Slide 1 : Surviving for 7 Days without the Media http://www.englishbanana.com/talkalot/ My proposition: “Can I survive for 7 days without the media?”
What is “the media”?
My definition:
“The media” consists of various constantly updated streams (or channels) which contain news, information, and entertainment – in particular that which is considered, usually for reasons of profit, to be the most important at the present time.
The primary purpose of the media is to make money by advertising products and services. By-products of the media (or secondary functions that result from this) are: information (e.g. news, weather, research info), entertainment (e.g. TV shows, music, films), and communication channels (e.g. email, phone calls, chat).
Slide 2 : Advertising mixes in with news, entertainment, and useful services, until it is inseperable from that which we actually want to get from the media...
Slide 3 : Surviving for 7 Days without the Media http://www.englishbanana.com/talkalot/ What is “the media”?
Media Streams:
radio newspapers internet shop windows
television magazines mobile devices street advertising
cinema games consoles junk mail
public events
Slide 4 : Surviving for 7 Days without the Media http://www.englishbanana.com/talkalot/ What is NOT the Media?
Slide 5 : Surviving for 7 Days without the Media http://www.englishbanana.com/talkalot/ How I Use the Media – Self-Assessment Form Media Streams: radio / television / cinema / newspapers / magazines / internet / mobile devices /
games consoles / shop windows / street advertising / junk mail / public events
Slide 6 : Surviving for 7 Days without the Media http://www.englishbanana.com/talkalot/ Some points for discussion:
How many of these streams are switched on in your life? To what extent? Low, medium, or high? Have you got too many switched on? What effect do they have?
What is swimming in each media stream…? (advertising and marketing for the latest products, e.g. music, films, books, games, technology, toys, fashion, food, etc.; news and factual information; entertainment; sport; communication, etc.)
Isn’t the aim and net effect of these media streams to make you feel dissatisfied with life and with yourself so that you buy more?
Thanks to the internet, we can now buy a single device that can open up all of these media streams. Who benefits the most from this – you or big business?
Slide 7 : Surviving for 7 Days without the Media http://www.englishbanana.com/talkalot/ Pros and Cons of the Media:
Pros of the media:
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Cons of the media:
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Slide 8 : Surviving for 7 Days without the Media http://www.englishbanana.com/talkalot/ Pros and Cons of the Media:
Pros of the media:
We feel connected to a wider community and wider world
We can get relevant information that is helpful to us
We get the positive benefits of the secondary functions of the media streams, e.g. faster communication via email or mobile, and enjoyment from the entertainment and sport
We learn things that we didn’t know before. Our knowledge, outlook, and experience widens
The media challenges our views and beliefs in a good way
Cons of the media:
The media brings the market into our homes and personal space like never before. In the past the market was outside the home. Thanks to the media, we can now carry the market with us in our pockets. How did it get so close? How exposed are we to the market? How exposed to it is it healthy to be?
We spend money that we do not have buying products that we do not need
A lot of the information that we learn is totally irrelevant – or gossip – and as such is a distraction
The media encourages us to waste our time
We learn much that is not helpful – information that perhaps we shouldn’t know – which can cause negative feelings of low self-esteem and fear (e.g. crime reconstructions, plastic surgery shows, etc.
The media dictates our views and beliefs. It tells us how to think, what to wear, how to behave, etc.
We can hide behind superficial online relationships, not seeking out opportunities to interact with people in real time and space
Slide 9 : Surviving for 7 Days without the Media http://www.englishbanana.com/talkalot/ The Media Junkie VS. The Media Realist
Slide 10 : The Media Junkie VS. The Media Realist
Slide 11 : Surviving for 7 Days without the Media http://www.englishbanana.com/talkalot/ A few conclusions:
Understand the function of the media in society
Understand your relationship with the market. How susceptible are you to the market?
Consider that although the media brings advantages, it also has disadvantages
Too much exposure to the media can be harmful
Be selective. Learn to take and use only that which is valuable
Consider how we use the media for escapism and how it feeds our dreams of a better life – preventing us from living in the moment
Consider whether you use the media as a form of white noise to block out silence and quiet. Why?
Take regular breaks from the media, e.g. 7 days off. Put your head outside the cloud from time to time! E.g. go for a walk in the country – where there are no shops and no marketeers
Don’t share too much personal information online. Control what you share
Don’t put the media before genuine personal relationships, e.g. family and friends
Consider whether you are communicating on public channels of private channels
Know that the media doesn’t always want what is best for you. Make your own choices
Use the media, but don’t let it use you!