Mass Media [Borrowed Theory]

Any form of communication in which a large number of people are receiving a mediated message is what we can call mass communication. From television and radio, to the Internet, newspaper and magazines, these are all forms of media in which these messages are communicated through, thus becoming mass media.

But what types of mediated messages are we talking about? It can be anything!!! Telling people how they should dress, how much they should weigh, what they should buy, what will make them happy, etc.

It makes you think that through mass media we are being controlled, doesn’t it? Maybe we are.

Wanting to do some background research, I read Neil Postman’s, Amusing Ourselves to Death, and learned something very interesting regarding Orwell’s novel, 1984, and Aldous Huxley’s novel, Brave New World. Orwell warns about a world in which we are controlled by the “Big Brother” and what we hate is what will destroy us. Ruxley, on the other hand, argues that it is all this mass communication and forms of media that will destroy us. In short, what we love will bring us to our end. How can we learn to become our own unique person when subconsciously we are receiving mediated messages through objects we don’t even see as dangerous. We can become so absorbed by television, magazines, msn, facebook, etc. that we’ll ignore the real world around us, falling victim to become clones of the media.

Clones of the media. Hmmm, I like that. Perhaps I should write my own theorizing novel…

Works Cited

Postman, Neil. Amusing Ourselves to Death : Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business. New York: Penguin (Non-Classics), 1986.

Media Autobiography

I had a tough time deciding how to execute the task of a media autobiography. How does media affect my life? I believe the question is more so, how does it not? Ideas flooded my mind, but in the end, it was almost a no-brainer. I work for one of the most media-influenced companies in today’s fashioned industry, Jacob. This company’s goal is to set standards to women all over to rise up and become a “Jacob Woman”. The proper hairstyle (god forbid you dare to try curls), the make-up, the perfume, and of course, the high-fashion, expensive clothing.

I decided to do this project through the art of film because, as a media student, it will be a medium I will be working with quite a bit and it is one that I do not believe I have enough experience with. So I turned this project not only into a self-reflexive piece, but a opportunity to learn more about a different field of media that might interest me. It was definitely a well-thought out decision on my part.

My intention with this project was to showcase that, in working for such a company, I’m forced to be an example of this “Jacob Woman”. Setting aside all moral beliefs that women are all beautiful despite what the media claims, is something I do each time I walk through those matte-finished, black doors. It’s unfortunately the decision a financially insecure student must make.

I see some good in this though. I may work for a media-crazed fashion company, but it’s made me aware. I understand the tricks of retail. I see and hear the lies they feed unsuspecting customers each day. I can use a video like the one I created for my media autobiography to show that yes, looking good is fine and dandy, but so is feeling good. I’ve realized that the industry of media I work for has structured my life, but in the best way possible. I’ve obtained a knowledge that you can’t learn through books. The knowledge that when you try to avoid the media, it can consume you; instead, learn to live with it and make the mental choice to be smart, to be aware, and to be your own person. It’s the reason why I confidently tell customers H&M sells the same shirt for half the price, or explain to them that no, wide leg pants really aren’t meant for everyone.

I may be the “Jacob Woman” on the outside but I will always be me through the make-up.

The Ecology of Media [Why My Laptop Owns Me]

Though there is much debate over the first laptop inventor, from William Moggridge's NASA model to Adam Osbourne's version, it doesn't change the notebook machines we are left with today. Light and portable, the laptop was brought into our lives to create ease and convenience to help us carry around needed information and programs that will help us with our daily routines, whether school related, work related, etc. The purpose of the laptop is clear; when having an immobile computer at home isn't enough, here's an option to make life easier and help out.

But thinking about my own laptop, is its purpose really helpful? Do I use my miniature computer to better my life? I purchased my 15 inch Macbook Pro a week before starting university this year to "let me take notes during class" and "complete work in between classes". Have I? Well, if taking notes in class is considered facebook commenting and completing work is deemed msn chatting, then yes, my lovely silver gadget is doing a fine job. Otherwise, I believe me and the 96% of laptop owners in university I verbally surveyed have tweaked the laptop from its origin purpose to a new function...

A portable distraction!

                     

Works Cited

"History of Laptop Computers." About.Com. 26 Sept. 2008 <http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bllaptop.htm>.

Photo Taken From: "The History of The Laptop Computer." Electronic Communication Device. 26 Sept. 2008 <http://ligon.wcpss.net/dept/tech/studentprojects/ecdpage/ecd.html>.

Academic Blogging [First Post= First University Headache]

[Author's Note: This is my second draft of my first blog. And proof of why i gave up writing diaries, both handwritten and online, about three years ago. My name is Stephanie Lewin, first year media student at the University of Guelph-Humber, and I suffer from sever writer's block; constantly. Hopefully after two weeks of leaving my posts in my drafts, I am now ready to post. Enjoy!]

Ah, the first post of many. How I wish this moment had come easy! Just picking my background colour alone took me a great deal of thought and time. Although, truth be told, that was not the greatest challenge to creating my blog.

So what was it? Perhaps the decision to choose Blogger as my hosting blog website? Not really actually. Despite any good or bad connotations linked with the corporation of Google, this search engine has seen me through it all; from resources for my last minute projects, to discovering the cheapest way to fly from Toronto to Florida, to self-diagnosis when... well, you get the idea. If I'm in bed with Google when I choose Blogger then you better buy some earplugs!

Was it picking the name of the website that will now become to cause of high stress levels and anxiety for the next 12 weeks? I wish. Fortunately, though I do believe names should be thoughtful, I also believe naming based on first instinct (in this case, I felt a manipulating of words was in order).

Then it was definitely picking to URL link name to my website, right? No; wrong again! I'm a writer at heart, if I feel like what I'm typing is worthy to post, well then you're worthy to read. A person's greatest critic is himself- or herself- after all.

So what was this great and difficult challenge to setting up my first blog? What caused my mind a great deal of anguish and frustration? What is the one suggestion I would make to Blogger on their set-up process? Make the damn security code easier to decipher:

thedigedqu

Could the letters have gotten anymore squished together?!