Media literacy was just two words to me. Not now.
Internet was always a useful tool to me. As to many young adults it served as a social media tool. And quite recently with this class it is a production tool. The videos of Michael Welsch opened my eyes to how information is changing. Not only that, the way we use information is changing. So it brings me to the question of why we must be media literate and what exactly is media literacy. The modern world moves so fast and technology is changing by the second with new Iphone applications or developments in 3D movies. The knowledge of how to utilise and function this technology is becoming increasingly important. Companies run from Facebook and have "viral" advertisement strategies in this age. It is more and more popular to see a movie being advertised on YouTube rather than the television. With this being said, shouldn't us as citizens or the public be able to at least use these sites and respond to the companies?
Here is a popular Viral advertisement for Sprite Zero.
Internet was always a useful tool to me. As to many young adults it served as a social media tool. And quite recently with this class it is a production tool. The videos of Michael Welsch opened my eyes to how information is changing. Not only that, the way we use information is changing. So it brings me to the question of why we must be media literate and what exactly is media literacy. The modern world moves so fast and technology is changing by the second with new Iphone applications or developments in 3D movies. The knowledge of how to utilise and function this technology is becoming increasingly important. Companies run from Facebook and have "viral" advertisement strategies in this age. It is more and more popular to see a movie being advertised on YouTube rather than the television. With this being said, shouldn't us as citizens or the public be able to at least use these sites and respond to the companies?
Here is a popular Viral advertisement for Sprite Zero.
Athletes lives are no longer as private, neither are celebrities. They can update the world with what they are doing or thinking with a "tweet" and anyone who is anyone can see that. Invasion of privacy or media revolution? Surely it is just good publicity? The NY times did an article on the current climate with Celebrities being Media Literate. They point out how times have changed in regards to the accessability of our celebrities.
In 2006, Time Maazine voted YOU as Person of the Year. They explained that us, the medie literate generation, with our user generated content was accredited as the biggest thing to happen that year. It can be seen here.
Media literacy can be defined as the ability to understand and function all the relative things in current media. We not only recieve information but we must make sense of it and consume it. But in current times, we can use that information, spread it and make our own.
On a site that focuses on media development, they have a page dedicated to investagating the definition of Media Literacy. It can be seen here.
I'll leave on this. I will always worry that the media and technology could move too fast, maybe even take us over. Then what?
Good post. I was wondering if there any specific examples you wanted to give about how social media invades our privacy. It seems with sites such as facebook people are able to act as their own "paparazzi", and this is for everyone now, not just celebrities.
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