Media are an emotional release

"It may be a little bias, but at least I spelt your name right"

In the "strange but true" files of my life, a textbook caused me to write this entry. It was in my intro to media communication class book where I got inspiration to go online and get in my blog thing. I was reading about the media influence on the culture at whole and also at individuals living in the culture. Might I say, it was interesting stuff. To truly know the influence the mass media has on your life, simply try to go a day without being exposed to it. It is possible, but not probable unless you change your routine drastically. Media shapes not only how we think, but also how we define ourselves and how we relate to others. Ever take pride in your musical tastes and when you find someone who shares it, you have a common bond? This is because of the influence of media in your life. Like it or not, music is a medium of communication that has been mass produced. It is interesting to note just how many things we rely on each day that come from mass media. What is even more interesting though, is that only a few companies own the brunt of traditional media outlets. What does this mean? The information you recieve has been deemed important, interesting and relevent by gatekeepers. People have to be there to relay a story to the masses, but they also have to be around to decide exactly what the public needs to know. So, even if you read the news everyday you are still not getting the whole story in the least and there is nothing you can do about it. It is frightening to concieve that the way we think and how we define ourselves is weened down by those who believe what story deserves prominence. Most people don't think about the news story they read, they just read it and accept it as fact...which it probably is. But think...why was the story put into such prominence, someone had to believe it was news worthy. That is the key: Not the accuracy of the news but the actual news stories themselves. I am enjoying this textbook in a way I never believed I could, it is surprising me greatly.

Anyways, I am done with the media rant for now...I may get back to it eventually. It snowed today and that actually made me kinda happy. That and the sweet snowball fight involving the greek...absolute brilliance. Have a good one everyone and GO EAGLES!

Song Of The Day: The Postal Service- Clark Gable