Media Education - Blog Week 8

               Although, many areas fascinated me in this week’s material, two comments made by Marshal McLuhan (1976) I found particularly intriguing. Firstly, he felt television is a participatory medium when many people view television as a passive activity.  However, when asked what type of programming is most effective he outlined sports events especially something like the Olympics because it is ritualistic and flows.  He felt that the viewers’ feel like participants.  Thinking back to watching the Olympics I do recall a sense of participation that seemed to grasp you.  It was a discussion point the next day at the office and the scope of the games from the opening ceremony to the actual events drew you into the excitement.  In fact, when the games ended I felt a sense of loss because to follow them had been so much fun.  However, if McLuhan had not identified this concept I don’t know if I would have recognized it as participation. 

In many senses, although I do not actually watch many of the popular television shows it does appear that Reality TV is exceedingly popular and these shows encourage people to follow and participate in. Viewers have the opportunity to vote.  This area of television seems to have exploded and it may be because audiences feel part of the process.

As to the next statement I found particularly interesting from McLuhan (1972) is that he felt that war was now being brought into the living room and this in itself would help prevent war.  This is an interesting concept that by visualizing the atrocities of war means people are more reluctant to sponsor a war.  Thinking back to when the troubles in Ireland and Vietnam were the forefront of the nightly news this type of reporting did have an impact on me.  I would not have been so aware of what actual fighting meant had it not be for this type of coverage.  Now whether it does ultimately prevent wars is another thing but it certainly creates awareness by the visual content.  Awareness and education can go a long way in solving problems.

Reference:

McLuhan, M. (2013) Marshall McLunhan Speaks Retrieved from:   

http://marshallmcluhanspeaks.com/television/

Digital Youth and Social Movements - Week 6 Blog

I was fascinated by the presentation from Raquel Recuero on her discussion of youth and social movements in Brazil.  What I felt was so interesting is that the country seems to have quite an experience with social networks with 70% of the population aged 16-25 using the Internet on a regular basis.  Brazil is now the 2^nd largest country for users of Facebook which was only fairly recently introduced.  Hence, I felt it was so valuable to reflect upon some of the areas Raquel presents as to what is occurring with use of the social sites in Brazil.

               The tools being used are social sites on the Internet and they seem to be creating powerful connections within the youth of this country.  One fascinating site she discussed was created by a young man who has grown up in the favelas and has created a space “Community Voices” which tells the story or what is happening in his favela.  Why I find this so intriguing is that this is coming out of a favela which traditionally has been ignored by the local agencies and really is unto itself and here others have the opportunity to see and hear insights into the community.

               Another recent emergence Recuero’s described is the site created to show dance moves and then invite others to the challenge to improve the dance in the Small Step Battle. Groups were learning from each other and had formed their own competition.  What is important is that individuals came together for this activity and connected which may not have happened without this particular site and additionally this was a peaceful interchange. 

               What I find so exciting is the energy and passion that is being created by such activities.  Although, when looking at “Changing Citizenship in the Digital Age” the article seems to paint a much more dismal picture of youth and the social sites.  I feel that if groups are able to see opportunities to create, learn and change using the internet we have the potential to create a much better society.  Perhaps how we measure social responsibility in this country is too tied to government agencies and we need to reevaluate and encourage the opportunities the Internet can create.

Digital Youth, Social Movements, and Democracy in Brazil. Retrieved on 10/16/2013 form:

http://connectedlearning.tv/raquel-recuero-digital-youth-social-movements-and-democracy-brazil

Recuero, R. (2012). Brazil: Kids using digital media to teach each other, change culture. Retrieved on

10/16/2013 from: http://dmlcentral.net/blog/raquel-recuero/brazil-kids-using-digital-media-teach-each-other-change-culture