While I'm not afraid of broadening my media usage or exploring new sites (I did say I use StumbleUpon, or Pinterest, both sites devoted to hosting other sites no one has heard of), there usually isn't enough time in my day for me to do anything other than the norm: get home from school, catch up on Farmville 2, do homework, maybe play a little Dragon Age: Origins (if I'm not reading), and then go to bed watching Babylon 5. Of course, I am over simplifying matters. . . a lot. There is so much more media within my day it isn't even funny. I have a job at which I'm constantly working with film and editing programs, exploring the internet for tutorials, and watching the finished products of others. I see billboards on my way to and from school, though I couldn't tell you what they are (I never remember). I listen to music in the car and talk to my husband about current events in the world and in our lives. I glance at the TV while he watches football, either catching a snipit of a commercial or of a voice-over crediting some company or other. All of these small bits make up some view I have of the world, but it is hard to analyze that properly here.
My media usage probably says a lot about me: I play too much Farmville 2 because it is relaxing, mind numbing, and has very little to do with anything other than smiling faces and cute animals. It's a good way to transition between projects or life events. It's fun. I'm currently trying to figure out how to make my farm more productive (okay, so maybe there is some kind of money making scheme being taught here...I just see it as: should I raise more cute sheep and bunnies to get more fur, or should I raise more goats and cows for fertilizer and milk?) so I can level up faster to expand my property. I read, though rarely anything nonfiction. Martin's books are so expansive that I've been working on this series for a couple months now (in between reading for school). Again, escape from the hassles of day to day productivity. The same with Dragon Age, a fantasy computer game in which I'm a Daelish Elf trying to save the world from Darkspawn. Babylon 5: a cheesy TV show about. . . saving the world from the evil Shadows.
Do I trust the media I use most often? Why not? Apparently, I just realized that I'm learning how to be a proper consumer and farm owner using Farmville 2. Nothing wrong with that. To make money, I need to produce stuff to create things I can sell. You need to spend money to make money. Easy enough. I think I learned about that in my high school economics class. Every once in a while I learn when a holiday arrives because of the game's specials: today they began the Chinese New Year themed sales. I can plant something called a Goji berry. If I was so inclined, I could look up what that is. With Martin's series, I am learning the harsh realities of war, the sacrifices one must make concerning family and the good of a kingdom, not to mention observing what a great writer can produce and learning the characteristics that I can perhaps replicate someday for myself. Of course when I read the New York Times or watch something on Youtube like "Epic Rap Battles of History: Romney vs. Obama," I'm being bombarded with an agenda. In politics, everyone has an agenda. I just read an article about the new gun control laws our President wants congress to pass. It was so vague, I wasn't sure of anything but this: the author of the article definitely wants me to believe Obama to be a take-action, passionate sort of man. The writing was filled with loaded words that created a great divide between the White House and the rest of Congress: apparently, taking time to read the proposals Obama put forth wasn't what this writer wanted. I digress. When reading anything political, I try to take it with a grain of salt. Now, Facebook is another matter. People post false information so often, it is rare that I take anything I see to be true until I look for facts on my own. Facebook tends to be the new dumping ground for chain mail. I use Facebook to stay connected to family and old friends, not to learn about how "REPOSTING THIS WILL MAKE SURE FACEBOOK REMAINS FREE TO YOU" even though Facebook has never planning on charging anyone to have, or create, an account. One final point on trusting Facebook, or other social sites: I trust it as far as I can throw it. Which, if I could actually tangibly hold 'social websites,' wouldn't be far. I'm quite the weakling. The number one rule that (used to be) taught: don't share all your personal information with something you can't actually see... or control. Now, if a hacker group Anonymous wanted to get your personal information, there's no stopping them. But for the average internet user, openly stating a phone number, personal address, ect, is just silly. Don't make it easier for anyone wanting to steal information, hack an account, or just make life difficult.
I'm not sure I have a favorite when it comes to media. I love reading--hell, I'm an English major. But I also love playing Farmville 2 and Dragon Age. I love watching Babylon 5 or Castle too. But I love them all for different reasons. I love reading a good book--like Martin's A Clash of Swords (I haven't been able to put it down for long!) because I enjoy getting out of the house and going on an impossible adventure with several different people at once. I love getting to know characters, worrying about them like they were my own siblings, kids, friends, or parents. I love being able to talk to my husband about it. I love playing Farmville 2 and Dragon Age to do something with my hands if my eyes need a rest. I enjoy puttering around on an earthy field, or killing a few Ogres to forget about the frustrations of the day. I love being able to talk to my husband about it. Finally, I love watching shows like Babylon 5 and Castle because not only are they great shows with witty characters and interesting plots, but. . . I love them because I get to snuggle with my hubby, and fall asleep talking to him about it. So... honestly...I love all of these things because somehow, I get to involve the love of my life in them. Usually, it involves a lot of geeking out. And there's nothing better than being able to bond with my babe after a long day.
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