Reflection

As technology becomes more advanced, so does the media, and over the years, we’ve become dangerously addicted to it and what’s presented to us through it. I don’t spend a day without a device of some kind, whether it be a phone, TV, or laptop, and I know the same goes for most people. I check my social media every day, some days it’s more than others, but regardless, it’s probably become a part of my daily routine by now, and I know it’s not good, but our generation has become addicted to the media. This much consumption definitely has its pros and cons though—unfortunately, it makes me more attached to unnecessary technology use, but I feel like I’m also exposed to very diverse viewpoints and I think it’s helped educate me and form my own opinions on events around the world. Because I have become more aware of my media consumption, I feel like I am always connecting what I see in the media now to what I’ve been doing in school, whether it be in advertising, TV shows, etc. After this unit, I realize how much time I spend consuming media, and I keep telling myself that I need to set limits, but my progress in doing so is coming along gradually, but I think I am starting to make a change in my habits. While consuming different types of media, it’s important to have media literacy so that you know what’s presented to you, why it’s presented to you, and what it means to the consumer and the advertisers. Having the ability to understand the meaning behind what you see in the media can help you filter what’s true or fake, or significant or not. Media literacy relates a lot to being an educated consumer too, which is equally as important. Educate yourself on what you see in the media in order to judge what’s credible and what isn’t and the motives of the people responsible for what you see. Although it was certainly not my favorite activity, keeping my logs wasn’t just another assignment; I feel like it really helped me understand things I see in the media that I wouldn’t even think twice about before starting this unit. I became more aware of how much the media and technology has affected our social norms and culture in general, and I’ve learned the huge effects that it has on us and our development and well-being—both good and bad.

MissRepresentation: How We React

The portrayal of women and girls in the media is appalling, but the reaction to it is another situation, equally appalling at times, but also astonishing and admirable at other times.

As I briefly mentioned in my other MissRepresentation post, I see a lot of girls degrading themselves on social media, but I also see a lot of positive things. Although not always happy vibes, a lot of girls are nothing but kind to each other online and in person. I love to see people posting about how happy they are or how beautiful other people are--inside and out. What I really love is seeing trends about self love or being confident in yourself, despite what men or even other girls will tell you.

Of course, there are so many people who are against feminist movements as well. Although I can't understand where they're coming from, I suppose they have their own beliefs. Some people may fight against feminism, and others will fight for it, but hopefully those who aren't for such a beautiful movement now, will be in the future.

MissRepresentation: How We Portray Women

For as long as the media has existed, women have never been portrayed in the way that they should be, as we see in MissRepresentation. Over time, as this problem has become more apparent, positive movements have arisen, luckily, but unfortunately, these efforts haven't stopped much.

In the media, whether it be on social websites or movies and TV, women are constantly being seen in a negative way. Of course, there are always exceptions, as many female characters are strong protagonists and/or heroes that play important roles, but not always. Often times in TV or movies, women are sexualized and objectified, and can be seen as property or merely entertainment for boys and men. Ideas like these are not what we want to be promoting in the media, as it encourages boys to think this way, and makes women think of themselves in a terrible way--like they really are just objects for men to use. Over time, this has been a consistent pattern, and despite any and all efforts to make it stop, it's likely it never will.

On social media, I've noticed a trend of women being degraded--and not only by men or other women, but most commonly, by themselves. I don't think I've ever gone a day on social media without seeing someone comment about their physical appearance or even their personality in a harsh way. Even my friends, and sometimes myself too, will constantly complain about how much they hate their own feelings, actions or looks to me or anyone who will listen on social media.

I'm getting tired of seeing this all over the media, because women and girls are always seen as something we're not. I hope that this will change someday, but if it ever does, it certainly won't be soon.

"Merchants of Cool"

In Frontline's documentary, "Merchants of Cool," Douglass Rushkoff addresses what "cool" is in the media, how to find it, and how it is always changing. Obviously, trends are never permanent, because new ideas or things are always catching teenagers' attentions, and much quicker than the media can include it into advertising or entertainment programs. Although what's "cool" is always changing, it's interesting to see what has stayed and what has gone over the years.

For example, when "midriff" Britney Spears' song, "Oops!... I Did It Again" was mentioned in the documentary--as being popular from around the year 2000--everyone in the classroom knew exactly what song they were about to hear as soon as it played. For as much as what's "cool" is always changing in the media, I thought it was interesting that some music, TV programs, or celebrities like Britney Spears are still well-known and loved today, nearly seventeen years later.

On the contrary, trends can easily go out of style in a very short amount of time, as well. Take Silly Bandz, for example. When I was in fourth or fifth grade (maybe?), everyone started wearing Silly Bandz, and people grew their collections. Now, (of course I wouldn't see it within my own age group) I don't even see younger kids wearing Silly Bandz, like my friends and I did when we were their age.

I think things like these lose popularity so quickly because of how much they're advertised or praised in the media, and people no longer like something that everyone else likes, because, as we discussed in class, so many people have the need for autonomy and affiliation, which is hard to work with--media-wise.

I Don't Even Like Football!!

It's not unusual to see a TV playing a sports game or commercials when you walk in a restaurant, typically across from the bar (if there is one). Every once in a while I used to sit down with my dad to watch a Raiders game, or a Kings game with my brother, but I don't really follow professional sports so I typically wouldn't choose to watch them on TV, but that's what's always playing in restaurants. I never understood football, no matter how much my dad tried to explain it to me, and I don't like to watch it, but for some reason, whenever it's playing in a restaurant, I have to resist the urge to watch it. Even when something as stupid as a McDonald's commercial appears on screen, I'll willingly watch that too, and I don't know why. I've thought about this incapability to look away from the television for years now, always wondering why I'm like this, but I feel like I'm not the only one.

I think that the media and technology in general has become such a big part of our lives in the last few years, that as Frontline addressed in their documentary, "Digital Nation," we have become addicted to our electronics. Because of this, we're always feeling the need to be holding a phone or glued to a screen of some kind, which I think is why I have a hard time looking away from TVs playing things I don't even like in restaurants. I think we've become so attached to materialistic things like our phones and the media that we'll do anything to have access to it, even if it doesn't interest us.