Media Consumption Log

January 28 2012

10:00 am

So the idea is to make a log of our media consumption habits and monitor them by asking ourselves some questions, which should help us with media literacy. Most time I am occupied either by a paperback novel in my hand, school books or TV. I once thought that spending a lot of time on the internet isn’t healthy but didn’t consider asking what kept drawing me back, who profits or produces what I consume. I have been thoughtful though of my interpretation or understanding of certain messages as oppose to how others would react.

 My normal routine would be to check my emails for anything important as well as Facebook then make my exit. This time what I did was browsed internet for information on Rupert Murdoch and cyber-tech gaming. Then went on to do things I like which included: playing games, reading Harlequin novels and looked at some endearment quotes in Spanish and French. Also watched spoken word poetry on YouTube and downloaded some songs. I listened to radio and watched cartoon on the television. (Forgot to buy papers)

 The motivation behind some of these activities is the knowledge I gain from them and the enjoyment. It relaxes me. Reading novels help me increase my vocabulary and learn about places, as well as the traits in the novels that exist in reality. I love writing poems and hearing some of the things people say, their views on certain things and their creativity in bringing it out impresses me.

 I have realised though that staying long hours on these different media can cause a problem. My attention stays on that particular thing I am engaged in and I may forget something important that needed to get done. The procrastination syndrome I call it. My opinion is that whatever we are watching, listening to or reading might not be of grave importance but since it appeals to us in style and taste we then get hooked. For instance, I love reading. I was online reading novels for about 3hrs today. That’s what I normally do. I don’t stop until I am finished not even to eat. So in media consumption there are both pros and cons to it.