Media in my Life

So I have been sitting here observing the questions on both the media survey, and the media use inventory, and I have no idea how to answer a significant amount of them. It is entertaining how I came into the class aware that media is present everywhere, but not really understanding how omnipresent it is!! Quite honestly, I do not watch television, and I don't find reading for leisure very entertaining. Similarly, I am not a technology wiz and I do not find myself surfing the internet. So how did I manage to score so highly on this media inventory?! Well, I now appreciate the fact that I do read my textbooks before arriving to class, and I listen to music practically all of the time, in fact I am listening to music as I type. I am also what people refer to as a "movie buff." Going to the movies, renting movies, finding movies on lifetime (only when I am in desperate need), or digging through my own collection is a definite part of my life and joy of mine.

I have to admit, this class and two other classes have me challenged to find places and activities without media! In some ways I find it overwhelming, because my mind is not necessarily taking a break from class (mainly because it is all new to me). On the same note, I am going to make it a point this week to really tally how many hours a week I am exposed to the media I do use.

Madden

Foos Ball!!! Ok but seriously, football in the U.S., along with all major sports, has a huge impact on our society and media. Another staple for media is technology. So what do you get when you mix the two? Madden.

In this past week Madden 2007 was released for a variety of game systems. It got me thinking about what an amazing career John Madden had, and that this game may have been even more successful than his superbowl victory coaching the Oakland Raiders! Annually, since 1992, a game is released in his name with an almost identical concept, and the same people continue to invest in this pastime each year. Not to say John Madden, or those who work for him, has not done the research. He has found a way to incorporate a changing society in the way his games are designed. For instance, in this year’s game release there is an option to play in a life-like simulation. In this fantasy world you are the player. You workout, audition for movies, sign endorsement contracts, talk to your agent about trading, and more.

Our society loves technology, but even more, loves video games. It is almost entertaining in itself to see such an overlap in different media sources. There are music options, in which you can choose what bands you listen to and prefer, there are advertisements, and best of all…there is fun.