YouTube- the Good and Bad

Lately, I've been thinking about how YouTube can be used for both good and bad. I have a BYU Speech on YouTube bookmarked on my web browser and another one of a classical piano video. It is a great and effective way for artists of all different kinds to send a message to the masses. However, I believe that YouTube can be dangerous, not only because of inappropriate material that can pop up or is easy to find, but because of how much time can pass when browsing YouTube. I'm sure many of us have been in a situation where we are watching a video and another video on the side bar looks entertaining, and so we click. And then we click on another video, and another until we end up watching the most random video about cats or behind the scenes footage of the Hunger Games. I'm reminded of the scripture in 2 Nephi of how Satan will pacify us and lull us away. I love YouTube for the uplifting and funny videos I can view but I am also becoming aware of how easy it is to waste time. 

Photoshop

I liked our lecture in class about photoshopping in the media. Too many young teenagers compare themselves to what they see in magazines and/or advertisements. I believe that the thin ideal is very prevalent among the media today and is truly influencing how young adults view themselves. Photoshopping is just giving viewers a false view of beauty and I would be curious to see what would happen to magazines and advertisements if photo-shopping became illegal. I found this video online about real women being photoshopped and their reaction to it. I love how they realized that their flaws, if you can even call them flaws, define who they are. 

LOST

A while back, my very favorite shows was LOST. My family and I were obsessed with it. I was hooked from the very first episode, probably because of how dramatic the show was. Seriously. Constant drama. I loved all of the different personalities on the show and each episode always left you with a cliff hanger. However, as the show progressed I found it getting more and more confusing. Halfway through the series I stopped watching because of how confused and frustrated I would get. It got me thinking, how do some series keep viewers' attention for 10+ seasons? How do certain series manage to maintain their viewers' intrigue? 

Basketball Stereotypes

I saw this video on Facebook and it had me laughing out loud; I had to share! I love how creative the guys were in coming up with these hilarious yet true stereotypes. I've sent the video to some family and friends and they have been able to identify themselves as one of these stereotypes. If you have the time to watch it, do it! I think I've watched it three or four times. Their acting is hilarious and the clip is very entertaining! 

Dance Moms

I was thinking about our lecture on reality tv and the harm it can do for children. I was particularly thinking about Dance Moms and how popular it has become (one of the dancers has 2.6 million followers on Instagram). I have seen it before on tv and was shocked at how rude the women, more so than the girls, were. Sometimes I believe that the confrontation that takes place in front of the girls is damaging to them. These poor girls should not have to watch grown women (mostly their moms) be aggressive towards one another. These moms are usually dolled up with their diamonds and dresses, constantly yelling and complaining. What I do not understand is how mothers would subject their children to this kind of confrontation. What message is that sending to girls who want to dance? How will young viewers treat their mothers?  But why do so many people watch it if it is full of contention and relational aggression? I have caught myself switching through the channels and stop on Dance Moms. Maybe it's because I am not use to that much drama in my life and that it is exciting. A part of me wants to see if people can truly be that crazy as well. The show is extremely entertaining, but a terrible model for viewers. 

ESPN

The BYU-Zags game got me thinking about sports broadcasting and how much ESPN is a favorite channel across the country, particularly for men. Sports provides an environment where emotions run high and people can bond with each other. I have fond memories of watching ESPN's top not ten every morning before my brother and I took off for early morning seminary. I loved the commentators and how funny the clips were. I love sports but don't always have time to sit down and watch a full game. It's convenient to turn on ESPN and get the games' highlights. I also love how ESPN has a sidebar that lets you know what topics the anchors will be discussing next. Growing up, ESPN was usually background media. Now that I am at BYU, I watch ESPN more frequently to watch BYU football or basketball play. Here is ESPN's top ten plays of 2014. 

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.