Here is a summary of my experiences in various forms of mass media.
Books: I learned how to read because of reading books so books played a huge role in my early education. In high school, I used to read a lot of science fiction novels as well as comic books and graphic novels. Presently, the only books I read are required textbooks and novels for my college classes. I like physical textbooks instead of electronic ones because I can rapidly skip pages and browse different sections in a physical book. Books tend to me more expensive and hauling them around from class to class can be painful at times.
Newspapers: I do not subscribe to physical newspapers and I prefer to receive my news online, Occasionally, I read some free newspapers I get at Milpitas grocery stores and spam mail advertisements. I like newspapers because they have crossword puzzles and Sudoku and they are entertaining when commuting or waiting around in a public place. I don't like how flimsy the newspaper is constructed and how it falls apart with all the different sections and pages. I especially hate when a newspaper story is continued in a different section of the newspaper!
Magazines: I do not subscribe to magazines, but I will buy a single issue of health, sports, or news magazines to read on my spare time. In some places where there is no internet, a magazine can keep me occupied for hours at a time. I like magazines because there is a ton of information presented focused around a specific subject matter. There are some magazines that I cannot bear to read such as tabloids and entertainment news but I imagine there is a market for those topics.
Movies: If I watch a movie in theaters I prefer to watch big blockbusters on opening day to experience the crowd hype and excitement. I sometimes download movies I am not that passionate about and watch them at home on my computer. I like movies for their entertainment value and especially ones about controversial topics and ones that require a lot of critical thinking. Movies are an excellent source of entertainment and great topics of conversations as you can debate the pros and cons and themes of certain movies with your friends. I don't like it when movies make unneeded trilogies and spin offs. I challenge Hollywood to be creative and original!
Recordings: Ever since the advent of Napster, I have been downloading music or streaming audio files from the internet. I usually do not pay for music CDs unless I want to support a specific musical artist. Music is a chance to capture feelings and emotions and place them in catchy songs. Music is an important aspect of pop culture and will continue to influence the masses because of the shared experiences they provide.
Radio: I listen to radio whenever I commute in my car. I listen to NPR, sports radio, and various musical stations. For my morning commutes, I listen to AM radio to find out about weather, traffic, and news. Turning a radio on makes dull moments such as commuting or working out a little more interesting. It enables listeners to carry out other tasks while still receiving information through airwaves. I don't like radio commercials and hunting for radio stations in a new area.
Television: Growing up as a kid, I used to watch Sesame Street and Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood. Those two shows were a big part of my early education. In elementary school, I would turn to the television to watch cartoons and to find out the latest and greatest toys to play with. The television was a major influence on my young life. As I got older, the only TV shows I watch are local sporting events: Giants, Athletics, Warriors, Niners and Raiders. TV is a great way to unwind after a long day. It also is great to watch sitcoms for comedy, and documentaries for education. With the advent of cable and satellite, there seems to be a channel for every possible interest.
Internet: I use the internet on a near daily basis to check my email, keep up with current events, order products online, research for classes, completing college assignments, and connecting with family and friends. The internet has connected society in many facets and made it easy to share your experiences on a broad scale. I don't like the fact how anything you put on the internet instantly becomes public domain knowledge so one must be careful for internet scams and identity theft.
I have never had a job in the media, but maybe taking this class will stir my media interests. I believe I am a decent writer so I am not discounting a journalistic career. I have visited Iraq, Korea, Japan, Afghanistan, and Thailand but I have had limited contact with foreign media primarily because I did not understand the native language. I am an American Studies Major and I am transferring to San Francisco State during Fall 2013.
