Time Warner...I guess you own me.

In a past blog, I stated that my favorite type of media was my cell phone. However, being that is not a form of mass media, I am going to alter my favorite type of mass media to books/magazines/newspapers – media in print. I like to touch what I read rather than have it on a screen or listen to it.

While I was reading Hanson, I discovered how much the 6 major companies own! I honestly had no idea of the scope of their influence. Two magazines that I enjoy reading are People and Time, both of which are owned by Time Warner. Time Warner also publishes many books that I enjoy reading for pleasure. As I read more, I realized that Time Warner owns the TV station that produced one of my favorite shows, Sex and the City. Even the cartoons I watched as a kid (and yeah, today too) are set out by Time Warner! The more I read, the more I realized that Time Warner is doing exactly what they set out to do – effectively using synergy to control every step I take in the media I enjoy using. Hmm, how’s that for agenda-setting.

Lippmann is my Mann

While reading Lippmann I took particular interest to a few points that stuck out in my head as concepts that I have experienced first hand. Lippmann spoke frequently about how we cannot help but have stereotypes, because we go into experiences with a vision already in my mind. This is a natural reflex, but as I thought about it I was angered by how frequently our visions are influenced by others. For instance, when I began my student teaching I was bombarded with negative attitudes about the school I was going to enter. Before I knew it, I was thinking negative thoughts that were unwarranted – just because other gatekeepers influenced me. But, if we are aware of stereotypes we have, as Bradley Gorham* points out in "Race/Gender/Media", we can work harder to enter situations with an open mind. Why not go into something with good pictures in our heads, rather than stereotypes which have been planted? If we do this, we are not creating great barriers between ourselves and others (Lippmann) before we have a chance to create our own picture. If we are trying to limit gatekeeper’s influence, I feel this is a good direction to go.

“For when a system of stereotypes is will fixed, our attention is called to
those facts which support it, and diverted from those which contradict. So
perhaps it is because they are attuned to find it, that kindly people discover
so much reason for kindness, malicious people so much malice” Lippmann Chapter 9, Section 2)

I chose this quote to analyze because I feel that I can really apply to my life and to other’s lives around me. What we do, based on the pictures in our minds, affects others and in turn, affects us. This is a ripple affect. If we go into a day with a positive stereotype of the world (because remember, stereotypes are not always negative), we are more likely to encounter positive people and positive situations. The same is true if we go into a day with a negative/angry/bitter stereotype of the world. My personal belief, and what I take from this quote is why not start with that kind stereotype and do ourselves a favor!

*Bradley Gorham is a professor at the University of Michigan. His particular interest is in the effects of mass communication and how stereotypes and media are affected.

How my Media affects my Reality

My media is limited because I do not use lots and lots of it. I do not watch the news or read the newspaper reguarly, so I do not know all the details. I get the main idea of the news from headlines and browsing on the internet. I prefer to read books (novels) and ocassionally magazines (Time, Newsweek). So that limits my reality and perceptions.

If I engage more media, depending on what it is, I am usually more informed. While I was student teaching I made a point to catch a little bit of some reality shows that I knew many of the other teachers watched, this way I could connect with them and engage in conversation. So, perhaps if I engage in more, I would feel more connected to other people in my world.

When I start to think about who filters, or mangages, the media I use to be informed I start to realize something. Usually the people doing the publishing or broadcasting are in the majority. So, already I am going to have a different view of "reality". Those who own companies are gonig to have a say in what is news. news. As my friend John Mayer says, "When they own the information, They can bend it all they want".

When I hear or read news I definatly get pictures in my head! I usually try to visualize the type of people the news is about (maybe make them up, or get a picture based on prior knowledge). I know that stereotypes (good or bad) that I have in my mind help me to create these images and attitudes. I usually let news wash over me. I take it in, but do not get too involved. Really, I do not enjoy the sorrow that composes much of the news, so if I do not absorb too much, then I do not get upset or sad. On the other hand, I love good news - that is something I take in and treasure.

Media Checklist!

1. I use my cell phone everyday, I don't even have a real phone in my room! I call my family and close friends the most often.
2. I believe the last time I listened to a speaker was at the summer church camp where I am a staff member. We have speakers everyday, sometimes they are pastors, sometimes not.
3. I am online a lot, but I don't always im lots. People who I frequently chat with are my sister and my best friend who goes to college in Virginia.
4. I use email everyday! I check it multiple times, try to reply quickly and just send some out for fun, I like email!
5. The last time I paid for music was in November (or around there) when I bought a CD at Wal-Mart. I would use Itunes, but the school doesn't let it download. I get a lot of music from my sister, and she uses Itunes frequently.
6. Grey's Anatomy on Thursday. It's really the only show I make a point to watch. And I catch the news occasionally.
7. Nah, I don't really do that.
8. I went to see "Casino Royale" over Christmas break. On DVD, my roommates and I recently watched "Catch Me if You Can".
9. When I'm up at school I rock out to TITAN RADIO - whooooo!
10. I finished Anita Diamante's "The Red Tent" and now am reading "Esperanza Rising" by Pam Munez Ryan". I like reading all types of books, it's relaxing for me.
11. I haven't read the newspaper in a while...oops. I read The Record Herald at home (local newspaper) because we get it everyday so I have a good excuse to read it - it's right there!
12. I bought "Real Simple" recently. Don't laugh...I really really like that one.
13. I just wrote and sent a letter on Friday, I'm a supporter of snail-mail, it's fun to recieve something in your mailbox : )
14. I use WC email and Facebook daily. I am also visiting and have bookmarked many school district websites as I'm applying for jobs.
15. I have a Facebook account because I think it is fun! I like to be connected with my friends, especially ones who do not go to school here - it helps me keep in touch with some people and it only takes about 15 minutes a day to send some messages and reply to others. Of course, now I have this bloggy!

Additionally...
My favorite type of media I believe would be my cell phone, and a close second would be my Ipod. My cell phone is my favorite because it is my lifeline to my family, who I really love. My cell number is the number I give out to friends, professors, and now, potential employeers. Also, it's nifty because I get to talk to for free to my family (on my plan) and other people who have Verizon. If I lost my cellphone or it got thrown in the lake or something, I would be mad at first, then frustrated! I would feel disconnected from my family and friends, and I would feel as if I was missing important calls from professors or my parents. I would probably resort to borrowing a friend's phone so I could make some calls. I would use email until everything was back to normal, I would make it through! My little Ipod is also a favorite because I love to use it when I work out and I plug it into my car stereo so I always have music I love to listen to. If it were taken away, I would be fine, but kinda bummed. I would miss my songs, but there are ways to replace them.

Hi! First post!

Holler!