Books are one of the oldest and most influential objects, among many influences, in the world that we live in today. Books allow people to educate themselves with knowledge, which affects people's decisions, thoughts, and everyday lives. Some books that are influential to me are "A Long Way Home" by Ishmael Beah, "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker, and "Something Borrowed" by Emily Giffin.
"A Long Way Gone" almost literally touched home because my parents are from Sierra Leone which is the setting of the book. The book talks about the war over blood diamonds in Sierra Leone from a personal viewpoint. Though I've heard many stories about the war from my parents, it was really interesting to hear Ishmael's personal story. This book was influential to me, because it was an opportunity to learn more about Sierra Leone's history.
"The Color Purple" is influential to the African American culture. It is a story of struggle and empowerment for black women in the 1930s, but it also gives insight to what true beauty is.
"Something Borrowed" is about love. It's a great book for all the hopeless romantics out there, but it is influential because it challenges the power of friendship. It is a very light, but fun and juicy read. The book is actually going to be turned into a movie soon. Here is a preview of the movie (although the book is much better).
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Media Impact
I think it is ridiculous when people blame the media for their actions. I feel that adults, especially, should have a firmer grip on reality when it comes to what is seen or heard in the media. However, today we live in a society where we learn through the media, like television. For example, children programming teaches children the simple fundamentals such as sharing, language, and behavior.
Sex and sexuality are subjects that many people do not like to talk about, but it surrounds us everywhere we go. An issue that I find interesting is that young children and teenagers are using what they see on television to fuel their own actions. Specifically, many people blame teen pregnancy on the shows that they see on television. Shows like "Teen Mom" on MTV is thought to have caused some controversy among teenage girls, where some girls intentionally try to get pregnant to be on the show. The video below further explains the issue of television being the cause of the rise in teen pregnancy.
I do not think people understand the difference between reality and television. Even reality television is not real! If you are going to do what you see on television, take the precautions necessary and own up to your actions.
Sex and sexuality are subjects that many people do not like to talk about, but it surrounds us everywhere we go. An issue that I find interesting is that young children and teenagers are using what they see on television to fuel their own actions. Specifically, many people blame teen pregnancy on the shows that they see on television. Shows like "Teen Mom" on MTV is thought to have caused some controversy among teenage girls, where some girls intentionally try to get pregnant to be on the show. The video below further explains the issue of television being the cause of the rise in teen pregnancy.
I do not think people understand the difference between reality and television. Even reality television is not real! If you are going to do what you see on television, take the precautions necessary and own up to your actions.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Week 1: Media Autobiography
Sometimes in relationships, people like to play hard to get. Conversely, my relationship with mass media is the exact opposite. Sometimes mass media can be a little overbearing. I could be minding my own business, and BOOM, news travels through Books, Newspapers, Magazines, Movies, Recordings, Radio, Television and especially the Internet, without me even having to ask. Can anyone tell me why I share different relationships with the eight different types of media, and not one of them can keep me warm at night? I do not mean to call mass media a jezebel, but these days it can be quite easy to get want you want- information, that is. The relationships that I have with these types of mass media stem from different experiences and backgrounds.
These experiences and backgrounds have influenced my Marketing major. Media plays an important role in marketing, because the consumer has to be persuaded into buying a product or agreeing with an idea. I’m not quite sure where I would like to transfer, but I am looking at state colleges in Southern California. Eventually, I would like to have a job in the media possibly working in public relations. We use media to stay informed with events in the world. Listed below are the types of mass media and some of the ways they are important to me. On a scale of 1-10 I have rated how important each type of media is to me, with 1 being not important and 10 being very important.
BOOKS
Books are important to me. I love to read, but more for pleasure. As a child I preferred to play than to sit and read, but as I matured I have learned to appreciate books.
Rating: 5-Not as easily accessible, but a great way of getting extensive detail on a subject.
NEWSPAPERS
Newspapers are not important at all to me. I think newspapers are more informational, and I prefer to get my information elsewhere. I usually never read a newspaper, unless I find the occasional school newspaper.
Rating: 4- Not as easily accessible, but great for worldly issues.
MAGAZINES
Magazines may not be very important to me, but I think are fun! The use of images in magazines, I feel, is what makes magazines special because the pictures are used to persuade the reader without using words.
Rating: 7- Easier to access, and has useful life information.
MOVIES
Every child loves movies, and I still love them today. I think it is great that movies can be documentaries as well.
Rating: 6- Easier to access and has great interaction with the viewer.
RECORDINGS
I’m not really sure what defines a recording. I think a recording could be something off of youtube.com or something on television.
Rating: 2- I am not quite sure of it’s use.
RADIO
I listen to the radio daily. Although I listen to it mostly for leisure, sometimes the radio has great information in pop culture.
Rating: 7- Easy to access and a great way to instantly find out information.
TELEVISION
I watch television daily, mostly for leisure but I also think it is important to watch the news about the world. Television is easily accessible. You don’t have to have a television because most surroundings, like stores, have television.
Rating: 8- Easy to access and a great way to instantly find out information.
INTERNET
I spend most of my time on the Internet. I use the Internet school, leisure, and many other reasons. The Internet is possibly the most accessible type of media.
Rating: 10- Easiest to access and the fastest way of finding out information.
These experiences and backgrounds have influenced my Marketing major. Media plays an important role in marketing, because the consumer has to be persuaded into buying a product or agreeing with an idea. I’m not quite sure where I would like to transfer, but I am looking at state colleges in Southern California. Eventually, I would like to have a job in the media possibly working in public relations. We use media to stay informed with events in the world. Listed below are the types of mass media and some of the ways they are important to me. On a scale of 1-10 I have rated how important each type of media is to me, with 1 being not important and 10 being very important.
BOOKS
Books are important to me. I love to read, but more for pleasure. As a child I preferred to play than to sit and read, but as I matured I have learned to appreciate books.
Rating: 5-Not as easily accessible, but a great way of getting extensive detail on a subject.
NEWSPAPERS
Newspapers are not important at all to me. I think newspapers are more informational, and I prefer to get my information elsewhere. I usually never read a newspaper, unless I find the occasional school newspaper.
Rating: 4- Not as easily accessible, but great for worldly issues.
MAGAZINES
Magazines may not be very important to me, but I think are fun! The use of images in magazines, I feel, is what makes magazines special because the pictures are used to persuade the reader without using words.
Rating: 7- Easier to access, and has useful life information.
MOVIES
Every child loves movies, and I still love them today. I think it is great that movies can be documentaries as well.
Rating: 6- Easier to access and has great interaction with the viewer.
RECORDINGS
I’m not really sure what defines a recording. I think a recording could be something off of youtube.com or something on television.
Rating: 2- I am not quite sure of it’s use.
RADIO
I listen to the radio daily. Although I listen to it mostly for leisure, sometimes the radio has great information in pop culture.
Rating: 7- Easy to access and a great way to instantly find out information.
TELEVISION
I watch television daily, mostly for leisure but I also think it is important to watch the news about the world. Television is easily accessible. You don’t have to have a television because most surroundings, like stores, have television.
Rating: 8- Easy to access and a great way to instantly find out information.
INTERNET
I spend most of my time on the Internet. I use the Internet school, leisure, and many other reasons. The Internet is possibly the most accessible type of media.
Rating: 10- Easiest to access and the fastest way of finding out information.
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