Media is constantly surrounding us, whether it be in the form of a book/magazine, television, computer, and cell phone. One of the media's that we use on the day to day is our cell phones. Like we discussed, when we leave our phones at home, we feel naked. But, just to think about it, 15-20 years ago, we didn't have the technology we have today. Even with our computer/laptops, media follows us to where we visit, and what connect us to others. We're being surveilled. We use media and create media even as media use and create us. Not everyone is affected the same way by media. Culture also lays a path to how we perceive media critically. Like I said, technology is moving rapidly, and we're going to have to adapt to what other types of media will bring within the future.
As scary as it sounds, to me at least, we're constantly being surveilled. When we're at work, at the mall shopping, or even while we're on our computers. Facebook has become one of the most invasive sites the net has. It knows what your likes and interests are, your location so it can give you ideas of places to go to, and even if your single, what sites to visit so you can find a companion. To me, a find that a to be a little too invasive. I'm single and I constantly get these little advertisements on the side of my Facebook saying "Meet Christian Singles," and go to this website. I always found these sites to be very interesting although it is a pretty boring way of meeting someone new (to me at least). But, I can understand from the standpoint that if you're shy, or not to sure how to approach others, it can be a useful tool. Anyways, what is to come in the future with surveillance seems pretty frightening. Media already knows so much about us as a species that soon enough, just as in the film "The Island" portrayed, media will surveil us and know every bit about us (hopefully not).
It's also really interesting how our culture plays a role on how media effects us. For instance, the Amish don't necessarily have to deal with problems of Facebook. Let alone, they probably don't really know much of what the hell Facebook is. But, once an Amish boy or girl become 16, they have a certain amount of time to decide whether they want to stay in the Amish "clan" or go on there way and live in the world of media. What I wonder is, how much of the media makes these people actually leave there Amish lives and come into the world of what we experience on the everyday? Does the media really have an effect on the human mind to this extent? At this time, only five to fifteen percent of children leave there Amish lives and families. Media plays a role in most of our lives, but it will constantly change, and never stay static. I'm interested in what new technology has to bring, but at the same time, I'm quite frightened.
I didn't know Amish people had the choice of choosing whether to stay in the clan or not when they turned 16 that is cool! Media does play a huge role in a human life; it's almost as if we are born into this lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy to think that we have all of these tools on our cell phones that we didn't have a few years ago. I always think "What did I do before this?!".
ReplyDeleteI also think it's creepy how much information companies are asking. For example, when I download apps they list what they'll have access to. Calls, my contacts, pretty much all of my information?! It's scary.
I think it is so interesting how much cell phones have become a part of our everyday life in just a matter of a decade. I was walking to class the other day and had my iPhone in my hand because I was changing the music that I was listening to, and then I looked up (out of curiousity) to see how many others had their phones in their hands. I kid you not, out of about 30 people, more than half of them had their phones out and were texting, calling, browsing the internet, or changing their music as well. I found it so interesting that cell phones have practically become an attachment to our bodies. I jokingly call my iPhone my left arm because I am always on it since I get access to internet, GPS, etc. I wouldn't be suprised that in another decade or so, we would have developed the technology to literally have a device sync with our arm so that we can carry it around everywhere without actually having to tangibly carry it around. It would be a part of us.
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