Because of Him

Last Easter, the LDS church put out a video about Christ and what he has done for us. I believe that media can be very powerful and influential, and I believe that this clip is an example of that. When I am feeling down or have had a stressful day, I love being able to watch this clip. It is incredible that I can access this clip in a matter of seconds and that inspiration is only a few clicks away. This video clip has been seen all around the world, something that could have never been so a few decades ago. Along with the negative content that permeates the media, it is a relief to know that there is incredibly uplifting media content that can truly influence others for good. I love this video and am grateful for its message and how it makes me feel. 

People Magazine

Out of all the magazines that are for sale, I only ever buy People magazine. I trust People and don't believe a lot of the latest gossip unless People has published it. I wondered why this was and I realized that growing up, my mom only ever bought People. People also prints stories about tragedy, food, and books, not just celebrities. Each issue has a crossword puzzle towards the back that I have always loved doing. I associate People with quiet time to myself, which may be why I enjoy it so much. Why do I think of some types of media as being more reliable than others? 

Facebook's Getting Annoying..

I first got a Facebook when I was in middle school and it was a way to see what my friends and extended family members were doing, and that's it. Now, Facebook has been blown up with personal articles, buzzfeeds, blogs, news articles... I can't scroll through Facebook without seeing an article that sounds something like.. "This Woman Was Just Shopping.. But What Happens Next is Shocking." I don't really care what happens next I just want to catch up with my friends. Facebook has been flooded with useless ads and articles that I would normally go to other websites to find, not a social networking site, but I think that is what social networking is turning into now. There is now a "trending" tab on the top right of the site that shows what topics and articles are the most popular. Because of all of these excess articles and news on Facebook, I now prefer Instagram, which shows pictures of only my friends and nothing else. When I go onto Facebook, I feel bombarded with media and it is a bit overwhelming.

What Happened to Disney Channel?

What happened to the Disney Channel? Growing up, my favorite shows were Even Stevens, That's So Raven, and Lizzie McGuire. They were all based on everyday family and friend experiences like yearbook pictures, high school crushes, and annoying little brothers. Nowadays, the Disney Channel is full of shows that, at least when I have watched one, turn my brain into goo. All shows now have a laughing audience in the background, where as Even Stevens and Lizzie McGuire didn't. I also feel like the jokes on the shows today aren't as witty anymore, the clothes are brightly colored and mismatched, all of the actresses wear a lot of makeup, girls are wearing high heels, and the majority of the shows are about getting famous. Since when did getting famous become every child's dream? Children today are facing things like arguing with their siblings and hearing rumors about them at school, not the struggle of going to auditions and getting famous. Also, all of the Disney Channel stars have to sing and put out albums. What's that about? For a channel that is geared towards children and teens, they should include shows that focus on everyday experiences that teens are likely to have. Maybe I'm bias in thinking that the shows I grew up on are the best. Maybe children today will grow up and think that their tv shows were the best. 

The Middle

The Middle is one of my favorite tv shows. It isn't very well known and I just discovered it over this past summer. It is hilarious! I think the reason I like it so much is because it portrays what "real" life is like (doing homework assignments the night before they're due, duct taping the washing machine shut, teasing siblings). I also love how it shows the typical teenage jock, Axl, the typical good girl, Sue, and the typical antisocial nerd, Brick. They are all hilarious and have their own personality traits that make them unique. I think I laugh the hardest in this show, tied with Modern Family. I love how the writers have chosen to include everyday struggles that normal families face, when we so often see portrayals of family life that are not reality. 

Superbowl Ads

I love watching football, so tonight was pretty fun! The last few minutes of the game were insane! I also love the Superbowl because of the advertisements. It blows my mind how expensive it is to run a 30 second ad during the Superbowl. I guess you would be willing to pay that much knowing that millions of people would see it. A few ads caught my attention, mostly because they were either creative or funny. One that I thought was really funny was the Kia commercial with Pierce Brosnan. I love how it compares reality to the typical action adventure movie. It got me laughing. I love how big of a deal these commercials have become. Superbowl commercials even have their own website (superbowlcommercials2015.com).