The Media and Me.
For me, films are a big part of my life. Usually me and my family watch films at least twice a week, so they tend to be prevalent in my daily life and my relationships with people around me. There are loads of genre of film, from sci-fi classics like Star Wars to formulaically fun Romantic Comedies, which make them accessible for everyone and their preferences. The industry is also on a rise, due to the new trend of franchised films and high budgets for CGI and other resources, which is creating cult followings for characters and storylines. The most recent Avengers film almost outgrossed Avatar, which is considered to be one of the most impressive films in modern day cinema due to its revolutionary technology. Films being so prevalent in my daily life is beneficial to me, because it feels like it can be an escape from the normality of everyday. However, the fact that these films are so whimsical and distanced from normality can also be harmful, as it contributes to the increasing feel of dullness and monotony as I'm getting older. The film industry is also struggling at the moment, due to monopolisation of the market by Disney. For the 2019 total domestic grosses, 6 of the top 10 films are owned (or affiliated, in the case of Sony and Spiderman) by the media giant, leading to less opportunity for smaller films and productions. This has lead to films in recent years feeling more cut-and-paste, and my interest is slowly dwindling as it feels like films have lost their creative edge.
Film:
For me, films are a big part of my life. Usually me and my family watch films at least twice a week, so they tend to be prevalent in my daily life and my relationships with people around me. There are loads of genre of film, from sci-fi classics like Star Wars to formulaically fun Romantic Comedies, which make them accessible for everyone and their preferences. The industry is also on a rise, due to the new trend of franchised films and high budgets for CGI and other resources, which is creating cult followings for characters and storylines. The most recent Avengers film almost outgrossed Avatar, which is considered to be one of the most impressive films in modern day cinema due to its revolutionary technology. Films being so prevalent in my daily life is beneficial to me, because it feels like it can be an escape from the normality of everyday. However, the fact that these films are so whimsical and distanced from normality can also be harmful, as it contributes to the increasing feel of dullness and monotony as I'm getting older. The film industry is also struggling at the moment, due to monopolisation of the market by Disney. For the 2019 total domestic grosses, 6 of the top 10 films are owned (or affiliated, in the case of Sony and Spiderman) by the media giant, leading to less opportunity for smaller films and productions. This has lead to films in recent years feeling more cut-and-paste, and my interest is slowly dwindling as it feels like films have lost their creative edge.
Radio:
Radio used to play a big part in the lives of me and my family members, but it doesn't seem to be as important to us anymore. I remember when I was younger, baking with my mother while Radio One played in the background and listening to it in the car. For us, radio has died out to be replaced with Bluetooth speakers and aux cords, because we can control what we listen to and when, rather than complying with what the radio tells us to listen to. However, radio news is still something we listen to from time to time, as it has the warm feel of a human voice telling us the facts conversationally, rather than needing to skim through pages of written junk to find the key sentences. I think radio is a dying form of media, at least for me and the people around me, because it's so rigid and unchangeable in the age of everything being personalised in seconds. I don't listen to the radio anymore, except for when I catch a podcast on a streaming service instead. I believe with a digital revival, radio can continue to be a good and creative form of media.
Magazines:
I don't let myself read magazine anymore. In the past, I used to love looking at famous people wearing cutting edge fashion, but I personally feel like magazines had a negative effect on my mental health due to unrealistic beauty standards that they promote. The interviews with the celebrities usually found in the less esteemed publications can also feel tacky and insincere nowadays, and it doesn't make much sense to pay for a publication when those same selling points of celebrity exclusives can be found online and on their social medias for nothing. Unlike me, other members of my family do swear by magazines, because they use them as inspiration and a clear representation of what is popular - while the internet is clouded with lots of noise and varying opinions. If the magazine features a particular celebrity that I am invested in, it motivates me to buy it because it's like a piece of merchandising for both the famous person and the magazine and I think a lot of teenagers now have the same mindset. Gossip magazines, however, are still popular among certain ares of the public due to their low level of difficulty, and cheap pricing.
Video Games:
For me, video games are a moderate part of my life. I like the fact that they are fun and mentally stimulating to engage with, and how they are easily accessible on all platforms. In the past, I used to play a lot of video games, and was working towards a high global ranking on a MOBAVG, but now I don't have time for them. I think they have positives, as they allow people to communicate and spend time together virtually, and they offer a fair system that encourages hard work to reach higher levels. However, I think recently video games have become more toxic to be involved with - people are becoming 'tilted' (a gaming term for annoyed by losing) more easily and frequently, and cheating is more frequent. There is also a lot of discussion in the media right now about whether or not these video games are causing an increase in violent, anti-social behaviour. For this reason, currently I am staying away from video games (except the cute gachas i have on my phone!) until the consequences of the games have been fully evaluated.
Music Videos:
Music, to me, is an important part of my daily life. From when I wake up in the morning to when I sleep at night, it's likely I have my phone and a pair of headphones in my vicinity. This means I personally consume music videos like bread and butter - it's a creative way to discover new music articles and the true, metaphorical meaning. The recent rise of east asian music in pop culture has also lead to more enticing, bright and colourful music videos - and I love the different style they have in comparison to the standard lipsync I am used to! I appreciate both styles, and music videos are a big part in how I consume media.
Television:
Television based media is a big part of my life. Watching and discussing TV shows is fun for me, and i have grown up in an age when box sets and shows are easily accessible. I think that while some shows are intended to be solely entertaining, there are other shows that promote negative thinking habits and violence. Nowadays, television has become more of a premium, with people paying subscriptions to be able to watch the TV they want, unhindered by advertising. During evening TV on major channels, adverts for junk food at other unhealthy food items are shown, which is leading to children seeing up to 12 adverts an hour for HFSS foods (source). This doesn't benefit anyone's life, and watching too much television is not an effective use of time.
Newspapers:
I have little to no interaction with newspapers. The only time I can personally remember ever reading one is during tube rides, when there is little to nothing else to do. There is a sense of respect around newspapers in terms of media consumers, they were the one of the first forms of media and are still somehow managing to endure in the modern era. They also have political agendas that they each have to push and support, which means they can be unreliable. Morning papers also have to be rolling off the presses in the early hours of the morning to be in stores by the time commuters (the most avid readers of newspapers) will need them. This means that any important events that happen throughout the british night due to differences in timezones (eg. a presidential assassination, an earthquake) will not be included, making the papers outdated very quickly. With The Independent becoming digital-only in 2016 (source), it begs the question of how much longer the newspaper industry can survive until the digital age drowns it.
Internet:
Since the birth of the internet in 1983, it has become a critical part of modern life. Contacting a friend? Use the internet! Doing a media assignment? Use the internet! Everything that existed in what feels like the ice age before the internet has been digitalised - online shopping, research, and the new dark spot on the internet, social media. Social media has a big impact on my life, it's the only way to maintain the image of yourself. It seems that it has turned from posting who you are to posting who you want to be, and photo retouching software like facetune alone has been downloaded 60 million times (source!). I think the internet negatively impacts everyone, people on social media like to show off what could be described as their "perfect life", which creates deep feelings of unhappiness and low self esteem in vulnerable teenagers. There is also a trend of "influencers", people who gain followings and then use that following to gain sponsored post deals without specifying that they are participating in ads. This is negative too because it's false advertising, and can trick vulnerable people into making uninformed purchases because of their desire to match the influencer's "perfect life". I think social media has impacted me negatively, yet due to the crowd mentality of everyone having it I couldn't bear to delete it and be seen as a loser!
Advertising:
Adverts and advertising are everywhere. It's impossible to not see ads everywhere you look. Forbes suggests that the average american sees around 4000-10,000 ads per day, and its probably not that far out on this side of the pond. It has become ingrained in our culture too, saying "should've gone to specsavers" comically when a friend makes an oversight is a good laugh that everyone can appreciate. There are many forms of unseen advertising - posters and billboards on buses, audio ads on radio, digital banners on most profit websites, cinema advertising, TV commercial breaks, branded lorries, and that is hardly even scratching the surface. It has become like a constant white noise in our lives, and when it is used to manipulate us into buying the newest shoes or getting that new crisp flavour, it has repercussions - how much of our free will is ours, if the decisions we make are controlled by a poster in our subconscious?
Video Games:
For me, video games are a moderate part of my life. I like the fact that they are fun and mentally stimulating to engage with, and how they are easily accessible on all platforms. In the past, I used to play a lot of video games, and was working towards a high global ranking on a MOBAVG, but now I don't have time for them. I think they have positives, as they allow people to communicate and spend time together virtually, and they offer a fair system that encourages hard work to reach higher levels. However, I think recently video games have become more toxic to be involved with - people are becoming 'tilted' (a gaming term for annoyed by losing) more easily and frequently, and cheating is more frequent. There is also a lot of discussion in the media right now about whether or not these video games are causing an increase in violent, anti-social behaviour. For this reason, currently I am staying away from video games (except the cute gachas i have on my phone!) until the consequences of the games have been fully evaluated.
Music Videos:
Music, to me, is an important part of my daily life. From when I wake up in the morning to when I sleep at night, it's likely I have my phone and a pair of headphones in my vicinity. This means I personally consume music videos like bread and butter - it's a creative way to discover new music articles and the true, metaphorical meaning. The recent rise of east asian music in pop culture has also lead to more enticing, bright and colourful music videos - and I love the different style they have in comparison to the standard lipsync I am used to! I appreciate both styles, and music videos are a big part in how I consume media.
Television:
Television based media is a big part of my life. Watching and discussing TV shows is fun for me, and i have grown up in an age when box sets and shows are easily accessible. I think that while some shows are intended to be solely entertaining, there are other shows that promote negative thinking habits and violence. Nowadays, television has become more of a premium, with people paying subscriptions to be able to watch the TV they want, unhindered by advertising. During evening TV on major channels, adverts for junk food at other unhealthy food items are shown, which is leading to children seeing up to 12 adverts an hour for HFSS foods (source). This doesn't benefit anyone's life, and watching too much television is not an effective use of time.Newspapers:
I have little to no interaction with newspapers. The only time I can personally remember ever reading one is during tube rides, when there is little to nothing else to do. There is a sense of respect around newspapers in terms of media consumers, they were the one of the first forms of media and are still somehow managing to endure in the modern era. They also have political agendas that they each have to push and support, which means they can be unreliable. Morning papers also have to be rolling off the presses in the early hours of the morning to be in stores by the time commuters (the most avid readers of newspapers) will need them. This means that any important events that happen throughout the british night due to differences in timezones (eg. a presidential assassination, an earthquake) will not be included, making the papers outdated very quickly. With The Independent becoming digital-only in 2016 (source), it begs the question of how much longer the newspaper industry can survive until the digital age drowns it.Internet:
Since the birth of the internet in 1983, it has become a critical part of modern life. Contacting a friend? Use the internet! Doing a media assignment? Use the internet! Everything that existed in what feels like the ice age before the internet has been digitalised - online shopping, research, and the new dark spot on the internet, social media. Social media has a big impact on my life, it's the only way to maintain the image of yourself. It seems that it has turned from posting who you are to posting who you want to be, and photo retouching software like facetune alone has been downloaded 60 million times (source!). I think the internet negatively impacts everyone, people on social media like to show off what could be described as their "perfect life", which creates deep feelings of unhappiness and low self esteem in vulnerable teenagers. There is also a trend of "influencers", people who gain followings and then use that following to gain sponsored post deals without specifying that they are participating in ads. This is negative too because it's false advertising, and can trick vulnerable people into making uninformed purchases because of their desire to match the influencer's "perfect life". I think social media has impacted me negatively, yet due to the crowd mentality of everyone having it I couldn't bear to delete it and be seen as a loser!Advertising:
Adverts and advertising are everywhere. It's impossible to not see ads everywhere you look. Forbes suggests that the average american sees around 4000-10,000 ads per day, and its probably not that far out on this side of the pond. It has become ingrained in our culture too, saying "should've gone to specsavers" comically when a friend makes an oversight is a good laugh that everyone can appreciate. There are many forms of unseen advertising - posters and billboards on buses, audio ads on radio, digital banners on most profit websites, cinema advertising, TV commercial breaks, branded lorries, and that is hardly even scratching the surface. It has become like a constant white noise in our lives, and when it is used to manipulate us into buying the newest shoes or getting that new crisp flavour, it has repercussions - how much of our free will is ours, if the decisions we make are controlled by a poster in our subconscious?
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