Chapter Thirteen

1.     Do you read international news? Why or why not?

If I would have answered this question six months ago my answer would have been no. However, since then I have taken a Global Education class that required me to select a news story (such as a national disaster or political issue) and find a newspaper online from three different countries and blog about the differences and similarities. I really enjoyed this project and it really opened my eyes up to the different news sources and the different biases of different countries. I think that to be truly educated, you should get your news from a variety of news sources, internationally, to be well rounded and to avoid getting a bias of news and misinformation.

2.     What steps can reporters and editors take to cover media ownership issues in a better way?

I think that it is really important that reporters and editors make sure that within their own organization (such as The Hickory Daily Record) that reporters and editors are assigned to a broad variety of topics, and that the reporters take turns reporting on different issues. I also think that everyone should focus more on the news being reported than who owns the media.  Responsible reporting is also a very important part of media ownership. When reporters are reporting on this issue, it is important to remain unbiased as well as to remain dignified even if they don’t agree with the opinions that they’re reporting on.

3.     Is there such a thing as a global village? What does this concept mean to you?

I think that the global village does exist, and to me, this concept is the global community that we create when we combine the different media sources, internationally and nationally, to create one pot of information that anyone can gather their opinions and news sources from. I think that most people are familiar with the phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child” and I think this also applies to a global village raising a child of the earth. It takes more than just one country’s news source or one city’s news source to make a person well educated and well rounded.

Chapter Sixteen

1. What do you think of current movie rating system? should it be changed? why or why not?
I think it's an awesome system! We discussed in class how young children are wanting to watch more and more movies that are being released and it's important for parents to be able to monitor what our children see. Likewise, as a Christian, I like to know if what I am about to watch is contradictory to my beliefs. If it's pornographic or violent, then I want to know so that I can make plans to either not watch it or to watch something else. I think that the movie rating system is fair and is good way to "check and balance" the freedom of speech/expression that movie writers/producers exercise.

2. Should the fairness doctrine be revived?
I think that we live in a society that offers a fair representation of all views as it is. While each individual news station might not give equal air time to all sides of a story, there are so many ways of obtaining news that one can simply change the channel and find the opposing view. If there were limited news sources, I would agree that it's important to have a doctrine such as the Fairness Doctrine,  but i think that there are enough options to where this is no longer necessary in today's society. Also, there are so many news stations, radio stations and websites that this would be very hard to monitor.

3. Should the united states have a federal shield law to protect reporters?
I would bet more people would want to be reporters if they felt protected and watched over, but I also feel like reporters put themselves out there on the line when choosing the profession so they are in charge of their own protection. To an extent, it would be nice to offer a law to federally protect reporters but I also thing that reporters have a responsibility when covering the news and finding things out that means they might have to divulge certain information if it means keeping people safe. Burning a source is a deadly sin in reporting, but it's also one that could save lives and reporters should understand that going into their work.

Chapter Fifteen

1.  1. What are your main concerns or criticisms about the state of media studies at your college or university?

I feel that Lenoir-Rhyne University does  great job at advertising The Rhynean and that the radio station also gets a lot of attention, but other than that, communications at LR seems rather dead. As a comm. major it worries me because I feel that more students would get involved/carte about the program if it were advertised more and if there was more activity. I didn’t even know we had a communications club until I saw it on facebook. I think that with more knowledge about things like that, people would be more eager to participate in the program and get involved on campus.

2.  2. One charge that has been leveled against a lot of media research—both the effects and the cultural models—is that it has very little impact on changing out media institutions. Do you agree or disagree, and why?

I think that people have a very set way of doing things and that, in every aspect of life, it’s hard to make people change even when there is concrete proof that change needs to occur. Having said that, I feel that when research happens concerning the effects and cultural models of media, the media institutions try to adapt as best they can to the evolution of those producing and receiving the media. While it doesn’t always happen quickly, I do feel that it happens and that it is progressing more rapidly now than it ever has before in the past. I think younger generations are participating in media, which is refreshing for both consumers and producers. Younger people often produce change faster than those who are stuck in tradition which often comes with their age.

3. 3.Can you think of an issue that media industry and academic researchers could study together? Explain.

Absolutely. When it comes to the drinking age, the media industry and academic researchers could study this (and have studied this) extensively. On an academic level, the effects of alcohol, young drinkers and the legal aspect can be studied and analyzed while on the media industry end, the desire and appeal of alcohol and the awareness and can be researched and analyzed. On a further note, I think it is essential that these two mediums come together to work and research because without the other, the accurate information obtained by research can’t be released to the masses through media effectively.

Chapter Ten

1.     What are your earliest recollections of books? Do you read for pleasure? If yes, what kinds of books do you enjoy? Why?

My earliest recollections of books are probably picture books and the bible. My mom would buy tons of colorful books for me to look at and make up stories with, and then I was introduced to the bible at a very young age through church as well as my family. I really love reading for pleasure now that I am an adult. I read lots of biographies because I find it interesting to learn about people and I also love reading nonfiction pieces that I can get lost in and really just escape from reality through. I loved the Harry Potter series, but that is probably as “science fiction” as I enjoy getting into. I would much rather read romance novels or stories about everyday life that I can find myself relating to. Any book that paints a picture and allows me to imagine in happening as I am reading is a book that I would probably read.

2.     Imagine that you are on a committee that oversees book choices for a high school library in your town. What policies do you think should guide the committee’s selection of controversial books?

I am a very liberal person and I am very much against censorship, however, when it comes to impressionable kids I feel like it’s important to be careful when presenting them with literature that many would deem “questionable”. As far as the policy goes, I would suggest that no book be banned unless the book was intentionally written to cause disruption among its readers. That being said, books with excessive profanity, sexual dialogue or inappropriate content that aren’t necessary to the overall point of the book should not be given to children without consent of their parent or teacher. But, the first amendment protects these books and I believe that it is more dangerous to shelter children form the majority of “banned” books than it is to present them with it.

3.     Would you read a book on an iPod or a Kindle? Why or why not?

I have read books off of a kindle before and I think they’re great. I wouldn’t read them off of an iPod though because I think that it’s way too small. I think the Kindle offers the most realistic “book” interface because the screen looks just like a book and the turning of the pages looks real, even if it’s just electronic. I don’t think that I would ever replace reading a book with reading from an iPod or Kindle because I really love the whole reading experience that begins with picking a book off of a shelf and ends with turning the final page. I feel that reading is a really big way to de-stress and take a break from the technology that seems to be taking over our lives and to replace a book with more technology seems very silly to me. The kindle offers a lot; a library at your fingertips and the ability to travel with books without lugging around pounds of paper, however, I don’t think I’ll ever trade my beloved hardbacks for the simplicity of the kindle.

Chapter Twelve

1.     What do you think of when you hear the term public relations? What images come to mind? Where did these impressions come from?

When I think of public relations I immediately think of someone releasing a press release for a famous celebrity who has committed some sort of crime, like a DUI, and is trying to make a statement to the public. The reason that this is my immediate image is because in today’s day and time, that’s what many of us see as headlines as soon as we get online or opens a newspaper. I also picture a public service announcement such as “Just Say No” that I was presented as a kid to try and prevent my generation from smoking or doing drugs. Again, these impressions come from my experiences with Public Relations as a child and as an adult.

2.     What might a college or university do to improve public relations with homeowners on the edge of campus who have to deal with noisy student parties and a shortage of parking spaces?

The first thing that I would do to improve public relations with homeowners would be to establish a monthly newsletter from the college or university addressing the homeowners directly. The newsletter would do several things. First, it would educate the homeowners about what’s going on around campus, making them feel more involved with the students and community. Secondly, the newsletter would act as a liaison between officials at the university and the homeowners, alerting them of big events and dates such as home games and festivals that may interfere with parking. I would also make sure that there plenty of opportunities throughout the year for homeowners to attend open forums to discuss their frustrations at the university among other homeowners as well as students and administration.

3.     What steps can reporters and editors take to monitor PR agents who manipulate the news media?

To begin with, reporters and editors can help prevent manipulation by always reporting the truth, without bias. Although this doesn’t always happen, it is an excellent way to combat the sometimes-negative spin that PR agents put on news media.  Another step to take is to create a better relationship between news reporters/editors and PR agents by staying in constant communication and forming more friendly bonds instead of staying media enemies. I would also suggest that reporters and editors who find patterns with PR agents who continually manipulate the news media to do what they do best: report! If a PR agent is doing a bad job at what they do and they are providing false information to the public via manipulated news media, it is the job of the reported and editor to inform the public of the truth.

Chapter Eleven

 

1.     Why are so many people critical of advertising?

I think this is a really hard question to answer because I think people judge advertising harshly and without good reason. To begin with, many people think that certain advertisements are too sexual or vulgar, or that they don’t do anything to promote the product that they’re advertising. Unfortunately for these people, they only add to the hype of said advertising making the advertisements much more effective. The goal of any advertising is to get the name of the brand out there and to promote it well so that you’ll want to buy it.  People criticize the way that this is done because often times, advertisements contain questionable content that some say isn’t necessary in order to accomplish their goals. Even though the advertisement are simply a mirror of the demand by society, it is the advertisers who catch much of the blame for what is displayed in magazines, TV’s and other forms of advertisements.

2.     If you were a parent, what strategies would you use to explain an objectionable ad to your child or teenager? Use an example.

If I were a parent, I would begin by not sheltering my child or teenager from the ad because pretending that something doesn’t exist doesn’t mean that they won’t ever see it. I would much rather be able to watch it with them or explain it to them afterwards than for them to see it with their friends and be clueless. I would then explain why certain things were done/said and ask them how they feel about it. For example, if a commercial for KY Lubricant came on such as the one featured below, I would use this as an opportunity to explain why it’s been featured (glamorized sex sells) and then I would use it as an opportunity to talk about sex and see if they had any questions. Chances are they do (even at a young age) and this is an easy icebreaker. The same could be done if the advertisements in question talked about drugs, foul language, or other serious topics.

3.     Should advertisements aimed at children be regulated? Support your response.

Yes, I think advertisements that are directly aimed at children should be regulated. Children are very impressionable, and although free speech is given to everyone, regardless of age, I think that it’s the responsibility of the advertisers to make good choices when it comes to appealing to the young masses. Unfortunately, I don’t think the advertisers always have good judgment on what is and is not appropriate for children, so regulations are necessary. Not only do I feel as though children need to be protected, but I also feel that it’s important not to betray parents of children because they are the ones buying the products those advertisers are appealing to children. If parents are offended or upset, business will be lost.

Chapter Nine

1.     What are your earliest recollections of magazines? Which magazines do you read regularly today? Why?

a.     When I was growing up in school we would always read TIME for Kids or Highlights for kids in school. For leisure, I was always begging my mom to buy Cosmo Girl, Teen Beat, Seventeen, or Tiger Beat when we went to the grocery store. All of those magazines were full of color, fun pictures, quizzes, and posters and “juicy” gossip about celebrities or events. Today, I regularly read Cosmopolitan and People. I gravitate towards these because, similarly to my youth, I go for magazines that I can relate to. Cosmopolitan contains articles and images that attract me as a young women, People magazine contains articles that attracts me as a person interested in fashion and celebrity gossip. Magazines are one of the few sources of printed media that I still purchase because I find that it’s easier to read a magazine printed without getting side tracked on face book or Google.

2.     Discuss whether your favorite magazines define you primarily as a consumer or as a citizen. Do you think magazines have a responsibility to educate their readers as both? What can they do to promote responsible citizens?

a.     Cosmopolitan is my favorite magazine and I think it defines me as primarily a consumer, but it could also define me as a citizen because this magazine promotes equality for women as well as world issues. Along with fashion and relationship advice, Cosmopolitan does a good job of informing readers about world events. I think magazines that appeal to large groups of people have a responsibility to inform their readers about important topics to make them responsible citizens, but I also think that entertainment based magazines shouldn’t have to feel pressure to report on serious issues. I know for me personally, I read Cosmopolitan for fun and to escape from the harsh news like CNN. If I were to read Cosmopolitan and find harsh topics in every page, I would likely stop reading.

3.     Do you think the Internet will eventually displace magazines? Why or why not?

a.     I definitely think that the Internet will eventually displace magazines. To begin with, this is already happening. Several big time magazines folded last year and began only maintaining websites to engage readers. Martha Stewart Living, Seventeen and many teen-focused magazines are only online. I think this says something because teens are very plugged in when it comes to the Internet, so their news sources are gravitating towards the Internet only. As this generation grows, their news will stay online. Older generations still appreciate their printed media because it’s familiar, but as they age, their printed media will no longer be needed. Children born today may not see printed magazines because their connectivity will be much higher than that of adults today. While some magazines may remain in print, I think the majority will be phased out in the very near future in exchange for a URL.

Chapter Eight

1.     What kinds of stories, topics, or issues are not being covered well by mainstream papers?

Positive humanitarian issues are generally not covered well by mainstream newspapers because those types of stories don’t sell.  It’s true that you see occasionally stories about a Good Samaritan or someone who was down on their luck hitting the lottery, but for the most part, mainstream newspapers focus their content on global affairs (which are typically topics of war, poverty and economics), political issues and the wrongdoings of others (crimes, murders, etc).  Unfortunately, the general public rarely seeks after stories about positive issues because they are inundated with negative news stories throughout their day. With a war going on and the economy in shambles, readers want to know the state of affairs when they read their news, not about a woman who saves a kitten from running out in traffic. Readers also want to hear about murder trials and criminal offenses because they enjoy seeing justice served or sought after. That seems to be one of the few ways to provide readers with a sense of pleasure and education.

2.     Discuss whether newspaper chains are ultimately good or bad for the future of journalism.

I believe newspaper chains are ultimately bad for the future of journalism. In my own personal opinion, newspaper chains are recipes for disaster as they create the opportunity for one company to own and operate hundreds of newspapers, all with the same bias. For instance, a conservative company could own 200 newspapers and all may have a conservative bias. Readers may pick up three different newspapers and read an article on the 2012 presidential election thinking they are receiving three different opinions when in reality, they’re receiving the same conservative bias from all three news sources. This tarnishes the credibility of journalists because it makes the business look shady. When you stick to independently owned and operated newspapers, it makes readers feel as though they are growing and trusting in personal news source, rather than a mechanical and manufactured company.

3.     Will blogs and other Internet news services eventually replace newspapers? Explain your response.

I think this is a hard question to answer, but I would have to say that I do think blogs and other Internet sources will eventually replace newspapers. Since the invention of the Internet, society has worked to put everything into digital form. From movies, music, books and even university courses, everything has found a place in the digital world. Print media is no exception. Today we find textbooks, phone books, menus, and directories and even printed yearbooks becoming obsolete. Why would newspapers be any different? Magazine companies are halting their print right and left, all gravitating towards their websites to supply news and entertainment. I don’t think newspapers are any different. As the current generation of college students age into senior citizens, I think the Internet will then be dominating every demographic when it comes to offering news as well as entertainment and communication.

Chapter Seven

1.Do you remember seeing a movie you were not allowed to see? Discuss the experience.

            When Titanic first came out there was such a buzz about the sex scene between Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. It was also being hailed as one of the greatest movies made at the time. I wanted to see it really badly so I talked my older cousin into taking me. We fabricated this story about going to see The Parent Trap and to dinner, but we really went to see Titanic. I was really young but I loved it. I don’t really remember the scandalous feeling of seeing a movie with such inappropriate content because looking back I feel it was done in good taste.  I think I felt so grown up seeing an “adult” movie.  I also think that the media was responsible for all the hype that surrounded the movie in the first place. I was too young to really understand the historical background of the film and was more concerned with pushing the boundaries.

2.How often do you go to the movie theaters today? How often do you play DVDs on a television at home, or watch movies on a computer? Which experience do you prefer and why?

            I don’t go to the movie theaters often at all. I’ve made plans to go to the movies Friday night but that will be the first time in months. I play DVDs at home a few times a month but I mainly stick to Netflix and watching movies on my computer at home.  I prefer to do this because it is much cheaper and I can be more comfortable at home than I can in a theater and I have a way bigger selection. I can afford to watch more than one when I do it from home, where going to the theater is causing me to spend at least $9 on a ticket and more for food and drinks. When you do this on a college budget, it’s hard to repeat this experience more than once every few months or weeks.

3. If you were a Hollywood film producer or executive, what kinds of films would you like to see made? What changes would you make in what we see at the movies?

            I would love to see more films about happy and positive events, rather than the doom and gloom that seem to dominate the movies today. To find a happy movie that doesn’t include lots of sex, drugs, violence and cursing leaves you with seeing children’s films. I would probably do more to eliminate the suggestive appearance of women and the negative stereotypes of different groups of people rather than continue on with what has been happening. I would have to work hard to appeal to the masses, but I think it would be worth it to bring a bit of light into what is becoming and increasingly dark society.

Chapter Six

1. Do you think the must-carry rules violate a cable company's First Amendment rights? Why or why not?
I don't believe this violates the First Amendment at all. To begin with, a cable company is not a person in itself. I think that because the cable company submits to the FCC and relies on the FCC for permission to continue their business, they have no real right to complain about the must-carry rule. I think that the must-carry rule is actually a way to guarantee the First Amendment rights to everyone, not just those with the most power. With the must-carry rule, not only does the cable company have the right to put whatever they want on the majority of their networks, but local agencies have the right to a few networks in order to have their own voices heard without having to fight larger companies. Local networks would never have a prayer when it comes to fighting for the rights of channels if they were constantly up against stations such as MTV or CNN. However, with a few allocated stations, everyone benefits from the First Amendment.

2. CNN and MTV have changed our society as well as global culture. Have these changes been positive or negative? Explain.
I think it could be argued that CNN and MTV have changed society and altered our global culture for the worse because I think that many of the stereotypes and sexist ideals are enforced through these types of media outlets on a regular basis. However, as a whole, I think that these two networks along with many others have positively changed our society and global culture more than it has negatively. For one thing, both of these networks inform viewers on news, entertainment and current events. Informing viewers is a positive thing that leads to more educated viewers. Another thing about these networks is that they both appeal to young viewers. When many news stations gear themselves towards adults and older generations, it's refreshing to see two networks that appeal to younger crowds and engage them in events that matter. While entertainment is an obvious main point, especially when it comes to MTV, they integrate popular culture with news in a way that makes the station both diverse and easily attractive to younger demographics.

3. Some critics argue that citizens no longer participate in traditional neighborhood activities and that cable has played a role in fragmenting society, keeping us in our homes. Do you agree or disagree? What has cable done well, and in what ways has it adversely affected society? 
Cable has obviously distracted our society from going outside of our homes because now our society has another option for entertainment. Before cable, we were limited with things to do. Yes, radio was captivating but it wasn't nearly as indulgent as sitting in front of the TV and getting lost in the pictures. Kids especially wanted to go play with their friends outside, adults had barbecues and card nights. It was a society that depended on one another for entertainment that now has no reason to rely on the company of others. With the flip of a switch, cable connects us to the world and keeps us occupied and keeps us on the couch. Cable has done many things well, however. We're a more informed society because of the news and educational cable shows, and we're also well rounded because cable allows us to experience different channels devoted to different parts of our culture (cooking, dancing, history, etc.).  Cable has also inundated our society with programs that promote sexual promiscuity, sexism, drug use, and other negative things that are glorified on the small screen.  Cable has made what was once unacceptable, acceptable and has disengaged our society from real life. The positives have always triumphed the negatives when it comes to cable, however, leaving it successful and flourishing.

Chapter Five

1. How many cable channels do you watch regularly? What programs do you watch? What attracts you to a certain channel?

Growing up, I was a very fortunate kid. I had a television in my room when I was very young and was always allowed to watch TV very freely. I think that this caused me to become slightly immune to the hype of television as I got older, however, because now I rarely find myself sitting down to watch TV. On the occasion that I do sit down and watch, I don't have a specific channel that I'll immediately turn to. I might check out what's on the basic channels like CBS or ABC, and then I might see what's on CNN. Other than that, I'll just flip through until something catches my attention. I don't follow any specific show every week or every day, although I've seen and have enjoyed How I Met Your Mother, CSI, Big Brother, The Biggest Loser, AC360, and late night talk shows like Letterman. I'm attracted to stations and shows that can bring me the news, make me laugh, hold my attention and don't keep me waiting for what I want to see. Television shows like Lost would have only made me angry because I don't really like cliff hangers and I try not to get too invested in the plot of a TV show, which seemed to happen to many Lost fans.


2. If you controlled a cable public-access channel in your community, what would be your channel's goal? What could we do to make public-, or government-, or educational-access programming more appealing? Should we?

If I controlled my own cable public-access channel, I would probably focus on educating the community about the ways that technology will not only enhance our lives but also stimulate our economy and make us a competitive city that we once were, just like when furniture was our biggest export. Social media, social networking and the development and production of mass media merchandise have the potential to really move this area out of economic hardship and into profitable business. I think that the ways we could make public-, or government-, or educational-access programming more appealing would be to make the programs more visually appealing by including better graphics and set material in each program. I would also try to get current music to be played and for recognizable faces to appear on the station so that viewers could better relate. And I also think that it is very important for viewers to find our channel appealing because the goal of a channel being created is for people to watch it. If viewers can't stand to watch our channel, there won't be a purpose in having it anymore.

3. How could television be used to improve social and political life in the United States?

I think the simplest answer to this question is to say that television can be used to improve social and political life in the United States by informing our citizens. Television is such a popular form of mass media; almost everyone either has one or has access to one daily. It can be used for both good and bad, but either way you see it, it's still informative. By delivering the news to citizens, they can be better equipped to understand what's going on in politics as well as current events that will enhance their ability to function in society. The television provides people with the chance to have their voices heard and offers the chance for the public to understand several sides to the same story. Not only does it provide news but it also provides entertainment and information on a variety of topics not politically related that interest the viewer and make it possible for them to interact with others socially, while having an informed opinion on a broad area of topics. This makes for well rounded individuals and a more diverse population.

Chapter Four

1.Describe your earliest memories of listening to radio. Do you remember a favorite song? How old were you? Do you remember the station's call letters? Why did you listen?
I can remember listening to "Rick Dees and the Weekly Top 40" every Sunday. I can't remember how old I was, but I'm pretty sure I was between seven and nine when I first started to pay attention to music on the radio that I liked. Before that, I would listen to whatever my mom would have on (because she always had the radio on in the car or in the kitchen) but I would never really decide for myself. I don't really remember how I started to make it a ritual, but I would always make sure Rick Dees was on and I would listen to it until it went off, which was around one in the afternoon. I think it used to come on Kiss 95.1 but I honestly don't remember what the station was. I listened to this radio show because it played all of my favorite songs, which were of course top 40 hits, and Rick Dees didn't really talk that much. He focused on the music and I was always really anxious to see who would be number one.

2. How might radio be used to improve social and political discussions in the United States?
To begin with, I think that a really good example of how political discussion is improved in the United States is NPR. NPR delivers news via radio to listeners and this is typically political in topic. I know that when I listen to NPR, it provides me with a sense of comfort because I know what's going on and I feel confident talking about what I heard with other people because I'm informed. I think this happens with other radio stations as well. When I listen to Christian radio stations, there are plenty of segments where there is information given, or sermons preached, that gives listeners information that act as a tool when discussing the topics with others. Just about any topic can be discussed on the radio in a respectful way that doesn't violate any regulations, and because of this, radio can be used as a valuable tool for getting information to listeners so that they may be educated enough to carry on discussions with other people.

3. If you could own and manage a commercial radio station, what format would you choose, and why?
If I had my own commercial radio station, I would try my best to blend the news/talk format with an adult contemporary format. I would try to offer a few news segments that offered a liberal view of the news (and that's simply my being very honest and blunt because I'm very liberal and I wouldn't want to portray my station as a conservative station), a morning show that was fun and upbeat and then I would also play adult contemporary music throughout the day. I would do this because it's a blend of things that I really like. I love the news and I enjoy AC music and I feel that a blend of these things would provide listeners with the opportunity to become informed by the same station that keeps them entertained. It would be nice to have a station that parents could turn to without having to worry if the next segment was appropriate for their kids to listen to, so I would make sure that any topic or song that may seem too controversial was played during school hours. Some may call that a form of censorship, but I would consider that a courtesy to listeners.

Chapter Three

1. Who was your first favorite group or singer? How old were you at the time? What was important to you about this music?
When I was about six years old, the Spice Girls became huge in America. My older sister and I absolutely loved them. We listened to all of their music, watching their movie, bought their posters and knew every word to every song. As a gift from our parents, we were taken to see them in concert and it was one of the best memories I have, not because they were such powerful musicians, but because I was getting to see my idols for the first time at such a young age. My sister and I were not the only girls in America who were obsessed with the Spice Girls and I believe this is because of how catchy their music was and how they portrayed themselves. The Spice Girls was a group that promoted the idea of "girl power" which was something that no other group had done before. They sparked the idea that young girls had voices and their music was addictive not only because the beats were nice, but because the message in their songs were positive, age appropriate and the first of it's kind for my generation.

2. If you ran a noncommercial campus radio station, what kind of music would you play and why?
If I ran a noncommercial radio station, I think I would try to appeal to the entire campus by playing a very eclectic style of music. I would probably survey the campus to see what exactly the students wanted to hear, and then I would break my station up by playing different types of music during each hour. For example, early in the morning when many athletic groups are training, I would play upbeat music that would be good for listening to while you workout. Late at night when many are studying, I would play softer music. In between, I would alternate between the popular music that the students enjoy such as country, hip hop, Christian or rap. Because I would have the power of the radio station, I would probably find myself playing songs form each genre that I actually like. For example, when I was playing country music, I might play more Garth Brooks or Taylor Swift because I like both of those artists.

3. Do you think the Internet as a technology helps or hurts musical artists? Why do so many contemporary musical performers differ in their opinions about the internet?
I think that it when it comes to advertising and getting the names of musical artists out to the public, the internet has become essential. With MySpace, Facebook, search engines, and internet radio websites, it's almost impossible to get online without being faced with some type of musical reference. I think that without the internet, musical artists would be very hard pressed to make it big and reach their target markets, because almost every target market is now going online. I do understand the impact that illegal downloading of music has had on the industry, but I think that the cons of the internet as a technology are no greater than the pros. I think that many contemporary performers struggle with their opinions because they want to be compensated for their work, but they also want to have their music reach as many people as possible. With music becoming more expensive, many people can't afford to buy through iTunes or go to a store and get their music. Many artists don't want to lose sight of "making music for the sake of music" but they also know that it's their income at stake. There are some artists, like the lead singer of the Fleet Foxes, who advocate downloading their music illegally, and this is because they truly don't care about the money being lost because they're either making up for it in other areas, or they're comfortable with what they already have.

Chapter Two

1. What was your first encounter with the Internet like? How did it compare with your first encounters with other mass media?

I have trouble recalling my very first experience on the Internet because I hardly remember a time when it wasn't around. My earliest memories, however, are of the very first Internet service that was commercially available in America. CompuServe charged users by the hour to use their services and I still remember the excitement of hearing the dial-up tone as I anxiously awaited for the Internet to load up. As a kid, I didn't do much with the Internet but we always had it in our home. After CompuServe died out, we began using AOL and this is where my most vivid memories come to mind. I remember my first AOL user name was "flwrpwr98" and it was set on the most strict parental controls, as I was only seven years old. I remember visiting the AOL kids page, visiting the moderated kid's chat rooms and playing games on Nickelodeon.com. I was really intrigued about how the Internet worked and I was always fascinated by the idea that I could communicate with other kids in other states and countries. I think that because I was introduced to the Internet at such a young age, I became de-sensitized as other forms of mass media were brought to my attention. Printed media was just always "there", so I don't remember forming an opinion on it. When it comes to social networking and social media, as well as television media and radio, it seems very natural and almost a second nature for me to utilize. I think that this shows that my generation as well as the generations to come will be very comfortable with mass media and will not only be content, but will grow to expect bigger and better things during their lifetime when it comes to different types of media.

2. What possibilities of the Internet's future are you most excited about? Why? What possibilities are most troubling? Why?

 I am very excited about the future of social networking and social media. Lately, I have been more active when it comes to research and use of social networking websites such as Twitter and Face Book and how they can positively impact the success of businesses and education. I think that the idea that we can connect with the world through social media is so intriguing because their are endless possibilities available when we literally have connection to the world through our fingertips. For example, through Twitter updates to my cell phone during the snowstorm I was able to learn about road conditions and weather forecasting during a time of power outage. Another example of social networking at it's finest is a story I heard on the news, where a man and his wife were at home and his phone was almost dead as he discovered she had fallen and had a suspected heart attack. One tweet and five minutes later, someone had seen his cry for help and an ambulance arrived to save the life of a woman. While there are several positive benefits to social networking, I am hesitant to say that it could be known as a new way of life. To begin with, I am a big advocate of not replacing personal relationships with online relationships. It is very easy to rely on text messages, twitter and Face Book to keep a relationship going, and in turn, the intimacy and specialness of a relationship can quickly be subtracted. I find it troubling that many will assume that because social networking allows relationships to thrive that it is the only way to keep one intact and that is simply not the case. It is in my opinion that the best form of communication is still a conversation that can happen when two people are face to face.

3. Do you think virtual communities are genuine communities? Why or why not?

I have very mixed emotions when it comes to this question. I think that if I had to chose either a 'yes' or 'no' answer, that I would say no. Virtual communities offer an incredible amount of flexibility when it comes to staying in contact with society. Social networking websites such as MySpace and Face Book allow users to customize a profile, upload pictures and videos and communicate with others through comments and private messages. The level of connectivity that is generated through this form of media is overwhelming. On my personal Face Book page, I have over 700 'friends'. While there are many I've never really spoken with, there are hundreds that I would never make the effort to keep in touch with sans Face Book. This being said, I feel like the level of intimacy in virtual communities is very low. It takes little effort to communicate with millions of people, and often times, people will connect with hundreds of people they don't really know in order to gain a higher "status".  I understand that many people find it easier to talk to people through the Internet, but I also feel as though online communication eliminates much of our verbal communication and in turn, makes it harder for us to truly get to know other people. To say that virtual communities are not genuine is a rather large accusation, but to say that a virtual community is a well maintained, intimate community is also untrue. For a virtual community to be effective, one must keep in mind that it is simply an amplification of real life and that it cannot replace human contact.

Chapter One

1. Using music or television as an example, identify a performer or program you once liked but grew away from as you got older and your tastes changed. Why do you think this happened? Do you think your early interests in popular music or television have had an impact on shaping your identity? Explain.

When I was growing up in the '90s, Nickelodeon was the only channel I cared to watch and my favorite show was the Rugrats. When I was a kid, I thought this show was hilarious and I was completely captivated by the simple dialogue, bright colors and whimsical plots that somehow managed to hold my attention at a time when the attention span of most children rarely allowed them to sit still for thirty minutes without interruption. As I grew older, however, my love of this show along with the rest of the Nickelodeon line-up faded as my interests shifted. The older I became, the more interest I gained in current events and media that I could relate to. As a child, it is easy to relate to the simplicity of media that targets children because it often contains the same issues that children face with the same level of maturity and understanding that their age group is experiencing. Once my own maturity level surpassed that of the Rugrats, I was no longer interested in the television program and actively sought other sources of media to capture my attention. I do believe that my early interest in television had an impact on shaping my identity because the choices I made (for example, to watch Nickelodeon rather than the Disney Channel) allowed me to independently decide what my interests were. I was able to discover what made me laugh, what made me cry and what didn't interest me at all. This form of self-discovery paved the way for me as an adult to sort through the growing sources of media to find what appeals to me as an individual and what feeds my creative hunger.

2. Pick an example of a popular media product that you think is harmful to children. How would you make your concerns known? Should the product be removed from circulation? Why or why not? If you think the product should be banned, how would you do it?

 The invention of the cell phone was a great thing and there are days when I think I like my blackberry more than I like certain people. I do not, however, understand why children need a cell phone. I emphasize the word 'need' because you ask any child 14 and under if they need their cell phone, and the answer is an emphatic and dramatic "Yes!". While I don't believe that giving a child a cell phone in all situations is a harmful practice, I do believe that harm is done to children who are allowed to have a personal cell phone with no limits and restrictions. If I had a child of my own, I would allow them to have a cell phone with controlled minutes (such as a virgin mobile) to take with them when they are not supervised by a parent or responsible family member. I may consider allowing my child to keep this type of cell phone in their book bag at school (with the teacher knowing) in case I needed to reach them after school. I would not, however, allow my child to use this device to access the internet or to talk and text for hours to their friends. To begin with, cell phone use is a distraction and can interfere with studying and learning, especially if the cell phone is allowed to be taken to school without being monitored. I also believe that allowing children to replace verbal communication with text messaging is detrimental to intellectual growth and paves the way for difficulties in social settings where communication verbally is essential. I would also note that telephone communication is not always a bad thing, but that replacing human contact with technological contact completely is unhealthy. I don't believe that this product should removed from circulation because I believe that it's a beneficial product that provides a valuable service to many people. I don't, however, think that children should be relying on a cell phone so early in life so that they may be unable to function without it as they age.

3. Although in some ways postmodern forms of communication, such as e-mail,MTV, and CNN, have helped citizens participate in global life, in what ways might these forms harm more traditional or native cultures?

 With social media and social networking slowing taking over the globe, it is important to recognize what harm can come from something that can seemingly be so progressive that it has no negative attributions. Traditionally speaking, we are morphing into a society that is abandoning one of it's oldest forms of communication; the printed media is quickly becoming obsolete. With news sources shifting to online media, printed newspapers and magazines are quickly making their exit from circulation. E-mails, twitter and social networking websites are eliminating the need for many postal services, thus creating a problem for millions of people who rely on the printed media for employment. While millions of jobs are being created because of postmodern forms of communication, those who were qualified for employment for printed media (such as mail carriers, newspaper printers, ink suppliers, etc) are not qualified for employment with technology that is being developed currently. Another rising issue is that access to postmodern forms of communication are not always available to everyone. For those struggling, especially in today's economy, the access to the internet is sometimes very limited which makes it difficult to convert to a world strictly of postmodern communication. For many countries, internet

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