Taking on the Media!

The FOUR most important media-related concepts I have learned so far from reading Neil Postman's book, and our two articles on Google, the Internet and human intelligence

1. In the article entitled “Is Google Making Us Stupid,” written by Nicholas Carr an interesting realization is brought to the reader’s attention. Carr states that it is becoming increasingly harder to pay attention in a world filled with tweets, blogs, social networks and simplified media messages. Readers no longer have the patience to sit and read through lengthy articles. Reader’s inability to read longer articles proves to be the reason why we decode messages rather than digest them. Less and less people are reading books from the Library; instead they scan articles and sites on line that will provide them with their answer quickest. Efficiency is also key to today’s readers. They are always racing against the clock.

2. In the article entitled “Get Smarter,” written by Jamais Cascio a different message is presented. Cascio feels that Google isn’t making us stupid it is actually helping us. The only thing he suggests is that we must improve the way the mass amounts of information are being presented to us. If the delivery is improved then it will be easier for readers to digest the information and use it to their advantage. I do not necessarily agree with Cascio. If I were presented with more media then is already available to me at the present I think I would become less focused. I wouldn’t be able to efficiently analyze and master all the media. I think it is better to be excellent in a few fields rather then spread yourself to thin and know a little about everything. It is interesting to think this way, we shall see if it happens.

3. After reading Neil Postman’s novel “Amusing Ourselves to Death” several important topics intrigued me. The first piece of information I found interesting relates to Carr’s article about Google. Postman stated in his novel that in the past attention spans were much longer. People were able to sit for extended periods of time (7-8 hours) and remain engaged the entire time. Not only were they able to sit for 8 hours but they were also able to interpret more complicated messages. This is obviously much different from today’s society. I know I have a difficult time sitting still for two hours. My mind often wonders. Postman feels that “entertainment” is to blame.

4. Postman’s theory around “entertainment” is quite interesting. He feels that the television is the only medium that can showcase all the other forms of media. He feels the television single handedly ruined the minds of society. I agree with this and find it even more interesting when you look at how much has changed since it was published twenty years ago. The Internet is definitely taking over and makes me curious to see if anything will every surpass the Internet?

My evolving relationship with Our 21^st Century Media Culture

As an advertising major I am familiar with the different techniques used to persuade and manipulate the minds of consumers. I have taken many media related classes in the past but never have had access to these tool sets. Now that I am equipped with this new media tool belt, interpreting media messages take on a new meaning for me both personally and professionally. Over the last few weeks I have begun to understand and pick out persuasive techniques, shifts and principles in media messages viewed in class. I feel as the course moves forward my understanding and mastering of the tool sets will also move forward. These tool sets are vital to my success in the advertising industry.

A question about Media?

The one media- related question that I hope to answer during this course is as follows.

If the average consumer was aware of all the persuasive techniques and marketing tactics used in the industry to target them would they still follow the same consumption patterns, or would they think differently before buying?