Media Deprivation seemed to me as if it would end up being the worst day of my life.Going a day without music, movies, video games, and my cell phone would be like going a week without food or drink.Since I am in a long-distance relationship, I need technological media to talk to my boyfriend.I thought this day would be a horrible experience.It turns out that what was difficult was getting my family and friends to cooperate with me.I had to put the project off a whole day because my sister wanted to listen to the radio on Thanksgiving.
My media deprivation started Thanksgiving night when I went to sleep at about 10 pm.I slept a long time, since it seemed to be a way to take up the time that wouldn’t bore me to death.I finally woke up at 1:30 in the afternoon, and ate lunch with my family.My parents needed to go shopping at a bunch of different stores, so I took my book and rode along with them.It was strange riding in a car without the radio, but the last Harry Potter book kept me busy and distracted.I got back and home, and I would have thought that I would start getting bored, but I was so into the book that I didn’t get bored.I read until 10 pm again, and the first thing I did was turn on my Xbox to talk to Lee, my boyfriend.Next, I turned on my phone to find out that no one had called me.I finally got on my laptop and checked Facebook and MySpace.
Media Deprivation wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought, but it wasn’t very productive at all.I could have cleaned or studied, but without music those tasks would have been unbearable.I realize how dependent I am on technological media, but I don’t think it is harmful to be somewhat dependent.
In “Two Cultures,” the discussion between Camille Paglia and Neil Postman had many interesting points; however Paglia’s arguments really won me over.Camille comments on the Catholic Church speaking of the images portrayed.She is talking about the polarity of Europe saying, “the Counter-Reformation of southern Europe, unbelievably lurid images – like Bernini’s St. Theresa having a spiritual orgasm.”She compares this to the North’s protestant views of relying on words, and therefore books, for religious purposes.Camille Paglia also comments on life’s insanity and surrealism. She uses an example where “You leave a restaurant and get killed by a falling air conditioner. A tornado hits a picnic.”She says that life is surreal and there is no sense to reality.I agree with much of what Camille Paglia said in her sides of the argument except a few minor details.She has many views on religion, but she never exactly shares her stance on what she believes, which helps me relate to her.I agreed with her views on the paganism of this century in Hollywood and of society in general.Even her defense of the Hebrew National commercials made me agree more with Paglia than Postman.This conversation about media was actually very interesting and Camille Paglia had many inspired thoughts that I agree with.
Towards the beginning of Nosferatu, On the way to see his employer, Harker is told by someone on the road that he “can’t escape destiny by running away.”Agent Renfield, a strange man with big, bushy eyebrows and crazy, white hair, is sitting at his desk examining a letter with an excited look in his eyes. Mr. Harker goes to see his employer, the strange Agent Renfield that is looking at the letter.The odd man is looking at a letter he had received from Count Dracula in Transylvania that was written in bizarre symbols.Every time Harker has a chance of seeing the letter, Renfield hides it from sight. Harker is told of an opportunity to go sell a house to Count Dracula, who wanted to move to Transylvania.He said it was a good prospect for Harker because the count was quite wealthy and not very stingy.The employer laughs as he tells his employee of a journey that he must take that might cost him a little pain, or even blood.Harker inspects a map on the wall, and turns back to Renfield telling him he will accept the job.When Harker inquired about which house to sell to the Count, Renfield told him that he is to sell the one across from Harker’s own house.Before leaving Renfield, Harker was given some interesting advice, that didn’t make too much sense at the time.Renfield said “don’t be frightened if people speak of Transylvania as the land of phantoms…”
Nosferatu was one of the first silent horror movies and it was made in Germany and was released later in America.Since silent movies were so open to interpretation, one could easily watch this scene and think about it differently than someone else.While one person would see that the fact that Renfield hides the letter from Harker to mean that he is in cahoots with Count Dracula.Perhaps Renfield and Dracula are the so-called “bad guys.”Another possibility is that Renfield is already known as a strange man, and this is just one of his quirks.Harker never questions Renfields decisions, and it makes the audience wonder whether Harker is just being a good employee, or if he is timid and shy.He never asks why Renfield chooses the house across from his, nor does he wonder about the warning he is given.One must wonder why Harker would be so bold as to travel to Transylvania and go see the Count when it seems so obvious to the audience that something bad will happen.It seems to be an early example of dramatic irony in movies, which is so prevalent in today’s blockbusters.
The invention of the telephone is a revolutionary event in the history of media and communication, and even in the history of the United States.The use of the telephone spread through society quickly and affected everyone, soon becoming a common part of everyday life.The telephone was invented on March 10, 1876 and while four individuals are credited as being involved in the invention, Alexander Graham Bell is most famously known as the inventor.According to ideafinder.com, the first telephone call was placed by Bell to his assistant Watson, “the first complete sentence was transmitted: ‘Watson, come here; I want you.’”While at first the Bell Company (AT&T) ran a monopoly, eventually the company was split into the various phone companies we have today.Today the telephone has become a part of life and almost everyone owns either a house phone or a mobile phone.According to nationmaster.com, in the US 889.952 per every 1,000 people have a main telephone line in use and 728.565 Americans per every 1,000 have a cellular phone in use.The invention of the telephone was ultimately positive for American society because it allowed people to be more social, contact many different individuals, and it is one of the fastest forms of communication available.
While some people would say that the invention of the telephone made America less sociable, it actually made people more sociable.There are a few ways that phones help to keep America social.The phone is used to keep in touch with those who we know, no matter how far away they are.Many would say that a phone call from a loved one means more to them than an email or letter.Being able to hear another person’s voice is almost as good as having them with you.Telephones also make America social because often the telephone is used to arrange a meeting or get-together that wouldn’t happen normally.Also, with cell phones more people stay in touch in more ways than just calling, an example being texting.Telephones also help in emergency and security situations.Someone in trouble can call 911 and get help much quicker than going to a police station or hospital.In emergency situations a person fortunate to have a cell phone could alert someone to help.
In the United States today, anytime, anywhere there are millions of citizens talking on their cell phones.While cell phones have created some negative effects on society, it is a positive aspect, too.Almost anyone can be reached whenever you need them, since they don’t have to be home to have access to their phone.Cell phones themselves have made communication even quicker.Being able to access the Internet, movies, music, and games on a mobile phone has become a new phenomenon.At anytime, anyone with a cell phone can get information without having a computer or an internet hookup.According to Dr. Sadie Plant, “Cell phones have given people a new found personal power, enabling unprecedented mobility and allowing them to conduct their business wherever they go.”Cell phones are so prevalent because they have a positive and almost uplifting affect on society, despite the few fallbacks.
The telephone is a quick, efficient, and generally inexpensive form of communication that is prevalent in American society.Unlike the telegraph, which was mainly used in businesses, telephones are used in homes or as cellular devices, as well as for business purposes.Before telephones, people would have to venture outside their homes in order to communicate with others.Regular individuals could either find another person to talk to face to face or mail a letter.Some individuals that were highly skilled could transmit messages using more specialized forms, such as Morse code.The telephone surpassed all of these in speed and ease of use.As long as a person could afford to have a telephone, they had access to one.Telephones today are relatively inexpensive in America, which makes them very common and available.Since most people can afford some type of phone, it is a form of communication that almost everyone owns.In The Impact of the Telephone on Society, it states that the telephone “saves the time to go to meetings, different work processes are easily coordinated and time as well as money are saved in dealing with customers by phone.”In business situations, the phone helps to make workplaces run efficiently and smoothly.Telephones have really affected society in a positive way because it is a speedy and proficient form of communication.
The invention of telephones had a huge, positive impact on America and its culture and society.From the first telephone call to the next room to millions of people calling and texting coast to coast today, the telephone has changed America.The telephone makes many people more social and allows friends and relatives to keep in touch even when separated by great distances.From the invention of the phone, it became a widely used medium of communication all over America.Telephones are relatively cheap, very easy to use, and an especially quick form of conversing.Without this incredibly useful and prevalent invention, the world would be a much worse place.
I turn over as Crazy Town’s “Butterfly” blares out of my cell phone and I turn off the alarm that wakes me every day of the week. I turn on my computer as I am waking up, getting dressed, and putting books in my bag for class. I check multiple sites on the internet including myUMBC, Yahoo! e-mail, Facebook, and MySpace. I attend my classes where I talk to my friends and professors. As I walk back to my dorm from my classes I call someone on my cell phone, usually my mom or my boyfriend. After getting home, I turn on my television and Xbox 360. On the video game console I connect to Xbox Live which allows me to exchange text, voice, and picture messages to other gamers all over the world. I talk to my boyfriend over the Xbox using a private chat feature while I play Two Worlds. Later, I go to dinner in the dining hall with my roommate where I pick up an edition of the New York Times. After dinner, my suitemates and a few friends from my floor watch a DVD, Scary Movie 4. As I work on some reading and homework for Biology, I also talk to my boyfriend over the Xbox again. I fall asleep with my microphone and controller right next to me.
In a typical day, as described above, I use many different forms of media everyday. When I was six years old, the variety of media I used was much different. At six years old, I didn’t have a cell phone, and I hardly ever used the internet. I have evolved my use of media greatly as I have grown up. I watch more than just sitcoms and CSI- type shows, now I watch the news. My change in media habits has definitely been affected by many people.
My mother and father obviously affected my habits by buying me a cell phone and also by encouraging me to watch something with substance, like the news. Others, such as my friends, furthered my love of video games, which led me to get an Xbox 360. Other people have influenced my media habits in smaller, less significant ways.
I try very hard to not have personal media biases, however I know it’s almost impossible to not have them. While I will watch both Fox News and CNN, I find sometimes I will skew my opinion of what is reported based on who is reporting it. I know Fox is more conservative whereas CNN is more liberal, so I always have that in mind while analyzing the news.
In the future, I don’t think video games will be as important to me, and I feel that the technology of cell phones, internet, and TV is still evolving and will change how everyone utilizes media. Right now though, my media habits are mostly revolving around my entertainment and education.
My name is April Armstrong and I am a freshman at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.I am currently undecided on my major, but I am considering a focus on Psychology.I graduated early from Joppatowne High School, and I took a semester of classes at Harford Community College.I now live on campus here at UMBC, and I am very excited to be here.
I have wanted to attend UMBC since I visited the university in fourth grade on a field trip with a school club.I returned to the college when my sister decided to enroll at UMBC, and I realized it was the school for me.After being accepted into three different schools, I chose this university.
I signed up for the Introduction to Media Studies class to fulfill a culture credit, and also it seemed to be a very interesting subject.I love the modern forms of media, such as television, movies, video games, and music, so the class greatly appealed to my interests.Even though the class seems quite intensive, it also captures my attention. I hope to have a great deal of fun and I hope to learn numerous new thoughts and ideas.When I finish this class, and ultimately when I graduate, my goal is to be qualified to obtain a superior career.I hope this class makes me appreciate the media more, and understand the difference between what has bad bias and what is acceptable.
Ever since January of 2007, I have worked at Hollywood Video in Bel Air, MD.I chose to work there because of my obsession with movies and games.I not only get to talk about films as part of my job, but I get free rentals on everything in the store.I always thought I watched a lot of movies, but I recently realized there are still so many I should see. Some of my favorites are Kill Bill Volumes 1 &2, Moulin Rouge, and The Princess Bride.Most people think girls don’t play video games, but I am practically a “video game goddess.”I have the Xbox 360, Playstation 2, and Nintendo Gamecube.Gaming is actually an enormous part of my life.
I have some other interests besides movies and games; I enjoy traveling, reading, and drawing.I have traveled to many of the states in America, and I have also visited Canada.Some of my favorite places are California, North Carolina, and Florida – probably because I find the ocean to be one of my favorite places to be.I hope to eventually travel to Europe and Asia.I am fascinated by the art from Italy and France and intrigued by the culture of Japan.In fact, I especially am interested in manga, Japanese comics, and I even attempt to draw some myself.One day I hope to voyage across the world and see many sites.
