Thought-provoking media

The power that the media has over emotions is well documented and understood. In our discussion of music we examined how aggressive music tends to produce increased aggression, music can help shape identity, and it has an immense impact on us. I like how media can influence us, and particularly how it can make us think.

As an example, take genderbent Disney (when the genders of the characters are swapped). I find it fascinating when I run across these to think about how they are transgressive in regards to socially accepted gender roles. It bothers me to think about my own knee-jerk reactions, “that doesn’t work”, “males can’t be that vulnerable in movies”, etc. Which annoys me, because I like it when men show emotion and can be sensitive, and when girls can show initiative and not just be decoration. I appreciate how this makes me evaluate my own cognitive patterns and my opinion of societal trends.

It’s the same with other forms of art; I am very conservative in what I consider good art, but I was exposed to the artist Bansky lately and I find it fascinating as well, because their art is thought-provoking.

I appreciate the influence that media has to make me think. 

If you need a new read...

The writing style of authors is an interesting topic of thought. Some have the power to captivate with spun tales, while others have the ability to induce coma for even the most alert of readers. I started rereading a book series, The Lunar Chronicles, recently, and was surprised to notice as I read that there was a distinct lack of description. It seemed that the author, from my perspective, was repeatedly missing opportunities to give a rich visual and it perplexed me. I thought that perhaps she was not taking advantage of the full range of media influence potential.

 But as I kept reading I once again got completely sucked in and binge-read the first three books in two weeks. I am certainly an active audience in the gratification sense; I seek what I need, which is an escape from my overloaded school schedule and entertainment, and it is provided in intensely enjoyable spades in these books. And then in my English class I learned that a good writing strategy is to include just one or two pertinent details that don’t detract from the current point of the story; deep description is not necessary every time and is in fact distracting. The author was using the power of media after all, and she is pretty darn good at it. 

We were talking in class about the sway that media can create in our emotions, thoughts, and actions. I was thinking about the influence that advertising media can have on opinions and actions, and how obnoxious it is for me personally when they misuse that potential. My greatest annoyances are the billboards I drive past; my husband hears me critique them every time new ones are switched in. 

The prime example of media wasted is a billboard just off of the University Parkway exit that asks parents if their child is in the right carseat. After a ridiculous number of times passing the exact same billboard, I still couldn't tell you what more they want from me than to understand the question posed at the top (stated previously). There is a picture of a bear with a honey jar turned measuring apparatus that is only filled a tiny portion of the way. Couldn't tell you what the jar is supposed to measure, or where I could go to find more information because everything is too small to read, especially when traveling at freeway speeds. 

So every time I go past that stupid billboard I think three things: 1) is my (non-existent) child in the right carseat - I will never know, 2) what a waste of money and potential they had by capturing my interest, 3) the marketing/advertising people for whoever-the-heck made that billboard (which again, I will never know) should probably be fired for such a blatant misuse of they power that they might have had to influence so many people to consider their product or opinion. If you're going to foray into the media world, do it properly and be convincing; even if I completely disagree with you, I want to be able to appreciate your use of media power. Don't be irksome.