The practice of media conglomeration has been happening for decades. It is a practice that consolidates small companies into one larger company in order to more effectively communicate to the masses. Conglomerates act much like a snowball rolling down a hill. They begin buying up a couple of little companies, and before you know it they own a massive percentage of the market.
For a while, we had regulation, meaning conglomerates were only able to own a certain portion of the media. But in the last few decades the process of deregulation has been taking place. In this process, conglomerates are allowed more and more, until they own up to 90% of the market.
This poses a major problem. It has become very evident through the recent problem with the Writers Guild of America strike. If something happens to several of these big conglomerates, (in this case a strike) the whole system breaks down. This is evident in the state of TV right now. TV is being forced by the writers strike into re-runs and shoddy reality TV, two things that consumeristic America hates. We want new and better content.
This situation happened before, in 1988. When it happened then, the state of TV and Hollywood was wounded beyond repair, with good shows being cancelled permanently, the eventual invention of reality television, and a slump in programming that took years to overcome.
I believe the situation now is quite different however. Whereas in 1988 people had no other options for entertainment than TV and Movies, we now have many new outlets of media to turn to. If we are forced to watch re-runs, we will simply turn to Youtube and watch user created content. The internet and the advent of Web 2.0 leaves us with another, (might I add open and unregulated) outlet for expression and entertainment. Because of this, I predict a genesis for online content, produced not by major conglomerates, but by the consumers themselves. As this genesis continues, these new creators will get better and better at their craft until the point that New Media creators will be on par if not more accessed than the conglomerates themselves.
An example of this is found in Star Wars online Fan Films. If one watched one of these fan films 5 years ago, it was hard not to laugh at the amateur-ness of these endeavors, but today, with the help of lowered technology costs and better equipment as well as more refined skills there are some fan films that even rival the original creation. I think that we can look forward to more of this across the board as the genesis of New Media occurs.
I'm not saying that conglomerates will disappear altogether, but instead that they will be forced to take on new forms and become more liquid as the world around them changes. As the world becomes more of a global village, the voices of the many will outnumber the voices of the powerful few. People now have the ability through technology to be truly equal. In a time like this, it's important that we see that there is a new dawn occurring in media, and it's best that we get on board.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Holden: Life on Comet Road
What do you think of when you hear the word Indie? Maybe a certain fictional movie character comes to mind. Maybe you think of strange films that defy normal convention. Perhaps what comes to mind is mediocre music that wasn't good enough to get the attention of powerful people.
Let's talk about Independent music. Whatever you may think about independent music, throw it out the window. I'd like to introduce you to a band that is truly talented and indie at the same time. They are named Holden, and they are one of the bands that I had the privilege of working with this summer.
This band is a 4 piece set out of Dover, OH and they know how to rock your face off. With riffs that sound epic, and contemplative lyrics about life and all of its intricacies, this is a band that you will want to check out. (Did I mention that they're really cool guys too).
Their music is a perfect example of genre-blending in music. The overall genre of their upcoming album, Life on Comet Road is a pop-punk theme, but throughout the music can be found different musical nuances that showcase the bands diverse tastes in music. In some of the songs, metal like riffs come together seamlessly with the already prominent guitars of the typical pop-punk origins. The way that their melodies are constructed gives off an aura of baroque influence, with the intro track showcasing a mixing of the piano influence of classical and pop rock. When all is said and done, what comes out is a wonderful eclectic mix that is a great listen for anyone, from the casual listener to the musical guru.
You can find out more about Holden by visiting http://www.myspace.com/holdenohio
Let's talk about Independent music. Whatever you may think about independent music, throw it out the window. I'd like to introduce you to a band that is truly talented and indie at the same time. They are named Holden, and they are one of the bands that I had the privilege of working with this summer.
This band is a 4 piece set out of Dover, OH and they know how to rock your face off. With riffs that sound epic, and contemplative lyrics about life and all of its intricacies, this is a band that you will want to check out. (Did I mention that they're really cool guys too).
Their music is a perfect example of genre-blending in music. The overall genre of their upcoming album, Life on Comet Road is a pop-punk theme, but throughout the music can be found different musical nuances that showcase the bands diverse tastes in music. In some of the songs, metal like riffs come together seamlessly with the already prominent guitars of the typical pop-punk origins. The way that their melodies are constructed gives off an aura of baroque influence, with the intro track showcasing a mixing of the piano influence of classical and pop rock. When all is said and done, what comes out is a wonderful eclectic mix that is a great listen for anyone, from the casual listener to the musical guru.
You can find out more about Holden by visiting http://www.myspace.com/holdenohio
Sunday, December 2, 2007
The Tactics of the Devil. . . .?
NOTE: THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS BLOG IS CONTROVERSIAL AND PROVOCATIVE. IF THE SUBJECT OF PORNOGRAPHY TEMPTS or HURTS YOU TO A DEGREE THAT IS NOT HEALTHY, DO NOT READ THIS BLOG.
All cultures have had mass media of some type. Ancient Rome had coins that could communicate the decrees of the emperor and serve as a public mouthpiece. During the Middle Ages, the Church had decrees, written on parchment scrolls that communicated the wishes of the pope. The list goes on and on. In our culture we are especially exposed to media. This is partly because of the nature of capitalism. Everyone wants a voice, and if you have enough money, you can have a voice. We all know what we like. We have our favorite shows, movies, music, news, etc. What we don't know however is how complicated and manipulative the process of getting us to like those shows actually is.
To indicate my point I'd like to use an extreme example. In our age of the internet, it is becoming increasingly more commonplace to hear about people's addictions to pornography. People don't get addicted to pornography overnight. It happens in a gradual cycle. The pornography companies spend millions of dollars researching new ways of making this happen.
1. First they lure you in- People are aware that porn exists. Forms of pornography have existed as long as man has existed in the sin nature. The new way that porn companies are luring customers is through the taste. They will put up "free galleries" for potential customers to view. They appear to be free, not making any money for the companies, but in reality they are raking in the dough. It's a lot like the way drug dealers who offer a "first taste". They know that if they can get you to get that first taste, there's a high likelyhood that you'll come back for more.
2. Then there's the bait- As you delve deeper and deeper into their "free galleries", they use certain techniques to make you want more. They only allow you access to certain things. They only let you see a small amount of the "product", but it's usually enough to get you to want more.
3. Then they catch you- As you become more and more enamored with what they offer, you want more. Eventually you cave in. You pay the subscription fee that allows you access to all of the content on that company's "product". You are now able to see everything that you couldn't see before.
4. Then lastly there's the sinkhole- The companies consolidate. They realize that as you become more and more addicted, you move on to different things. They anticipate those desires and tailor new content in that way. Their products, at first appearing as innocent young girls, eventually start taking more things off, start doing different things. They keep you hooked, all the while paying for their "service". If you get bored with that "product" they will point you in the way of new "entertainment". In this way, they get you to pay for their services. This is how the porn industry has been able to maintain revenues of billions, and they are climbing.
I hope you see how dehumanizing this is. To both parties. The products referred to are women. Women who have been caught in a snare. In a lot of cases, it is nearly impossible to get out of these. They are used, viewed as objects not humans who are loved by God and valued. It is detrimental to the viewer, who becomes a slave to something that he was never intended to become a slave to. Addiction can be a very powerful force, and once you have delved into her ways, it is hard to get out.
But these tactics are not just used in pornography. They are found in virtually all mediums of mass media. Encouraging a pornographic reading of texts that keeps you coming back
and back
and back
for more
and more
.. .. .. .. . .
As a point of discussion, what are some other ways that you think that these tactics are used in other mediums to encourage a viewer's pornographic reading of a certain text?
All cultures have had mass media of some type. Ancient Rome had coins that could communicate the decrees of the emperor and serve as a public mouthpiece. During the Middle Ages, the Church had decrees, written on parchment scrolls that communicated the wishes of the pope. The list goes on and on. In our culture we are especially exposed to media. This is partly because of the nature of capitalism. Everyone wants a voice, and if you have enough money, you can have a voice. We all know what we like. We have our favorite shows, movies, music, news, etc. What we don't know however is how complicated and manipulative the process of getting us to like those shows actually is.
To indicate my point I'd like to use an extreme example. In our age of the internet, it is becoming increasingly more commonplace to hear about people's addictions to pornography. People don't get addicted to pornography overnight. It happens in a gradual cycle. The pornography companies spend millions of dollars researching new ways of making this happen.
1. First they lure you in- People are aware that porn exists. Forms of pornography have existed as long as man has existed in the sin nature. The new way that porn companies are luring customers is through the taste. They will put up "free galleries" for potential customers to view. They appear to be free, not making any money for the companies, but in reality they are raking in the dough. It's a lot like the way drug dealers who offer a "first taste". They know that if they can get you to get that first taste, there's a high likelyhood that you'll come back for more.
2. Then there's the bait- As you delve deeper and deeper into their "free galleries", they use certain techniques to make you want more. They only allow you access to certain things. They only let you see a small amount of the "product", but it's usually enough to get you to want more.
3. Then they catch you- As you become more and more enamored with what they offer, you want more. Eventually you cave in. You pay the subscription fee that allows you access to all of the content on that company's "product". You are now able to see everything that you couldn't see before.
4. Then lastly there's the sinkhole- The companies consolidate. They realize that as you become more and more addicted, you move on to different things. They anticipate those desires and tailor new content in that way. Their products, at first appearing as innocent young girls, eventually start taking more things off, start doing different things. They keep you hooked, all the while paying for their "service". If you get bored with that "product" they will point you in the way of new "entertainment". In this way, they get you to pay for their services. This is how the porn industry has been able to maintain revenues of billions, and they are climbing.
I hope you see how dehumanizing this is. To both parties. The products referred to are women. Women who have been caught in a snare. In a lot of cases, it is nearly impossible to get out of these. They are used, viewed as objects not humans who are loved by God and valued. It is detrimental to the viewer, who becomes a slave to something that he was never intended to become a slave to. Addiction can be a very powerful force, and once you have delved into her ways, it is hard to get out.
But these tactics are not just used in pornography. They are found in virtually all mediums of mass media. Encouraging a pornographic reading of texts that keeps you coming back
and back
and back
for more
and more
.. .. .. .. . .
As a point of discussion, what are some other ways that you think that these tactics are used in other mediums to encourage a viewer's pornographic reading of a certain text?
Matt Brandon Interview
I thought I'd try a different format for this blog. . .
This weekend, I sat down to do an interview with Matt Brandon of Grey Haven Productions, a local recording studio about the effects of new media on independent music.
I have decided to make a podcast style mp3. out of my interview and share it with you all. Hope you enjoy it!
NOTE: I wasn't able to find a player to embed the Mp3 into this blog so unfortunately you will have to download the file here.
This weekend, I sat down to do an interview with Matt Brandon of Grey Haven Productions, a local recording studio about the effects of new media on independent music.
I have decided to make a podcast style mp3. out of my interview and share it with you all. Hope you enjoy it!
NOTE: I wasn't able to find a player to embed the Mp3 into this blog so unfortunately you will have to download the file here.
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