Media Blog Reflection

I consume a shockingly large amount of media every day. From television to my phone I feel as if it is almost impossible to escape the clutches of media. My phone, essentially a mini computer, is never more than 20 feet away from me, and with the advertisements and social media on my device I never part from being bombarded by the media. However by no means am I attempting to pawn off the responsibility of being a responsible consumer on the idea that I just can not control it. Because I can, and I willingly engage in thousands of media campaigns daily. This was true prior to this assignment and it has stayed the same afterwards, however I am much more aware of the lies media portrays to us.
I am now hyper aware of the media and techniques used around me. This I believe was heightened after analyzing so many pieces of media both within my blogs, but also in class. I now understand all of the many needs and techniques advertisers use in order to entice the consumer. Now that I am educated on all of them it is much easier for me to identify these marketing techniques in the world around me. Now that I can clearly see the many constructed messages that media uses to sell a product, it makes me feel slightly uncomfortable. The fact that humans are so absurdly predictable that advertisers can construct a media campaign that appeals to millions is slightly unsettling. It also surprised me just how unethical these advertisers are. They exploit the insecurities of others in order to get more revenue, with, in my opinion, a total disregard for how these actions may affect society. For these reasons the media both alarms and saddens me.
The amount of media I consume has not changed as a result of completing these assignments, however the way in which I consume media has drastically changed. Prior to this assignment I fell victim to almost every advertising campaign without thinking twice. I am someone, proved by the test in class, that is easily convinced by Pathos, making me the perfect consumer. Prior to this assignment I saw commercials and merely thought, “oh how cute” or even “well that’s dumb” but with no justification for why I felt that way. Now because I am familiar with the techniques and needs that advertisers use I am able to not only analyze the media that I am exposed to, but also predict the impact. For these reasons I am much more equipped to handle the media in my everyday life.
After better understanding the hidden side of the media I feel as if it is crucial for individuals to have media literacy. Today we are constantly exposed to the media, on our phones, billboards, tv, etc. the media is everywhere. Although we are submerged in an environment full of media very few have the skills necessary to both understand and criticize it. Because, from what I have seen, people constructing media feel little responsibility for their actions, it is crucial that as consumers we realize the effects. If we don’t, we will surely fall victim to the many implicit and explicit messages being portrayed as well as unhealthy stereotypes. From the several documentaries we watched I now see just how many of these messages I have been convinced are true. Many of these stereotypes and messages are incredibly detrimental for everyone whether you are a man, women, or identify as something else, we are all being coerced by the media and their messages. If we have media literacy it is possible for us to identify these unhealthy messages and refuse to accept them as true. Throughout the process of writing media blogs and analyzing the media around me, I believe my understanding of the world as a whole has grown immensely.