The Chicken or the Egg?

Maybe watching TV does cause ADHD or maybe I'm just weird. This year I haven't watched TV or movies hardly ever because I just don't have enough time to. Last weekend, I did have a somewhat free night and my roommate wanted to watch a movie together. But I could just not sit still and focus through the whole thing. That's not the only time it's happened. It seems like the past few times I have tried to watch a movie or TV show, I just can't make it through the whole thing. I don't know what it is, it might be a good thing. They just don't hold my attention or they get kind of sketchy or I just feel like my time could be better spent doing something else. Is it a phase or is this just the way it will be from here on out?

The Medium is the Message

My little sister and I have been getting closer as she grows older and wants to talk more about boys and school and clothes and teenage drama. It's been really fun to talk to her on the phone or send her a text to wish her a lovely day. Now she's got a facebook so there's yet another way to stay in touch. So in a sense, the media has given us opportunities to stay connected, which is positive.
Last week we had a great talk about approval from others and where to base self worth. I felt like I wanted to express more to her how I feel and what I've learned on this subject. I considered the various forms of media I could use to get this message across. I could call and tell her, I could write her a message on facebook, I could send her an email, I could send her a text, etc. I finally decided to write a good old fashioned letter. I think that may mean more because it seems people don't send actual letters that often anymore. Of course, it won't get there instantaneously, so that's a drawback. But maybe it's not so bad to wait a few days for something. I just think it's interesting how many ways we can communicate through media and the different pros and cons for each.

TTYL

Our lecture on Tuesday made me a lot more aware of how I use the media in my relationships with others. I've always felt I was more on the conservative side with texting. But now I'm not so sure. I think texting has its place, it can be really convenient. Or the other morning I sent a text to my sister telling her I love her and to have a great day. That's not a bad thing, but would have it been better or more meaningful if I would have called and talked to her? (I guess that technically would still be using media). Ironically, as I'm writing this, my roommates are having a conversation about texting and when it is and isn't appropriate. One roommate brought up the point that texting is kind of like going back to the time of the telegraph with quick, short word answers. I don't know what the bottom line is as far as texting and relationships go, but its definitely something that's been on my mind lately. Also, just minutes ago I got on facebook for the first time in awhile and one of my friends from high school starting chatting with me. I was actually pretty happy (usually I get annoyed by those chat things and ignore them, so everyone probably thinks I'm super rude). It was fun to catch up. But I know I would probably never have called or initiated a conversation with him in any other context. It just wouldn't have crossed my mind. Is this a good or bad thing (or neither)?

The BigMac of Communication

The other day in my multicultural education class, we were talking about youth and young adults of the present day and how we could be summed up as "generation now." We demand instant gratification because that's the society we live in. You're hungry? McDonalds has a Big Mac ready in less than a minute (they even have a timer in the drive-thru line). You need to order tickets to a movie, you can do so online faster than it takes many people to brush their teeth. With text messaging, online chatting, etc you can communicate with others at the touch of a button. But you also expect an immediate response. Which can get awkward. Especially when you involve the opposite sex. I'm not gonna lie, I text and usually I too expect a quick answer back. But sometimes I just don't have my phone on me or want to think about what I going to say or am in a place where I don't get service or I just forget. But if I don't respond right away, sometimes the person on the other end reads into it and things get unnecessarily complicated. Or if a friend who is a facebook addict posts something on your wall, only you really aren't on facebook that often so you don't see it for a week or two (although, I guess it also notifies you through your email, so there's no excuse). It reminds me of that YouTube video someone posted "Everything's Amazing and No One's Happy." With all this instantaneousness, I think we (myself included) forget about the principle of patience. And we also create more ways to make things "complicated" in relationships with others. I guess what I'm saying is these new forms of media are double edge swords (as are most things in life, I find) and though they can be useful, there's something about real, face to face conversation that no amount of texting or "poking" can ever replace.

Latinos Representation

For my Multicultural Education class, we were assigned to research how another ethnicity is portrayed in the media. I choose to look at Latinos and it was pretty interesting. Here's a part of my paper:

The media tends to perpetuate racial stereotypes. For example, in popular movies and TV shows Latin males are often depicted as lazy, domineering, gangsters, drug lords, or criminals. In some films, they are portrayed as mysterious, romantic and astonishingly good at salsa dancing. Latinas are either submissive or feisty, but usually seductive and scantily clad. Unless of course they are older in which case they are cantankerous and stubborn. Sometimes Latinos are used in sidekick roles or as comic relief. Rarely are they the hero unless the majority of the cast is also Latino.
News articles about Latinos seem to focus on a few main topics. Several years ago, there was a lot of controversy about Mexicans crossing the United States border illegally. It’s possible that the news coverage on this occurrence may cause other students to view their Latino classmates as inferior because they may not be official U.S. citizens. Students may also integrate this with the criminal stereotype in films and lead majority students to be distrusting or suspicious. This prejudice may spread to any student of Latin descent regardless of their background and personal history.
The news also highlights the high dropout and pregnancy rates among Latin teens. In doing so other students may perceive their Latino peers as lazy, dumb or promiscuous. Latino students themselves may be discouraged by these findings which could perpetuate a type of self-fulfilling prophecy in the way they view their potential. Rather than have an attitude of meritocracy which encourages all students of their ability to be successful, these articles suggest the deficit theory which implies that those from a minority culture are lacking compared to those in the dominant culture. Fortunately, there are some Latinos who have risen above this notion and proved that, despite race, one can achieve great success. These people help counter negative stereotypes that Latin Americans may face.

The Church and the Media

I know a lot of people already wrote on this, but I am also fascinated by how the media can be a force for good as exhibited by General Conference. How cool is it that we can watch it in our own living rooms, or download it onto our MP3 players, or that it can reach people on the other side of the world!
In the latest Ensign and in other church publications, Church leaders encourage us to share about our church through blogs, chatting, etc.
On the other hand, think back to Elder Bednar's fireside when he spoke about reality versus virtual reality. Or how the General Authorities warn us against pornography of any kind.
The media really is a double edge sword.