It was opened for requests, and I mentioned the crisis in Darfur, Sudan. A few knew what I was talking about, but more than a few, were like, "What's happening there." How are we going to be able to pray for the world if we don't even know what to pray for?

I believe that a fair knowledge of world events helps us become better citizens. Knowing what U.S. interests are in foreign countries can help us evaluate the news. Understanding the deep trading ties between China and the U.S. alleviates a lot of misunderstandings or fears that China will attempt to go to war with us. Understanding other cultures is an enlightening experience that I feel everyone should experience at one time in their lives. It helps us to appreciate the freedom that we can experience every day in America. It helps us to appreciate our beautiful middle class jobs, homes, and cars.

Looking world situations such as refugee/starvation/genocide problem in Sudan can help us pray that God would intervene on their behalf. We can call Congressmen to take action to help these people. Human rights violations such as slavery and child labor are happening around the globe.

To be more aware of stuff like this pay attention to these mediums - documentaries on television that address these issues, international section of any newspaper (you can still read the gossip section on hollywood), magazines, internet news is an excellent source.
And lastly - read or listen in surveillance mode...........it WILL enrich your life.

Fan Cultures

I have come to the conclusion that those "treckies" that we watched in class aren't really that different from us. However, the reason we define them as weird is because of the norms that we, those of us from middle-class America, hold and expect them to follow. Because they look at the world differently than us, we perceive them as weird. So, the groups that we engage in and are a part of define our culture and how we see the world.

The interesting thing about groups - fan groups, religious groups, terrorist groups, or any body of people that band together for a common cause - is that these groups help bring special meanings to these people's lives. These groups also help fill a need of belonging. Most people take pride in their group. Examples - Ohio State fans, Al Quaeda, Christians, Muslims, Americans, Irish, Star War's Fans, Humane Society, Pro-life Activists, etc.....

I like to find something in common with people. I have never been that extreme of a Brown's fan. However, I like to pay a little attention to what's going on with the Browns because it seems like every male 20 years old or older in northeast Ohio seems to have some kind of feelings about the Browns. Therefore, I usually have at least the Browns to talk about with them if I don't have anything else. When I start talking to someone I don't know well, I discovered I ask questions until I discover an affinity group that we are both a part of. The rest is easy.

Mass Media is a excellent way for us to become members of groups either through TV shows, movies, the news, or sports. It brings our large world together and brings meaning to our lives that we can all identify with.

Media Conglomerates: Are they good for us?

One of my biggest pet peeves with media conglomeration is the way that it smothers innovation. As long as there is some sort of competition out there, it seems as if company's innovate and come up with bright ideas. Once a company has achieved a pinnacle and receives little competition it would seem as if they would start to go into a cyclical mode that produces only what is good for them. However, I'm going to argue that this may not all be true given all the different trends that keep propping up in America. True, I still don't like GIGANTIC companies and probably never will, BUT I don't think that they are out of reach yet.
Look at what the internet is doing to the media...For example Google, I believe that the media conglomerates are starting to feel threatened by the upstart company. Viacom's lawsuit against Google's sister company YouTube is a prime example. Google is in its own mode of buying up key internet sites and becoming one of the most innovative companies our country has ever seen.
Also, I would like to mention that to those worried that news reporting will be hurting if the media conglomerates all band together..... Not to worry, too much independent news reporting on the internet and too much competition between reporters hired by the SAME company to affect that too much.
The United States instituted checks and balances to attempt to keep its country on the right track. One of those checks and balances was laws against companies buying out all the competition. Have they stayed true to that? Well, they forced AT&T to break up. They held an anti-trust lawsuit against Microsoft over something in their operating system. Unfortunately, money seems to be the over-powering decision maker in Washington these days.
But is the consumer really that affected?
It is important for us to realize that the consumer tells these companies what to produce... and that, my friends, is what they produce.

What is a good society?

I believe that a good society is one that encompasses Christian principles. Note here that I do not necessarily mean that everyone has to be a Christian although I'm sure that is what God would want. However, the term that I used encapsulates the diverse objectives that seem to make the world safer, richer, and more unified.
The principles of right and wrong as defined by the Ten Commandments provide excellent morals that a society can live by. Do not kill, do not steal - these are principles that non-Christians can live by as well. Honesty is an integral part of a good society. It provides a secure business world built on trustworthiness on one's word. Kindness shown to others makes a society a nice place to live.
Some may argue that the government should provide for the homeless and the needy. Most Christians believe that we should help each other out and provide food for the hungry. The principle of sharing with those in needs is an excellent way for a society to work together in unity.

If you don't agree with this theory........ I encourage you to visit a third world country that has a corrupt government. I am thankful, that for the most part, America is founded on principles that define right and wrong and honesty.....