I gained some very important insight right at the beginning of this article. I'm almost ashamed to say that, while reading this article, I for the first time realized that Media was actually the plural form of medium. It was like all of a sudden a light bulb went on, and it made complete sense! The idea that the Media is the combination of all different types of mediums now feels like common sense, though I hadn't thought of it until now.
With this new insight, I made my way through the rest of the article, which though was pretty lengthy, I really enjoyed. One thing that popped out to me was the idea that there is "no such thing as a message without a medium", which is entirely true. The way we perceive a message is so much influenced by the way in which we do so, whether it is through television, over the internet, or face to face. The medium in which a message is conveyed is such a critical part of what the message will actually put across.
Another idea I was fond of was that television is a "medium of distraction". This idea holds so much truth, and completely describes the use of the television in the majority of peoples lives. Also was the very critical idea that the lines between entertainment and information, and news and fiction, are becoming more and more blurred. The explosion of reality shows that are such large parts of television now are a huge factor in the lines being blurred. Though these shows may possess some truth, they are in no ways "news" or "information", yet their popularity many times outshines them, as in the case of American Idol.
The organization One Laptop per Child is such a wonderful project, and its success could truly have such a positive affect on the literacy and computer competency of underprivileged children. Sturken and Cartwright mentioned this multiple times, showing their belief in the great things this project, if implemented, could accomplish.
I feel that you hit all the main points that were in the blog, and I agree with everything that you stated. I would like to see the One Laptop per Child organization take off, too, because that provides, like you said, a medium for those who are underpriviledged to have what we take for granted, and be able to participate in the virtual world of writing.
ReplyDeleteAs for a question, do you agree about TV being a medium of distraction? Do you watch it regularly, or not very often? What kind of shows do you like, and what would you classify as "distractions?"
I do agree with television being a medium of distraction. With the inclusion of so many commercials in any given program, I feel no person can be fully engaged in what is actually happening in the show, from start to finish. Television is just there for entertainment when people get bored.
ReplyDeleteAnd though I used to be an avid television watcher, this year I have not been able to keep it up, because I don't have a t.v. It's one of the biggest downsides of being a poor college student living in a dorm.
I do follow a few shows online though, such as House and How I Met Your Mother. The main distractions are definitely the ridiculous amount of commercials that interrupt every show.