Easily the book that has influenced me the most is The Bible. I am a follower of Jesus, so without the Bible I would be quite lost. But even for those who don't believe in a God, the Bible is still an influential book, simply because of how much it has shaped our culture. Currently I'm reading through the whole Bible in 90 days, so I'm getting quite a lot of exposure to this book right now.
Another book that shaped my life is To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. which I have read upwards of seven times. This book really spoke to me because it is a story of how life is. The story as told by Scout is full of imagery and power, because the author has gone through these experiences. Every new disclosure is like a punch to the gut, because by the time you are halfway through the book you care as much about these characters as you do about yourself.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas is another book which I find myself comparing my life to at times. The depth and breadth of the characters and situation in that novel means that no matter what situation you are in, there is a comparable one in the book. The plot is unbelievably complex, which can be hard to follow, but it is definitely a book worth seeing through to the end.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Media Impact
The fake news source "The Onion" is popular even though it does not report actual news. But what effect does fake news have even though the audience knows that it is false? Flow theories show that the way the mass media is transmitted to the audience is a complex issue, so I suggest that a study is done in which popular media figures, like Oprah or Katie Couric, present fake news stories similar to The Onion. The randomly chosen testers will be told that the news is fake, but afterwards will fill out surveys that border on some of the issues covered by the fake news. Despite their prior knowledge that the news is fake, my hypothesis is that selective exposure, perception and retention will allow them to agree with the portions of the news that appeal to their bias, while rejecting that which counters it.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Media Autobiography
Books are for me the most important form of media. While many would claim to be incapable of living without the internet, life without books would be hellish, at least for me. I read at least a book a week, sometimes more, and occasionally more than one book per day. I am what you would call a ravenous reader, or a bookworm if you felt the need to be derogatory. There are books that I don't like, but they are few and far between, the vast majority I will read and enjoy, however much the genres differ.
The Internet follows behind books in importance, I find it extremely useful, and could probably get little done without it, but books are as necessary as breathing. I am on the internet very often, checking my facebook and following whatever webcomic I happen to be reading at the time, or just surfing and wasting time, although I have little to waste.
Recordings, especially those of music, are also a big priority for me. I love listening to all kinds of music, whether quietly on my headphones or loudly on my computer speakers.
Television is often easily replaced by the Internet, most of the shows I watch can be easily viewed online. Some of my favorite TV shows include Glee, House, and Scrubs. I hate waiting through advertisements, so the internet is often a better option when watching a lot of Television shows.
Unfortunately for movie producers everywhere, I am not much of a movie person. I enjoy a good movie as much as the next person, but I rarely go to the theaters and own few movies of my own. I love old classic movies and borrowing movies from my friends.
Radio to me is like grabbing a random person's ipod and setting it on shuffle then adding commercials. In short, I don't like it. I'd much rather just use headphones or connect my phone to the speakers.
Magazines and Newspaper feature content I mostly just look up online rather than read the print version.
Of all of these, the only one I did much of during my formative years was reading, so that one continues to have the greatest impact on the person I am now. All forms of media are good in their own way, and we would be much worse off if any of these were removed from our society, and my personal preferences are simply minor allocations.
The Internet follows behind books in importance, I find it extremely useful, and could probably get little done without it, but books are as necessary as breathing. I am on the internet very often, checking my facebook and following whatever webcomic I happen to be reading at the time, or just surfing and wasting time, although I have little to waste.
Recordings, especially those of music, are also a big priority for me. I love listening to all kinds of music, whether quietly on my headphones or loudly on my computer speakers.
Television is often easily replaced by the Internet, most of the shows I watch can be easily viewed online. Some of my favorite TV shows include Glee, House, and Scrubs. I hate waiting through advertisements, so the internet is often a better option when watching a lot of Television shows.
Unfortunately for movie producers everywhere, I am not much of a movie person. I enjoy a good movie as much as the next person, but I rarely go to the theaters and own few movies of my own. I love old classic movies and borrowing movies from my friends.
Radio to me is like grabbing a random person's ipod and setting it on shuffle then adding commercials. In short, I don't like it. I'd much rather just use headphones or connect my phone to the speakers.
Magazines and Newspaper feature content I mostly just look up online rather than read the print version.
Of all of these, the only one I did much of during my formative years was reading, so that one continues to have the greatest impact on the person I am now. All forms of media are good in their own way, and we would be much worse off if any of these were removed from our society, and my personal preferences are simply minor allocations.
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