Summary 4

Not everyone wants the media to become the new frontier. It has become a hazard for many companies, and I thought it was only right that another viewpoint be shown. The points that they brought up where valid and strong. If companies don't get over the fact that the internet is going to continue to grow, then the development of the future will be dramatically hindered.

Summary 3

I loved this article because it highlights the changes that have taken place and some of the neat advancements in technology and the effect that has had on the media and our lives. There are so many options available to us as U.S. citizens; it’s amazing how far things really have come.

Summary 2

The E-book revolution is coming, I can feel it, and apparently many others can too! Barnes and Noble is creating their own E-book store to promote more people to read books they are not only going to make it available on a laptop or computer, but also as an application to an Iphone, Blackberry, and many other technologies. This will make the internet book market bigger than ever with a new competitor entering.

Summary 1

I enjoyed this article because it brought the vision of the internet to life. I think that most people doubt that the internet can ever become a substantial tool in our society, but now with the recent recession and many unstable conditions, the internet has become the stability that we thought we didn’t have. This completely emphasized the dramatic effect that internet will continue to have on our ever changing society and the fact is if we don’t embrace and move with the technology we have it will run us over.

Observation #26

The more interactive the media, the more people watch them, that is completely my opinion. I think it's true though. Music provides an enlightenment and rememberance that doesn't occur with just words on a screen. I have found that I am able to retain more information if I incorrporate my thoughts into a song. This is also true with movies and television programs. I think that is why they sell the music soundtracks to movies, and why they don't need words at really inspirational or intense parts of movies, the song does all the work for the actors. That is why I love the music in the movies, it makes things that much more exciting and entertaining. WIthout music there wouldn't be a movie. I think movies wouldn't be anything without music and the other way around. These two types of communication form a very big mass media that has encompassed time.

Observation #25

Why are name brand clothes, accessories and electronics a must have within the media? What is the difference between Western Family products at a foods store compared to Kellogg? Most people would say the quality, but I tend to disagree. I watched a type of documentary about this, and they gave a pretty good example of how brands have an effect on a customer. Kellogg’s Rice Crispies use the same product as Western Family, but on the shelf they have a cooler box, so therefore they are better, at least that is what everyday people think. I believe that the fashion craze goes to people’s heads. I am as much a victim of this as the next guy. Just because a shirt has the name of the store on it, or a little eagle in the corner, doesn’t mean that it is a better quality, for the most part, it mainly means that the store is getting free advertising. Of course we don’t get paid for the advertising that we do, in fact we actually pay to wear or eat it, so why do we continually do it? It’s like we are on display for everyone around to see; we are what make companies like Aeropostale, Tommy Hilfiger, and Ambercrombie what they are. I am not saying that we shouldn’t dress nice, or eat wonderful food, but measure the difference and see if the little eagle in the corner is worth the extra money.

Observation #24

The difference in news stations and their views can tint what we may formally see as truth. Take for example Fox news and CNN. They are both fairly popular news stations, but the views of these stations are on completely different ends of the spectrum. One, Fox news, is very conservative, and the other, CNN, is especially liberal. I think both forms are needed, so when put together it will give us the big picture, but I also feel that, depending on which station we watch, we find differing opinions instead of the deliverance of truth which is what the journalists are supposed to give us. Although it would be extremely difficult to mesh these two vastly different views into a culmination of medium views on the spectrum, I think it is needed. Not only would this combination deliver truth, but it would keep the guess work out of facts and opinions would have a limit. This is not the only way to fix what I see as a problem, but a solution, no matter what it is, needs to be found; truth needs to be restored.

Observation #23

Freedom of speech is a vital aspect of the American culture. It not only defines how our nation came to be independent, but it also shows the amount of trust we put into our government, and how much faith they put into us. With all this freedom I sometimes think that we get carried away into believing that we can say or do anything without thinking about the ethical effects of our behaviors; in other words, the power has gone to our heads. I wanted to know why and how the people in the other countries can deal with having limitations in the way that they express themselves. My conclusion, as well as the culmination of thoughts given through discussion by my roommates and I, is that the people don’t want that power, they like having some of their decisions made for them. Although this idea is the complete opposite point of view looking from our country into theirs, if we change our perspective around, we may catch a glimpse of the freedom that they have found. The New York Times has said that freedom of speech is the weakest card in Europe’s hands right now, but maybe we are holding the wrong cards. Maybe too much control over every aspect in the media and in language and speech is just too much control.

Observation #22

Our reliance on technology has destroyed the fundamental truth that we can do things without the internet and computers. In a way I think the creativity and imaginative effect that can come from relying on the brain, instead of technology that can downfall at any moment, has been lost. Recently the wireless internet and BYU-Idaho school website went down for the weekend. Although this may not seem like a big deal, many assignments couldn’t be turned in and learning stopped because teachers didn’t know what to have their students do. One of my friends Megan Jacobsen said, “I haven’t been able to get online all day, it has been a nightmare,” and I think that is the truth. If our use of technology results in an ineffectual communicative effort and lack of fundamental creativity to work without modern convenience, then we have lost to a virtual world.

Observation #21

Almost all modes of communication want to extract the most efficient and entertaining tools from the media. Even our transportation devices, such as cars, have cashed in on this find. With new developments and devices in the music area, as well as television and phones, cars have implemented all the necessary technology to advance the age of digitalization. New cars have sync features for mp3s and IPods, phones, along with GPS systems, that all have voice activated technology. Many cars also have technology for televisions and DVD systems. Although I love the new innovative technology, I dislike the fact that they are a distraction from the road. The time spent in a car should be enjoyable, but if taken too far, as with most things, it will go downhill. Drivers are already detached from the road with their phones, add another appealing item to the list of technology and you have a wreck on your hands. One of my friends was too close to being hit by a distracted driver while she was running, and later in the week a pedestrian was hit by a texting driver. My question is how far will technology go before it becomes destructive instead of instructive or entertaining?