Alyssa


 * __‍‍‍MEDIA STUDIES JOURNAL ENTRIES ‍‍‍__**

//October, 11th 2011//

1. I never realized how much media influenced me and how it was always part of my life. Even the smallest events such as watching the news, reading the newspaper, or staring at advertisments on the subway, I was being exposed to media. I have had many experiences with media that it would probably take years to list them all. There are 3 main forms of media that I am exposed to daily such as itunes, which I check quite often to see the newest songs releases by famous artists. Secondly, I would check facebook which organizes my social life and shows who did what and who's going to where, etc. Lastly, I would go on a website called youtube to watch the famous well-known youtubers because they tend to upload videos often. Youtube is where people are being discovered by their talent for example: Justin Bieber. We are the ones that accumulate their viewers and once they reach a certain amount they start getting sponsered and paid. Media is everywhere that wherever you go nowadays they have BlackBerry Pins which you can scan and add them as a contact and you can communicate with them and it's unlimited. Also when you buy something from a shop they ask for your email so they can email you about their sales and discounts etc. Recently I went to an American Apparal warehouse sale and I found out through facebook, I guess the American Apparal store decided to create an event through facebook to make it known around quickly because people tend to check facebook everyday. And it worked because when I got there, it was packed and it's so cool how media can spread messages so quickly and that's how all these people got here. That sale was one of my recent media experience I would never forget.



**3 main forms of media that I am exposed daily:**

2.One day in media class we watched a short video of the //peep culture// which explained how people peep into other people's lives phenomenom exposing themselves to get attention. This video also showed us how we are changing into attention seekers and becoming someone we are not to get attention, into a narcissistic. Hal who wrote the documentary film had said, " it is addictive and I feel as if I have became a character, not a real person." Also some people even pay $1,000 for a weekend training of hot to get on reality TV show which basically teaches three things: confidence; authenticity; and their stories. I mean is this really worth it? It feels almost like everyone is dying to be on a reality show, people watching about their life. I just simply want to think that people wants to get NOTICED, and want people to talk about them and feel loved? The handout we recieved during class, one of the question asked us: //can we make meaningful relationships online? What is real friendship today? How do you feel about the Australian University study that found that " people who blogged and used social networks felt less anxious, stressed and depressed and more satisfied with their frienships?".// I picked this question because I agree with it hundred percent and it really made me think wow what is real friendship? Real friendship today is meeting someone online. We meet people through facebook like your friend's friend and you talk to them through chat we don't even use the phone anymore because now we can just chat someone up on facebook and recently, they even created video call on facebook chat! Most of us who have facebook accounts have at least 600 friends and I bet you we don't even know half of them! People just feel more loved when we have like 1000 friends on facebook but in reality we have never even talked to half of them. It is ironic how they are considered your friend on facebook but you've never even talked to them and friend is someone you know well and companies you. Also people who blog and use social networks we do feel less stressed and depressed because we are communicating with others and feel more loved and we're not alone. I guess also more satisfied with our friendships because we meet new people through social network and we feel happy when we meet new people.

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3. BlackBerry Smartphone has caught my attention even before school started. Only because my plan ended with my old Nokia phone and I had a choice to get either Blackberry or Samsung Galaxy. To see which was a better phone with more features and benefits, I had to do a little research on both phones and found out that BlackBerry was better because they had more social network system benefits. I recently got a BlackBerry Bold 9900 and I was pretty much addicted to it and was really satisfied with everything. Even though BlackBerries have less apps than Iphone that didn't really bother me and I liked the fact that now I can chat with people who have BlackBerries and it was unlimited because it came with the plan. Just as I was getting used to the BlackBerry, recently RIM had some troubles and BBM ( BlackBerry Messenger) had some errors and messages weren't able to send and receieve. It didn't work for 2 days which is very bad and that kind of made me re-think about the whole BlackBerry is the best phone! But, as it started working again RIM apologized for the inconvenience and due to the problem they decided to give out free apps even the ones you have to pay which was nice for them. Overall, I think BlackBerry is a really good phone and it definately caught my attention since the beginning of school.

[] here's a clip from RIM founder apologizing for BlackBerry outage.

4. //Celebrity,// just hearing this word first thing that comes in my mind is GLAMOUROUS. Their lifestyle is just abnormal things that people only dream about, they are our role models and makes us want to know **where do they shop, what do they like to do on their spare time, what do they eat....?** We want to know what they are doing and want to become just like them. Well recently Toronto held TIFF which is a big film event where Hollywood stars/ international stars come to Toronto for a film festivel! This has been a big issue in Toronto because we are one of the chosen cities to hold an //internation film festivel//. BIG stars come and stay in Toronto I mean that's pretty exciting! [] red carpet at TIFF stars like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt walk the carpet in Toronto! Also recentley, Charlie Sheen has been out of the Two and a half men due to his actions... Replacing Charlie Sheen is Ashton Kutcher who is one of my favourite actor of all time! This has been a big issue because Ashton Kutcher is a huge star and it was surprising that he out of all those people would replace Charlie Sheen. I am really glad just because Ashton is hilarious and very talented I would like to see him on Two and a half men.

5. Everyday media changes and leaves big impact in our lives. On October 5th 2011, one of world's most successful and genius entrepeneur also known as co-founder of Apple, Steve Jobs has passed away.. This left many of us in disbelief and was a world-wide tragic event. Steve Jobs was a genius he's the man who started it all! Apple product is number one selling in almost all over the world and not only for phones but also for computers and mp3 player, which they call it an **IPOD, ITHOUCH.** Apple products have over 1000 apps and they have every possible thing human needs. Apple has always surprised us with more and more upgraded features and they always come up with new and impossible apps and generations for their phones, mp3s, and computers. Now I just can't wait until what the Ipone 5 will bring! Maybe.. it will allow us to have wifi everywhere we go even on the plane!