Media Dependency Theory

     The 'Media Dependency' theory was developed by Sandra Ball-Rokeach and Melvin DeFleur in 1976. The basic hypothesis is that the more a person depend on the media to meet the needs, the more important the media is in  his life and therefore the more the effect the media has on that person. There are three media needs that a person has; to understand what is going on in the world around them, learn how to act meaningfully and effectively and also as a form of escapism.

I will be letting you guys know a bit more about myself by giving you examples of how I fulfill all three of those needs using the media and what it means to me. It is my hope that this blog posting will encourage you to think more about how much you rely on the media and the effects it has on you whether it maybe negative or positive.

First and foremost is the 'surveillance' function of the media. Arguably it is one of the most important need that I have. On a daily basis I approximate that I spend an average of an hour on Facebook and that is excluding the time when I'm logged into Facebook while I go about doing other task on my computer. I am also an avid reader of National Geographic to learn more about the world around us. My radio will always be on whenever I am driving and not to mention the newspapers which I make it a point to read everyday. The surveillance function that the media plays is a vital requirement for my daily activities. I cannot imagine living in a world so confined and removed from everything, not knowing what is going on around me and across borders. It serves as a perspective guide to me so I can get a broader view on everything. It also allows me to know what everyone is up to, because I'll admit, Facebook is sometimes irresistible even in classes at times.

For the second need, to act meaningfully and effectively, I suppose a good example would be about the blog post that I posted before this. It was about a book that had helped me through some tough times. It made me realize that I should rethink the principles and values I stand up for. Aside from that book, another example would be awareness advertisements as well.

As a form of escapism, I sometimes withdraw back into music when I am stressed or simply just to relax. The movies I watch also serve as a form of escapism, a good two and a half hours of 'The Lord of The Ring' takes me into a world of elves and dwarves. Just for that couple hours, I allow myself to be immersed in it for entertainment sake as well. Also another form of escapism that I cannot leave out is the internet. Whether it maybe Facebook, YouTube or Yahoo!, the internet is a major medium for escapism for me.

So there we have it, I think it's safe to assume that the media plays a major role in my life. The question is whether I have a control over this role it plays. Do you?

60-80mph. Making a difference.

    For the majority of us who drive on a daily basis, the urge to drive over the speed limit have gotten the best of our good judgment at least once in our life. A public service advertisement that was shown in class showed the limp and broken body of a young girl and her teddy bear. The scene was a profound strike to almost anyone who was not expecting such a direct portrayal of the dead, especially a young girl. The ad then proceeded to reverse time and showed the broken bones of the girl cracking back into place until the girl was back in the middle of the road. A message then appeared on the screen, providing information about the vast difference in surviving a car hit at 60 and 80mph.

    With the unexpected execution of the ad, the limp body of the young innocent girl practiced the 'Cultivation Theory'. Sometimes reading news of tragic accidents is not enough, seeing a 'dead body' albeit an acted out one, especially one that we can relate to really does make a difference. Even after two weeks or so since I saw the ad, I can still remember the scenes of the ad including the feeling I got when I saw it. It really did make a difference.

    That being said, if the cultivation theory can have such an impact on human beings, how else has the media shape this world we live in? The media practically revolves around us and is involved in everything we do. Would the world be a much different place without the media? Have we been duped into believing that North Korea really is the unpredictably governed and poor country it is portrayed to be? Is there not a different side to it? As a matter of fact there is. There is the incident when North Korean soldiers defected and left for the South. Or the story of the citizens just working hard living hand to mouth everyday barely scraping through.

    Despite these stories of ordinary citizens like you and me, there are still those among us who thinks we should just 'nuke' the country and be done with it. It scares me to see that sometimes they actually really mean it and think that the US should just be rid of that country or any other country it may be at war with. Perhaps they were probably just too ignorant to realize the many people who are undeserving of such a death lived in North Korea as well. Fanatics and nut heads certainly do exist in that country, but so do young children and honest working people. Either way, we have come to rely on the media too much. Time and again, many of us have failed to think critically of the messages portrayed by the media. As we sit in front of the 'Idiot Box' and let it do the thinking for us, we pass ill rationalized judgment on the world to both our own and societies doom.

The Unsung Heroes

     Often overlooked and under appreciated, it has always been a luxury we took for granted in our lives. It is an item that we know and trust to always be there for us when the chips were down. When the weight of the world is on your shoulders and your legs can't hold no more, it has always been there to keep you from falling onto your knees. Four legged to make up for our two legged weakness, it bears our weight uncomplainingly and will even work overtime till sunrise the next day if we so wish. One of these heroic and historic utilities can be found on the fourth floor of Taylor's Lakeside University's library where the heart of intellectuals lie.

What's this?

     A good example of this under appreciated furniture, this particular piece is the same like many others in the library. Made of a strong durable synthetic material, this 'backside' supporting device will never decompose due to a special formulated chemical compound formed in a chemical laboratory somewhere in Nevada, United States. In another words, it means that we almost do not ever have to worry about having a lack of place to rest our hind for the rest of our lives. To add to the bag of goodies, this unique piece of equipment is even painted white in colour to help prevent people from stumbling over it when the light condition is not favourable.

     During hot days especially in equatorial countries like ours, long periods of resting our 'backside' on this multi functional tool can sometimes lead to excessive accumulation of heat which ought to be avoided. Fret not though, for this particular unsung hero of a tool is even equipped with it's own specially built in cooling system to ensure that your bottom half would  be forever cool and ventilated! What more can we ask of this exemplary piece of cost effective machine that has come to play such a big role in our life?

The Twin Built-in COOLER 2000

                       

     Why, as a matter of fact, plenty more actually. This piece of ingenious creation is even fitted with finger holes to provide easy mobility when you need to use it on the go. Whether you maybe going for a picnic or just wanting to move to a quieter area, you can easily hook your fingers in and lift it up in one swift motion. If one may be so bold as to say, even putting wheels will not top the convenience of finger holes.

Dedicated holes for easy portability

     Last but definitely not the least is the ergonomically designed shape of this fine item. Custom designed to promise only the best for your body's comfort, it allows one to use it for prolonged periods of time with minimal discomfort. Whether you may be completing a last minute assignments or simply having a quick breather from a hectic life, the comfort it provides cannot be compared to any other of the same pricing.

Arguably the one and only drawback it has

     It has been around for thousands of years and it still will be for the next couple more. It may have evolved and changed in terms of outer appearances but the core function of it has always remained the same. It is the silent guardian that we fall back into in times of despair, and it is also a companion for the laughters we share, it is the one and only chair.

A book for dark times

     There was a certain period of time during my high school years that didn't go as smooth as I wished it to be. This was seen especially so when it came to my family as they were a way for me to release all the angst and confusion that I was experiencing at that particular time. Indeed, I had typically fit the stereotype of a 'troubled teen' and I sure hope as hell that those days are long gone and away. Everyone has their own way of dealing with troubled times to prevent themselves from being consumed by the darkness of the negativity. My source of reprieve laid in books, in particular fantasy novels. During my emotionally stressful teen years, I often would retreat into the new world that existed through printed words on paper. Out of all the works by the many authors that I have read, only one particularly left such an impression that it still lasts and resonates in my actions to this day.

    The author goes by the name of R.A. Salvatore who created a well known fictional character named Drizzt Do'Urden and is the protagonist of 'The Legend of Drizzt' series. Drizzt is a much beloved character by many in the 'Fantasy' genre of books and is portrayed as a dark elf who was born into a world of violence, deceit and hatred. In his underground society where betrayals and lies were common place in the pursuit of power, Drizzt who is an exceptionally gifted swordsman resented the ways of his people and valued friendship instead. Unusual for his race, he was scorned upon for the lack of the negative characteristics of his race and his skills with weapons. However, before he allowed his race to turn him into one that was filled with hatred and fuelled by the dreams of power, Drizzt held tight to his beliefs and principles that were the guiding light during his life in the underground world he lived in. (Also known as the Underdark) His upbringing was one that was riddled with questions and self doubt. Rarely shown any acts of kindness or love, Drizzt's only concept of what was right or wrong was through his own self understanding and instincts.

      In Salvatore's world though, there was also the surface world which bathed in sunlight. Perhaps like in reality however, the dark elves lived their life with blind faith that the surface world is a place that is populated with mortal enemies. Quite the contrary,  it was in fact a world that had multiple races living in it in relative peace and was also grazed upon by the many animals that inhabited it. A turning point in the protagonist's life was when he finally decided to leave the Underdark and emerge into the lighted world that would change his life forever.

      The series then continues to follow his numerous adventures and encounters with both friends and foes alike. A point I would like to emphasize on however is why these books meant so much to me during those tumultuous time that was my teenage years and even to today still. Besides using it as a way to fulfill one of the uses and gratifications of media, 'withdrawal' to be precise, the book served also as a nudge to my conscience to rethink about the things that I stand up for in my life. Do not misunderstand me though, I am not disillusioned nor do I think that our life is a fantasy. Nay, but perhaps I am a bit naive as there were many instances when the story was an analogy for the happenings in our society. Granted it may not be 100% accurate per say, but it definitely reflected a lot on the characteristics of our world. Perhaps my naivety stretches to the point that I believe we should always be helpful to those who are genuinely in need, even if they don't deserve it. The principles seen set by the protagonist of the novel ended up making me realize what are the principles and values I cherish as well. It is nothing extreme and I do not think that I am a kind of hero in a fictional story, but these realistic and maybe even idealistic beliefs has helped given me a solid ground during my teenage years. Through the inspiration of a fantasy genre novel, a fire was sparked and my life had so much more meaning when I started doing some soul searching about what I stand for.

     In the hectic and often unpredictable experience that is life, we may tend to stray from our goals and lose sight of our purpose in life every now and then. Whether we admit it or not, all of us have a way to overcome those challenges whether the source maybe from exercising, charity work, music or even reading a special novel. We all have beliefs and principles that we instinctively act upon even if we don't realize it and our ability to naturally judge what is right from wrong is proof of that. Although I do not read fantasy novels as much as I did before, never will I forget the potential it has for those who love reading it.