Reflecting Upon Media...

Ever since I began this media blog, I have paid more attention to the world of media and advertisements around me.  I never really thought about the media's effect on us and the way that it has so much power over our thoughts and actions.  This blog has also caused me to actually watch and analyze commercials (the interesting ones anyway).  I've realized how utterly ridiculous the majority of commercials are, and by analyzing them, I've come to believe that it's practically impossible to create an advertisement without having fallacies or assumptions exploding in your face.  I now find it entertaining to mentally, or verbally point out everything that is wrong with commercials I happen to pay attention to.  The world of commercials is becoming quite absurd.  

I've also come to realize how much media I consume every day.  Living in a world with instant communication and social networking allows for media's messages to lurk in every corner.  I've become so used to media throwing messages at me that I either ignore it (or try to ignore it), unconsciously take it in, or let it somehow influence my thoughts/choices.  I admit to that last part, because who isn't affected by media? Even if you don't want to pay attention to it, it's still there.  Advertisements are constantly being launched at us, whether we like it or not.  

I have most certainly become more media literate.  I now know how to analyze media and determine the messages advertisers are trying to ingrain in our minds.  Like I said before, I've noticed that many commercials are really ridiculous.  However, I've also realized which techniques have a greater effect on me and which techniques get on my nerves.  For example, I find commercials that use simple solutions often make me succumb to my desire of a simple and easy answer.  However, techniques such as snob appeal often get on my nerves because I find it annoying when commercials paint this picture of a luxurious life that is all caused by one product (for example, liquor commercials).  Come on, at least make the consumer believe that the scenario is possible.  

Having the ability to be media literate is critical in this day and age.  As we live in a world filled with media, we often give in to its messages because we're so used to it.  Media has this incredible power over us and it's debatable whether media is a reflection of us, or if we are a reflection of the media.  Personally, I believe we have become reflections of the media.  We are so overwhelmed by media's messages that we can hardly make out what our own thoughts are from what the media wants us to think.  We need to be educated in media literacy in order to realize this and not succumb to the media's power.  For example, as  The Persuaders and Miss Representation pointed out, media has much more influence in society than we may think.  It affects the way we think, the way we act, and the way we view ourselves and others.  Media manipulates our minds so that we may be the "ideal consumer."  After all, media is concerned with money and power.

I've found this media blog to be helpful in my understanding of the world of media.  By analyzing advertisements, I have become aware of the way my own mind responds to media, as well as how the advertisers want me to respond.  This blog has allowed me to feel much more capable of being a critical thinker when it comes to media literacy.