Communication Today

In Today's modern society, nothing really could be accomplished without communication. By communication, I don't necessarily mean talking to one another- but by cell phones, TV, radio, the computer via IM or email or blogging and the list is really never ending. I was reading a New York Times article for my Communications class, and Joe Hanson, a 22 year old college grad said that "he almost never buys newspapers or magazines, getting nearly all of his information from the internet.." He also said that, "'Papers are so clunky and big,' and if those words are alarming to old media, they are only the beginning of a larger puzzle for today's marketers: how to make digital technology their ally as they try to understand and reach an emerging generation." This may sound alarming to many people who aren't considered "millenials" (people born before 1980), however today it is true. My mom constantly nags me about picking up a paper and reading, but why would I do that when I can hop on the internet, and any newspaper around the world is readily available at my fingertips? Like I said, it's sad, but it's true.
"Advertisers and media and technology companies[...] are creating advertising and short videos for mobile phones, for instance, call networks with decicated game channels, and $1.99 TV programs to download to iPods and PC's." This makes such a convenience for us lazy college students who "don't have time" to pick up a remote and turn on the TV; lol. "Among those with access to the internet, for instance, email services are as likely to be used by teenagers (89%) as by retirees (90%)." More and more generations are learning how to use these communication devices, because they know our world is slowly being taken over by technology, and they fear (I believe) that if they don't catch up with today's society, they will get lost in the clutter. "It's like, if you don't check your email and you turn off your phone, it's almost like you don't exist," (Karell Roxas).
Google is another matter. It's most definitely my most used word of the day, because if I or a friend doesn't know something, I simply say, "Oh, I'll just Google it!" I am the Google Queen of America- I rely on it for everything, and that is somewhat pathetic I will admit, because I could go down the street and pick up a newspaper or magazine, but again- why bother if it's at my fingertips? "Those born between 1980 and 2000 are known as the millenial generation. The oldest of that group are now in their early to mid- 20's. They are the first adults for whom computers, the internet and various digital communication technologies have been a persistent cultural presence." Without these communication devices, regardless of TV, radio, and newspapers, our world would be so less organized and much more hectic (as if it already isn't :) ). If Audrey Hepburn or Humphrey Bogart or Robert Redford grew up today, they would say, "Where is the life we once knew?" Kids don't play outside as much as they used to, they aren't learning like they used to, because they'd rather be texting, watching TV, or playing video games. We lost innocence as we knew it when all of this technology was simply handed to us.

All quotations and statistics were found in The New York Times- A Generation Serves Notice: It's a Moving Target.

Media in the Chi

Moving to Chicago from Iowa, I have seen so many changes. Not only in the people, but most especially in the ways companies and organizations advertise. Everywhere you go, there is an ad for the newest Jag, or Gucci's newest line. As a fashionista, I greatly appreciate these ads; however, do they really grab the reader's attention? More so than an ad on TV? I feel that though TV ads speak to people, we just stare at them and don't really comprehend what we're watching. However, for me, when I see an ad when I'm walking around downtown, I stop and say, "OOOH, I WANT that bag!" or "How gorgeous is that car?!" I feel I pay much more attention to billboards than commercials. I feel that through out time, especially since the TV was invented, advertisers have come so far in creating different ways to appeal to people, and though I fear technology will someday take over, technology is what brings the college girl into a boutique or a fresh graduate making that six figure job in the city scoot on in to the car dealership.
In my Communications class, I have learned so many different forms of communication, and I must say that advertising, especially through the means of television and radio have a huge impact on today's society. Think about it: how would we know what the latest iPod is, or the newest computer if we didn't have these means of technology? I'm not trying to be superficial by saying the only advertisements I notice are designer things, but besides sex in TV, designers get out the most to the public- whether or not the average joe can afford it. This may sound bad to most people, but its those labels that make an effort to appeal to the general public, and that is what the people want.