My Media Diet

Upon recording and reflecting on my media diet, I realized that consciously thinking about my media intake resulted in less media consumption than I normally would have (perhaps I should apply this theory to an actual food diet as well).  Here is a record of my media diet for one full week: Monday October 18-Monday October 25.

Monday: This day is where I devote the most time to watch broadcast media. This is simply because the only television shows that I regularly keep up with are aired live on Mondays, namely “House” and “Gossip Girl;” and I watch them in that order beginning at 8 p.m. and ending at 10 p.m. Besides the only other interactions I had with media was checking my phone every time it buzzed, whether it be from a text, email, Facebook notification, or phone call. Total throughout the day I would say I contributed an extra hour of media consumption simply by checking and replying to messages I received on my phone.  Total: 3 hours. 

Tuesday:

This day I spent about half an hour in between classes listening and downloading new music. After my class, I went to the library where I read the assignments for this course, wrote and replied to a discussion question on Angel, wrote last week’s blog on Social Networking and Privacy and listened to music on my head phones all the while. About an hour was devoted to all these practices. Add another hour of responses to texts, phone calls, Facebook updates, and emails. Total: 2 1/2 hours.

 Wednesday:

I am proud to say I did not log onto Facebook. However, on this day someone shared an online video with me called “Dark Side of the Lens” (that I recommend everyone watch). It’s a 6 minute long video  and I watched it 3 times throughout the day because I liked it so much. My total time spent on the internet watching this video and sharing it with others summed up to about half an hour. Also in class on this day, we watched a few YouTube clips that illustrated the effects of the internet on presidential campaigns; add another half hour with phone communication to my parents, and sending a few texts. Total: 1 hour.

Thursday:

After I completed my mid term on this day, I surfed the internet on a web-site called “Stumble Upon” which was introduced to me as a “GPA Killer” and I agree with that statement wholeheartedly because it is extremely addicting. I also went on the website “Sporcle” which provides online quizzes for pretty much any category you can think of; all this while checking another open tab of Facebook from time to time. I have to admit I did this for about an hour. I also skyped with my Mom on this day for about half an hour. Add another half hour of using my cell phone. Total: 2 hours.

Friday:

I spent almost no time consuming the media on this day. Straight after class I took the Cal Train to San Francisco, the only technological advice with me being my cell phone which I did not use. Upon coming back to campus, I watched a movie with friends that was an hour and a half long. Total: 1 1/2 hours.

Saturday & Sunday:

I rarely used any media forms over the weekend except for doing research in the library and briefly searching facebook. I probably did 2 hours of research, and an hour of facebook and cell phone communication total. I did not watch any TV. I attribute this decrease in media consumption the increase of social interaction I engage in over the weekend. Total: 2 hours.

Monday:

I had more homework this week so I was not able to watch House--it was a repeat so I wasn’t too   disappointed. But I did watch one full hour of Gossip Girl, talked on the phone to my mom for another half an hour, and emailed my advisor, a professor, and my Dad. Total: 2 hours.

In one week it seems my media diet reached 14 hours! While normally I would find this discouraging, I came to realize that much of this was for the sake of convenience, studying, gaining more knowledge through research, and only 4 hours total devoted to leisurely watching broadcast media. Analyzing this data also made me want to cut out even more facebook time, and instead do more productive things with my time.

Technology and Social Interaction

It is clear that technology severely influences social interactions. Those of us who have access to technology often do not realize how much social interactions have changed because of the widespread use of social media forms. There is a convenience factor that is extremely evident. If I miss my parents, I can easily log onto my skype account and invite them to chat, have virtual interaction, see their faces, interact with them, completely free of all costs. If this technology didn’t exist I would have to pay for a plane ticket home to get this kind of interaction. For the most part, I would argue that technology has had a positive influence on my life, by allowing me to have continued social interaction by communicating across far distances free of charge.

The convenience factor presents itself in the countless different ways people use technology. If you want to sell your bike, click a few buttons, enter your information of Craigslist and voila, you get a phone call and make your profit. The same positive effects are evident in the consumers of websites like Craigslist. I know we’ve all heard those stories about the people who “found true love” via online dating websites. Even if we don’t know the people directly, countless commercials advertising these on-line dating websites assure us that they do indeed work for some people. The iPhone 4 even provides its users with the ability for “facetime” which is essentially face to face video calling. By utilizing this application, people in the business world can take conference calls to a whole new level and even avoid long busniess trips. It would be foolish to argue that technology has not provided our modern society with some major positive assets; the convenience of technology is undeniable.

On the other hand, I do fear that the excessive use of technology can provide some negative effects as well. Becoming dependent on technology for all social interaction is not healthy for our society. The first example that comes to mind are the kids who become obsessive with World of Warcraft. Online gaming addicts are clearly developing unhealthy habits by being so isolated and cooped up in a virtual world. They lose sight of reality and that is only one of the obvious, negative consequences. THey miss out on what is happening in the real world and fail to learn the importance of interpersonal communication with their peers. I believe that becoming to reliant on virtual interaction has a spiraling negative effect as the individual continues to grow. Without developing the ability to communicate well with others in real life, a child will have difficulty communicating with their peers, accurately expressing their concerns or triumphs with teachers and parents, etc. Being able to communicate with future employers, express your feelings, have an educated conversation I believe all stems from establishing proper communication skills at a young age--not by becoming addicted to Halo, but rather playing and interacting with other humans. However, to combat this problem of excessive virtual interaction and deficient social interaction, I don’t think that the use of technology should be regulated; on the contrary, individuals should actively be aware of the excessive use of technology and never forget to value face to face human interaction. 

Social Networking and Privacy

When I came to the library to begin working on this assignment, I became immediately distracted. I sat down at 5 p.m. in an isolated corner on the 3rd floor, with full intention to complete this blog quickly, and get on with my other homework assignments. It’s been half an hour since I set out to begin working and in that time I have:

-browsed through facebook

-received and sent six text messages total

-emailed my grandma

-received 2 phone calls

It is clear that I am a victim of the social networking world that we live in.

To be completely honest, if I weren’t working on this assignment, I would not have thought twice about the amount of time I spend being distracted by social networking devices. What’s wrong with emailing my grandma, texting a classmate, chatting with a friend, and facebook creepin’ on my high school’s homecoming? The average person my age would say nothing, and normally I would agree. Social networking makes it easier for us to communicate, keep in contact, and even provides us with leisurely activities and relaxation. Lock yourself out of the room while your roommate is in class? Not to worry, send her a text and she’ll be right out with it. Lost in the middle of no where? Just whip out your iPhone and GPS will take you where you need to go. It is clear that much of social networking is beneficial and convenient for society; my only concern is that we become too reliant on it.

At times, I do worry about effects of living in such a fast paced society. It seems our generation is becoming accustomed to instant gratification and constant communication. We are constantly surrounded by social networking devices no matter where we go. It’s difficult for me to come to the library and isolate myself in my studies because I am so distracted and so used to being in constant communication with others. Even when I am alone, I’m not really because I never really stop communicating with other via texts and what not. I’ve had to make a conscious effort to put my phone on silent and close the facebook tab on my internet browser. Realizing how truly affected I am by technology makes me want to be be like Thoreau and just go into the wild for awhile.

It is clear that isolation is something that no one really seeks anymore. Even when people are alone, websites like facebook make it easy for them to share “whats on their mind” with the public. I worry that people my age are losing the ability to fully live in the present moment. Social networking provides us with the opportunity to be distracted and lose sight of reality. People become overly concerned with posting pictures of epic beer pong games on facebook and changing the privacy setting to hide it from their relatives on facebook, but my concern is what did they miss out on in real life when they were busy posting those pictures? Our generation is becoming defined by technology and the way we avidly pursue it. 

Believe it or not, I’ve enjoyed the time I spent in the library this evening. For once, completely alone.