schedul … task 1 — media 24 W r i t i n g

Lectures: http://mediareportcard.com/rtvf110_win2021/schedul…

TASK 1 — MEDIA 24-HOUR FAST:

(Please make sure your name is at the top of every page of your paper. Double-space your paper and use 1 inch margins all around (it makes it easier to read).)

The first thing I’m going to ask you to do in this media class is GIVE UP MEDIA so you can see how dependent you are on it. There is no way I’ll ever know whether you actually did this or not. This is based upon your word and integrity. I would urge you to actually do this. It may be the only time you will ever be asked to do this. You are being rewarded to do it. Give it a try to truly see how much media you consume thoughtless and/or on purpose.

You must stop watching television/videos, stop listening to the radio/subscription music and stop gaming for one day (24 hours straight—you cannot divide up the day and do the hours separately.) This means: No online audio services like Amazon, Spotify, Pandora, etc. No DVDs played on your television. But also, no watching movies or television series online (Hulu, Netflix, etc.) No DVDs on your computer, either. NO AUDIO or TELEVISION/VIDEO CONTENT OF ANY KIND on any screen or smart device EXCEPT, OF COURSE, FOR ASSIGNED CONTENT FOR CLASSES OR MEDIA YOU ARE REQUIRED TO CONSUME FOR WORK. You can still use your computer for email and work, but no entertainment video/audio/gaming. It is only for a day. Let everyone know you will text them tomorrow.

You will get extra credit if you can find someone to give it up consuming media with you.

ONCE THE MEDIA FAST IS FINISHED:

Simply changing your routine viewing behavior will not have a lasting impact unless you take some time to reflect upon the meaning of it. This brings us to the second part of the assignment. CUT-AND-PASTE these questions into a document and submit your answers to CANVAS. You paper shouldn’t be longer than two pages total (not counting the questions that take up a page themselves).

1. Was it easy or difficult for you to break away from radio/television/gaming/media? Why or why not?

2. Describe the media or radio-listening/television-viewing (addicted) culture in the U.S. How did it feel to be purposely “disconnected” from these the media-focused culture? Why is it that we refrain from over indulging but we rarely consider media consumption an over indulgence?

3. What did you learn about your consumption habits?

4. What did you do with the “empty” non-listening-watching-playing? Did you seek out interactions with other people or simply consume different digital content on your computer? Be sure and describe how not consuming media affected your other life habits (eating, socializing with family and friends, news gathering, etc.)

3. Describe your interaction with other people during this assignment. How did people treat you because you were actively removing yourself from the mainstream? What was it like to interact (or not interact) with people based upon viewing/consuming (as opposed to other reasons: race, gender, class, etc.) What did you learn about our mediated culture? Briefly describe the media-using culture and what it is like to attempt to avoid that culture or become a member of a non-consuming culture.

4. Will your consumption habits be altered by the experience? That is, did you (will you) go back to the old ways (“normal”) or will you become more reflective and selective (a loaded question, to be sure)?

TASK 2 — MEDIA/PRODUCT CONSUMPTION LISTS

This assignment requires you to evaluate your current interpersonal and mass media relationships based upon your media and production consumption habits and create your media target-marketing identity.

PART 1: MEDIA CONSUMPTION LIST:

You will chronicle (in diary format) your electronic media consumption for one average day. List any books, magazines, newspapers, comic books, television programs, videos, online or video games, dvds, Web sites, radio shows, music (cd or online), events (concerts, plays, etc.) List the content and the amount of time you spent consuming. An entry might look like this:

DAY/DATE	MEDIUM	CONTENT	AMOUNT OF TIME
MONDAY 7/5	RADIO	NPR: FRESH AIR INTERVIEW PROGRAM	1 HOUR
“	BOOK (FICTION)	HARRY POTTER STORY ABOUT A BOY AT WIZARD SCHOOL.	30 MINUTES
“	IPOD	PODCAST: ROOSTER TEETH	1 HOUR
“	VIDEO GAME	SWITCH: ANIMAL CROSSING	5 HOURS

PART 2: PRODUCT CONSUMPTION LIST

You will provide an inventory os the products you’ve purchased and currently have in your home by making a list of EVERY product you use from the time you wake up, to the time you step out of the door to begin your day (one day only). I’m talking EVERY product you can think of: Bed, sheets, toilet paper, soap, clock radio, smart phone, breakfast food, furniture, the clothes you wear—EVERYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF. If you prefer a specific brand of product, name it. For example, you can write down toothpaste (if you don’t care what brand) but if you have a brand preference, list it (e.g., Colgate Toothpaste). You must also describe why you use the product. An entry might look like this (but your list should be MUCH MUCH LONGER):

PRODUCT/BRAND	WHY DO YOU USE THIS PRODUCT?	IS THIS PRODUCT NECESSARY? WHY OR WHY NOT?
TOOTHPASTE (COLGATE)	TO KEEP MY TEETH HEALTHY AND MAKE MY SMILE WHITER	YES, oral hygiene is part of being healthy
CEREAL HONEY-NUT CHEERIOS	I LIKE THE WAY IT TASTES. IT IS QUICKER THAN COOKING BREAKFAST	YES, we have to eat
LIP GLOSS MAC SPITE	I LIKE THIS COLOR AND IT KEEPS MY LIPS FROM GETTING CHAPPED	NO, it is a “beauty” product

PART 3: Review your media consumption (in PART 1) and your product consumption (in PART 2), then make one final list of cultural groups into which you think the media might categorize you based upon your consumer behavior. For example, if you wear sweat pants, Nike shoes and a t-shirt, would that indicate that you are an athlete? Are you an athlete? If you watch a lot of football (maybe because another member of your family controls the TV) you would still put sports fan on your culture list because media do not know you watched because of someone else. Or, maybe your food list indicates you are a vegetarian (whether you are or not) because there isn’t meat on your list. Does your list identify you as feminine/female? Masculine/male? Both? Neither? Are you religious? Do you own a pet? These are just examples of how to evaluate your lists.