thestudyofaudiences-blog

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Blog #3 November 30th, 2017

For the past couple of weeks, as sad as it is to say, the is the last few weeks that wrap up the course. It is extremely unfortunate as it has come down to the last few days before our classes and because I have learned so much about us as audience and how communications technologies playing a big role in our viewings, I would love to learn more about audience studies, I have to say that as a whole we have still learned a lot about the way we perceive media and although the course is done, my knowledge of audiences will still continue as viewing audiences is capable of teaching more than what is just viewed. Recently we have been talking about audiences values, habits and preferences for their intake of media, also as an important factor, the environment in which media consumption occurs and also how media affects our environment. 

Chapter 7: Reception Contexts and Media rituals

Dating back to the 1980s, its been a ritual for media to be situated in a contextual aspect of media use. In the textbook, there are 3 terms mentioned related to the contextual aspect. The word context is basically the term used  to describe the specific environment in which the media is consumed in, Moores refers to context as ‘everyday micro-settings’ or the routine physical locations and interpersonal relations of reception. “It is important to understand that contexts refer to both to a place and a web of interpersonal relationships and interactions that occurs within space” (Sullivan, p. 163). Essentially, in perspective to my everyday setting, context refers to many situations in which I am constantly using media in a routine. Usually throughout my day when I am at home, it is a constant addiction for me to turn on the television, essentially a show that I am not that into and instead of watching the show or  gaining any interest, I will just be on my phone on either Facebook or Pinterest. Also, as oppose to this context, if I am watching my favourite show, I quickly put down my phone or laptop to watch television. The third contextual aspect of media is, the notion of time. The notion of time is basically explained in context as we do intake media consumption in certain times whether it is intentional or unintentional. Ultimately, space, social environment, and time play a big role in the media and in our lives as it essentially changes the way we experiences the medium and shape their meaning for us.

Not to mention, the contextual aspect can also be related to the article regarding the week of the chapter. In the article, The influences of Sports Viewing Conditions on Enjoyments from Watching Televised Sports: An Analysis of the FIFA World Cup Audiences in Theatre vs. Home (Kim et al.2016) it is mentioned that there was a discussion about the difference between the experiences of watching sports content based off the environment that is chosen by the viewer more specifically, the theatre versus watching sports content at home. Ultimately, from readings this article, it is evident that the contextual aspect plays a big role in different forms and different genres in media. While viewing the sports content based off the contextual aspect, it is deeply understood that the environment plays a big role for audiences as they both view and feel distinct versions of the game. Media also plays a big role in this concept as the different versions of media also affect the audiences viewing of the game. Kim et al. essentially explains this in the article “The theatre condition and home condition differ on multiple features simultaneously, including not only factors driven by technologies, but also social drivers of sports viewing. For example, the screen size, image quality, and audio quality; also, social factors, such as cheering atmosphere, clearly distinguish the theatre and home viewing conditions” (Kim et al, 2016). 

It is evident that Kim et al has conducted a research that refers to the affects of the audiences differences in their social environments, space, and time of the sports show. Given the two different social environments, one being presumably more superior and spacey where cheering, and outfits representing their team are endured than to those in the house watching the sports content on television it shows that the audiences viewing were much more different and were felt with different emotions with one having the illusion that they are in the game, and two the reality of the fact they are just watching the game. Although I have never heard of being able to watch a game in theatres let alone watching it in theatres, because essentially I am not a big sports fan, It is safe to say that I have been to a live game for a school trip at The Rogers Centre to watch the Blue Jays. I have also watched games in the comfort of my own home with all my cousins as we get together to and hang out. Although I prefer being at home and watching a game, being able to watch the game live was definitely a good and healthy experience. The bright lights, huge sound system with the theme music and hundreds of fans around with respect to their teams identity, definitely makes the game feel more alive. Everyone was screaming and cheering for the Blue Jays. This experience was nothing like at home. Although my cousin also yell at the Television like every male who has a deep interest in sports, it still does not bring the same affect as it does not feel like a real experience. Ultimately, it is perceptible that environment does make a difference in how you see content. For instance, regarding my situation, it was definitely more ennoble to experiment the superior content rather than at home television.

Although the experience of a medium is preferred over a more superior context and knowing that content is also very important, the interpretation of media based of the study of audiences is ultimately more based on television. It is apparent that television is the first source of entertainment and continues to provide sources of entertainment with collaborative content. As the textbook states “ Although there is now a glut of electronic media in modern households, one trend remains constant: Television continues to be the most important and widely used media technology in the domestic context”(Sullivan, p. 171). I can definitely agree with this statement and it is known that a lot of people can identify with this. Although my family and I are big on technology, especially my father always buying new sources of technology to try out and updating basic means of communication and browsing, being the telephone and computers, Television will always be there. Regardless if the television system is old or new, it will always remain in the family room for everyone to watch. In fact, I am so big on television that everyone in my family also has one in their room to watch and also in the library. From carrying on the use of such an old source of entertainment to now, it is clear that the use and ownership of a T.V is very traditional for use and families. Whenever my whole family is at home during the week, it is always a tradition for us to watch action or Bollywood movies. This is a great time for my family and I to bond and also as an audience as we enjoy the content because of our bond.

Even though this statement is deeply true, the television is mostly becoming a prop for the content rather than the actual source of entertainment such as television shows on a network or  random movies being played. Since the internet has taken a big toll on the world with a wide variety of ways to communicate and screenings, television itself, more specifically cable television has went downhill. Evidently, the textbook states “ The introduction of new media technologies has not fundamentally altered the amount of television use in the home. However, there have been significant changes since the mid 1990s in how television and other forms of electronic media are experienced in the domestic context” (Sullivan, p. 171). Ultimately, this statement is true. As I have said before, television is a prop and the use has never changed but the content and different form of technologies such as the internet has changed the ways the television is used. For myself, I defiantly do not watch cable tv anymore and I believe that 75% of people do not watch cable. Because the internet is so versatile, it is very easy to get the internet in the television system such as dish network and youtube. Also, since Netflix became a new hit, it is much easier to watch television shows online rather then having to wait for the day the television network airs the show. With the internet and television combined, they both provide the content at our own notion of time. Ultimately, from learning this chapter, it is evident that modern technology combined with the whole ideology of television has created a sense of suspense and presence as we experience the content as part of our environment.

Chapter 8: Media Fandom and Audience Subcultures

When reflecting on chapter 8, I can see that culture plays a big role in how we are mainly influenced. In the textbook, Sullivan explains that as an audience, we essentially use our own power to vigorously use content media into our own needs. “ We begin with the concept of media fandom: exploring how fan communities extend their interactions with media texts by logging on to discussions on the internet, collecting artifacts associated with their media interest, and even by participating in fans inventions and other relation social activities” (Sullivan, p.191).  Essentially, when overviewing this topic, it is evident that fans play a big role in in media content as they become introverts to the culture. There are many different types of fans that we can identify. Essentially there are many that are up to discussion and take part in certain cultures and activities. First element that fans take upon is the social aspect. “Media fans band together in either informal or more formally structured groups to share their mutual interest with others” (Sullivan, p. 195). Typically in situations like these, people in book clubs, or interest in certain artist tend to get together to discuss their love for their people. Second, is the interpretive aspect. “ fans act as interpreters and producers of media content (Sullivan, p. 195). ultimately, at this stage, audiences such as book clubs would interpret the characters mind state and same with movies. In effect, many of these fans have certain traits and behaviours that comply towards the media content or artist. 

For example, When I was younger I was a big fan Pirates of the Caribbean, more importantly the famous Jack Sparrow, I would almost dream about a love story with him. most importantly I would follow certain characteristics such as expanding the timeline. “Explores characters backgrounds or rewrites unpopular endings to the existing media narrative” (Sullivan, p. 205). Since I was so unhappy with the way Jack sparrows story ended, the moment he was left behind as Elizabeth locked him to the mast because he would be a nuisance as he was cursed, I always pictured a different scenario playing in my head where he had a happy ending. Not only did I do this to make myself feel happy but also for the character since he was locked and left alone. I spent days and days figuring out the perfect story for Jack Sparrow searching for hours about his background and past stories. Eventually, I had grown up and got over the series as it ended, but ultimately I am still a huge fan of Jack Sparrow. Although there are fans all around the world, there are also another set of fans that take things up a notch.Yes, there are psycho fans out there. Whenever i watch concerts and I see how women grab rappers, I am almost shocked by how consumed they are to the certain artist that it is beyond their work, they are literally psycho. Recently I came across a video that somewhat can be related to the content mentioned.

Man spends more than £25,000 on plastic surgery to become an Elf

Although the man in this video is not a fan of a certain person, he is definitely a fan of a certain creature. In the video it shows that he is so fascinated by elves that he essentially wants to be one. This proves that there are negative aspects to being fan as it has consumes his brain to a point where we wants to become an elf instead of just appreciating the art of elfs as regular fans would.

Although Sullivan essentially goes onto the topic of fans, as a whole audiences take on all kinds of cultures. As I grow up year by year, there is one culture that I can never stop following, Halloween. This year as I spend time with my roommate, we discussed for hours what we were going to be and what we should buy and where were going to go and the amount of candy we will get to eat. Essentially, Sullivan mentions that “The popular cultural materials that fans are often portrayed are brainless consumer, willing to buy anything with a logo or image of their favourite media program star. Although I am insulted by this quote by Sullivan, I guess it is true. Ultimately I do spend a lot of money on halloween but I am also deep into the culture. As a girl, I spent a lot of time thinking about the person or object I wanted to be for halloween that I was somewhat interested in or a fan of.  Although as Sullivan has mentioned is a waste of time, in a way I believe that Halloween is a form of expression for many fans. As I go out every night for halloween, I get to see what peoples interests are and what they are a fan of. Although as Sullivan has mentioned is a waste of time, in a way I believe that Halloween is a form of expression for many fans. As I go out every night for halloween, I get to see what peoples interests are and what they are a fan of.

To conclude my last and final bog for this course, I have to say I have learned a lot and Jennifer good has allowed me to expand my mind and think about more social issues and situations. While wrapping up this course and the last few chapters I have especially learned that as an audience and as consumers of media, it defiantly has a lot to do with our identities as a whole and based off our perceptions.

Blog #3 Ends Here.

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Audience Experience Blog Post #2

Thursday November 2nd, 2017

Focusing on the past eight weeks of this course, we have learned a lot more about audience studies. These past three weeks, although we have learned more about audience studies, the material we have covered so far is some what different from other concepts we have learned. One of the theories that we have covered is the uses and gratifications theory. Uses and gratifications is a theory that has a different concept from the other theories. Typically, concepts and theories in audience studies look at external aspects that effect people that use media in their everyday life.  Uses and gratifications takes on a functional perspective on the activity of audiences which essentially looks at why people do what they do. As mentioned in chapter 5 of the textbook, Elihu Katz and his colleagues essentially identified 5 needs that individuals have that also can be applied to me when examining television  and other media sources and to better understand the use of media among individuals. Essentially, this research was taken in Israel but became a way to categorize the psychological functions of  mass media.“Katz et al. started with the notion that individuals bring to their media use a pre-existing set of desires and expectations—what they termed ‘needs.’’(Sullivan, J., 2013, pg. 114) The first group used to identify is cognitive needs, which is the needs that is related to individuals wanting to strengthen their intake with information, knowledge and understanding. I essentially use this for the news media using both television and the internet. Fundamentally, I am not fully aware of certain crisis that happens in the world, thankfully the news enables me to understand what is going on in the world including social change,  political spectrums, entertainment, and current events. At the same time, not only do I gain an understanding of  the events that are taken place, I also strengthen my knowledge on these events which also opens my ability to gain knowledge on contents that are related to the events taken place. 

The second group is the affective needs group which is a groups needs that are related to strengthening aesthetic, pleasure, and emotional experience. This is relevant to me the most out of all the categorized groups because I tend to put my focus more towards media that has an effect on my interest. For example, I generally put my focus and interest towards Facebook, at least everyday I am on Facebook which satisfies all the needs that are stated in this category. I achieve my aesthetic needs because Facebook shows all platforms of specific content, including, videos, pictures, memes, Gifs, blogs, and pages where as Instagram and twitter are great media platforms but only provide one of the contents that Facebook provides. I essentially find pleasure from videos that are are posted. Facebook is mostly consisted with videos of entertainment. This can also be provided by emotional needs because Facebook does provide media involving emotional satisfaction. For example, there are many groups that provide information on current events. I follow one page called the dodo which is a page that bring awareness of animals and shows the emotional road that they go through. At first, the video is sad because they show the abuse or pain the animal feels but at the end, there is satisfaction because the animals either find homes or are restored to proper health. This satisfies my emotional need because essentially I do love animals an Facebook can provide that. 

A drowning dogs desperate wish comes true

Originally posted by the dodo

This video is one of the many videos showing the emotional need that is provided on my Facebook. Essentially the dog fell into a well and is trying to stay alive while she is semi drowning but people come to the rescue her resulting in the dog being safe.

The third group is the integrative needs, which is the group that their needs are related to being able to strengthen their credibility, confidence, stability and status. This is not as relevant to me as it would be to other people but for example, some times I do post videos on Facebook and feel satisfaction when I get likes or even a simple like or comment on any personal pictures. The fourth group is social needs. This group is essentially more focused on being social with friends, family, and the world. Again, as this being relevant to me, I would say that Facebook would fulfill this need for me as it is my main source of contacting people. Also and most importantly would be my phone as this source provides and strengthens my availability with my contacts around the world and friends and family. 

Originally posted by Vita Nova Counselling Centre 

The last group is the escape group which has needs that are related to escape or tension release and evidently reducing the strength contact with self and one’s social roles. For example, as mentioned in the textbook, a study was revealed that women who were housewives tend to listen to opera on the radio as a form of escape from tension. “Herzog’s initial guesses about these women were firmly rooted in the effects tradition. she hypothesized that women who listened regularly to daytime radio serials (1)would be isolated from their community due to the time they spent listening to the radio; (2) would exhibit a more narrow range of intellectual interests; (3) would be less interested in public affairs; (4) would be characterized by ‘anxieties and frustrations’ about their life situations and would therefore turn or radio for compensation” (Sullivan, J., 2013, pg. 111). Essentially, this research proves that this need is highly experienced within audiences. Although I do not have the social roles of a housewife, I can defiantly say that I am also apart of this group and so is everyone else as we use media as a form to escape and not think about certain situations or stress in our lives.

Uses and gratifications theory also uses Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs essentially explaining the basic concept of where our needs come from. “The concept at the core of the uses and gratifications approach is that of needs. the approach maps out a series of logical steps that begins with the social and psychological origins of needs, which then generates exposure and resulting in needs gratifications.” (Sullivan, J., 2013, pg. 115) Although Maslow’s theory is quite simple with just identifying the basic needs on order for us to survive, it is evident that it is highly more significant. As a student who is constantly faced with challenges and constantly stressed, it is really easy to lose control of these needs and have an imbalance in your life. Personally, with working and going school it was very easy for me to always be tired which I did notice that it was not healthy and affected my physical and psychological well being.

Originally posted by Stortify

Sundar and Limperos essentially explain how the changes in technology has been brought from the basic hierarchy of needs. “his approach assumes that people have innate needs that can be satisfied by media. Gratifications are conceptualized as "need satisfactions," which are obtained when a person's needs are met by certain types of media sources that match their expectations (Sundar et al., 2013 pg. 506).” Essentially, it is evident that the Users and gratification concept is basically studied with the social and psychological origins. Also as mentioned in the article, with the new media technology being apart of the new era, it often dominates the conventional media that was once commonplace. Before the new media has become apart of this generation, individuals used print, radio, and television as a main source of technology. Before, individuals were able to satisfy their needs by this means of communication. Now, that the Internet has brought upon a new form of technology, the internet has managed to form basic technology as one which has projected uses and gratifications.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in Media

This video essentially analyzes how the basic concept of mallows hierarchy of needs are pretreated in everyday media basically concluding that new media has an affect on our needs because we watch what satisfies our needs.

Being in my 4th year at Brock and 3rd year in Business communications, the concept of sign, signifier, and signified has constantly been mentioned in this program and essentially is one of those terms that I can never forget. As mentioned a million times, in semiotics, a sign is anything that basically communicates a meaning. The signifier is the word, the sound-image and the signified is the concept, the meaning the thing indicated by the signifier. Although it is a very simple concept, this concept is basically interpreted based on who we are and what we see and have experiences when the messages are being encoded and decoded. 

Originally posted by Slideshare

To be quite honest, I thought that this concept was something very simple and had no deep meaning but, as I was watching The Dark Knight (because I never liked the movie for first time I watched it when I was young so I thought I should give it a try) I noticed that there were multiple form of semiotics portrayed in the movie. The main form of semiotics meted in the movie with multiple scenes was with dogs and dog-like activity to further its question of “trained” civility. Although the movie had a very clear focus with the altercation, depending on the age, gender, race, and even culture showing that the audience has control of how they interpret messages. With The Dark Night aside, a great example that has been interpreted in my life is a content argument between my roommate and I about the Kardashians. With the whole scandal of wether there derrières being fake we had a debate about Khloe Kardashian. I mentioned that I believe she has not gotten surgery a she is constantly working out while y roommate believed that she has gotten surgery because of the rest of the Kardashian sisters. At the end of the day we were no entirely sure, but based off what we both see we both interpreted the message in different forms even though we both were given the same message.

Picture on Left originally posted by iTunes Picture on Right originally posted by Pinterest

Ultimately, from what we have learned so far, it is safe to say that these theories and concepts play a big role in technology and constantly will since the theories are essentially created by basic uses of technology. Uses and gratifications essentially plays a big role in why we do what we do and along with this concept is the semiotics concept as our interpretation is based on who we are and what we see. Conclusively from my understanding of the past few weeks, I think that even though media plays a giant role in our lives, we also play a giant role in media.

Blog #2 Ends here.

[thestudyofaudiences-blog]

Aiman Zafar Audience Experience Blog Post #1 Thursday, October 5th, 2017

        When thinking of audience experiences before getting into the depth of this course, I thought of audience experience as audiences reactions toward specific genres in films, televisions, and other sources of media also, that in order to be an audience member and gain an experience, we have to initially experience the event by physically being there and witnessing it ourseleves. When I think of media audiences now based off the course material we have learned, audience research is much more complex and raises a deeper meaning behind each context. When I think of audience experiences now, considering what we have learned so far, they are prosperous and versatile. Through one perspective of an audience experience, it can be identified as something personal, since it can be taken place with our families, our homes, and isolated spaces. With that being said, the audience experience becomes a topic of conversation and recognizing with others in our social circles. On the other hand, audience experiences are also seen as logic for the marketplace to essentially spend a lot of money to catch our attention brining people together or apart by interacting us with media today.

       Based of the textbook, Media Audiences Effects, Users, Institutions, and Power, audience is based of two notions: information-based and meaning-based. These two notions are distinct when looking at the perspectives of an audience. Information-based audience is essentially the action of hearing what is being spoken and watched. This view of audiences emphasizes the actions of communications required by two perspectives, a sender and a receiver. In terms of this action, the sender transmits a message that the receiver mediates as noise. As the message migrates towards the receiver, the message targets the receiver competing thoughts or feelings that put into perspective of the message. The second notion of an audience is meaning-based. This notion carries on with the information based notion except the meaning of the message is taken more into perspective than the information. Based of my knowledge of audiences experiences regarding the material of this course, a real life experience that I remember of that can be put into the context of this course is witnessing the powerful hurricane Maria located in Puerto Rico.

       My experience of witnessing the Puerto Rican hurricane was much different than any other audience experience I have witnessed. Although there are other experiences that are similar to hurricane Maria storming into a country causing destruction and leaving people in poverty searching for the basic psychological needs, the Puerto Rican hurricane that has hit this year has caused complete destruction leaving the country that is already poor and in debt in an extremely greater poverty-stricken situation with additional complications within their government system.

Originally posted by Getty Images

Source: https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/9/26/16365994/hurricane-maria-2017-puerto-rico-san-juan-humanitarian-disaster-electricty-fuel-flights-facts

Irma Maldanado stands with Sussury, her parrot, and her dog in what is left of her home in Corozal, Puerto Rico on September 27 after Hurricane Maria. 

In this picture, we can see one result of what the hurricane has inflicted on the people of Puerto Rico. This picture was posted by Joe Raedle who contributed to the awareness of the hurricane by taking several pictures. His images portray the after affects of the hurricane. 

        History of Puerto Rico 

 Puerto Rico is essentially a small island located in the continent of the Caribbean, dependant on the United Staes of American territory. Originally, Puerto Rico is essentially populated by the indigenous Taino people. The island was ultimately claimed by Christopher Columbus in 1493 for the Crown of Castile during his second journey. Later, the country encountered invasion attempts from the French, Dutch, and British. Within 4 centuries of colonial Spanish government altered the islands physical, cultural, and ethnic landscapes generally with a sense of diaspora of African slaves, Canarian, and Andalusian settlers. Ultimately, Spains administrative control carried on up until the end of the 19th century aiming to create a idiosyncratic hispanic culture and language that was able to incorporate different ethnicities from the Africans, Liberians, and Native Americans. Following the American and Spanish war, in 1898, the United States seized Puerto Rico given the terms of the Treaty of Paris. In due time, during 1917, Puerto Ricans were officially presented by law as citizens of the United States of America and are eligible to commute back and forth between the island and North America as they please. 

Picture on the left: Originally posted by Cuba, la Isla Infinita Picture on the right: Originally posted by Pictame

Sources (left): http://cubalaislainfinita.blogspot.ca/2014/07/la-invasion-de-estados-unidos-puerto.html

Sources (right): http://www.pictame.com/media/1271391751376105308_1200712202

These pictures essentially define the history of Puerto Rico and

          Although Puerto Rico has experienced a lot of animosity towards their independence and the people, overtime the island has still accomplished a lot throughout their years within the boundaries of their culture, ethnicity, and physical presentation providing the Island with a strong and proud community that came together creating the beautiful island it was meant to be.

Picture on the left: originally posted by Thrillest Travel Picture on the right: originally posted by Pinterest

Sources (left): https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/the-most-beautiful-places-in-puerto-rico

Sources (right): https://www.pinterest.ca/alysborri39/los-encantos-y-lugares-de-puerto-rico/

In these pictures, this was the present view of Puerto Rico. ultimately, Puerto Rico was an island that catered to many tourists providing a beautiful vacation for many people.   

        However, behind the scenes of the natural environment, that Puerto Rico consists, earlier this year, the crisis of debt faced Puerto Rican government conflicted serious issues for the government and the people of Puerto Rico. The superior debt has risen to $70 billion with 12.4% of unemployment. Over time, the debt has been increasing along with a long recession. This issue is essentially the second major financial crisis that has affected the island following in position of the Great Depression. Presently, early August 2017, Puerto Rico is in debtor at least $72 billion including a 45% poverty rate (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-puertorico-debt/puerto-rico-oversight-board-orders-furloughs-governor-defiant-idUSKBN1AK2AG).

         Along with this debt, as mentioned as before came the hurricane. This has essentially ruined the island and has brought complete debt and more poverty. After the hurricane hit Puerto Rico, there has been several sources of information, whether videos, pictures, articles explaining the crisis of the situation. After witnessing what has been posted on social media, I became aware that what I was witnessing was heartbreaking and horrible to experience. Seeing what people are going through and not being able to physically help affects me as an audience because this crisis is real, live, and current. Along with the crisis, what also affects me is the U.S.President, Donald Trumps reaction and assistance toward the issue. 

Scary First Videos Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico

This video was published on Youtube on Wednesday September 20th, 2017  the very single day the hurricane hit. This videos shows viewers exactly what the hurricane has done to the Island. Currently, this video has about 179,000 views which essentially means that everyday viewers are growing and aware the issue. Ultimately, the media allows audiences to watch what is going on before and after the hurricane, that would have not been eligible before technology has advanced. This also changes the views of audiences. For example, if this situation was held in a time where technology was vague, views would only have one perspective where as today, viewers have many perspective from different sources of medias.

Trump Visits Puerto Rico, Jared and Ivanka’s Private Email Domain - Monologue

This video was published on Wednesday October 4th, 2017 with 233,000 viewers that have already watched the video. 

       In this video, the content I believe that is in relation to the course can be the three models of audiences, which are the outcome, mass, and agent. First being the outcome, the outcome will essentially audiences that are affected by the news which would most likely be majority of the people who are involved in watching social media. Second is mass audiences. Based off my understanding of this model of audiences and the video, I would say that Donald Trump and his voters are the mass of this situation. In the textbook it states that mass audience is a large group of people that are dispersed across time and space who essentially have little knowledge to the experience they witness. Donald Trump and his voters are a perfect example for this category because he appears to be unaware of the severity and by that, he shows this in the video during his visit in Puerto Rico throwing paper towels at the people of Puerto Rico. This shows that he is ignorant and that he is aware that the public is skeptical of how much he is helping Puerto Rico so he tries to make it known by bragging about how much money he had to spend to help the country almost making Puerto Rico come across as an inconvenience. Ultimately, this proves that he has model of audience is mass because of the little knowledge he is aware of his people and that he does not care. This can also be proven because everyone knows that he is racist so he essentially has no interest in these people. Last, the agent, I believe that I am the agent of this situation and so is Seth Meyers in the video. An agent is basically are audience members that choose what they want to experience and how they feel about the experience. In terms of this situation, I chose to be affected by the situation and based off my knowledge of Puerto Rico, I sympathize the humanitarian crisis.

      Although many people may not be able to sympathize or relate to the crisis based off their audience experience, there are many people, or to be more specific celebrities that are trying to help the island by donating money and stressing for their fans and people to donate to certain non-profit organizations.

Celebs REACT To Earthquake In Mexico & Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico

Given the reactions of celebrities to the crisis in Puerto Rico and Mexico, this shows that their audience experience involves power. As mentioned in the textbook, power is basically the movement of an actor or motivational figure to be able to alter a persons decisions. In this case, certain celebrities are eligible to accomplish the act of getting people to donate for a good cause.

Ultimately, from my understanding of the course context, I believe that the crisis in Puerto Rico has taken an affect on me and many people. Knowing a good amount about audience studies has altered my experience and as proven to me that watching or reading about a certain situation is not just about watching or reading, it is also about listening and understanding why certain things are being published and recognizing and what affect it has around the world and how each persons perspective is important.  In either case or situation, I feel that this is important and learning about this course has clearly opened my eyes and Brought more value to my life about audience experiences.

Blog post #1 ends here.