mass ME-dia

Mass media, the platform by which mass communication is being spread across to a large group of heterogeneous and anonymous audience is a powerful weapon.

Chim? Simply put: mass media helps broadcast messages to a large group of people who, the sender may and may not want the message to reach.

Mass media includes the television, the press, the radio broadcasts and prints. However,  the internet should not be mistakenly included into the classification of mass media. It is a form of new media. This is due to the characteristics that defines the mass media.

Characteristics of Mass Media:

1) It originates from Institutional Sources

- for example, the press. People of specialized skills come together to form a complex organization as such. The output is being created at a significant cost.

2) The assumption of Invisible Receivers

-relationship between the sending end(mass media) and receiving end(viewers) is voluntary. Consumer can choose to terminate communication at will.

3) the usage of Interposed Channels

-mass media requires certain level of technology and skills to transmit their messages.

4) the messages are Non-Exclusive and Temporal

-anyone who has access can receive the messages. Yesterday’s news carries significantly less worth compared to today’s news.

According to Charles Wright, the media has mainly 4 functions:

1) for acquiring information(Surveillance)

-e.g. news broadcasts and news printing on newspapers. how else can you know that Micheal Jackson is dead? Yes, he is dead.

2) for analysis and evaluation(correlation)

-in order to find out the real meaning behind reports. do not just read, read, analyze and correlate. for example, different newspapers can carry different point of view on the same topic.

3) for education and socialization purpose(cultural transmission)

-Transmission of culture can educate people about beliefs and practices by others from a different culture. It can also provide a common topic for receivers to talk and socialize(perhaps gossip?) about.

4) for enjoyment and gratification(entertainment)

-need i say more? turn on the television and extend your roots into the couch.

just to make our exams more difficult and confusing, mass media had 7 general theories with regards to it’s effectiveness  and it’s role in influencing perceptions.

starting with the extremes:

1) Magic bullet or Hypordermic needle theory. (1920-1930s)

-this theory says that media is all-powerful and audience are passive and all power-less.

-it predicts strong and universal effects on all audience.

i think that this theory is only valid in times where people are vulnerable and mass media is the only form of information source they can rely one. for example, during war.

2) Uses and Gratification theory(1950-1960s)

-this theory, on the contrary to the 1st one, states that audiences are in control and have the abiity to resist media messages.

-it assumes media as a tool and audience as the user

there are 5 other theories under the Moderate Effects Model(1970-1980s). these models aim to moderate the effects that media had over consumer while taking into account consumer selctivity.

in a nutshell:

1) Agenda setting function

-the media may not be successful in influencing how we think but that are very successful in telling us what to think about.

2) Media Hegemony

-people who hold power influences the direction media goes in order to benefit themselves.

3) Media Determinism

- sometimes, the medium used speaks louder a message than the actual message itself.

4) Spiral of Silence

- By endorsing the popular view, the media silences the minority.

5) Cultivation Theory

- The media does not influence consumer directly, but gradually and indirectly as it’s name implies, the influence is cultivated over time.

Face it, the media is successful in influencing our mindset. In fact, it is screwing with our mentality every single day. The question is how much are you willing to accept from it? Mass ME-dia. take control

culture

Let’s talk about culture. It defines who we are, what group we belong to, how we live our life, how we should think, how we make decision, supposedly. Not that it’s not true but it’s only true to a certain extent. Personally, i believe that culture can only influence that much, the rest of his thinking is still dependent on the environment and the choices he make, just my 284’008 Zimbabwe Dollar worth of opinion. An example of breaking out of one’s culture could be seen in this clip inserted below about wedding ceremony.

Wedding ceremony is supposed to be a joyous yet solemn occasion. However, as seen in the video, Kevin and Jill managed to break out of their culture’s practice for weddings. Just take a look at the looks of their friends’ faces and you’ll know how shocked they are.

Back to this week’s main topic.

According to Edward Hall, there are 2 classical dimension of cultures. The high context and the low contect cultures.

High context culture.

Typical countries with practising this culture are Japan, China, Korea and other Asian countries. In their daily communication, non-verbal message are more important than what was spoken. For example, politicians in these society when paying a political visit to another country usually stays for a week or so. They do not just sign an agreement and fly back to their country. They may not even care about the agreement. What’s important, to them, is the way they are being treated while visiting the foreign country.

In this society,  messages are not as obvious as they seem. A simple nod or smile could mean many things. They usually substitute verbal messages with non-verbal cues. Even verbally them do not communicate in full sentences, just idiosyncratic languages which carries meaning for themselves. Below is a video to illustrate. Note the non-verbal messages being sent across.

Low context culture.

This culture is being embraced mainly by the Western countries such as the US.  Verbal communication plays a major role in getting their point across to one another. Often, what you see and hear is what you get. Unlike the high contect cultures where the messages are hidden. While the people in a high context culture are soft-spoken and mild in their daily communication, the low context culture people are more expressive and loud.

With all these being said, to draw a clear distinction between low and high context cultures will be almost impossible. Due to media globalization, influences are spread all across the globe. As high context cultures imitate the practices of low context cultures, the opposite is true too. This exchange of cultures is brought about and sped up through the availability and accessibility of the mass media, a topic i will be touching on for the next entry. Later!

group communications in my life.

2 brains are better than 1, 7 brains can save each others’ backside. This is probably what Singapore’s Ministry of Defence thinks when they decided that an infantry section should comprise of 7 soldiers. Turns out, they were correct! according to group communication studies, in a group we are able to support one another by providing a helping hand in terms of achieving objectives or meeting each others’ interpersonal needs.

During my NS days when i was serving under the Air Defence Artillery(ADA) under the RSAF,  we had to perform our mission in with a fire unit of 7 personnal, same as the infantry but with different individual roles. In this group, the commander’s decision(or rather, command) is final. The hierarchy level is very clear-cut. There is no need for a devil’s advocate to voice out disagreements.

In comparison to Bruce Tuckman’s Five-stage model, the first 2 stages, forming and storming does not have much representation in this fire unit as the task identification is very clear-cut. Everybody has their individual roles and responsibility(eg, commander, 2nd-in-command, primary gunner, secondary gunner, loader, signaller, driver). There is no room for competition of status as each has being assigned to his own speciality. Only the last 3 stages could be applies for this fire unit group development. As rigid as the chain of command may be, there is still room for minor disagreements to be voiced out in order to enhance the perfomance of the fire unit as a while. After which, individual reflections will be carried out. In comparison to Poole’s Multiple Sequence Model, an ADA fire unit will be more focused on the task track, it is objective based.

My group of friends, people whom i know will always be there to support me. Who, i know i will be there if ever they need me. The socio-emotional interaction between us is formed when we depend on one another for strength, support and advice.

This group is very unique, we did not come together because we are interdependent, we came together to be interdependent. Unlike what Bruce Tuckman’s five stage model suggested, we did not have any storming process, there wasn’t any competition for status. There wasn’t any power hierarchy involved. In comparison to Poole’s multiple sequence model, this group will lean more towards the relationship track. We bond together so that we can be of help and support to one another, be it through thick or thin.

EMO-personal communication.

Personally, i do not like to dwell into this area of communication it’s emotionally stressful.

Interpersonal communication, by my definition, is a tool that can determine a “happily ever after” or “too bad too sad” ending to one’s love life. To set the context right, for this post, interpersonal communication will be adopting the view of a boy-girl relationship.

Take sometime and view this video, enjoy it and get the warm fuzzy feeling inside you.

Within this short video lies part of Mark Knapp’s most influential relationship model.

According to Knapp, there are 10 stages in a relationship, divided into 2 phases.

stage 1-5

Better known to be the honey-moon period. Somewhat  similar to that which was shown in the video above, “Taylor Swift-Love Story”.

At this phase of the relationship, the meeting of 2 individuals take place. the most common relational formation fuel for 2 individuals are proximity(the higher the chances of meeting up, the higher the chances of getting together), similarity(of course you will want someone who share the same taste and beliefs as you), physical appearance(whoever said looks doesn’t matter is definitely lying) and reciprocity(it always takes 2 hands to clap). Both parties will initiate in different ways to present the best side of themselves to perhaps gain favor in the other party’s eyes. They will start experimenting, or in lay-man’s term “test-water” and try to get information out of the other party to know each other better. Before they know it, most probably the individualistic “me” would have turned into a “we” thinking. If the relationship is well intensified and individual characters are well integrated to one another’s life, very soon a strong bond will be created and a strong relationship will be borned.

However, not all relationships can maintain at it’s lovey-dovey 5th stage. According to Knapp, there’s still a second phase of relationship should it not work out well.

Stage 6-10

This part of the relationship is when things starts to fall apart. As participant(s) in the relationship begins to feel the need to regain his/her individual character, doubts about this relationship begins to sink in. This is cause them to take things slower and keep communication to it’s safest level, with little or no promises about the future. Sometimes even hints about a bleak future. Couple will then enter into a “dry season” where engaging in activities such as going out or even replying messages seem to be a “chore” or “obligation”. Soon they will start to withdraw both physically and emotionally. With the future looking so obvious, the end of this relationship will inevitably some. From there, both parties will then move on with their own lives.

Interpersonal communication is so powerful that it can heal a broken relationship or it can break a relationship that could have been and should have been. However, it has to be noted that as with all things, it takes 2 hands to clap.

To end off, the aim of interpersonal communication should always end up like what is shown in this video and the mutual feelings of both party should remain as it was in that very moment.

Heart-warming isn’t it? What are you waiting for? Hurry go find your own special someone! Comment first before your leave thanks

what do you see?

Many experiments were conducted to measure how much of our daily communication were done in verbal and non-verbal means. Differing statistics for non-verbal communication were being established, results ranging from 60%-80% were concluded within the same experiment context. Differing as the results may be, there is however, no doubt that non-verbal communication takes up the lion’s share in our daily conversations.

Truly, as this year’s NDP song goes, “what do you see” or rather, as Mr. Brown goes, “le kua simi”. Much of our communication is non-verbal. People often get your true meaning by listening, to what’s unsaid.

The upper most level of non-verbal communication to me is appearance. In our fast-paced lifestyle, people tend to rely on first impression(appearance) as a form of communication. It is the fastest and most powerful way of communication.

What can you tell just by looking at this picture? A violent man? Gruesome murder? Psychotic murderer? Mass killing? Or perhaps lumberjack? Sure brings to our mind the image of Jason Voorhees from the “Friday the 13th” series doesn’t it? Now take another view at it’s actual picture.

With the limited information that was presented in the 1st picture, we tend to rely on our own conclusions to draw a closure upon the situation. Wearing that all-so-familiar mask, holding a over-sized chain saw alone  in the middle of nowhere. The 1st picture will definitely attract wrong conclusions. This man, in fact, is an “artist” who cuts up wood blocks into anime characters.

News source from: http://www.weirdasianews.com/2009/09/23/jason-carves-anime-characters-wood/

Non-verbal communication can be as subtle as one’s appearance or it can be as obvious as hand signals that are idiosyncratic, that is, specific signals used by a particular group of people which carries their unique message. some examples will be sign languages used by different people. To untrained personnel, this sign language may seem alien, even funny, it all depends on their individual assessment to the meaning of the sign languages.

Most of the time, people arrive at a conclusion just by relying on what they see and forming their own closure. That is why it is very important to ask yourself this question, “what do you see?” or in a manner which i prefer, “le kua simi?” do you want to just look at a person at a skin-deep value? or will you give that person a chance and take some time to look at his character as well? Often, i find myself at a totally wrong conclusion when trusting my first impression. If you don’t agree, you can try visiting changi village late at night, find some pretty looking girls and wait till they open their mouth to speak.

HELLO KITTY.same same, but different!?

Perception, a process by which we make sense of this world around us. Just like this world, our perception is ever changing. Influenced by psychological as well as social factors. Psychological factors such as our assumptions, up-bringing and experiences. Social factors being the current fashion and trend, our circumstances as well as media influences.

Topic of this week: HELLO KITTY

Surprised? So am i. My personal past experience taught me that hello kitty has always been an icon of purity, innocence and clean humor. Well, at least that’s my interpretation. However like what i stated earlier on, our perception is ever-changing. Allow me to illustrate.

My perception of hello kitty being pure and innocent was totally warped when i came across this piece of article reporting the different products that used hello kitty’s image as a marketing platform.

Again, a picture speak a thousand words. That assault rifle could kill!

Art? Obsession? You decide.

How would you perceive hello kitty now? This is but one example of how the society influences our perceptions. Thanks to the media, this printing of childhood icon on such improper places seem “normal”. After all, if the media shows it, surely many people are doing it, and if many people are doing it, then it’s alright if i do it too!

In the study of communication, as we understand the influences of media and fashion fads, we are able to be more discerning on the information that we obtain. However for people who do not study communication, they have limited knowledge on influences especially for the younger generations. How embarrassing will it be, if a small child were to hold onto the condoms with hello kitty printed on it thinking that it was a toy?

vs

In my opinion, the image of hello kitty is best left imprinted upon school bags for children(as shown by the top picture) instead of the bottom picture which, in case you don’t know, is a vibrator.

By imprinting such innocent childhood icon on improper places, it could lead to confusion and even perversion of perception of the society.

As our perception is often under the influence of many factors, it is important that one interpret information with an open mind and not to judge too quickly. While reading on ever-changing perceptions i came across this interesting verse from the bible.

1 Corinthians 13:11 – When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

Our perception, like what this verse implies, could be different at different stages of our lives.

If you want to bet, make sure you bet on the right stuff.

As a side note, i would like to point out that to me, prototyping, better known as stereotyping, also shape the way we perceive things and people. Stereotyping is especially unhealthy and selfish. On a personal note, as well as lighter note, examples of stereotyping would be that people with dyed hair are very commonly associated with “ah beng” as Singaporeans would put it. However, on a more serious note, stereotyping could possible lead to racial misunderstanding. This is where the study of communication comes in, in order to avoid selfish judgements like stereotyping from sparking misunderstandings.

COMMUNICATION. IN YOUR FACE?!

SM Goh meets Chinese vice premier in Beijing

Ever wonder why politicians actually flies overseas to meet up with their counterparts? Was it because they wanted to get away from their own country and have a holiday, thus a well-wishing meet up could take days? Afterall, with such advanced technologies, surely they could just do video conferencing and settle ideas on the spot? Instantaneous result vs long tiring trip.

Certainly you would agree that by making use of technology, one can communicate faster, in fact, on the spot! For example, right now i can send out messages to my friend who is in australia as well as my friend who just reach back home from school here in singapore. Right now, in this moment, i can send my messages out. Convenient isn’t it? 

BUT! The problem is, when will the reply come back? There could be problems with the satellite bouncing my messages around the world or my friends could be occupied with more important things than my messages. Or maybe, the problem may lie in my friend’s precious phone which always seem to be faulty? Communication can only be said to have taken place after people get connected and exchange of ideas are done. Well my idea had been sent, but their ideas maybe lost somewhere in space, in their phone or even in their mind.

This can be shown by the interactive model of communication. Yes,  there maybe channel for sending and feedback of message, as technology like facebook, instant phone-phone messaging allow. But there’s always a time lapse involved.

In my opinion, to counter this time lapse, man have “evolved” into creatures who cannot live without their cell phones, well, generally of course. Try picturing yourself in this situation, look at your computer now. What if it’s hard disk were to crash now?

Of course, politicians are smart enough to realise that they could make use of technology for international discussion. For all you know, they could even have facebook profiles! And they could be “liking” each other’s posts!

More than just knowing how to use technology in their favour, politicians realises that even though they can easily do the former, there is still a need to meet up with their counterparts face to face. To illustrate this point, recently one of my friend got admitted into the hospital. I could have just sent him a message with all the sweetest and good meaning well wishes. He on the other hand, shut in the hospital had all the time and mood to reply to my message, i suppose! There! Communication done. My well-wishes sent, he got it and replied appreciatively. What i did on the other hand, was to go down to the hospital and paid him a visit. Sometimes, in fact, many a times, communication isn’t all about words.

i’ll end off with this video and for you to think, what is communication to you? An obligation to respond? Or an action with feelings attached to it? Communication, in your phone? Or in your face?