Dear Classmates,
If you would like to read my post on my horror/ slasher film experience it is underneath all of my midterm blogs. So if you choose to look at older posts, it should be the first or second one to come up, considering I posted it before my midterm was posted.
Always,
Katie =)
Pictures =)
Friday, November 13, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Hilmnes and Starr theory
Just recently the government has been moving towards making a law against Texting while driving. This will join the law that prohibits talking on a cell phone while driving. However, someone may only be charged with this offense if they have been pulled over for some other violation. I remember thinking that this is a very good law because of how many car accidents are caused because of cell phones. I know that in my hometown, many of my high school friends have gotten into car accidents recently because of their use of their phone.
I feel this resembles the Starr theory because the cell phone has brought about political changes because of the circumstances at that time. The cell phone is very popular for communicating with someone without being by their side. It links us to people all across the nation and can be very helpful if used properly. Some of us tend to have our best thoughts or remember something while driving in the car. This can lead to phone calls to loved ones or to work associates. Cell phones can come in handy as it does for my mother's job. She is in a business where she must be on call almost 24 hours out of the day for her elderly patients and their relatives as well as her other cases. Having a phone with her is essential. Most of the time, her calls come in when she is driving from one patient's house to the other. Needless to say, she has gotten many traffic tickets for talking on the cell phone. She has also begun to use texting as a shortcut for phone calls. She views texting as convenient because she can relay a message with just a few short words instead of a lengthy phone call.
I feel that the cell phone has brought about the political change of the law banning talking on the cell phone while driving. If we didn't have the cell phone in the first place, there would be no reason for this law. The political change was brought about because many accidents were being caused by those who were talking on their cell phones or texting. This creates the circumstances of the time that needed the political change because the death toll was rising for the number of car accidents caused by cell phones. These new laws are also giving rise to bluetooth devices and other non-hand held devices.
I just thought that was interesting. I was reading over the theories and this one kind of stuck because of what's going on with the new laws and bills regarding the use of cell phones.
I feel this resembles the Starr theory because the cell phone has brought about political changes because of the circumstances at that time. The cell phone is very popular for communicating with someone without being by their side. It links us to people all across the nation and can be very helpful if used properly. Some of us tend to have our best thoughts or remember something while driving in the car. This can lead to phone calls to loved ones or to work associates. Cell phones can come in handy as it does for my mother's job. She is in a business where she must be on call almost 24 hours out of the day for her elderly patients and their relatives as well as her other cases. Having a phone with her is essential. Most of the time, her calls come in when she is driving from one patient's house to the other. Needless to say, she has gotten many traffic tickets for talking on the cell phone. She has also begun to use texting as a shortcut for phone calls. She views texting as convenient because she can relay a message with just a few short words instead of a lengthy phone call.
I feel that the cell phone has brought about the political change of the law banning talking on the cell phone while driving. If we didn't have the cell phone in the first place, there would be no reason for this law. The political change was brought about because many accidents were being caused by those who were talking on their cell phones or texting. This creates the circumstances of the time that needed the political change because the death toll was rising for the number of car accidents caused by cell phones. These new laws are also giving rise to bluetooth devices and other non-hand held devices.
I just thought that was interesting. I was reading over the theories and this one kind of stuck because of what's going on with the new laws and bills regarding the use of cell phones.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Winston theory
So my mom told me today that we were going to try and talk my grandfather into getting those buttons that hang around old people's necks in case they get hurt while at home. Even though my grandparents live with us, my family is not home most of the day. It's basically my grandmother and grandfather there by themselves. My grandfather's balance has been failing and he's been falling over more and more lately. Luckily I was home the few times it happened so I could help him get up and there were no major injuries but imagine if I wasn't? My grandmother is certainly not strong enough to lift him up nor will she be able to be level headed if he was hurt. She would panic and not know what to do.
So my family decided to try out those new red button necklaces for my grandfather. They have a link to a certain phone in the house that will automatically dial 911 for you in case of emergency. This way, my parents and I feel safer leaving them at home without having to worry about him falling or worse my grandmother falling. It's actually quite a brilliant technology. It's basically a remote for your phone to dial in case of emergency.
This reminded of Winston's theory about technology being incorporated by society to fit our everyday life. Since man kind began, people have been getting old. It's not something new and it's certainly never going to change. There was no way we could solve the factors that come with being old: loss of hearing, loss of balance, loss of eyesight etc. Instead, we created technologies to adapt to these changes that all of our society was going through. We now have things such as hearing aides, reading glasses, contacts, cataracts surgery etc. This button is just another one of those technologies that allows for old people to adjust to daily life easier. It makes their lives and the lives of their loved one more stress free and easy. That's the point of technology in the first place isn't it?
I managed to find this commercial on youtube about the product that my grandfather is currently testing. This began running in 1987 and continues to run today with different people and different scenarios.
So my family decided to try out those new red button necklaces for my grandfather. They have a link to a certain phone in the house that will automatically dial 911 for you in case of emergency. This way, my parents and I feel safer leaving them at home without having to worry about him falling or worse my grandmother falling. It's actually quite a brilliant technology. It's basically a remote for your phone to dial in case of emergency.
This reminded of Winston's theory about technology being incorporated by society to fit our everyday life. Since man kind began, people have been getting old. It's not something new and it's certainly never going to change. There was no way we could solve the factors that come with being old: loss of hearing, loss of balance, loss of eyesight etc. Instead, we created technologies to adapt to these changes that all of our society was going through. We now have things such as hearing aides, reading glasses, contacts, cataracts surgery etc. This button is just another one of those technologies that allows for old people to adjust to daily life easier. It makes their lives and the lives of their loved one more stress free and easy. That's the point of technology in the first place isn't it?
I managed to find this commercial on youtube about the product that my grandfather is currently testing. This began running in 1987 and continues to run today with different people and different scenarios.
Reminded me of a parasocial relationship
So i was watching Spongebob the other day and this episode reminds me of the parasocial relationship. In this, Spongebob goes from his dream to others dreams kind of how we go to others lives. The video is sped up because i couldn't find the original episode but if you watch, you can clearly see he's intruding on others.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Interview with my Roommate
Me: Emily, What do you think is the medium that you rely on most today?
Emily: Definitely my computer.
Me: How often do you use your favorite medium a day?
Emily: I'm on my computer at least fives times a day for about 30 minutes to an hour each time.
Me: Do you consider this normal or healthy?
Emily: Yes because I need to do it for the emails, work, and my facebook!
Me: Why is this so important to you?
Emily: Because all my assignments are on the computer. All my information is on my computer and I rely on it heavily for things other than entertainment. It's a way for me to get all my online and writing assignments done with the most convenience.
Me: What would you do if this was taken away from you for say a week? a month? forever?
Emily: For a week: I'd probably fail a few assignments in my classes. I'd feel out of sort with the social world: facebook, etc. I just would feel out of contact with all my friends. I'd have no email or ways of getting in touch. I'd definitely go through withdrawal of entertainment and online sources. I don't watch much TV so i'd be outdated with information on the world. For a Month: All of the above. except a lot worse. Forever: Let's not even joke about that.
Me: What do you think about today's society and the way we use media?
Emily: I think technology advances and we have to go with the flow. I don't know if we're necessarily taking advantage of it but there's always going to be a down or up side to advancement. For example: pornography. It's always been around probably since the beginning of society. Now that we have a computer, it's easier access. I don't endorse it but there's definitely a way that society can abuse it.
Me: Are there ways we can improve upon our usage?
Emily: Not that I can think of. People rely too much on our computers, TVs etc. Technology is there to help up, not hurt. It's there to improve our lives. Therefore, there's no way we can really abuse it.
Me: Do you think we abuse certain media types? Which ones?
Emily: I think we definitely abuse cell phones and texting. When you have a technology, you're going to have negative aspects. Phones are being used while driving and we need to ensure that we're being safe as we're using all these different media.
Me: There are four theorists that my class has studied so far. Of the four, which one do you believe that gotten our society's viewpoint on media the most correct? Why?
Emily: I think Winston has the most accurate description of our society today. Facebook allows us to look into other's lives even though we normally wouldn't be able to.
Me: Think about todays media. Does this influence our behavior and the way we look at the world?
Emily: Yea. I think things are a lot more liberal. From a social and moral standpoint, I think things are a lot more liberal. We all watch TV a lot and we're seeing these negative messages about sex and violence that change the way we look at things.
Me: Thanks a bunch, Em!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Am I searching for answers to unknown questions too?
While reading this article this evening, I immediately got a flash of what I’d been doing with myself all day. My roommates and friends across the hall all decided to take a trip home this weekend leaving me alone for the past two days. The tale in the beginning of Peggy Orenstein’s “Stop your Search Engines” is exactly the same experience I have when I’m trying to kill time. I can spend hours searching the Internet trying to gain more and more pointless knowledge.
Most of the time, I’ll start my search looking for a movie and end up somehow sifting through youtube with different bands and song titles. My train of though usually goes from movie, to actors, to songs, to related bands. I believe what Ms. Orenstein stated with all of us trying to use the Internet to find that specific answer and hoping that all the knowledge we seek will be present
I liked this piece because I could personally relate to what Ms. Orenstein was writing about. She also introduced the program for Macs which blocks Internet access for up to 8 hour. The only way to get rid of this block is to restart the computer and by the time that task is achieved, the previous cycle of randomly surfing the internet has been broken and forgotten.
I believe this program could be very useful to those who need to get off the Internet and get their work done or focus more on what’s going on around them than what they can find in the web. This program could help those who are addicted to the web and watching their lives just pass them by with the time they spend online.
Using the Internet should be a privilege, something that is respected for the amount of information it contains and the convenience of this source. It should not be abused as many of us use it. We figure the Internet holds all the answers to every question we might have, whether it’s a relationship problem, math equation, or a philosophical question. To us, the Internet knows all and can provide those answers. It’s unfortunate to see how the youth of today and even the older generations have become addicted to online using and to the ways of the Internet. Other sources of entertainment and knowledge have faded into the background thanks to an easier access. It’s unfortunate but it’s true. This program that Ms. Orenstein mentions could change all that. Overall, I believe this article was an eye opener for me and for many others like me.
Most of the time, I’ll start my search looking for a movie and end up somehow sifting through youtube with different bands and song titles. My train of though usually goes from movie, to actors, to songs, to related bands. I believe what Ms. Orenstein stated with all of us trying to use the Internet to find that specific answer and hoping that all the knowledge we seek will be present
I liked this piece because I could personally relate to what Ms. Orenstein was writing about. She also introduced the program for Macs which blocks Internet access for up to 8 hour. The only way to get rid of this block is to restart the computer and by the time that task is achieved, the previous cycle of randomly surfing the internet has been broken and forgotten.
I believe this program could be very useful to those who need to get off the Internet and get their work done or focus more on what’s going on around them than what they can find in the web. This program could help those who are addicted to the web and watching their lives just pass them by with the time they spend online.
Using the Internet should be a privilege, something that is respected for the amount of information it contains and the convenience of this source. It should not be abused as many of us use it. We figure the Internet holds all the answers to every question we might have, whether it’s a relationship problem, math equation, or a philosophical question. To us, the Internet knows all and can provide those answers. It’s unfortunate to see how the youth of today and even the older generations have become addicted to online using and to the ways of the Internet. Other sources of entertainment and knowledge have faded into the background thanks to an easier access. It’s unfortunate but it’s true. This program that Ms. Orenstein mentions could change all that. Overall, I believe this article was an eye opener for me and for many others like me.
Friday, November 6, 2009
McLuhan Blog
Today, as everyone knows, was the honors conference. All of us were to attend five of the environment events to fulfill our merit fellowship credit. While I was sitting through these lectures and presentations, this class kept creeping into my mind. The theme for the conference was the environment and I found many of the lectures that I attended interesting and informative of things I had no previously known.
I related the things being discussed to McLuhan’s theory of the medium being the message. All the ways of getting the information across whether it was through a PowerPoint, video clips, pictures, etc was the medium used. The content was the information being presented to us but the real message was what we’re going to do with the information presented.
I was present at the feral cats presentation to learn about different ways that feral cats are being helped and ways the population of these feral cats is being decreased without killing or euthanizing the cats. The content of the presentation was the information about the shelters and clipping of the cat’s ears to protect them from the government. The cat’s ears are clipped once they are vaccinated and neutered. The clipping allows for the community to be safer and for the cats to stay well protected.
Aside from that, the message the really came across to many of us in the room was that these cats need help. The information being presented about how I could help and what I could do wasn’t the true message at all. The message was what I was going to do now that I know the information that the lecturer had given.
To think that this entire conference would not have been nearly as successful without the use of the media that helped to present the content and allowed us to interpret our own message from it. Every lecture I was present at had some form of media being use to display their information.
Also using McLuhan’s theory, the media used today (mainly computers) would be considered a “hot” medium because of the amount of information that they presented to their target audience. The brain was not used to interpret any of the information shown but rather to absorb and listen to the different presentations with minimal effort.
Overall, the conference was nice and very informative on what we can do to help change the environment Having McLuhan’s theory in my head all day allowed for me to really see what we’ve been discussing throughout the semester about media in our everyday lives and how it can have a positive effect on our culture.
I related the things being discussed to McLuhan’s theory of the medium being the message. All the ways of getting the information across whether it was through a PowerPoint, video clips, pictures, etc was the medium used. The content was the information being presented to us but the real message was what we’re going to do with the information presented.
I was present at the feral cats presentation to learn about different ways that feral cats are being helped and ways the population of these feral cats is being decreased without killing or euthanizing the cats. The content of the presentation was the information about the shelters and clipping of the cat’s ears to protect them from the government. The cat’s ears are clipped once they are vaccinated and neutered. The clipping allows for the community to be safer and for the cats to stay well protected.
Aside from that, the message the really came across to many of us in the room was that these cats need help. The information being presented about how I could help and what I could do wasn’t the true message at all. The message was what I was going to do now that I know the information that the lecturer had given.
To think that this entire conference would not have been nearly as successful without the use of the media that helped to present the content and allowed us to interpret our own message from it. Every lecture I was present at had some form of media being use to display their information.
Also using McLuhan’s theory, the media used today (mainly computers) would be considered a “hot” medium because of the amount of information that they presented to their target audience. The brain was not used to interpret any of the information shown but rather to absorb and listen to the different presentations with minimal effort.
Overall, the conference was nice and very informative on what we can do to help change the environment Having McLuhan’s theory in my head all day allowed for me to really see what we’ve been discussing throughout the semester about media in our everyday lives and how it can have a positive effect on our culture.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Slasher films...
I am a chicken. I do not like horror or slasher films and I will not go into a theater to see one. I must be in a place I know I'm safe, with the lights on and someone I know sitting next to me, holding my hand. This sounds a bit extreme but I cannot stand horror/ slasher films. They give me the creeps. I haven't seen many scary movies because I don't like putting myself through the horror but one of the good ones that I did see was Disturbia featuring Shia Labeouf.
I don't know if this technically would qualify as the typical slasher film but the killer did not use a gun of any sort. He used knives and means of disfiguration to kill his many victims. I think this is the movie that impacted me most because it was the first really good horror film that I saw. The others (2) that I had previously seen were about stupid things like the tooth fairy trying to kill the person who looked upon her face and lived (Darkness Falls) or a video game dictating life (Stay Alive). Nothing had really given me the creeps until I watched Disturbia in a theater with my friends.
Disturbia focuses around Kale, a kid who has a few problems with the law and law enforcement officials. He meets a mysterious neighbor who's activities late at night are spied upon by Kale, who's under house arrest. While his house arrest continues, Kale spies his neighbor murdering a young woman in cold blood. When he informs the police officials about it, the young woman is no where in sight. Thus, placing Kale in a predicament of did he really see it or is he just hallucinating. Midway through we begin to realize that Kale really has caught onto something and begins to put himself into terrifying positions to solve the murders and catch a killer before he can hurt anyone else. There's a few good fighting seen and a lot of disturbing images but overall the movie is definitely worth watching.
I remember this movie getting to me so much because it was in a typical neighborhood in the suburbs. Normally in slasher films the place of killing is either a secluded house, a cave, or some other abandoned spot far from any town or place. In this movie however, the killings took place in the typical suburban home. They could've been witnessed by any neighbor who happened to be looking out the window at that time. That's probably what got to me the most. I was scared to look at my neighbor's houses for quite a while after that because I was scared of what I would find.
This movie does not follow the typical classification of a horror film that Clover describes in his article. The people who are coincidentally "having sex" do not die shortly after, there is no sole female character left, all male deaths are not quick and painless etc. This movie focuses on female victims with only one male victim, the police officer checking out the scene. The killer is finally taken down by the protagonist but no other important characters are killed. The main protagonist is also a male instead of the naive, shy, quiet female. There is no real story as to the psychological aspects behind the killer's mind but rather he kills the women he dates and then makes it look as if they left his house afterward.
This film also doesn't fit into James Parker's view of slasher movies either. His view of this genre is of low budget, high profit. To be truly successful slasher/horror film you must make millions off a relatively cheap production. The movies must also give in to a sense of doom that only comes with slasher films. The audience is supposed to feel that doom has come to get them. He briefly states in his article that these movies are made due to wartime but that idea is quickly rejected. This movie was not based on the conflict happening through America but rather the profit it would make from those who enjoy having the crap scared out of them.
I am luckily not one of those although I did enjoy this movie. I was able to cuddle close to someone I knew would keep me safe and actually enjoy being scared. I actually enjoyed having my pulse increase with the threatening music and being aware of the doom lurking just around the corner. For once, I enjoyed burying my head in my best friend's shoulder and listening as the people on the television screamed. It was frightening but well worth the entertainment and the stories I was able to tell.
I don't know if this technically would qualify as the typical slasher film but the killer did not use a gun of any sort. He used knives and means of disfiguration to kill his many victims. I think this is the movie that impacted me most because it was the first really good horror film that I saw. The others (2) that I had previously seen were about stupid things like the tooth fairy trying to kill the person who looked upon her face and lived (Darkness Falls) or a video game dictating life (Stay Alive). Nothing had really given me the creeps until I watched Disturbia in a theater with my friends.
Disturbia focuses around Kale, a kid who has a few problems with the law and law enforcement officials. He meets a mysterious neighbor who's activities late at night are spied upon by Kale, who's under house arrest. While his house arrest continues, Kale spies his neighbor murdering a young woman in cold blood. When he informs the police officials about it, the young woman is no where in sight. Thus, placing Kale in a predicament of did he really see it or is he just hallucinating. Midway through we begin to realize that Kale really has caught onto something and begins to put himself into terrifying positions to solve the murders and catch a killer before he can hurt anyone else. There's a few good fighting seen and a lot of disturbing images but overall the movie is definitely worth watching.
I remember this movie getting to me so much because it was in a typical neighborhood in the suburbs. Normally in slasher films the place of killing is either a secluded house, a cave, or some other abandoned spot far from any town or place. In this movie however, the killings took place in the typical suburban home. They could've been witnessed by any neighbor who happened to be looking out the window at that time. That's probably what got to me the most. I was scared to look at my neighbor's houses for quite a while after that because I was scared of what I would find.
This movie does not follow the typical classification of a horror film that Clover describes in his article. The people who are coincidentally "having sex" do not die shortly after, there is no sole female character left, all male deaths are not quick and painless etc. This movie focuses on female victims with only one male victim, the police officer checking out the scene. The killer is finally taken down by the protagonist but no other important characters are killed. The main protagonist is also a male instead of the naive, shy, quiet female. There is no real story as to the psychological aspects behind the killer's mind but rather he kills the women he dates and then makes it look as if they left his house afterward.
This film also doesn't fit into James Parker's view of slasher movies either. His view of this genre is of low budget, high profit. To be truly successful slasher/horror film you must make millions off a relatively cheap production. The movies must also give in to a sense of doom that only comes with slasher films. The audience is supposed to feel that doom has come to get them. He briefly states in his article that these movies are made due to wartime but that idea is quickly rejected. This movie was not based on the conflict happening through America but rather the profit it would make from those who enjoy having the crap scared out of them.
I am luckily not one of those although I did enjoy this movie. I was able to cuddle close to someone I knew would keep me safe and actually enjoy being scared. I actually enjoyed having my pulse increase with the threatening music and being aware of the doom lurking just around the corner. For once, I enjoyed burying my head in my best friend's shoulder and listening as the people on the television screamed. It was frightening but well worth the entertainment and the stories I was able to tell.
Pandora Review
Pandora: A woman in Greek mythology who released all the woes of human life by opening a box out of curiosity. Yet, today, Pandora has taken on a new meaning. Pandora is an Internet radio station when you can select the music, and make your dream station with limited commercials and artist suggestions to suit your tastes. As Pandora did, I opened this “box”, to satisfy my curiosity but found no woes inside. Instead, I was gifted with a source of my musical tastes with new artists popping up every now and then as a test. If I didn’t like the selection, a simple click of my mouse sends the song of their choice instantly away and returns me to the music of my choice.
Pandora has become an overnight sensation more specifically with iPhone users. An application has become available to allow Pandora on the iPhone. With the iPhone becoming a standardized phone for people to have, Pandora’s popularity has grown with it. If people do not know of Pandora through the iPhone, then word is spreading from person to person. What is to become of the radio?
Well, the radio is still popular for its talk shows and DJ’s but Pandora is designed for those who don’t like to listen to the mindless gossip that flows over the radio waves. Whereas the radio has commercials every two or three songs that last for more than five minutes, Pandora is designed to have only thirty-second commercials every five or six songs. In my mind, much more convenient than flipping through station after station to find a show that’s actually playing music, let alone good music.
As a Pandora user myself, I highly recommend at least exploring the process that is Pandora. The first few times of use are a little tedious and tricky until the site becomes fully aware of what songs you do or don’t like. Through use of the like and dislike button, the station can transform its playlists into your own personal paradise. So I dare you to open your own Pandora’s box and explore your curiosity. Who knows what treasures lie inside.
Pandora has become an overnight sensation more specifically with iPhone users. An application has become available to allow Pandora on the iPhone. With the iPhone becoming a standardized phone for people to have, Pandora’s popularity has grown with it. If people do not know of Pandora through the iPhone, then word is spreading from person to person. What is to become of the radio?
Well, the radio is still popular for its talk shows and DJ’s but Pandora is designed for those who don’t like to listen to the mindless gossip that flows over the radio waves. Whereas the radio has commercials every two or three songs that last for more than five minutes, Pandora is designed to have only thirty-second commercials every five or six songs. In my mind, much more convenient than flipping through station after station to find a show that’s actually playing music, let alone good music.
As a Pandora user myself, I highly recommend at least exploring the process that is Pandora. The first few times of use are a little tedious and tricky until the site becomes fully aware of what songs you do or don’t like. Through use of the like and dislike button, the station can transform its playlists into your own personal paradise. So I dare you to open your own Pandora’s box and explore your curiosity. Who knows what treasures lie inside.
Meyrowitz theory post
As many of you know, yesterday was my birthday. I live three hours north of here so I was unable to spend that special day with the people I wanted to most, my friends and family. I woke up feeling extremely homesick and wishing the heartache would go away. When I checked my email that morning, I woke to find that I had 25 unread messages (most of them on my facebook page). My curiosity grew and so I checked my facebook page to find that some of my closest friends and some that I hadn’t talked to in a while had taken the time out of their day to wish me a happy birthday in the only way they knew how to connect with me. Most of the people wishing me a Happy Birthday did not have access to my phone number or email so they chose to write on my social networking page as a way of showing that they care and were thinking about me. Immediately, my mood was brightened.
My little tale has a purpose. It reminded me of Meyrowitz’s theory about the para-social relationships we form through the use of networking sites such as facebook, myspace, twitter etc. The people that were writing little notes on my wall were mostly people that I once was acquainted with or had briefly passed in the hallways of my high school. Through this site, they were able to form a sort of relationship with me to where they felt connected enough to wish me a happy birthday and not feel awkward or weird. Through my status updates and other posts, they knew that my birthday was spent watching the Yankee game and talking to my best friend.
Most who posted on my wall yesterday afternoon, hoped that I would have a good day and asked me how school was going even though I have not talked to many of them for quite sometime. They feel as though they know me because of my constants post and the people I talk to. In some ways, the feelings are reciprocated. There are many people that I feel a connection with or know more about from these sites then I do from face to face interaction. Thinking in depth about it now, creeps me out a bit but also makes me realize how helpful these sites can be for reconnecting with people or remembering special events such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries etc.
Another reason I felt this theory worked for today’s post was because of the World Series game that was on Wednesday night. Meyrowitz’s theory can also be implied here. Meyrowitz states that the media allow access to social situations that normally could not be accessed. In this case, the World Series game is the social situation. The game was sold out almost from the get go. Tickets were impossible to find so many of us were stuck at home, sitting in front of our TVs watching the Yankees win their 27th World Championship title. If media did not exist or was not allowed to broadcast that game, then none of us would have known until the next morning through newspaper articles or news reports that the Yankees had won.
What of the fans across the country? What of the ones who could not get to the stadium that only sits about 50,000 people? Media allowed us to access that game and allowed us to feel the adrenaline rush of actually being there. Media allowed for each of the Yankees fans to feel that spike in their pulse when Hidekia Matsui hit his two-run homer. In turn, this access changed our behavior. I was in my dorm room watching late into the night. After 9 pm on weeknights, quiet hours begin and dorming students are supposed to be quiet and respect their neighbors. With the access to the game, I was unable to do so. Watching that game put me straight into game mode. I was cheering with the fans, chanting, yelling when bad calls were made, and jumping when runs were scored. I was acting as if I was really there. This access changed my behavior from one of respectful and quiet to one of a loud obnoxious fan.
There were no complaints, thank goodness, for others in my hallway were watching the game, but by taking this class, I was finally able to see how media access can change the behavior we have. The para-social relationships I have formed on facebook and the game being broadcasted across the nation have changed the way I look at media and how not all the things I think about when I hear the word media are negative.
This concludes my first post on my midterm blog. I hope everyone liked reading this, once it actually gets published. Oh and YAY YANKEES!!!!
My little tale has a purpose. It reminded me of Meyrowitz’s theory about the para-social relationships we form through the use of networking sites such as facebook, myspace, twitter etc. The people that were writing little notes on my wall were mostly people that I once was acquainted with or had briefly passed in the hallways of my high school. Through this site, they were able to form a sort of relationship with me to where they felt connected enough to wish me a happy birthday and not feel awkward or weird. Through my status updates and other posts, they knew that my birthday was spent watching the Yankee game and talking to my best friend.
Most who posted on my wall yesterday afternoon, hoped that I would have a good day and asked me how school was going even though I have not talked to many of them for quite sometime. They feel as though they know me because of my constants post and the people I talk to. In some ways, the feelings are reciprocated. There are many people that I feel a connection with or know more about from these sites then I do from face to face interaction. Thinking in depth about it now, creeps me out a bit but also makes me realize how helpful these sites can be for reconnecting with people or remembering special events such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries etc.
Another reason I felt this theory worked for today’s post was because of the World Series game that was on Wednesday night. Meyrowitz’s theory can also be implied here. Meyrowitz states that the media allow access to social situations that normally could not be accessed. In this case, the World Series game is the social situation. The game was sold out almost from the get go. Tickets were impossible to find so many of us were stuck at home, sitting in front of our TVs watching the Yankees win their 27th World Championship title. If media did not exist or was not allowed to broadcast that game, then none of us would have known until the next morning through newspaper articles or news reports that the Yankees had won.
What of the fans across the country? What of the ones who could not get to the stadium that only sits about 50,000 people? Media allowed us to access that game and allowed us to feel the adrenaline rush of actually being there. Media allowed for each of the Yankees fans to feel that spike in their pulse when Hidekia Matsui hit his two-run homer. In turn, this access changed our behavior. I was in my dorm room watching late into the night. After 9 pm on weeknights, quiet hours begin and dorming students are supposed to be quiet and respect their neighbors. With the access to the game, I was unable to do so. Watching that game put me straight into game mode. I was cheering with the fans, chanting, yelling when bad calls were made, and jumping when runs were scored. I was acting as if I was really there. This access changed my behavior from one of respectful and quiet to one of a loud obnoxious fan.
There were no complaints, thank goodness, for others in my hallway were watching the game, but by taking this class, I was finally able to see how media access can change the behavior we have. The para-social relationships I have formed on facebook and the game being broadcasted across the nation have changed the way I look at media and how not all the things I think about when I hear the word media are negative.
This concludes my first post on my midterm blog. I hope everyone liked reading this, once it actually gets published. Oh and YAY YANKEES!!!!
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