Wednesday, January 31, 2007
My Definition of Stereotype...
The quote from Lippman’s book that I think best describes the definition of a stereotype is on page 57 of the book Public Opinion. “Our stereotyped world is not necessarily the world we should like it to be, it is simply the kind of world we expect it to be.” I think that this means that stereotypes are the result of our need to selectively perceive our environment. They help us to understand and structure the complex world around us. To me it seems as though stereotypes are also dictated by the things that we are seen, told, or experience in our daily lives. Most of us look at a certain type of person and because of the way we were brought up by our parents or by other things that have been told about that certain type of person, we automatically look at that person and a stereotype comes to mind. Stereotypes, I feel can be either a negative or positive, because they are generalized views of a person or thing. For example, most people have stereotypical views of athletes. While some people may think that athletes are really strong leaders and probably dedicated people because of their sport, others may think negatively of an athlete such as a meathead or being too ‘manly’. People's views about people and things can differ drastically depending on what it is that they see as a stereotype.
The Story Behind Time Warner...
The media that I previously picked as my favorite is the internet. Since the internet can be pretty broad I narrowed it down to AOL instant messenger since I am frequently on that part of the internet. AOL instant messenger is a part of the Time Warner internet department. As we read in Chapter 2 of the Hanson text, America Online (AOL) merged with Time Warner in 2000. Many were concerned about the market power that this merger could bring to the table but the U.S. Federal Trade Commission approved the merger. The merger made Time Warner the largest media company in the United States. In 2003, the corporation changed its name from AOL Time Warner back to Time Warner. This merger with Time Warner doesn’t specifically influence me in that I usually ignore any of the pop up ads that come up on the computer. Even when I am searching on the internet I tend to ignore any of the pop up ads or the ads that are running along the top or sides of the page. The merger with Time Warner could be influential in that Time Warner would then be able to have its ads pop up on any of the America Online web pages.
This idea is an example of synergy. The text defines synergy as the combined strength of two items is greater than the sum of their individual strengths. In the media business, synergy means that a combined company can offer more value, cost savings, or strength than the two companies would separately. Time Warner definitely fits this definition in that their merger with AOL allowed them to become the largest media company. The combined efforts of both of these companies have offered more power for this company as a whole.
This idea is an example of synergy. The text defines synergy as the combined strength of two items is greater than the sum of their individual strengths. In the media business, synergy means that a combined company can offer more value, cost savings, or strength than the two companies would separately. Time Warner definitely fits this definition in that their merger with AOL allowed them to become the largest media company. The combined efforts of both of these companies have offered more power for this company as a whole.
Monday, January 29, 2007
The Pictures in Our Head...
I think that everyone has a limited reality to start off with. The media that we engage in definately alters the pictures our head that we have. Most of us for the most part engage in a certain type of media more than others. This as a result limits the reality that we live in. By only using a certain media more than others we are limiting ourselves to the possibilities of different pictures being produced in our minds. A lot of us do not engage in a media that shows us the happenings of around the world. Maybe the usage of more media such as newspapers, the news, or even books could aid us in broadening our reality. I think that if I, myself, engaged in using these types of media more then I could be more aware of things that are happening around me that I don’t realize are going on. Sometimes i feel like Westminster can be a bubble. That most of us get caught up in this little bubble we have here and we don’t seem to realize what is really going on around us outside of this bubble.
It is also importatn to look at the messages that are being sent to us by the media. The gatekeepers of these messages have the power to influence you. These gatekeepers can determine the bias or influence that a message can have that you are recieving. It is important to try to not let these gatekeepers alter the true meaning of the message that is being sent to you.
I think that most people easily believe what they are told by gatekeepers in the media. It is important for people to not give into what is told to them because most of the time there is more to the story than what is being told. The stereotypes in our heads and past experiences allow us to navigate the media and the world. It is up to us to determine what we choose to believe or not believe.
It is also importatn to look at the messages that are being sent to us by the media. The gatekeepers of these messages have the power to influence you. These gatekeepers can determine the bias or influence that a message can have that you are recieving. It is important to try to not let these gatekeepers alter the true meaning of the message that is being sent to you.
I think that most people easily believe what they are told by gatekeepers in the media. It is important for people to not give into what is told to them because most of the time there is more to the story than what is being told. The stereotypes in our heads and past experiences allow us to navigate the media and the world. It is up to us to determine what we choose to believe or not believe.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
My Favorite Media
I’d have to say that my favorite media for me would be the internet. I say this because on the internet you are able to do a million and one things all together at once. You can talk to your friends or family on AIM while checking your email and looking at your favorite websites. I feel that the internet is a great source of information. While the internet doesnt always provide the most accurate information it also has some very legitimate ones too. I usually don’t have alot of time to watch t.v. or the news so I use the internet to keep up with what is going on in the world.
If the internet was taken away from me I probably wouldn’t be very happy at first but I’m sure that I would adjust to it by finding another source to get information. At one point in my life I was able to survive without the internet so I’m sure that I could adjust back to that but it would definately be more difficult. I would most miss how easy it is for me to access what it is that I want to see. For now I’m glad that internet is available for me to use as a type of communication.
If the internet was taken away from me I probably wouldn’t be very happy at first but I’m sure that I would adjust to it by finding another source to get information. At one point in my life I was able to survive without the internet so I’m sure that I could adjust back to that but it would definately be more difficult. I would most miss how easy it is for me to access what it is that I want to see. For now I’m glad that internet is available for me to use as a type of communication.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Media Checklist
1. I use the phone off and on all day. I would say that I call my mom the most frequently.
2. Last year I went to speaker that came to talk about spinal injuries and being an athlete.
3. I use IM daily throughout the day. I talk to my sister and my friend shaun probably the most often
4. I use email a couple times a week. I mainly use email for anything that deals with the college, for example emailing a professor or my coach.
5. The last time I paid to listen to music was this past summer when I went to the Dave Matthews Concert in Pittsburgh.
6. The most recent thing I have watched on t.v. was a football game. I watched it because I enjoy it.
7. The last time I recorded a movie ortelevision program was a couple of weeks ago. I taped Grey's Anatomy because at the time I had swim practice and was going to miss it.
8. The most recent movie that I watched for fun was Little Miss Sunshine on DVD. I didnt really like it as much as I thought I was going to.
9. The type of radio station I last listened to was Titan Radio, it was on in the bathroom.
10. The most recent book I have read for me was called The Tenth Circle. I read it on the way to and from California over Christmas break.
11. The last time I read a newspaper was last week in the morning. I usually ready the USA Today every morning at breakfast before going to class. I like to read it to keep up on the recent events in the news.
12. The last magazine I read was Cosmopolitan. I read it when I was in California on the plane.
13. I honestly cannot recall the last time I wrote a letter and sent it.
14. The college's homepage is a web site that I visit frequently. I tend to check my email a couple times a day because it seems as though I constantly get emails. This college likes to senda anything important through emails.
15. I do have a facebook account and now most recently a blog account for this class. I have the facebook account cause I think it's a good way of networking your friends.
2. Last year I went to speaker that came to talk about spinal injuries and being an athlete.
3. I use IM daily throughout the day. I talk to my sister and my friend shaun probably the most often
4. I use email a couple times a week. I mainly use email for anything that deals with the college, for example emailing a professor or my coach.
5. The last time I paid to listen to music was this past summer when I went to the Dave Matthews Concert in Pittsburgh.
6. The most recent thing I have watched on t.v. was a football game. I watched it because I enjoy it.
7. The last time I recorded a movie ortelevision program was a couple of weeks ago. I taped Grey's Anatomy because at the time I had swim practice and was going to miss it.
8. The most recent movie that I watched for fun was Little Miss Sunshine on DVD. I didnt really like it as much as I thought I was going to.
9. The type of radio station I last listened to was Titan Radio, it was on in the bathroom.
10. The most recent book I have read for me was called The Tenth Circle. I read it on the way to and from California over Christmas break.
11. The last time I read a newspaper was last week in the morning. I usually ready the USA Today every morning at breakfast before going to class. I like to read it to keep up on the recent events in the news.
12. The last magazine I read was Cosmopolitan. I read it when I was in California on the plane.
13. I honestly cannot recall the last time I wrote a letter and sent it.
14. The college's homepage is a web site that I visit frequently. I tend to check my email a couple times a day because it seems as though I constantly get emails. This college likes to senda anything important through emails.
15. I do have a facebook account and now most recently a blog account for this class. I have the facebook account cause I think it's a good way of networking your friends.
Media Checklist
1. I use the phone off and on all day. I would say that I call my mom the most frequently.
2. Last year I went to speaker that came to talk about spinal injuries and being an athlete.
3. I use IM daily throughout the day. I talk to my sister and my friend shaun probably the most often
4. I use email a couple times a week. I mainly use email for anything that deals with the college, for example emailing a professor or my coach.
5. The last time I paid to listen to music was this past summer when I went to the Dave Matthews Concert in Pittsburgh.
6. The most recent thing I have watched on t.v. was a football game. I watched it because I enjoy it.
7. The last time I recorded a movie ortelevision program was a couple of weeks ago. I taped Grey's Anatomy because at the time I had swim practice and was going to miss it.
8. The most recent movie that I watched for fun was Little Miss Sunshine on DVD. I didnt really like it as much as I thought I was going to.
9. The type of radio station I last listened to was Titan Radio, it was on in the bathroom.
10. The most recent book I have read for me was called The Tenth Circle. I read it on the way to and from California over Christmas break.
11. The last time I read a newspaper was last week in the morning. I usually ready the USA Today every morning at breakfast before going to class. I like to read it to keep up on the recent events in the news.
12. The last magazine I read was Cosmopolitan. I read it when I was in California on the plane.
13. I honestly cannot recall the last time I wrote a letter and sent it.
14. The college's homepage is a web site that I visit frequently. I tend to check my email a couple times a day because it seems as though I constantly get emails. This college likes to senda anything important through emails.
15. I do have a facebook account and now most recently a blog account for this class. I have the facebook account cause I think it's a good way of networking your friends.
2. Last year I went to speaker that came to talk about spinal injuries and being an athlete.
3. I use IM daily throughout the day. I talk to my sister and my friend shaun probably the most often
4. I use email a couple times a week. I mainly use email for anything that deals with the college, for example emailing a professor or my coach.
5. The last time I paid to listen to music was this past summer when I went to the Dave Matthews Concert in Pittsburgh.
6. The most recent thing I have watched on t.v. was a football game. I watched it because I enjoy it.
7. The last time I recorded a movie ortelevision program was a couple of weeks ago. I taped Grey's Anatomy because at the time I had swim practice and was going to miss it.
8. The most recent movie that I watched for fun was Little Miss Sunshine on DVD. I didnt really like it as much as I thought I was going to.
9. The type of radio station I last listened to was Titan Radio, it was on in the bathroom.
10. The most recent book I have read for me was called The Tenth Circle. I read it on the way to and from California over Christmas break.
11. The last time I read a newspaper was last week in the morning. I usually ready the USA Today every morning at breakfast before going to class. I like to read it to keep up on the recent events in the news.
12. The last magazine I read was Cosmopolitan. I read it when I was in California on the plane.
13. I honestly cannot recall the last time I wrote a letter and sent it.
14. The college's homepage is a web site that I visit frequently. I tend to check my email a couple times a day because it seems as though I constantly get emails. This college likes to senda anything important through emails.
15. I do have a facebook account and now most recently a blog account for this class. I have the facebook account cause I think it's a good way of networking your friends.
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