my media diet

In recording my media consumption for the last week, I am more aware than ever just how dependent I am on technology for everything in my life.  The most apparent media source that I use is my cell phone.  I use it so much everyday that I don’t even realize it.  One day this week, my phone was broken.  I had to take it into the store to get it fixed and after checking it out they said they would do a software update.  They told me it would take about a half hour so I could just wait.  I sat down and immediately went to pull out my phone to text someone, or check my facebook, or surf the internet.  When I realized that I did not have my phone to occupy me for the small amount of time, I freaked out a little bit.  I am so reliant on my phone that without it I could hardly function.  After a half hour, they told me that it would actually take about an hour and a half more, so I could leave my phone and come back in a bit.  I drove home, feeling naked and when I got home, I immediately turned on the tv and opened up my computer.  I had only been without my phone for only a few minutes and I felt so disconnected from the world.  This instance really made me take a look at how dependent I am on media.  I am on the my computer constantly.  The internet is always there and ready for me to look up any little thing that I need to. This past fall, I was studying abroad on Semester at Sea.  For the 108 days, we were allotted 120 internet minutes each.  Besides our assigned email, that is all the internet we got.  That alone was a very different experience for me.  We also didn’t have tv and most people did not have working cell phones.  Luckily, I had an international plan, so my phone worked in the middle of the ocean, but in using the internet on my phone as my primary internet source, I realized how much I rely on the internet and technological media.  I am always consuming media, whether it be googling something I want to know more about or reading the latest celebrity gossip on perezhilton.com.  And as much as I depend on media, I know so many people my age who rely even more on media than me.  I think that may be one of the things that shocks me most, with all the media I consume, so many others consume even more than me.  I think that being aware of my media intake is the first step.  I do not think that more or less is better or worse, but I do think that in being aware of my media usage, I can more efficiently consume my media in my day to day life.  This activity alone has been a great eye opener and Ihope to keep in mind my media consumption in the future.

technology and social interaction

While I believe that technology holds infinite possibilities to improve life as we know it, I do think that it has had and continues to have a negative impact on personal interaction and relationships.  I think that the widespread use of technological communication has cut down on face to face communication.  Because we can shoot a quick text or send a facebook message to someone to tell them something, we cut out important face to face interaction which is an important part of any personal relationship.  Also, with the use of technology, I believe there is a depersonalization of relationships.  Because we cannot see the person on the receiving end of a computer or cell phone, people are less likely to realize the importance of a message they are sending.  This can lead to the breakdown of a personal relationship or even cyber bullying.  Because the bully does not have to face the consequences of their actions on the other end of the computer, it separates one’s actions from their consequences.  Also, another aspect of technology that affects communication is the element of anonymity.  Because one can be anonymous more easily on the internet, people do not have to take as much responsibility for their actions online.  Because of this, people are more likely to speak out in hurtful ways which they would not necessarily do if they were in a face to face situation.  I think that technology and the internet enable humans to limit face to face interaction which I think is not a very good thing.  As humans we thrive on companionship and human interactions so I think that taking this technology to the extreme could be unhealthy.  However, I think the key to technology is moderation,  and when used in moderation, the advancements of today can be very helpful to everyday life.  As for meeting people online, I realize that my first reaction is not exactly fair.  I would say that I myself would never meet someone online, but with the success of sites such as match.com and eharmony, I realize that it is unfair to judge internet meetings.  While I am hesitant to support it because there are many crazy strangers out there on the internet, I know there are many normal people out there too.  Knowing that these internet sites have brought so many people together successfully proves that although there may be drawbacks to meeting people on the internet, there are many benefits and it enables people to connect with others that they would otherwise maybe not had the opportunity to meet.  While I do think that technology can be a useful tool, I think that the emphasis of relationships must remain on the real life interaction.  While technology makes it easier to meet people or communicate with others who are far away, I do not think that you can have a relationship without face to face interaction.  Therefore, while technology can supplement human interaction, I do not think it can take its place.

Social Networking and Privacy

Social Networking is a huge part of life in 2011.  Almost everyone I know uses, Facebook, twitter, or some other social networking mechanism.  Although I use Facebook, I have put a lot of thought into my Facebook use.  I realize that I spend a lot of my time messing around online as a distraction from homework or other tasks I need to do.  Although for many people my age, the point of Facebook is to be able to stay connected to people, I have found that the people I do talk to on Facebook for the most part are the same people I call and text and see everyday also.  I have considered deleting my Facebook because I do waste time because of it, but while I’m in college I think I need to have one.  As a student at SCU, I receive messages from the school, from classes, and from dance team through Facebook, so at this point it would be very impractical for me to delete my account.  However, I have thought about deleting my Facebook after I graduate from college in 2012 and I think I may.  Another thing I do not like about social networking sites is that the line between our personal lives and what information we are putting out for the world to see becomes almost obsolete.  By posting a status or a picture, we are basically allowing the entire world to see, but because we do not see the people on the other end, it does not seem as serious.  While I do think the technology of social networking has major benefits, I think we need to keep in mind just how public things that we post are.  The benefits are not always apparent, but when I am Facebooking my friend studying abroad in Spain, I am reminded just how beneficial it can be.  The privacy issues are the greatest concern for me.  I always try to have my Facebook account on the most private settings, but sometimes there are settings that I don’t know about. This got especially scary when a man began stalking me and then found my Facebook account and contacted me that way also.  As for the rest of the social networking sites and programs, I have no desire to get involved because that only serves as another channel where my privacy could be invaded.  One exception to this rule I believe is celebrities.  Celebrities are really bound to have their privacy invaded, so social networking channels such as twitter give them a place to set the record straight and let the truth, or their version of the truth, be known.  All in all, I think social networking has many benefits, but I think it is important for users to keep in mind the drawbacks also.  If everyone is careful in their social networking usage, I think the benefits can definitely outweigh the possible harm that can come with it.  As long as everyone understands the seriousness of their actions on a social networking site, the benefits and technology are a fantastic addition to our everyday lives.