Global Warming: HOT Topic

Fahrenthold, David A., and Juliet Eilperin. “Science of global warming debated hotly in e-mails.” Daily Herald. 6 December 2009.

SUMMARY:

Apparently scientists are hiding their findings in hopes to trick the public in believing more in global warming. “It began with an anonymous Internet posting, and a link to a wonky set of e-mails and files,” stolen files that contained flaws in their own data that seemingly were to “muzzle their critics.” Scientists were releasing invalid information to the public, and they were caught. This scheme is called “Climate-gate,” it’s a scandal that has brought much public attention on the science of a warming planet. Although the hidden e-mails don’t prove that human-caused climate change isn’t true, they raise many questions. They are trying to control what the public hears and understands. There are more than 1,000 e-mails and 3,000 documents that were all stolen from servers at the University of East Anglia in Britain.

RESPONSE:

So global warming is a hot topic… But hot enough to lie about? No. In fact it’s really not even that hot. The earth hasn’t warmed as predicted over the past ten years. But what does the media want to hear? The media wants to show something dramatic and in turn have the public respond in a dramatic way. Stressing that global warming is influential makes the media be able to make a turn to be eco-friendly and encourage low fuel emissions and good habits for the environment. It’s amazing that scientists will lie about their findings or try to “hide” them so they can release what they want to release, but the truth is always exposed or found in this case. This is proof to me that we as citizens need to find out for ourselves, rather believing everything that the media tells us. For scientists to break from using the scientific method when publishing their findings makes you wonder what other inaccurate information has been released. This is so inappropriate for anyone to do, especially a scientist.

Daily Diet: Five Hours of Television

Stelter, Brian. “In American’s Daily Diet: Nearly Five Hours of Television.” Media Decoder. 10 November 2009. http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/

SUMMARY:

The New York Times reported that the average American spent almost five hours a day in front of the TV. Television viewings have increased. Not only do most Americans spend this much time dedicated to the TV, but also most TVs are actually turned on for eight hours and twenty-one minutes each day. This article was pretty short, but got the point a crossed that television views are steadily increasing. It is said that only one-fifth as much time is spent on the Internet as watching TV. “People may be spending time watching video online, downloading torrents, playing video games, and whatever else, but they’re continuing to watch more TV on average as well.” Compared to ten years ago the viewings have gone up twenty percent.

RESPONSE:

It’s remarkable how much television one person can consume. I realize that people get addicted to a certain show and feel like they can’t miss an episode or find a need to get “caught-up” in watching every previous episode they missed before their addiction started, but five hours a day is amazing! (In a sort of bad way – yet amusing). I don’t understand where people find time in their lives to watch this much television. I myself don’t watch that much television, but do find how it could get addicting when I spend time with my younger brother eagerly watching How It’s Made, the Discovery Channel, and of course the Disney Channel. But these numbers are unbelievable; it seems like everyone is always very busy and involved in the community and work, so this truly doesn’t make sense to me. I hope that this average contains very few yet extreme outliers that influence the average. Yet TV has more to offer. There are now more entertaining and educational shows. You can find football games, even high school football games, as well as church programs and educational shows on the TV, so the increase may be justifiable, but not necessary.

LET ME WEAR MY SKINNY JEANS

“Mass Media Influence on Society.” Hub Pages. 1 November 2009. http://hubpages.com/hub/Mass-Media-Influence-on-Society

SUMMARY:

Media Influence has grown drastically in the past fifty years “first there was the telegraph, then the radio, the newspaper, magazines, television and now the internet.” Our society depends on a quick source of information and communication. Television affects all of society; children usually are exposed to 40,000 ads a year solely from television ads. This article claims that five different companies basically control the media: Time Warner, VIACOM, Vivendi Universal, Walt Disney, and News Corp. These companies own 95% of all the media that we consume daily because they own theme parks, radio broadcasting networks, programming, video news, and sports entertainment. These different types of media sources greatly influence the teenagers of our nations, for better or worse. The media can drive young people to eating disorders and various self-image disorders. The media can also shape the public opinion on different ideas. It was proven that the public’s concern with drugs was once down to three percent and then sky rocketed for a short time period and is now down to three percent. This information alone is interesting, but it suddenly becomes more interesting to know that this is directly correlated with the media’s awareness and concern with drug abuse. As the media covered drug issues the public’s concern directly followed.

RESPONSE:

I think that we need to be careful with the media we consume. It truly does greatly influence us as individuals and a society. I don’t watch that much television, because I rarely have the time or interest, but one aspect of the media I am greatly influenced by is FASHION. I love fashion and am easily intrigued with the new styles, but sometimes realized the ridiculousness of the newest trends. I am usually easily converted though. But, once upon a time I disliked skinny leg jeans and thought that they made girls look “hippy” and overweight. I tried them on for fun and hated them even more. I now love skinny leg jeans and think that they elongate women’s legs; they are so fun to wear. Maybe this is because the media push I felt with the endless advertisements and fashion magazines, or the fact that they weren’t going away. But the media does influence individuals to act or look a certain way as well as buying certain products. Right now there is a great awareness for recycling and the environment in general. This push is once again from the media and because the media is endorsing eco-friendly behavior the public is acting more environment friendly. This almost seems like brainwashing! These five companies mentioned have a great influence on us, and we should be aware of this influence.

I’m Addicted… To FACEBOOK?

“Potential Facebook Addiction.” Addiction Info. 11 October 11, 2009. http://www.addictioninfo.org/articles/2171/1/Potential-Facebook-addiction/Page1.html.

SUMMARY

This article summarizes the uses of Facebook and explains the inappropriate addictions that happen through these social networks. Psychologists believe that these are unhealthy addictions to the media. Many people continue to think of Facebook while offline and use Facebook to “escape” their problems and homework, some even stay on Facebook for long period of time (Facebook stalking?) psychologists believe that notifications, messages, and invites are “rewarding you with an unpredictable high,” one that is much like gambling. Another problem is that students are losing assignment time so they can Facebook. You may just have to diagnose your addiction and change your habits, but you must recognize the mass of time wasted. Rob Bedi a psychologist and professor at the University of Victoria thinks that students should record their activity on Facebook and limit the time they spend making Facebook like a chore by recording it. Some universities have addiction counseling that you can attend to get over this addiction. Ironically there are around 155 Facebook Addicts Anonymous groups on Facebook itself.

RESPONSE

Facebook has become a way to reconnect with old classmates, invite friends to parties, play games, send virtual gifts, and inform the general public about your life by updating your status. Facebook has even become a way to share and enjoy pictures. Facebook seems innocent enough until you relate it to gambling, which is quite addicting (from what I’ve heard – I’m still not old enough for this addiction – thanks for the limitations?) It’s ridiculous that students will get this addicted to Facebook. The article suggests that students have too much time to waste, but I believe that students resort to Facebook, because it’s a formed habit. I too have wasted time on Facebook, trying to download photos I end up wasting a lot of time reading the news feed; I am fascinated at the multiple updates from just one Facebook user and the personal information they disclose. This really is a mass media source; I am invited to parties and to join groups with over five thousand people already attending. I honestly don’t even know that many people. Somebody said that Facebook is a method of “academic homicide,” and I concur. We have so many other responsibilities to attend to, that we shouldn’t be spending large amount of time on this social network. I think it’s ridiculous that there are Facebook Addicts groups on Facebook. I hope that students will enjoy this site without becoming addicted.

Disney is MAGIC!

“Effects of TV on Children.” Femail. 25 Sept. 2009. http://www.femail.com.au/effectoftvonchildren.htm.

SUMMARY

This article talks of the vital time period for childhood development and the positive effect Disney has had on all children. A study called “Our Children’s Media Diet” was implemented on a group of three to six year olds. Through the study Dr. Helen Skouteris, a specialist in Developmental Psychology was able to prove that Disney videos promote “active viewers” and “pretend play”, two important parts in rearing children. “Pretend play” helps children form language skills, imagination, and recognize other perspectives. Dr. Skouteris said the many Disney films “provide them with a fun and magical experience.” Toddlers learn the difference between good and evil as they develop characteristics like bravery and a sense of humor. Disney movies are often influential in active learning, as they repeat the movies children become more familiar with the plot and participate in singing along. This is an active experience. The article also mentions that co-viewing movies with your child offers a greater level of understanding and makes it a family experience where parents can direct a conversation regarding values.

RESPONSE

At a young age, three to six year old children develop social skills and gain values. It is inevitable that television and the media in general take part in this “raising” of America’s children. You are shown a variety of Disney movies from the time you can crawl; you even dream of going to Disneyland from a young age. Disney has greatly influenced our society! I feel that Disney movies do promote honesty and courage throughout each story. Mulan had the courage to fight for her country even though she wasn’t technically allowed these privileges in her society, being a woman. This shows little children the courage and triumph that one individual can bring to a whole society. I believe I am also an example of what this article calls “active learning.” When I was little I definitely sang along with the Disney songs and enjoyed pretending I was each of the characters. For a period of time I even forced my household to refer to me as Megara from Hercules. I’m not saying that Megara or any other Disney character had a lasting impression on me, but they did enhance my childhood and encourage me to dream big and imagine the unimaginable. I enjoy Disney movies even still; they may not be a brilliant work of art in some minds’ eye, but they bettered my youth.

The Media Wants Me To Be Beautiful

“The effects of television advertising to society.” City TV Web. 28 Aug. 2007. http://www.citytvweb.com/the-effects-of-television-advertising-to-society/.

SUMMARY

“The effects of television advertising to society” informs of the advertising tactics companies use to sell their product. As television becomes more accessible people “get carried away because of the TV ads also – without even consciously knowing it.” All these advertisements greatly impact all viewers, especially those that are young and impressionable. It only takes a few seconds for these commercials to captivate the audience and convince them that it is a necessity. The article explains that most advertisements contain famous and beautiful people to patronize the product. Women are used as sex objects; the perception of homemakers is now skewed because of the commercials and TV shows of independent women. Over the years more and more children choose junk food because the way that commercials portray the “yummy” snack. Everyone is affected “because these TV ads point out the person’s lack of something, instead of the products’ features.”

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RESPONSE

Companies associate feelings of beauty with their product to sell it. For example, the Estee Lauder perfume advertisements show a sense of joy and beauty. But does owning or wearing their perfume really give you “pleasure?” Does wearing Estee Lauder’s perfume suddenly transform you to be this girl (thin and happy)? There is definitely not a direct correlation between the perfume and this girl’s happiness. Maybe the puppy helps contribute to her happiness, but how does the puppy relate to the perfume? It all is really ridiculous, but as this article says, these advertisements are influencing our society. This image, and many others somehow make consumers feel they too can be beautiful by buying a certain product. Instead of consumers purchasing an item because of the quality and actual function, they buy to feel beautiful. Advertisements are intriguing. Many simply contain a picture of the product and few words, unrelated to the function of the product. Our society is very visual and doesn’t want to or have time to read a long advertisement, even if it is informative. They want to see a simple image and feel something. This emotional appeal makes the media consumers want the product more than any other technique, in my opinion. We need to be aware of what messages are really trying to portray and think logically before making purchases.

What's on T.V.?

"Violence." Media Awareness Network. 2009. http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/parents/movies/concerns/violence_movies.cfm

SUMMARY

This article is directed towards parents and teachers, informing them of the negative affects violence in media may have on their children or students. Although a direct correlation between violent behavior and the amount of exposure youth have to violent media hasn’t been proven, it is becoming an accepted idea. Twenty-six percent of adults still “have residual anxiety many years after viewing horror movies in childhood.” Many media industries market these violent films to teenagers and children. In fact much of the time they have the young population review the movies and concepts. It is proven that eighty percent of the movies were in actuality targeted towards the population less than seventeen years old. The article suggests a few things that parents can do to help prevent the viewing of these violent films to ultimately prevent violent behavior, increased fear, and desensitization to actual violence. Parents need to explain their stance on violent movies and set family rules for their children to abide by; they also need to be well informed of recent movies and the ratings. The article warns of “PG” ratings because they “actually contain content that isn’t suitable for young adolescents.”

MY RESPONSE

The media is so accessible and prominent with cable television in the majority of American families, the Internet, magazines, facebook, and even billboard advertisements. As I drive down the freeway I am constantly being bombarded with advertisements, sometimes graphic and even disturbing. I definitely think that as we expose ourselves to violent material we become desensitized to the seriousness of violence, especially teen violence. The movies make this violence seem acceptable even normal at times. The movies hardly ever show the consequences of the violent behavior, as long as the ends justify the means? Or do the ends ever justify the means? But then again I guess it doesn’t really matter because the movies don’t “include” any “consequences” for these actions. I think this gives teenagers a skewed perspective of violence, thus leading them to violent actions themselves and accepting violence around them. It is a scary thought that media industries are targeting the youth of the world to view their movies. I think that all too often parents are oblivious to the material their children are watching because they view their children, as good kids and can trust them. Although most teenagers are good kids it doesn’t make them immune from violent media and it’s affects. I think saying that “PG” ratings can be inappropriate for teenagers is a little extreme, seeing you can’t be overprotective, but I do believe that parents should communicate with their children.