bloggingforschool

[bloggingforschool]

This blog stands out to me as I come to write my final assignment. In many ways, I think that I spoke to many different topics that would be covered in the later units of the course, but in other ways I see how my thinking and viewpoints have evolved throughout this course. I spent a lot of time talking about social media in this post, which was the topic covered in Unit 8. Applying the unit’s concept of surveillance to this post I want to examine the implications of using social media and the authenticity of social media. The more that I use social media and the Internet in general, the more information is collected about me, including my usage habits. This information is then taken and sold to advertisers so that those advertisers can turn around and place their content in the middle of my scroll session in hopes to turn a profit. Even my strategy to avoid advertisements and surveillance is logged and that information is sold, which allows advertising companies to once again tailor their adverts to my experience. It is also interesting to note that how I present myself on social media influences how I am targeted. As I try to limit my social media footprint, the algorithms are left to piece me together by the small glimpses I allow through social media platforms. However, I am aware that my ability to interact with social media and the Internet in general means my privacy is never truly secure and my information is sold in order to continue to be a commodity of media.

This links well to my learnings from Unit 5, where I learned about the different approaches and theories of media studies, as well as the political effect of media. Most striking was how Marxist theory is so dominant in media studies. This unit made me realize that I was more than a consumer of media but also a commodity of media, which I explored in my paragraph above. In my use of new media sources such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok I enjoy knowing I give power and voice to smaller creators who compete for viewership against the mega-corporations. I briefly touched on the topic of media ownership in Canada in my post, but it was eye opening to see that Telus was not actually part of the Big 4 of Canadian media moguls. Additionally, I realized just how influential the media is in politics. Prior to taking this course I knew that the media plays a part in politics in that it shows political debates, different news sources are more right or left leaning, etc. However, understanding the media through a Marxist lens made the powerful point that whoever owns the media owns politics. Media is so heavily influenced by the owners of these mega-corporations who have the ability to say yes this is published or no we will sweep this under the rug. Media ownership and concentration have an undeniable hold over how society functions.

The final concept I want to talk about in relation to this post is how digital media and the Internet are part of a networked information economy that impacts how individuals interact with media, which comes from Unit 7. This unit called critical thought into question as information is now so widely and readily accessible. As the Internet and new media have developed, attention spans and critical thinking has decreased. If I am being honest, and self-critical, I think one of the reasons I hate ads so much, especially TV ads, is because I am part of that “I want it now” mentality. The instantaneous nature of the Internet has made me impatient, and this is reflected in my blog. With that being said, I don’t think the Internet necessarily makes people lazy or dumb. In fact, the mere fact of how much collaboration and creation has come from the Internet’s existence is a nod to the importance of the Internet. An example of creation and collaboration brought forth because of the Internet is the Fifty Shades of Grey saga. While this is not my favourite example, it is arguably one of the most notorious examples of creation.

Overall, I think my original post touched on a lot of important points and topics that I would come to know better as this course continued, and I look forward to applying my knowledge as I continue in this media and Internet infused world.

CMNS201 - Assignment 1 - Blog 4

Today I want to focus on commercial interests and how they have influenced my media usage and experience. While I understand that there is no escaping advertising, especially in the world we live in, I do my best to avoid ads. One aspect I felt important to note as I logged my media use was how I purposely will skip ads on my PVR, and I actually make a point to watch the majority of shows and movies on the PVR for this very reason. I get incredibly frustrated with ads on services like YouTube or Amazon Prime, especially Prime Video because initially their whole premise was to watch shows without ads. Now you need to pay more to remove the ads once again. Considering how Canadian media is controlled, I make extra effort to not give time to advertisers. I have seen too many flow charts that show how even when we think we’ve avoided the “big man”, we still are buying services that ultimately further line their pockets. There is no escaping this due to our current structures, but I feel like I am winning some unnamed, invisible battle by refusing to watch commercials. Somehow it feels that the more I denounce advertisements, the further ahead I am in “sticking it to the man”.

I am not naive enough to think that my advertising avoidance actually causes those companies to lose value, nor I am naive enough to think that I have managed to escape advertisements in general. Television ads are just one of the many ways that advertisers highlight their products. In scrolling through Facebook or Instagram, I see ads placed between posts, although I do my best to not note what they are advertising. I’m also aware that they are there because I see surveys that ask “what brand did you see us advertise for in the past week?”, but I take pride in not being able to answer the surveys. To further comment on ads in social media, in apps such as TikTok or Instagram, when watching videos ads will pop up in the middle of the content you are actively watching. It is clear that advertisers and these platforms are aware that users do not want to be bombarded by advertisements, yet it is forcing users to interact with them. 

I also want to briefly look at how media ownership has influenced my media use and experience. I have spent a lot of my time in these blog discussing social media specifically, but media encompasses far more than just social media. In this I want to look at who provides my access to media in its various forms. As noted in my logs, the majority of my media intake is done through my laptop, cell phone and television (PVR). While the specific brands I use are not of matter to the current topic, the providers I use are. My cell phone, TV and Internet are all provided for by Telus. In this, I get a discount from the company. However, my choices are limited due to the structure of media conglomerates in Canada. When I moved to Alberta I was shocked to see that I only had two options for these services that provided package deals - Telus or Shaw. The limited nature of media provider options gives pause to how media is being distributed and controlled across Canada.

Overall, in today’s examination of my media use I see how commercial interests are fully ingrained in the media experience, and that despite best efforts they are inescapable.

[bloggingforschool]

CMNS201 - Assignment 1 - Blog 5

Today I want to focus on media convergence and its impact on my media usage. Truthfully, when I set out to write this blog I was fully prepared to write that I personally do not use media convergence, especially in the typical sense of the definition. However, upon further reflection on what media convergence really is, I found I could not make such a bold statement. 

As I have made clear in my previous blogs, I don’t like putting myself out there or being influenced by media. In fact, this very assignment where I need to post publicly available blogs makes me deeply uncomfortable in my media footprint expansion. Even by participating in this assignment, I am actively creating media. While I doubt that this will be life-altering or influencing work, it is nevertheless partaking in media convergence. Previously a blog would be to write in one’s journal, which would be private and not for public consumption. A school assignment would be something that was handed in directly to the instructor. Here, I break both these barriers by combining these two aspects and produce a clear example of media convergence.

Another example of media convergence is through what I post on Instagram and Facebook (which usually happens simultaneously due to them both being Meta products). Therefore this means I do participate in media convergence. 

Taking a further introspective look, I see that I could also be accused of remixing media products in that I send memes and videos/reels to various friends and family members, usually with some form of commentary attached. While I am not remixing per se, I am adding a personal touch and thereby “remixing” the content. It’s easy to look at media convergence as simply viral content creators, and immediately place yourself in the “not” category. I do not have a large following (nor want one), but this does not preclude me from participating in media convergence.

Upon first glance it is easy to claim that you are removed from the media machine, but the reality is I am yet another cog in the wheel. There is no escaping media, nor the convergence of media itself. By participating in media, especially any form of social media, we are immediately pulled into media convergence, whether this be by creating content, interacting with content or remixing content.

[bloggingforschool]

CMNS201 - Assignment 1 - Blog 4

Today I want to focus on commercial interests and how they have influenced my media usage and experience. While I understand that there is no escaping advertising, especially in the world we live in, I do my best to avoid ads. One aspect I felt important to note as I logged my media use was how I purposely will skip ads on my PVR, and I actually make a point to watch the majority of shows and movies on the PVR for this very reason. I get incredibly frustrated with ads on services like YouTube or Amazon Prime, especially Prime Video because initially their whole premise was to watch shows without ads. Now you need to pay more to remove the ads once again. Considering how Canadian media is controlled, I make extra effort to not give time to advertisers. I have seen too many flow charts that show how even when we think we’ve avoided the “big man”, we still are buying services that ultimately further line their pockets. There is no escaping this due to our current structures, but I feel like I am winning some unnamed, invisible battle by refusing to watch commercials. Somehow it feels that the more I denounce advertisements, the further ahead I am in “sticking it to the man”.

I am not naive enough to think that my advertising avoidance actually causes those companies to lose value, nor I am naive enough to think that I have managed to escape advertisements in general. Television ads are just one of the many ways that advertisers highlight their products. In scrolling through Facebook or Instagram, I see ads placed between posts, although I do my best to not note what they are advertising. I’m also aware that they are there because I see surveys that ask “what brand did you see us advertise for in the past week?”, but I take pride in not being able to answer the surveys. To further comment on ads in social media, in apps such as TikTok or Instagram, when watching videos ads will pop up in the middle of the content you are actively watching. It is clear that advertisers and these platforms are aware that users do not want to be bombarded by advertisements, yet it is forcing users to interact with them. 

I also want to briefly look at how media ownership has influenced my media use and experience. I have spent a lot of my time in these blog discussing social media specifically, but media encompasses far more than just social media. In this I want to look at who provides my access to media in its various forms. As noted in my logs, the majority of my media intake is done through my laptop, cell phone and television (PVR). While the specific brands I use are not of matter to the current topic, the providers I use are. My cell phone, TV and Internet are all provided for by Telus. In this, I get a discount from the company. However, my choices are limited due to the structure of media conglomerates in Canada. When I moved to Alberta I was shocked to see that I only had two options for these services that provided package deals - Telus or Shaw. The limited nature of media provider options gives pause to how media is being distributed and controlled across Canada.

Overall, in today’s examination of my media use I see how commercial interests are fully ingrained in the media experience, and that despite best efforts they are inescapable.

[bloggingforschool]

CMNS201 - Assignment 1 - Blog 3

In this blog I want to focus on my media use in conjunction with Canadian-ness and national belonging. From my understanding of Canadian media so far through the course and life experiences, Canada relies on other countries, specifically the United States, to provide much of our media - especially in the entertainment sector. While I have not had the chance to log it due to the parameters of my assignment (fifteen or more minutes of media use), I do moderately use TikTok as an entertainment source. One thing that has stuck out to me since seeing the TikTok over a year ago has been the information I learned from one creator called sam_d0ll. She is a Canadian content creator based in Toronto, and in that post she spoke on how despite TikTok is not a Canadian brand, there are still rules and regulations set out where there needs to be a certain percentage of Canadian content being broadcasted to Canadian users, and this holds true for other media as well, such as television and radio programming. This means that without actively searching for Canadian content, I already have an algorithm that takes into account my location in Canada and filters Canadian content to me. With that being said, I appreciate having the ability to actively seek Canadian content. 

Moreover, due to the current political climate, I appreciate being able to catch up with news matters from Canadian resources. I don’t have the time to sit down and watch a full news cycle, so being able to pull up CTV news on TikTok to get the main highlights of the day has allowed me to stay relatively current to the Canadian political climate. Right now there is a big question mark hanging over Canada - not only in the actual politics of our country, but also how we are perceived on the world stage and our relationship with the United States. Seeing how others are reacting to the various news pieces helps me to shape, frame and strengthen my own national identity, and gives me the courage to fight for the Canada that I want to live in.

[bloggingforschool]

CMNS201 - Assignment 1 - Blog 2

Today I am going to examine my role as a media audience member. One of my main takeaways from the chapter readings in this course so far has been that communication is about encoding and decoding messages. As a media audience member, it is my role to be the decoder and take meaning from the media I interact with. For example, today I was writing a job application and a part of that is to write a cover letter for the position. I had to extrapolate what I thought to be key words and phrases from the job posting in order to write an effective cover letter. In today’s society, we hear a lot about how applications are filtered out through AI programs that are trained to search for keywords, so it was imperative to me that I decode the posting properly. I wanted to ensure my decoding was accurate to the point that I reached out to several sources for feedback on my cover letter to ensure I gave myself the best chance at getting an invitation to an interview. In writing the cover letter, I also changed from the decoder to the encoder and those who helped me with the writing process became decoders. 

To further this notion of decoding messages, I also spent a large portion of my evening dedicated to course readings. My role as a decoder in this arguably plays an even more crucial role than how I decoded the job posting earlier as my understanding of the course content will ultimately determine my ability to succeed in the course. I have to take careful notes and find the important points in the lesson as my notes will need to be decoded at a later date when it comes time to study for the final exam. 

When thinking of myself not only as a media audience member, but as a decoder, I see just how often we take decoding for granted; both from the perspective of message sender and receiver. It’s also interesting to consider the times today where I was multitasking media. We live in a world where attention is almost always split, yet we still manage to take meaning from the various sources we are interacting with. In those moments, it begs the question of how much of my decoding is accurate when I am multitasking media?

My take away from today is that while I would expect to be a decoder as a media audience member, the reality is I have cycled many times between being a decoder and encoder. As someone who continually interacts with media in various ways, I will forever be in this cycle of decoder and encoder.

[bloggingforschool]

CMNS201 - Assignment 1 - Blog 1

Today is the first day of my assignment where I log my media use/consumption for fifteen or more minutes. This has been eye opening in a way that I did not expect. First, I did not expect to log the activities I did. Secondly, I was surprised by how much media multitasking I do in a day. I believe this is due to the generation in which I grew up, and how media, especially new media, is so ingrained in our daily lives. However, a part of it is also due to how society functions now, and the large expectations of constant multitasking. 

Most of my media usage falls under the category of new media because most of my media interactions are through social media, television through both cable, and streaming services, and of course - texting. My use of traditional media stems is close to non-existent as I primarily use new media to consume all of my media. This meant that I was unable to log traditional media use for the assignment due to the nature of the assignment in that media interactions needed to be fifteen minutes or more. For example, we check our mail daily, which is often filled with junk mail such as store flyers. However, even though these pieces of mail are considered “junk”, as a person who owns and operates a home, especially in this economy, I need to take the time to review flyers and advertisements so I can shop the best deals and stick to a budget. 

Overall, today was a day of learning and reexamining my media usage, and setting new expectations for myself as I continue along this awareness journey. I am interested to see what I log for the remainder of the week, and if I will reconsider some of my media use at the end of it.

[bloggingforschool]

Blogging for School

Well, I am officially on a blogging site because it is demanded of me in my goal for academia. This will not be a fun/interactive/well-managed page. This serves the sole purpose of providing me with a space to complete school assignments. Should you find entertainment in that, enjoy.