These means of communication are relatively new to society, especially things like the cell phone and internet. I can remember when there was neither of these two things and I can not imagine today’s society without them. I remember when people used pay phones and they were 25 cents to use. Today pay phones serve virtually no purpose because just about everyone has a cell phone. Cell phones have become higher tech, for example, the Iphone. It is not only a cell phone but also a day planner, a music player, the internet, a calculator, and the list goes on. 
When the Iphone first came out a couple months ago, the retail price was 500 dollars and in just 3 months the price has dropped 200 dollars which makes me start to think just how much are we paying for our media? Obviously there was a time when the world didn’t have cell phones, the internet, gossip magazines, MTV, etc. and society went on living their day to day lives just as fine as we do today. So the question is, who made the people of this world believe that the world would come to a screeching halt if we did not have all these means of communication? I am personally influenced by society as a whole, whether it be advertisements, the companies who make these products, the government which is profiting from these products being sold because it is helping the economy, my friends, my family, or the learning institutions the we are enrolled in. Society is constantly convincing the world that we need these products in our lives. They try to come out with different forms of media which appeal to all age groups and all social classes. I feel like all types of media serve a purpose for someone, somewhere. So just because a certain type of media does not directly suit what I need doesn’t mean it is a negative type of media. Obviously my media habits are going to change over time because society is constantly changing, but I can not predict how they are going to change. I feel like I am a well rounded consumer when it comes to the media. I am very in touch with the media, hence being a Media and Communication studies major. Sometimes I feel like I rely too heavily on the media and I try to take a step back sometimes when I feel like it is overwhelming my life as a consumer.
9 comments:
Alexis;
Indeed media technology has progressed at a somewhat dumbfounding rate. We now can see what could be called a technology deprivation, where one goes for a short amount of time without modern communication devices and starts to go nuts. This may very well be why phone companies can charge one three plus times the price of a phone with a contract if you need to replace a stolen/broken/lost phone in the middle of a contract. People will pay it; I know I have. And to be honest with you, I cannot remember the last time I saw someone using a pay phone.
Reading your post I started to think back to when I was little and cell phones looked like bricks and the internet didn't even exist. It's really crazy to think that everyone was able to exist that way, not being constantly in touch. But I know we both did that media fast for Kelber-Kaye's class and really I personally found it wasn't that difficult to be completely cut off (...for a day). Too bad I don't think any of us could survive like that for long...
I think it's actually rather sad how dependent we have become on technology and the media. I'm not saying that I could live without things like my cell phone because I'm almost certain I can't. I never turn it off and it lives in my pocket or within arms reach (pathetic, I know). I feel this need to be connected at all times and other people must feel that way as well. Why else would people pay ridiculous amounts for such devices as the Iphone?
You brought up a very interesting point that I have never really thought about. The fact that before we had all these different types of media the people still lived their lives just fine. Don't get me wrong, I love that our society has access to the internet and cell phones, as well as all these other ways to communicate, but I think it is important that people appreciate what we have today rather than abuse media.
Alexis,
You had a lot of good points in your blog. Your right about media being everywhere, I can't even remember the last time I used a pay phone. I think it's like 50 cents to make a call now a days. I do know some people back at home that don't have cell phones and they couldn't be happier about it. I guess they like the freedom of not always being able to get in contact with. It's cool that our society keeps advancing but it's frustrating how almost every time you buy something, the price always goes down extremely just weeks later. I enjoyed your blog, keep up the good work!
Regardless of the need and importance of many new things in the media, people will continue to pay these ridiculous prices just to be able to say they have the newest, the best, the most expensive "thing", and it will continue because people will buy anything.
Spanish wasnt to great lol..but ill do better, but anyway u agree 100% media tech. is getting much better with time. Pay phones arenot even needed anymore. Phone companies charge way to much, but i see more and more people with PDAs, including myself so i mean phone companies are just putting things out there that we need so we cant really blame them.
Im totally right there with you! I am so consumed with how much of the media is everywhere now. IM also obsessed with gossip magazines and love to catch up on everything thats new in Hollywood. I could not live without my cell phone or the internet either! You really realize how much you are dependent on your cell phone and the internet when you are placed in a situation when you cant use either sources. Like in a random blackout of power for a day or so, it would drive me crazy not being in touch with the rest of the world through my cell or internet, which im sure would of course make you crazy too! I enjoyed reading your blog because I totally agree with your opinion of how media is everywhere now!
Alexis,
I feel that I have definately seen some of the advances in media technology since Ive been alive a little longer than you. I do honestly remember making collect calls to my friends growing up and that no one had or knew what a cell phone was. But hey you dont see me complaining about all the new forms of media.
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