Media/Flim

Posted: August 13th, 2013

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Media/Flim

Question One

In a way, I think Truman from the “Truman Show” film was treated well. Everything was revolving around him and one has to admit that it brought out the movie’s theme on reality. However, I consider it a complete disregard of an individual’s privacy. Putting cameras everywhere that film your every move without consent is not right. I think I would feel hurt and violated if I found out that my family and friends were all actors seeking to achieve television roles. There exist reality shows that have a limit on how far they will follow in your daily routine. There are certain aspects in someone’s life that should be regarded private and thus should not be put up on air.

Even though this was a brilliant example of putting people to fit in a box, it has a lot of truth in it. They developed a world where Truman would not be able to leave. To a certain extent, this is also similar to real life. Take for example when one is with a group of friends who are up to something you are against. However, these friends end up controlling you since they know they are your only friends and you have no one to turn to. I suppose the situation in the case of Truman is a little easier since he is not trying to be one with the crowd in real social boxes. Rather, he depicts that part of life where people attempt to fit in with trends such as attire.

The film has some relevance regarding how culture is influenced by entertainment. The movie itself is a form of entertainment when the viewer watches real life impact of entertainment on culture. The movie allows us to know that the entertainment industry has played an essential component in shaping our culture. It does so by influencing our thoughts, behavior, and opinions. As such, the film looks to vouch for entertainment products with positive influence and promote issue awareness. In this case, “The Truman Show” does this by providing entertainment that discusses social controversies and ills through which many people’s lives are plagued.

In my view, I am not much in agreement with Christo’s remark that people have a tendency of accepting reality they are presented with. In this regard, humans are prone to cheating themselves and would rather see convenient reality that that which is against them. For example, we normally see or accept what our eyes or brain would like to perceive. Some realities are good and others work against us. People desire personal excellence and when reality goes against this excellence, we find it hard to accept. However, there are those circumstances that require one accept reality as much they would not want to. Therefore, Christo’s remark that “People accept the reality with which they are presented” is not entirely accurate.

Question Two

From the foregoing, I was able to learn that entertainment plays a major in influencing our culture. It determines our thoughts, behaviors, how we interact, and ongoing trends. Secondly, I learned we normally accept reality in certain circumstances and dismiss it in others. Lastly, I was able to learn that entertainment in our media system also influences public health and does so negatively in many cases. However, I cannot help but ask how one can prevent himself or herself from succumbing to poor health from entertainment in our media system.

Question Three

            An investigation on the module’s websites reveals the aspect of current trends associated with music and celebrities. Both have a similar theme of entertainment, fashion, glamour, and fame. They have been designed to capture the attention of mainly the younger generation. They also serve are advertisement links for various services and products that again fascinate the young. Furthermore, they exhibit a user-friendly environment and offer free recreation.

ML education requires that people of all ages to have a respectful and responsible relationship and in a caring way. It also requires the development in the skills of communication fostered from the foundation of acceptance and belonging. With regard to this, the websites in question have minimal value on ML education. From what they are based on, they have their focus on a particular age group rather than being diverse. ML education requires an inclusion of all age groups. It seems that the older age bracket has been left out the websites’ consideration. What they entail would not be appealing for the older generation. Therefore, the websites would have minimal value for ML education.

Question Four

Croteau and Hoynes have attempted to pass through information regarding public interest and corporate media. In their chapters, they have provided careful and critical analyses of the rapidly changing elements of the media industry. This is in relation with what I have been studying in class. For example, I was able to connect the authors’ work with my knowledge on the influence media pauses on society with the media having an insatiable hunger for increased income regardless of the public’s best interests.