#4. Teenagers

Out of all the viewers of television and film, I believe that teenagers are affected the most by what they see. Being a teen is the time when people start to learn about themselves, distinguish what's right from wrong and search for independence. But the things a teenager hears and sees through the media play a very hefty role in the opinions and thought processes of a teenager. Most of the movies and TV shows that depict teens within them are about high school anyway and automatically steal the attention of teenagers. The media can be seen as both positive and negative for teens in many ways. I'll start off with the positives. What a teen expects from shows and movies regarding other teens is something that they can relate to. And once a teen (you know what, probably anyone, but mostly teens) finds a character that is exactly like them or that is going through the same trouble as them, feelings of comfort arouse and the pain of loneliness and/or sadness does decrease. Finding something that a teen can relate to makes the teen feel that they are definitely not alone and there is always some sort of hope out there. Relatable characters are very much seen as examples and are great motivators. What a teenager learns from the media can be beneficial as well. I feel that the media does a great job in showing how certain people solve the issues and problems that occur in life, and teens especially can apply these factors in their own lives. But of course, there's a plethora a negatives from what teens can learn from the media. Body image is definitely the manifest negative. The media always demonstrates how hot people should look and what to wear to look hot, which directly affects the thought of teens, because, well, which teen doesn't want to impress the opposite sex? Like I stated in my post about women, the expectations for what's hot and what's not and what's in and what's out are all filtered and processed through the media and ultimately greatly affects teens. The teens who don't and can't live up to these expectations portrayed by the media ultimately suffer by being made fun of (as this especially occurs within high school students). What's "in" doesn't only mean clothes and looks, but it can also mean the really bad aspects like drugs, smoking and alcohol. The drugs, smoking, and alcohol (partying hard) can sometimes be seen as a really "cool" thing in movies and TV shows (wait, and today's great music). I have witnessed this myself as I have seen so many teens show off how much booze they consumed in a party and weed they smoked that one day, and media plays a huge role in this. Why do these teens think all that is cool? Simply because it looks cool (sarcasm intended). A lot of the negatives are shown through the high school stereotypes brought about in movies like Mean Girls and shows like Glee. The populars, the jocks, and the nerds have all been shaped within the media. Overall, the media does have an immense role in teens and how teens see themselves and the environment around themselves.

#3. Love and Romance

"That only happens in movies." is a phrase that is stated numerous times during a discussion of love and romance. But it is true in a way. Most of the love and romance shenanigans that are portrayed in the media are truly unrealistic and overdone. (But I'm really not saying that every single itty bitty portrayal of romance within the media is illogical, some portrayals actually do make sense). The vast love stories, the epic motives to win love and the super dejected personas of characters in unrequited love all are just ways to show the audience that, yeah, love is never really going to happen. Take the movie Dear John or even the recent movie The Vow for instance, the love stories are over-extravagantly lovable and epic that the audience is supposed to feel as if nothing that epic is every going to happen within their lives. And this is exactly how love and romance portrayed in the media affects society. The reason that there is a very high audience rate for the cheesy romantic comedies and dramas is because the people expect something "big" to happen and they then desire to feel the emotion that the characters within the film are feeling. And by watching love and romance through the media (or even by reading those cheesy novels) emotions are evoked and desire is increased. Overall, the love and romance within the media affects what we as a society think of love. In actual, the media has defined "love" for us, and what we expect of from romance and love. I have to admit, I truly am expecting a totally awesome love story in my life and it's all your fault, media!

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My blogging will be halted for a few weeks, but I am coming back with even more interesting topics! Thank you.

#2. Women

Just last week, the academy awards passed by and boy, the audience saw a very wide variety of dresses worn by the women of the night! The viewers judged and complimented throughout the night, and this is one great example of how the media defines what is expected by women. What I mean by this is that the media has been portraying women in such a way that society has developed so many expectations from women. The way women dress, look, women's actions, and everything that surrounds a women has all been shaped by media; it has created a stereotype for women. From the beginning, women were always portrayed as pretty little human begins working in the kitchen at home with the children; in books, newspapers, and then in 50's during the rise of mass media. Hence, women are expected to stay at home, cook, etc. (But this is obviously getting better overtime, although there are still idiotic jokes based off of what women are expected to do). Alongside, media also portrays how women should dress and look like. Such as how comedian Tina Fey stated, "All Beyoncé and JLo have done is add to the laundry list of attributes women must have to qualify as beautiful", and this exactly explains how women are expected to look. Any "beautiful" women in the media is mostly always portrayed as a girl with a hot body and a perfect face, and now women are struggling to keep up with this type of expectation. Along with appearance, media has also set the standard for how women should dress and at what age, etc. (But I will discuss media and fashion in depth in another post). Makeup and fashion ads stereotype women the most, this is because of the way they portray that all women constantly care about their makeup and how they look, and hence women are stereotyped almost all the time by this. 
Overall, media has and will always determine what is expected within a women. 

#1. Politics

"Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!" - The Wizard of Oz
This quote from the Wizard of Oz exactly explains how mass media plays a very important role in the political spectrum and public opinion, in any type of government. No matter what we watch, read, or hear, there is always a political factor shadowing it, and this is greatly influencing our political views. But why is there always a political shadow behind mass media? Well, universally, most of broadcast media, maybe even all, are owned by extremely wealthy figures, and hence, this means business. The most profitable way broadcasting companies gain profit is by endorsement for specific political campaigns, and therefore, covertly incorporate the endorsement within the "news", shows, advertisements, etc. And it is from these hidden campaigns that we, the public, choose our political views and opinions. How mass media portrays these political campaigns is what really influences our views. Every broadcasting company depicts the campaigns uniquely, and accordingly, public opinion is influenced by a variety of views, and inherits a variety of views.
This is my true interpretation of how the mass media influences our political views and how.

Oh, Media!

Mass Media. Mainstream Media. One absolutely enormous spectrum. From the day to day television we watch and the radio we listen to, to the newspapers and books we read. Yea yea, we all know what it is but what is it's function? The function of mass media can be seen as the invisible force that holds everything in place. Everything? Yes, the "everything" may seem a little ambiguous, but think about it: What shapes our personality? Our daily schedule? Our dreams, wishes, inspirations, everything? The answer is none other than the mass media that surrounds us, but it is always unnoticed. Mass media is an invisible force. It's a force that allows us to communicate and to be communicated with the factors that we have become so close to within ourselves but are so far away from, as if they are in a different dimension. But we humans rely on our mass media like a best friend; more than any other human.
But how exactly does mass media do it's thing? Well, this is what I'll be discussing in this blog. These are my interpretations and opinions of modern mass media and how we as a society are affected by it. These are not fact at all, and you may have a totally different view of the effect of modern mass media. Feel free to discuss by commenting!