MEDIA SLAVE

What effect does media have in our lives? This is a question that I have often asked myself. Some will argue that Media controls everything we do. Others will say, that media has an influence, but does not control who we are. I believe in today's day and age, media has a larger influence on us than any other outside source does. But, how can I honestly say that I know of the effect that media has on my life, and on the life of others? Well, I guess I could sit down, put on my science cap and do some sort of large scale social experiment. But, I'm not a scientist. So, when we were asked to choose one of two options to either A) fast for three consecutive days, from all things media (cell phones, computer, TV, movies, ect.), or journal all of our media use for three days, I realized this was my opportunity to see for myself, how addicted to media I really am.

My adventure started even before I could choose which option I wanted to try. Deep down, I really wanted to try and do a fast for three days. I believe this would more accurately represent how much, I really need media in my life, but there where so many things that I could think of that I really “needed” (a.k.a. “wanted”) to watch, or do that involved media. The sad part about all of this is that I don't even need to write anymore for you to see that I am a media slave.

I found that during these three days, I sent a total of 79 text messages. I spent 7.5 hours watching TV, 2.5 Hours listening to the radio, 2.5 hours watching a Movie, and the most incredible stat is that I spent a whopping 24 hrs and 25 Min on the computer during those three days (Mostly because of work). After adding all of this up, (not counting the text messages sent) I had spent a 34.8 hrs, on some type of media device.

When I got through calculating this number I was astounded. That means that for almost two full days out of the three, that I recorded this information; I was using some type of media device. I was also surprised to see I spent almost a complete day on the computer in a three day period. I wonder what the difference would be if someone my age conducted this same type of experiment 10 years ago. I imagine that they would not believe me when I tell them that in a three day period I spent more time on a computer than I did sleeping during those three days.

In conclusion, this exercise has opened my eyes to the influence that media has on us on a daily basis. If my days are filled with about 11 hrs of media on a daily basis, no wonder why my parents’ generation is so worried about us. I believe that the future does not hold any type of respite from the grasp of social media; in fact, I believe that its hold and influence will just continue to grow and grow. As I said before, I did not even have to gather, record, and analyze this data to realize that I am truly a media slave. And if I am a media slave, that means most likely that you are too.