Contemporary Media Analysis

1. What does the media say about the world we live in?

From many of the presentations one of the most reappearing aspects about media was that it is constantly mirroring our society. Many times media will either explore or mock issues within a society that is occurring at the time. One example discussed by a group was the issue on homosexuality in the well known television show in Glee. This show has been in the spot light for teens in our nation in among the recent years, it expresses high school students who are both straight and gay. These students are portrayed in a positive manner with their sexuality making them no different then any other kid.The show further imitates reality when depicting the issues that the teens must face. In addition media also feeds on what an audience craves weather it's a super man or the opulent lives of the Kardashians or the humors and adventitious events of a modern family. Media is based on what the "people want too see" and this is what makes television and films enjoyable because it is shaped for audiences. Furthermore to push the idea that an media fills the need of audience, is through the idea of escapism, where audiences escape their reality and enter one that is far more exciting and pleasant. However in contrast their are also films that handle a struggle of people, that an audience watches to relate and are able to understand a television show or film because their experiences are some what similar.Media will always emulate the interest of the audience therefore our world will always long for media because it fill our needs of what we want reality to be and or what our reality is. Media is absorbed in our world because it is a reflection of it.

2. Do you notice any one trend that keeps resurfacing through multiple media forms?

A reoccurring theme I saw in multiple media forms was the "blurred lines" in characters. When a person is indistinguishable in weather they are good or bad. It was discussed how this character of good and bad has been around for several decades, however only in the recent years has media been able to portray such a character that is on the border. One example that was in several presentations was the television show Breaking Bad. The main character, Walter White is so well developed, he is not simple expressed as good or bad. but instead the audience understands the struggle of the character and why he took certain actions . For example the character is a manufacturer of drugs, however his motives are only for the welfare for his family, to leave them in good fortune, this line is blurred when good motives and bad actions are intertwined. This is also seen in media shown by the news, another example that was also in many presentations was Edward Snowden who was leaked secret US. surveillance information in order to protect liberties of the people. The controversy is weather this man is "a hero or a traitor", a blurred line that people have been questioning currently.

3. What do you see as the best and worst of what media portrays?

Media can be an art, where people can create all sources of entertainment and masterpieces. It can be a way to exchange ideas and information as well as showing significant aspect of our society. However there are also many down sides of our usage of media. This includes the constant stereotypes and expectations we are able to put on people. Media can give us the wrong perception of our own reality and distort how we not only see others but ourselves. It quite obvious that media has known to objectify women and make the men rich and strong and as well as one to flock and to be flocked by women. Often people find themselves to be faulty or less then because of how they are shown in the media. We influence media, however media may also influence us as well, it may give us the wrong or impossible guidelines to follow.

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4. Where do you see yourself contributing to the conversation?

Media has been any important tool our society has utilized not only for entertainment but to better understand our society and the people in it. Despite the many flaws in media I do believe it is essential to how we live. There is a recent realization that media is able to break down the walls that it has put up for so long.Though it is a slow development every step is closer to a more liberal and understanding world.As an individual I see myself in full support of this evolution of the media. A new media in which is true and can aid us instead of hinder the progress to an overall better world.