Media, a good thing?

So i feel like we've all been bashing the media (from what i've read) so i want to blog a positive opinion on our generations media. I must say without our internet access different TV channels and Radio stations most of us would be in the clouds about current issues that are important to America and our people. Live broadcasting and breaking news stories interrupt our lives to update and inform us on what is happening from missing children in your neighborhood to the natural disasters in Japan across the world. These important updates quickly inform us about issues, what we are trying to do to help them and what we can do to help. The clips of the tornados, earthquakes and title waves as well as the  destruction they cause educates as well as motivates the public to take action and find an interest in these situations which is what America is all about and known for. The more the issues are put out their the more volunteers we can collect in order to help these people suffering from these disasters. Fox news may be a "bias" news station but Fox also puts important information out their to us to take in. Not only does it aware us of the issues in the world it lets us be conscious of how lucky most of us are to not be in those situations. The news has come a long way,  showing us inside scoops on these situations without even having to be there.  The news informs us on the weather for the next week (not always accurate) but gives us an idea in order for us to pan ahead with life. How awesome is it to be able to turn on the TV, radio or quickly go online and check the news, weather, upcoming events. Having this information at our fingertips keeps us educated and aware of events happening all around the world, instead of just local news. However, when the news takes stories like Arnold, Lindsey Lohan and other celebrity gossip fills our head with unnecessary drama thats not only informing us about peoples personal mishaps, but polluting our minds with nonsense and the need to gossip. Getting off topic, anyways... media is something that adds to everyones lives and without it we would be lost, plain and simple. The media doesn't  always  have to be a negative subject because it CAN give us a positive  perspective on our lives.

Mixed Emotions

Being a user of social media networks, like the oh so popular Face book, I find myself experiencing mixed emotions towards the admired site.  I love the perks Face book has to offer which is simply (for me) communicating with others to stay connected, checking out updated photos from friend/family events like vacations, trips, family, weddings and uploading those photos of my own to show my family and friends. Social Media has come a long way in this generation, to the point where we can “Skype” one another with live video feeds and real time talk back and forth on chats sending links of pictures and websites. It’s great to be able to be instantly connected to cousins that live far away or college roommates during summer vacations. HOWEVER, there is a poisonous side to Face book that turns me away from the social media site, it seems like more and more people of all ages (from 10 to 80) have access to a Face book account and are becoming OBSESSED with the site. My little niece who is only 12 years old for example adds a new status of what she’s doing for the day, every day!!!  I find that not safe to publicize at age 12 with all those online predators out there. Also I see bullying on her Face book page that kids say to her online but not to her face (one of the other perks of the online media worlds, sarcastically said.) They write mean personally attacking words under photos that can be VERY upsetting to a 12 year old. Anyways, the college kids are what surprise me the most with Face book, with their inappropriate posts, pictures, and business they broadcast over the site like "going out drinking for the 7th day in a row, go me" I mean what are you trying to tell the world? That your a drunk and cool?  Every time I walk in the library I see Face book  on EVERYONES computer, it’s almost disgusting that students  of adult ages  are in the library wasting hours and hours of time browsing other peoples (usually random) peoples business. People have become obsessed with Face book, gossiping about what she/he was wearing Friday night due to face book pictures, “so and so is dating so and so, it says on Face book “ “did u see the comment Joe shmoe wrote on Becky’s wall?” Ugh, it’s so annoying to hear people talk like that, its poisonous!  People are abusing the site and becoming way to obsessed with others lives, when they really should be focusing on their own. Social media can be a good and bad thing, I just can’t figure out how I feel about it…

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Every news channel is obsessed with Arnold Schwarzeneggers double life. I understand this is something that once leaked is going to get out, in the tabloids!  Every news channel I turn too is obsessed with Arnolds secrete child story. Like really? Does America really care that much about his personal life? Cant they focus on what he has he done that’s good America, or for our government, focus on that! The media is exploding him and attacking his personal choices as if he killed somebody! I understand what he did is a devastating thing, TO HIS FAMILY! The media is taking this situation and turning it into a Country wide gossip channel. Are they trying to get people to turn against him, are they trying to get people to hate his position in the government?  The media has taken things so far these days and exploits personal lives to the world. I can’t get over the obsession about this affair. Where has focus on all the good things in life gone?! They dig and dig for stories of devastation, disaster, criminals, deaths and drama, if we only focus on the bad, is their room for good?

Women and the Media

Women and the media is a subject I find very engaging towards the subject of media studies. I plan on posting many blogs regarding women and the media with new and old examples and thoughts.

Women in the media are a popular and growingly accepted method of advertisement, motivation, information causes and entertainment in today’s society. Women are displayed as objects for such methods. The main aspect that stands out among these methods is that the women are typically seen as beautiful. The idea of the “perfect women” is continually displayed to our generation through all forms of media, TV, internet, communication and radio. Typically the women are thin, makeup filled, big hair, flat stomachs, big cleavage, fashionable and seen an object. This can also be seen as a sexual approach to catch the eyes of viewers and users of the media. However, is this what these women really look like in real life? So the viewers think. I feel that the image of the “perfect women” is distorted and then portrayed through media in a deceiving manor to all its viewers. This then sets false guide lines for growing girls, boys and men of what the “perfect women” should look like. Personality, values, morals, love and intelligence seem to be forgotten. Sex appeal, hair and body image becomes this generation’s main focus. Women are a huge topic for media based studies and many research and studies have been done using this topic. Women an advertisement is a growing concept that many people can agree or disagree on. I believe that this concept of the "perfect women" works very well in todays society, however it is brainwashing our generation and generations to come....?

I’m sure many of you have seen this TV commercial for sketchers shape ups  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQWG__N9so0  Watch the video, and think to yourself or respond to my blog. -Does this video make you think buying this shoe will make you look “perfect” like Kim and have a hot man all over you like America’s popular sex icon Kim Kardashian? -Are you more suceptable to buy this product becuase of who is advertisting it?

COMM 229 Foundations of Media Studies

Introduction-
Hello all,
My name is Francesca Mancinone, I am going to be a senior this fall semester at BSU. My major  is Communication Studies. I have chosen to take this online course because I found the subject to be very interesting in relation to my major. While I study at Bridgewater University I want to expand my course choices and take as many different random classes as I can, for personal interest reasons. I only have a couple more COMM classes and electives needed to fulfill my major and I am very excited as well as eager to reach my goal of graduating with my Bachelors in the spring of 2012. I look forward to taking this online class with you all. I am not sure what my future entails but I wish to do some kind of event planning for weddings, sports or fashion industries. I am also interested in the Media, by doing some kid of TV broadcasting for the news.
Fun Fact- I am from Martha’s Vineyard so this online course is very convenient for me. I enjoy relaxing on the beach and hanging with new friends!
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