Media not only affects the lives of those concerned, but also the public. When John was hiding in the lighthouse, people from different places came to see John as if he was some sort of tourist attraction. Why? Because in the film The Savage of Surrey, John was probably portrayed as an insane beast which was pathetic yet fascinating in the eyes of Alphas and Betas. It’s no surprise that some would even go through the trouble of paying a visit to the savage in person. Media caused their fascinations. In our society the power of media is far greater than we think. Sometimes the effects are immediate and obvious. Like a child imitating actions of a super hero after watching a cartoon. But other times the impact isn’t noticeable right away. For instance violence, the use of drugs and early sexual behaviors, are three main problems that emerge only during teenage and young adult years. This is due to the fact of media influences from our childhood.
One big part of media is television, due to its popularity. Good, or bad? In the case of BNW, negative effects are on the heavier side of the scale. But in their society where stability out weights all other aspects. People lived an identical life everyday. Their minds had already been molded into a fixed form. What they were allowed to see, hear or feel couldn’t prevail over their beliefs. Whereas in our society, freethinking and individuality are encouraged. So whatever messages we receive from media manipulate our mind. Instead of being controlled by hypnopeidia, we accept ideas through TV shows, movies, news in our conscious mind, and through subliminal messages in the unconconcious mind. Studies show that television not only changes people’s values but actually harm the physical structure and function of the brain, especially for children under 12. “Even educational programs such as Sesame Street may do more harm than good because they bombard them with sensory stimulation without allowing for the interaction that is essential to the development of the language centres in the brain”*. These flashing cards of letter without any meaningful context teach little to the children. Researches show that too much television can result in shorter attention spans and poorer listening skills.
In both BNW and our world, exaggerated or even false media messages are sent out. These messages once misinterpreted can cause disastrous consequences. Different forms of media continue to endanger our minds on daily bases. Instead of letting the government censor our TV programs as in BNW, we should sift messages from the media consciously. After all, our mind, our control.
How has outside sources such as the media affected people in BNW and today’s world?
In today’s media dominated world, one can not escape the impact of it no matter where you live. This impact can change the lives of both the target subject as well as the audience. Despite the intention of the media be it good will or personal greed for fame and wealth, the outcome is more like the same. That is: it does more harms than good to the persons involved.
- Effects of media in BNW (on whom it may concern)
- Chp 11, when Director is exposed of having a son
- Chp 18, when John is interviewed by a reporter/ Secret photographer taking pictures
- Effects of media in our world (on whom it may concern)
- Effects of media in BNW (on viewers)
- Couples visit John as a tourist attraction
- Effects of media in our world (on viewers)
- Immediate influences on children
- Violence, drugs, sex are strong impacts on teenagers, young adults
- Good or bad, worse in BNW or our world?
- Bad because it creates many disadvantages, and more in our world due to its instability
In both BNW and our world, exaggerated or even false media messages are sent out. These messages once misinterpreted can cause disastrous consequences. Different forms of media continue to endanger our minds on daily bases. Instead of letting the government censor our TV programs as in BNW, we should sift messages from the media consciously. After all, our mind, our control.
Bibliography
*“Endangered Minds”, Jane M. Healy (1992)
http://www.google.ca/search?q=cache:rcFdICLAPU4C:www.aap.org/family/mediaimpact.htm+%22the+impact+of+media%22&hl=en&ie=UTF-8