kristiw

[kristiw]

Updated Reflective Blog - Traditional Media vs. New Media

I scroll through my social media daily. Looking to see updates from friends and family and what is going on with their kids and vacations etc. At times it feels that you are staying current to the important areas of your friends and family’s lives but forgetting to stay in touch in person or simply picking up a telephone to call them and have a conversation. In “The Problem with Communication” by Peters, communication is to share ideas or opinions with two or more parties. This can be done by email, letters etc. but includes both of the parties being engaged in the dialogue. The problem I find with communication in social media spaces is that it is often one sided or people read something and interpret it differently than what is intended.

According to the article “Viewers make Meaning” by Sturken M. Cartwright there are three positions a viewer can take when it comes to images. The dominant-hegemonic reading which is receiving the dominant message of an image or text. This is done in a passive manner. There is negotiated reading which the viewer interprets an image from dominant meanings and process trade. The final is the oppositional reading which is where the viewer takes the opposite position which can be done by ignoring the image. I think I often take the oppositional reading as if I see something in media or on my social media that doesn’t interest me, I keep scrolling without stopping. Not that I don’t agree with what I am seeing just no interest to take on more information.

According to the article “Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship” by Danah M. Boyd and Nicole B. Ellson, it discusses that social network sites and social networking sites are often used interchangeable, the article doesn’t use the term networking as it is for the initiation of a relationship with often strangers. They believe that these sites are often for people that already have an in-person connection even if they aren’t that close. I agree with this idea as most of my connections on Facebook or Instagram are friends, family, school mates or co-workers. The odd time I engage in joining private groups that are made up of people I do not already know.  A good example is that on Facebook I joined a private group about planning budget weddings. It is a group I can share ideas and get advice on a very specific topic. Unfortunately, when you join a group through social media companies use data mining to grab data on what I am interested in. I now get a million ads on affordable wedding gowns or all-inclusive wedding packages. The Internet has been good as it brings a social space where people can share their opinions and discuss issues also known as a public sphere. In the past only upper politicians etc. would have the ability to discuss public concerns at meetings but now the general public can put their two scents in and hopefully be heard. Although this is the idea I don’t ever feel like any opinion I post online would ever be taken seriously by anyone of importance. This is probably partly as I would personally never post anything offensive or overly opinionated. Whenever I post anything online, I think of the old saying “don’t say anything you wouldn’t want said to you”. With the new forms of media there is better mass communication happening. Communication is on a large scale. It is easier to get information out with a mix of social media, television, radio and just the Internet in general. Although sending out information through the various channels is ok but people can be overwhelmed with information and can ignore some information as they simply are just getting too much day to day. There is honestly no time for peace and quiet in our daily lives. Even when I go camping, I see families on devices and watching television in their trailers. I enjoy picking up a traditional paper book to read a novel, there are no interruptions in a book, you can shut your phone off and just immerse yourself in that story. Even reading textbooks on the computer is handy it is frustrating trying to focus as emails are popping up and messages from Teams etc. I personally will always take time to shut devices off and enjoy the simple life and I plan to raise my kids so that they don’t rely on screens for everything and enjoy face to face socializing versus online with their friends as they get older. There is a time and place for both new and traditional media.

Traditional Media vs. New Media

When I was a child and teenager the only media I consumed regularaly was television, radio and reading the odd newspaper. Back then our family had no internet and when we finally did we only had dial-up with a maximum 10 hours of useage a month. It's funny to think back then we thought 10 hours was so much time to use on the internet and who would ever need more than that. Times sure have changed. For most of my adult life I have had unlimited high speed internet at my fingertips whether it be at home or the office for work. This meant I could go online at any point to read about any subject my heart desired. When the internet became so readily available I found myself not reading traditional newspapers and eventually cutting off normal cable television and opting for streaming services such as Netflix. By streaming shows and movies this meant no commercials. The only commercials I was consuming was on the radio or advertisements on websites. I moved to the country seven years ago where I took a step back in time with no internet and no cable at home. We relied on DVDs for shows and movies and hotspoting our phones for searching the web. As frustrating as this was it was nice to not be so consumed with social media following and "keeping up with the Jones's". We now have internet since the pandemic hit and working from home has become the norm. With new media I find it important to remember to shut off and do something away from screens like read a traditional paper book. I find the "reality" we see on social media is the good parts of people's lives and can make us feel inferior in our own lives. We need to remember social media is a glossed over version of people's lives and we need to live our own lives that make us happiest.

[kristiw]

Reflective Blog - Traditional Media vs. New Media

I scroll through my social media daily. It has become a bad habit in a way. Looking to see updates from friends and family and what is going on with their kids and vacations etc. At times it feels that you are staying current to the important areas of your friends and family’s lives but forgetting to stay in touch in person or simply picking up a telephone to call them and have a conversation. Social media is great to keep up with people you already know but it also allows you to converse with strangers that have similar interests and share opinions. A good example is that on Facebook I joined a private group about planning budget weddings. It is a group I can share ideas and get advice on a very specific topic. Unfortunately, when you join a group through social media companies use data mining to grab data on what I am interested in. I now get a million ads on affordable wedding gowns or all-inclusive wedding packages. The Internet has been good as it brings a social space where people can share their opinions and discuss issues also known as a public sphere. In the past only upper politicians etc. would have the ability to discuss public concerns at meetings but now the general public can put their two scents in and hopefully be heard. Although this is the idea I don’t ever feel like any opinion I post online would ever be taken seriously by anyone of importance. This is probably partly as I would personally never post anything offensive or overly opinionated. Whenever I post anything online, I think of the old saying “don’t say anything you wouldn’t want said to you”. With the new forms of media there is better mass communication happening. Communication is on a large scale. It is easier to get information out with a mix of social media, television, radio and just the Internet in general. Although sending out information through the various channels is ok but people can be overwhelmed with information and can ignore some information as they simply are just getting too much day to day. There is honestly no time for peace and quiet in our daily lives. Even when I go camping, I see families on devices and watching television in their trailers. I enjoy picking up a traditional paper book to read a novel, there are no interruptions in a book, you can shut your phone off and just immerse yourself in that story. Even reading textbooks on the computer is handy it is frustrating trying to focus as emails are popping up and messages from Teams etc. I personally will always take time to shut devices off and enjoy the simple life and I plan to raise my kids so that they don’t rely on screens for everything and enjoy face to face socializing versus online with their friends as they get older. There is a time and place for both new and traditional media.

Traditional Media vs. New Media

When I was a child and teenager the only media I consumed regularaly was television, radio and reading the odd newspaper. Back then our family had no internet and when we finally did we only had dial-up with a maximum 10 hours of useage a month. It's funny to think back then we thought 10 hours was so much time to use on the internet and who would ever need more than that. Times sure have changed. For most of my adult life I have had unlimited high speed internet at my fingertips whether it be at home or the office for work. This meant I could go online at any point to read about any subject my heart desired. When the internet became so readily available I found myself not reading traditional newspapers and eventually cutting off normal cable television and opting for streaming services such as Netflix. By streaming shows and movies this meant no commercials. The only commercials I was consuming was on the radio or advertisements on websites. I moved to the country seven years ago where I took a step back in time with no internet and no cable at home. We relied on DVDs for shows and movies and hotspoting our phones for searching the web. As frustrating as this was it was nice to not be so consumed with social media following and "keeping up with the Jones's". We now have internet since the pandemic hit and working from home has become the norm. With new media I find it important to remember to shut off and do something away from screens like read a traditional paper book. I find the "reality" we see on social media is the good parts of people's lives and can make us feel inferior in our own lives. We need to remember social media is a glossed over version of people's lives and we need to live our own lives that make us happiest.

[kristiw]

Canadian-ness and my Media use

Canada is well known for being accepting of everyone around the world. We are a kind country that is welcoming to newcomers. We also allow free speach from everyone unlike some other countries around the world. In the media citizens can speak their mind and share their thoughts fairly freely. This is seen through all forms of social media. People post articles and comment on posts to share their thoughts. I like how people can share their opinions and can get their voices heard however there runs the issue that false information is shared with the public. Anybody can go online and post information even if they have no expertise in a certain subject and unless it is hateful messaging it is probably going to remain available for the public to read. I do enjoy that on radio stations there has to be a given amount of Canadian artists music playing over our radio waves, supporting our own musicians. Overall I like the fact that I can research and find information on virtually anything and I am allowed access. I do laugh that Canadians tend to be the butt of many jokes with our American neighbour comedians. But usually it is just worth laughing along with the joke. No sense in getting overly upset about anything in life.

[kristiw]

Commercial Interests and My Media Experience

When social media was a newer concept I was interested in joining a variety of sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. As time went by I found they all have vritually the same content so I limited how many sites I join and frequent in my online time. I know many people don't like that their smartphones essentially listen to them and start showing ads for topics they have talked about. Personally I kind of like it, saves me from doing the search later. Sure it may seem intrusive but I really don't have a lot to hide. Sometimes I get a kick out of ads that come through as it is more items my husband is interested in and we had chatted about. I really do enjoy streaming television shows rather than cable since we don't have to watch commercials. Shows are shorter and not interrupted all the time. Our kids don't even understand what a commercial is. I suppose the only pitfall is it doesn't give you that break to get a snack or use the washroom. As I get older I do find I am losing interest in scrolling on social media which means seeing less ads. I also listen less to regular radio and prefer podcasts or audio books. Podcasts do have commercials but I find myself skipping over them. Overall I am viewing less ads or at least consciously.

[kristiw]

Traditional Media vs. New Media

When I was a child and teenager the only media I consumed regularaly was television, radio and reading the odd newspaper. Back then our family had no internet and when we finally did we only had dial-up with a maximum 10 hours of useage a month. It's funny to think back then we thought 10 hours was so much time to use on the internet and who would ever need more than that. Times sure have changed. For most of my adult life I have had unlimited high speed internet at my fingertips whether it be at home or the office for work. This meant I could go online at any point to read about any subject my heart desired. When the internet became so readily available I found myself not reading traditional newspapers and eventually cutting off normal cable television and opting for streaming services such as Netflix. By streaming shows and movies this meant no commercials. The only commercials I was consuming was on the radio or advertisements on websites. I moved to the country seven years ago where I took a step back in time with no internet and no cable at home. We relied on DVDs for shows and movies and hotspoting our phones for searching the web. As frustrating as this was it was nice to not be so consumed with social media following and "keeping up with the Jones's". We now have internet since the pandemic hit and working from home has become the norm. With new media I find it important to remember to shut off and do something away from screens like read a traditional paper book. I find the "reality" we see on social media is the good parts of people's lives and can make us feel inferior in our own lives. We need to remember social media is a glossed over version of people's lives and we need to live our own lives that make us happiest.

[kristiw]

Media Convergence and Media Use

Media convergence has encouraged me to keep more up to date with world news than ever before. With news available at my fingertips on my smartphone and computer I tend to be more up to date on news around the world. In the past I would read the local newspaper as well as larger papers such as Toronto Star but with smartphones my habit of reading newspapers in their traditional form has pretty much become extinct. With smartphones and sites such as Facebook I keep up to date on local news and upcoming community events since I follow groups. Otherwise, I have no idea where I would learn about parades, sign up for kids sports etc. I think if you aren’t on social media, you are out of the loop on local events. The one main issue lately in keeping up with world news for me is the fact Facebook has stopped allowing regular news articles therefore it takes more effort to stay informed. Luckily, I listen to the radio in the background most of my workday so I do stay somewhat informed assuming I am actively listening. My husband tends to use the various news apps and reads them daily like you would a paper newspaper as he is more traditional. His use and knowledge of what is going on around the world encourages me to take on his habit rather than relying on social media platforms to get news. Although I am more up to date on what is happening in our local town and municipality. I guess getting news from various forms of media really is the best way to stay up to date.

[kristiw]

My Role as Media Audience Member

As I reflect on my media use over this week, I realize I am mainly a passive audience member. I tend to scroll social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram without commenting on any posts or articles. I also either skim articles or completely skip over any that I have no interest in reading. In the car I mainly listen to podcasts and find myself skipping over the advertisements. I know I consume advertisements as many podcasts talk about products in their conversation. Conan Obrien is one of my favourite ones to listen to and they talk about the Solo Stove regularly, which suddenly had me considering the thought of buying one even though I have no need for one and would have never thought of it on my own. So to think of it I guess I am easily influenced. I enjoy watching television but mainly stream shows or movies on Netflix which means I rarely see a TV commercial. Sadly I rarely look at any form of print media such as newspapers or even magazines. I despise clutter in the house and the thought about bringing in more paper and reading materials besides books makes me crazy. Even though I am passive for the most part I do follow topics on social media that interest me such as skiing, parenting tips, travel etc therefore I actively search people and companies to follow. Overall I think I need to step up my game and become more engaged in the media I consume.