The Political Economy of the Media

The media is controlled by a few which are called "the elite". Through which they hold great power over vast audiences. In a way it falls dangerous since the path of influence is narrow. Narrow in a sense that it is not open to many opinions. In this way these few guide the mass and the outcomes are relative to their intentions. As media has a massive audience, to use it to advertise products and goods is nothing but common sense, instant information relayed to the audience. In fact, it is very effective, though expensive, many still think it is ideal. That is how the media keeps itself running, short advertisements will cost thousands or even millions on the television. But does it really cost that much to run itself? Surely there are lots of profits behind. The media also have its eyes on every corner of the globe. In that way they are always updated and informed of the latest news and trends. These are what they use to control the masses. Such a good business, controlling us through ourselves.

Cultivation Analysis Theory

This theory explains the media as a mind setter. It is evident in our world today that media has great influence over the people and how quickly people conform to the information they receive. Just a realization, it is clear that the upper class of this country are the ones into trends and the latest styles though it may be the availability of resources, it is them who always dwell on such. The lower class on the other hand is not so concerned about trends;there are only a few social climbers at hand. About the influence of media on sex and violence, it is actually the upper class who are deeply affected. We may see the poor with children but that is just half the story. They don't have the resources for safe sex but as you look into the conversations of the upper class, sex seems to be a big deal these days. As for violence, some of the poor commit such crimes out of survival instincts, but the ones who are not experiencing any form of poverty are also into such crimes. Take for example the Maguindanao massacre. It was a ruthless act of injustice and they were the kings of their land. We can conclude that indeed the rich are more exposed and therefore more influenced by media's nets of sex and violence and the poor are just too busy working their asses off to dwell on such subjects.

Merchants of Cool

What is cool exactly? Is it simply the thing we call what is "in"? How exactly do we know what is "in"? I believe nothing is. What we may call cool maybe funny and completely awkward to another group. For example, I grew up as a simple kid, with casual shoes, a normal shirt, short cut hair and a taste for soothing music. Other kids may see me as a family boy, a mommy's boy, uncool and ordinary. In my point of view, they are the one's who need judging. Kids with baggy and loose jeans, extremely large tops, phat caps and with lots of chain hanging around seem pretty irrational. Being a gangster requires a lot of pulling pants up. Goths and what they call "emo" people also have this weird taste. They have black as the dominant color and for fashion they have skinny jeans, one-sided hair, leather bracelets with metal studs and at extremes they wear eye liners. Boys with eye liners? That's over the line. For sure there are more groups that exhibit their wild imagination and style. Is cool then relative to an individual? Where is the media taking the youngsters? Or better where are the youngsters taking themselves? I myself am not a follower of trends nor am I a trend setter. I see what's happening as pure brainwash. Youngsters now create their own worlds and live by their ego. What's worse is they will forget reality and lose rationality.