Media Literacy, Vital as Literacy
Why media literacy is so important in our day and age.
What is media?
Media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media. Media literate youth and adults are better able to understand the complex messages we receive from television, radio, Internet, newspapers, magazines, books, billboards, video games, music, and all other forms of media.Everyone’s a reporter, a journalist, a photographer, and a film maker. Everyone has something to say, a story to tell. Everyone’s an “expert”. But the definition of media literacy has expanded because knowing how to communicate across all mediums is an essential in this century. Medial literacy raises the capacity of citizens, to participate life on another level and political policy for the better. Media literacy is more positive than negative because it enhances justice, freedom, awareness, and steward ship. Before, people were really able to get away with mostly anything. But now everybody is a filmmaker, reporter, a journalist, a photographer and so it’s not that easy anymore. Our world has changed so much that maybe thirty years later someone would need to get a digital citizen ship to participate in the world of the internet.
The Mind
media literacy
What is Dystopia?
Definition of Dystopia
Super Bowl Commercial
Budweiser aired the commercial, "A Puppy's love" in 2014 during the Superbowl trying to create a connection between Budweiser and happiness. Budweiser uses a puppy and horse which appeal to peoples emotions of love and friendship and in the commercial the two become friends. Budweiser's purpose was to quickly and effectively draw a connection between their product and happiness in order to persuade more consumers to purchase their product. The intended audience was very broad as a large diverse percentage of Americans were watching the super bowl at the time.
Can we Auto correct Humanity?
Can we auto-correct humanity? Can we find balance in a world that is constantly asking for our attention, updates and uploads? American writer and teacher on the social effects of internet technology Clay Shirky says: “Our social tools are not an improvement to modern society, they are a challenge to it.” I agree, but I am optimistic that these challenges can be overcome. You need not delete your social networks or destroy your mobile phones, the solution is simple: be balanced, be mindful, be present, and be here. Let’s be honest, we humans ignored each other before digital technology. We must train ourselves to be in and to appreciate the present moment, bringing our minds back to our bodies with mindfulness. Digital technology is the signature of humanity; it is our creation and therefore it is totally natural. In and of itself, there is nothing inherently wrong with it. We must, however, maintain our place as consumers and not be consumed by it. We must not become addicted to it and neglect the biological technology of our hearts and our connection with nature and other human beings. The pixels in your smart phone might be of good quality, but the resolution in the real world is a lot clearer. For me, sometimes, an emoji from my girlfriend won’t do, I want to see her actually smile. So put the phone down every now and then, close the laptop and experience the world - don’t just capture and share it. In all this digital insanity, sometimes I imagine a world where we smile when we have low batteries, because that will mean we are one step closer to humanity. Also, when you are using social media, use it to spread good not bad. Share current events or causes that you believe are important and share kind words with your peers. This is what social media was intended to do, not spread hate and judgment.
Reflection
My view of media literacy has stayed exactly the same. Everyone should be and need to be literate in media in this day and age. The growth of our technology and media will not slow down and it will still move towards a more "connected" world on the technological level. It is up to the individual on how much this affects them.