Blogging Choice Assignment - Overall Summary

Analyzing my contact with the media over the past week has led me to observe many interesting things. I now realize the extent of my dependence on digital media for news. Without reading online news sources, I really wouldn't know what was going on in the world. I have also realized how often I am exposed to advertisements on the internet that are specifically tailored to my interests. By analyzing my media contacts, I really understand how the four trends of media work in "real life." Many of the contacts that I described over the last week have been examples of convergence. I have learned that I depend heavily on media forms being integrated with high technology because of the speed and ease of access that those forms allow. Examples of that dependence from this week would include my booking of a summer vacation online, watching Netflix, and checking the Facebook application on my phone. I never understood the extent of how media affected the way I did things, such as watch TV, listen to music, or access news, until I took into account the immense exposure I have to different media forms throughout the day. I have also learned about how much advertisements affect me from analyzing my reaction to the media coverage of the Hunger Games. It is fascinating that even when I tried to limit my exposure to the media by sitting in a library to study all day, media still affected me through my smart phone. High technology has made it possible to have access to almost all media forms in the palm of your hand. That's pretty impressive. I have also learned that my immense exposure to media has made me rely less on the original media forms, such as the news paper, TV, and hardcover books. My interaction with  media is almost constant throughout the day. I was surprised to learn how much media is intertwined throughout my daily activities, but now I know not to take any form of media for granted because they all serve vital roles in my life!

Blogging Choice Assignment - 3/29/12

I created a LinkedIn account today, which was a significant media contact. It took me about thirty minutes to completely finish my profile. The object of LinkedIn is to connect people with prospective employers or someone that can help get you a job. I filled out my educational background, interests, awards, skills, and uploaded a resume. It is interesting to note how much networking can be accomplished through social media. LinkedIn is a more professional site that will give me the chance to market myself to future employers. I also booked a summer vacation online today through Expedia. I have booked many previous trips this way, and have never visited a travel agent. Booking the trip online allowed me to secure lodging and air fair at the same place without hassle. Through my contact with these media forms today, I have observed that digital media has made many processes almost effortless.

Blogging Choice Assignment - 3/28/12

My interaction with media today reminded me of how far technology has come and how accessible media forms are. If I ever have the time to watch TV, I typically only do so through the internet, and this is what I did today. I watched two different shows on Netflix and Hulu. I honestly cannot say when the last time I watched a full show on a television was. With Netflix and Hulu, I can watch basically any movie or tv show I want, so I really haven't missed the television. It is interesting to note that with my subscription to Netflix, there are no commercials during the show. However, I just watch whatever content is free on Hulu, so commercials are included. It seems that that Hulu attempts to advertise shows that they believe a particular viewer would be interested in. I also read a book on my Nook today while I sat in the Greek Theater. I love to read, so I love my Nook because I can access several books through one device. The contacts I make with these specific media are very enjoyable because the process is almost effortless. While I prefer to read a hardback copy of a book, I do appreciate the access to multiple books at a time that the Nook allows. The media contacts I had today made me observe how often I utilize media forms that have converged through high technology.

Blogging Choice Assignment - 3/27/12

I had a somewhat limited interaction with the media today. I had a test today so I was either in class or in the library studying all day. The most noticeable media form that I came in contact with was media accessible from my smart phone. I checked my Facebook and Twitter applications and also listened to the Pandora music station on my phone. I had never really noticed before that the advertisements on Pandora are specific to your location, music tastes, etc,. This observation was particularly interesting because I then noticed that Facebook ads are the same way; however, Facebook has access to even more personal information about you which creates some very compelling advertisements. I also had another interesting reaction during my observation of my interaction with media: I never realized how constantly I listen to music. Whether through my phone, on my laptop, on the radio, on my iPod, or in the car, music is always playing. I listen to music while I study, work out, get ready, and whenever I'm just relaxing. The reach of the media form of music is pretty extensive. Even though I had a more limited exposure to media today, it is fascinating to realize the amount of media contact that is possible through a smart phone.

Blogging Choice Assignment - 3/26/12

 I noticed that today I had the most media contact through the internet. I pulled up my homepage and there was a news article about the murder of Trayvon Martin which linked to several other news articles about the incident. The tragic event, which is surrounded in racial controversy because Martin was a black teenager, has sparked a lot of news coverage. Apparently this has been a topic of discussion on TV news stations and in the news paper, but I had no knowledge of it until I read several different internet articles covering the incident today. I have observed that upon entering college most of my news sources and information are from the internet. It is interesting to note that some of the articles I read came from online versions of news papers/news TV stations, and were not all the product of strictly internet publications. I was saddened to read about this event, but I am a bit comforted by the fact that many of the articles are encouraging readers to analyze all sides of the situation and seek out the truth of the matter. I really observed the influence the media has on me through the internet because it is a major news source for me.

Blogging Choice Assignment - 3/25/12

I have had several contacts with the media throughout this afternoon. I drove back to Fayetteville today because Spring Break is over and I saw many billboards and listened to the radio during the six hour trip. I saw many billboards that advertised movies, but The Hunger Games movie had the most billboard coverage by far. There were several that were very visible off the highway coming from Dallas. I also listened to some talk radio and heard that The Hunger Games movie has had one of the best opening weekends of all time. The host of the radio show said that the movie has grossed $155 million so far and has received great reviews from critics. This movie is generating a lot of media coverage because it is a popular book series which has been adapted into a film. I have observed the mass amount of media coverage and I think that the coverage obviously has a lot to do with the movie being so popular and profitable. I have not read the book but because of what I heard on the radio and the numerous billboards that I saw today, I have already planned to go see it tomorrow. It surprises me that so many people are going to see this dark themed movie but I hope that the hype surrounding the film is well deserved!