"Mass Media" Learning Outcome 2

After spending the entire semester studying mass media I have come to the conclusion that media is responsible for effecting how we think as a society. I did not realize before how much of a hold media had on all of us until I took a deeper look into what I see practically 24/7. I have realized that advertisements have directed audiences and use different ploys to get the responses the advertiser’s desire. One thing that really struck me was how much media relied on emotional appeal. Whether it is a commercial for the starving children in Africa, a PSA add for abandoned puppies, or a video trying to draw attention to a global issue, all of these forums rely on the viewer’s emotions to get a response.  The minds behind such media stunts are no dummies and are completely aware that by shocking viewers into seeing sad, gruesome and often heart wrenching images they can get a response that they want.  I have realized that as viewers we have become accustomed to being molded to think or feel a certain way due to what we see in the media.

A prime example of this in political campaigns, often Politicians are exploited in the media because candidates will make mudslinging commercials for their opponents in hopes that the viewers will see the slandering ads and in turn think negatively about who they are running against. Also public service announcements are responsible for making us feel so sympathetic and so awful that we must do something to help join the cause. Another major thing that influences how we think is censorship. Along with PSA’s and campaigns censorship affects how we think because viewers only see or hear what the broadcasters want them to see.  Words, phrases, or actions that are viewed to be “obscene” or “inappropriate” are blocked out or edited so that the viewer will not see or hear them, in turn this gives the viewer the idea that whatever is blocked out is “bad” yet this is all according to the standards of whoever is making the said show or add.

Ultimately what we see in the media is all influenced by who is behind it. What we see as viewers is what the broadcasters, advertisers, and politicians all want us to see, yet we keep on watching.  In order to not be negatively influenced by the media it is best to have a clear head when watching and to realize that everything we see has a reason or motive behind it.

"The Machine Stops"

When predicting what our world would be like in the future there have been many different opinions on what this environment would be like. In the story “The Machine Stops” a futuristic world of isolation is explored, and helps support the idea that in the future people will be so reliant on technology that all other interaction and relationships will cease to exist.  This idea of a barren future, of a world without books, religion, and relationships has become a popular hypothesis of futuristic life. Although the Machine Stops was written years ago it still validly expresses the fear that technology will eventually replace everything our society already holds dear.  In the article “Our Media, Ourselves: Are We Headed for a Matrix” written by Bob Mondello; a similar view point is examined.  According to Mondello new technologies are taking away what used to help us express ourselves.  Mondello states “It’s as if we’re deciding en masse that when it comes to the arts and entertainment, we can do without the actual object that is the the object of our affection. Who needs real world clutter in an age when everything streams?”  Mondello like Forester blames technology for harming our society but not by separating people from each other but by making people distant from their things.  

In Forester’s story Vashti does not have any possessions in her tiny cell, only buttons to fulfill her every command , “the room although it contained nothing, was in touch with everything she cared for in the world.” Now this statement would shock many today. In our society our possessions are almost as important to us as the people that gave them to us.  Art work, books, gifts, all the things we own and surround us with help to shape who we are.  So in aiding in Mondello’s claim it could be said that without the possessions we have around us we become less and less like ourselves. 

Although Forester and Mondello have logical fears towards technology I would have to disagree with their opinions. In Foresters mind technology is the reason why people are distant from one another but in our world today technology is the one thing that has kept us together. Before technology the world was as isolated as Forester describes the people in the machine, yet today it is possible to communicate and interact with anyone around the world at any time. With texts, phone calls email, and Skype, the entire world is at our fingertips.  As for Mondello, although people are less likely to surround themselves with objects that represent themselves it does not mean that people are losing what makes them themselves. Many technologies today are based solely around what their owner wants. The iPhone today is all about personalization, your music, your apps, your contacts, your games are all able to be with you at all time.; it’s not like you can carry around an art masterpiece that represents yourself all the time, but you can carry a pocket size gadget that contains a multitude of things that you like.

Based upon these two sources I believe that technology should be raved about as much as it is revered.

Image Analysis: Banksy Image

The image I chose to analyze is a Banksy image that has a big white dove in the center of the mural. The dove is wearing a bullet proof vest and is carrying a piece of a plant, possibly an olive branch. On the center of the doves chest is a red target outline, kind of like a sniper target. The whiteness of the dove compared to the dark background really makes the image stand out, and the red of the target which is the only vibrant color in the whole image, stands out as well. The image does not have any words to guide the viewer into thinking a certain way which is helpful because it allows whoever is looking at the image to come up with their own opinions about what the image is trying to portray, and what the creator wants the viewer to get from the image.

I think that this image is trying to make the statement that peace is being “targeted” in our society. The dove in the image I assume represents peace and since the dove is wearing a bullet proof vest, peace is obviously not safe and needs to be protected. With the target on the dove, I believe this represents war and conflict; that many people wish to metaphorically shoot down the bird of peace for their own personal gain.

I believe that the audience that this image is directed to is society in general since it seems to be increasingly more preoccupied with war. I think Banksy, who usually makes images that represent political or social issues, is targeting either people that support war, or people that just sit and watch while conflict occurs. I think the purpose behind this image is to raise awareness of war and to inspire the viewers to keep peace alive, instead of letting it get shot down.

This image would be very effective if it was placed outside of an armed forces recruiting office, or outside of an armory or weapons building. Since these locations are areas where trigger happy and war hungry people would most likely be found; it would be an excellent place to put an image to really make a statement. In one of these locations it would be uncommon to see an image that supports peace instead of war and it could cause controversy as well. The more controversy behind something the more attention it gets, so it would be great to put this mural in a place a little controversial so it would really get the attention it deserves.

Overall, I believe this image is effective in persuading the viewer to think a certain way because it targets ethical and moral beliefs. The viewer would want to support this image because morally it would be right to support a peace movement opposed to one of conflict and war. Also this hits the emotional appeal as well because seeing a cute, happy, and peaceful bird being targeted would cause any heartfelt individual to feel a little sympathy for something so innocent.