Media has quickly evolved from simply being able to read words on paper, to critically interpreting the images we see. As the article “Media Literacy: A National Priority for a Changing World” states, from television, movies, talk shows, cell phones, websites and more, media is no longer shaping our culture, they ARE our culture. The article mentions that education surrounding media is critical, as it is essential for us to teach our youth how to read and write using the emerging media. Similarly in the article “Eight Traits of the New Media Landscape”, it explains that individuals need to understand the logic behind media. Author Henry Jenkins uses 8 straights to characterize new media including; innovative, convergent, every day, appropriative, networked, global, generational & unequal. Jenkins explains that all these apply to different cultures, but of the 8, unequal is most close to the current education system. A prime example of such is seen in recent events, as the rich can simply pay their way into elite universities, while middle and lower classes struggle to prove they’re poor enough to receive financial aid. Finally, in the article “Does globalization mean we will become one culture?”, the author explains how global brands maintain homogenization throughout the world. In other words, brands such as coca-cola and Starbucks, are the same in all countries. However, some of these brands also assimilate into their societies, such as food chains like McDonald’s, who have different menu options in China than the US. All in all, our culture is being shaped by media, and because of this, the way we go about our daily lives, businesses and even schooling, is being changed every day.
Mar 18