Hello World!
MASS MEDIA:
communication created by the few for the consumption of many
Welcome to Blair and Kellie's media blog, a site interested in the relationship between society and people's interaction with media.
Imagine a world without mass media. No billboards, ads, TV, movies, books, magazines, or even internet.
Imagine a world without personal interaction. Avoid eye contact, conversations spoken through bytes, and time occupied by widgets.
Discuss with us. Give us your feedback. How do you feel regarding the photos? How is media consumption affecting the world? How is it thwarting us from social interaction with others?
We need lots of comments! If you don't have an account, relax! Just post a comment as "Anonymous", you could always post your name in the comment box if you want to be recognized. Thank you very much.
-Blair and Kellie
Media affects us in many different ways. These pictures show that even when we're in the company of other people we are still obsessed with contacting others through technology. I love my phone, Ipod, and computer and I hate not having them. I'm completely guilty of what's being shown in the pictures. However, it's not good. As a whole society wants quick and easy solutions to our problems. Texting and facebook have become our scapegoat for keeping in contact with people, it's both great and not so great. These advances allow us to keep in contact with people that we otherwise might not have contact with. However, it also allows us to have shallow relationships. I think the project you're doing is great but by having people post comments on the internet about how media affects us keeps the results somewhat shallow as well. By putting the project on the internet it keeps you from going and having conversations with people about these issues. Technology makes our lives easier no doubt about it but how much it too much?
ReplyDeleteI think good manners are a casualty of the media age. When two people communicate not face-to-face, but with a gadget as a go-between, there is less need to "put on one's best behavior", and consequently we all get less practiced at relating well to others. The basics of manners - putting someone else's feelings / needs before your own - aren't innate, and the less we practice these things, the more self-focused we become. I think it's both a symptom and a consequence of the digital social age.
ReplyDeleteThe Internet is a huge resource, it allows every person with a connection instant communication across the world and instant updates on literally every aspect of life. And looking into the future, it isn't going away. That being said, the effects of the Internet aren't all that good, as these picture you have show, they usually pull us away from the "here and now," we live somewhere else, sometime else too. I think we can all agree the face-to-face interaction is best, but it is quickly being fazed out with texting and instant messaging and the like (not to mention the massacre of the English language lol) and like I said earlier, it isn't going away. The Internet is very much here to stay and will become a bigger and bigger part of our lives. Even now, the Internet is with us constantly, on our phones, computer, TV's, refrigerators, and more! Now I can honestly say I'm not excited for the point in time when I can be walking home and once I'm a mile away the heater turns on, the oven turns on and the house prepares itself for my arrival. Trust me, that will happen soon. (It's even happening now, I wish I link) The Internet and this technology is very much interfering with our social lives, it's all very selfish, there's really no need for any other person to be involved for me to enjoy the experience that this technology gives, sure they're can be someone on the other end, but even that doesn't matter anymore: http://cleverbot.com/
ReplyDeleteOkay, well I'm rambling now, I think. So I'll end it with this: yes, the Internet is more or less taking over our lives and I don't see any sign of that changing, unless, of course, we make a personal decision not to let it. I'll say that my children won't have a phone (or whatever it will be in twenty years) until they're at least... 16, maybe?
I don't really feel that these pictures are realistic, at least, they are not realistic to my life. When I hang out with friends I want to listen to them and do things rather than text someone else or do my own thing on the internet. I guess that goes back to the thing about manners because I find it to be rude to do other things when you are with another person so I just don't do it. Also, I think it is great that people are able to share things whether it's music from our iPods, links on the computer or otherwise because great things can come out of that. Granted, most of the things I share with friends on Facebook are not going to change the world, but sharing information could never hurt. Through the internet scientists are able to share their findings and discoveries can be made more quickly.
ReplyDeleteOverall, I think when it's used efficiently and effectively truly remarkable things can come out of technology and I feel as if these two pictures are a little biased and only represent half of the story.
I often see people in scenarios very similar to these. I just saw a movie over at the Hollywood theater; as we left after the movie was over I saw many people, sitting next to one another, checking their iPhones or androids or whatever - rather than chatting together about how they liked (or didn't like) the film. I saw a dad at a school music program check his phone during the program at least 20 times in one hour. These photos may seem staged or unrealistic to some; I think they illustrate reality. Screen time is getting to be something of an addiction for some people in our society.
ReplyDeleteI live my life with as few gadgets as possible. A phone is necessary at times but not constantly in use. I grew up with people listening to each other face to face or over the phone. I have been in company where people are tuned into (plugged in) to their gadgets and it was uncomfortable to me... hard to talk to someone who is preoccupied with texting, tweeting, etc. Disconnected.
ReplyDeleteanonymous teacher dude
The enculturation of media devices on young people creates a disconnect between having real relationships with each other. It is also apparent that these devices pacify us when we are alone or even with other people.
ReplyDeleteWhile the images display people who are disconnected from each other, I wonder how technology is affecting the development of relationships. Too many one-sided conversations occur with the use of technology today. Even in this Blog format! Who will critique, question or agree with me RIGHT NOW in REAL TIME?
"Anonymous teacher dude" has good points in limiting how much technology is used in our day to day routine. For example, do I stop blogging and go and kiss my kids good night now or keep blogging?
GOOD NIGHT!
:-]