As media surrounds us, and influences people daily, I find as a society we grow to want the media we get. From the beginning development of media and entertainment, media has slowly manipulated society into perceiving the world differently. As a society, we learn to listen and become influenced by what we hear or see through advertisements, magazines, reality tv, news channels etc.
Like stated in our Media and Society textbook, there are negative aspects of the media. For example it states, “media fears are based on the political, moral, and cultural damage of which the media are capable” (O’Shaughnessey & Stadler 2012, 15). This relates to the aspect of media changing the thought and morals of individuals. Therefore, the more we allow media to influence us, the more we begin to perceive society differently and in result, continue to want more information from the media.
An example of wanting the media we get connects to reality tv shows, such as Keeping Up with the Kardashians. As a teenage girl, I myself am addicted to watching episodes on celebrities like Kim Kardashian and her family as well as many of my friends. Although it may not be the must educational show, the show obtains so much drama and entertainment it encourages people to keep watching the show. Through time we continue to watch and want more of these episodes as we find interest in the glamorous celebrity life style. This relates to our morals and values as individuals, as watching ‘perfect’ celebrities changes our perception on society. The more we listen or see the lives of the famous, the more we want to see this on a day-to-day basis. For example, girls wanting to resemble models, or in this case, want to look like one of the Kardashians. In reality, this is unrealistic but we continue to do so.
In contradiction, the quote “the media’s huge rang of cultural information and entertainment contributes to the development of popular knowledge. People are more aware and better educated through the media than ever before” (O’Shaughnessey & Stadler,12) states the importance of awareness through media. This relates to how we are informed of large events, for example 9/11. When this tragedy occurred, the world was informed through the news and magazines of what exactly happened. The media provided details and exact events of what occurred. Through the media, people were touched and clearly informed on the situation. Therefore, I think as a society we want the media we get to not only inform us on lives of celebrities, but to inform us about important events world wide.
Together as a society, the media influences us as we become more knowledgeable and entertained through its information. We begin to change as individuals as the media affects us either positively or negatively. Therefore, as individuals we want the media we get to inform us what is occurring throughout the world.
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