Media Observation 8, More of Today's News

I do not know why it bothers me so, but I wonder why we have to know so much about everything. It is great that the media provides so many opportunities for so many people, but it amazes me that stories about peoples lives can make other people money. I guess I am sort of a pessimist in this sort of category, but I wonder why we have to be so nosy. I honestly could care less about celebrities and their latest love life. I am not the biggest sports fan, I would much rather spend time, money and effort helping kids in my community get involved in sports, rather than going to some professional game. Now this might come hypocritical, but I am a succor for movies. However, I love them only when they are teaching something of value and worth, when the have a good moral, or when they just have a good story. Now that I have pretty much just torn down the legs from underneath of me, I want to say that if we are going to get into peoples lives, scrutinize them so severely so that the whole world knows what someones tiny flaw looks like underneath a magnifying glass, we should take a look at our own lives and what we would want. As a journalist, as a producer, as an announcer, would we want the news we are portraying and relating to thousands, to hundreds of thousands, to be displayed in that manner. If only we could get people to see that. Would they be so hasty to report all of that news?

Article 4, Sea Star

I find it absolutely fascinating how television can affect so many different things. Take for example, the fishing boat off of Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch. Before five years ago, this old crab boat, Sea Star, probably just sat in a harbor in some Alaskan community and now, during it's off season, is parked in Seattle's fisherman's harbor, selling tickets and souvenirs to tourists. The crab boat and crew brave the "roiling Bering Sea" and interpersonal conflict in the hit reality show during crabbing season. It is incredibly amazing how television can change even an old sea captains way of life.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104405089

Media Observation 7, Today's News

The Mass Media seems to be more of an addiction for my spouse than for me. I get all angry and excited when he chooses to sit down at the computer for 30 min to see what is going on in the world rather than to see what is going on with me, with us or let him talk about himself. It seems that he would much rather look into scores of dancing with the stars or see who has the latest top selling single. It is very frustrating and very aggravating. I know kind of funny coming from a broadcasting student. However, I believe that if reading the news is something that you enjoy doing, then you should get done with those things that are required. First work then play.

Newspaper Article 3, Targeted TV Ads

Targeted TV: Ads Will Soon Know You, Your Wants

Although we, as Americans, are getting entertainment from cell phones, computers and MP3 players, the average American watches more than five hours of television a day. Therefore, what advertisements that we will be getting on our televisions will soon be catered to our needs and wants. The example they give is why advertise diapers to thousands of households that do not have babies? Moreover, soon television will be interactive. For reality tv goers, with the touch of your remote, you will be able to vote for your favorite contestant. For those watching the Home Shopping network, one will be able to point their remote at the screen, put in their pin number and be able to order their product. What you buy, what you watch and other commercials that you react to will soon help the television industry.


http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104477856

Media observation 6, Violence in the Media

Why is it that as a society, we are becoming more allowing to violence and vulgarity? My spouse and I were watching The Express not too long ago and we were appalled at the language. The movie was rated PG and yet every five minutes a swear word was being dropped. Two nights a go we were watching Vantage Point and the first time we watched it we didn't remember there being so much killing, so much swearing, just so much violence because we were so caught up in the intensity and entertainment part of the movie; however watching it for the second time we noticed that it really is not the greatest movie. What little good it does have to it, protecting the president, realizing that family is important and that it need not be taken for granted, weren't really all that limelighted. I wonder why we let our standards get taken so low. I wonder why we as a society agree to these sorts of entertainment. Why do we watch movies like The Dark Knight that only leaves you feeling like the devil is after you. Why do we listen to music that encourages suicide and adultery? I believe that we get so bored with all the "goody too shoes" that we let ourselves be entertained by the adrenaline pumping sort of entertainment.

Media observation 5, Books

Discussing books in class and thinking about their purpose the last week has made me dig a little more into their value. I have come to realize that books are thoughts and ideas of people, regular average people that want to put their ideas, their lives, their fantasies and their stories on paper to share with whomsoever has interest in that subject. It amazes me that so many books are available and ready to us and still people read them amidst this vast technologically advance world. I believe and forever will, that the hard bound version will always be better then the electronic one. There is just something about opening a book, turning the pages, seeing the advancement and achievement in oneself and closing it on completion. I can't imagine a world without books and the world of knowledge and imagination they bring into our lives. They are a mass form of communication for millions of people. I bet that Stephanie Meyer or J.K. Rowling never thought that their stories or their characters would ever make such a difference or reach so many people. However, because of the ability to share via books and the printing capability of books, that is exactly what happens.

Media observation 4, Movie Month

I honestly never knew that May was such a big deal for movies. However, now looking back over the years, May has always started the movie season the delved into summer. It is so fascinating to think of all that movies do. They are cheap (for the most part) entertainment, they give people a reason to get together, they are located all over the world, once it comes onto DVD you can watch them over and over again, they inspire people, they degrade people, they give people jobs, and last of all, because they are all over the world, they communicate with billions of people. These affect so many things. They affect actors and their future careers, they affect the news and certain newspapers more than others. In addition to being their own mass media they help create mass media.