Radio and Television in Mass Media Essay Example for Free

Radio and Television in Mass Media Essay A form of media that revolutionized the way humans communicate was the radio. David Sarnoff is the best candidate for the man who put radio on the map. Although it may have not been his choosing, the sinking of the Titanic in 1916 put his name in the record books. For three days straight, the young Sarnoff decoded messages from the sinking ship from his office in New York (Wells 36). The Titanic broadcast was groundbreaking, because it showed and economically profitable way by which radio could be used as a medium of mass communication for ordinary families (Wells 36). By 1930 transmitters were popping up in cities around the nation. A record 30 million households had a set, and the one set per household was becoming a reality (Wells 42). The power of radio was not really noticed until a monumental broadcast in 1939. H.G. Wells War of the Worlds broadcast brought a whole nation to its knees and caused widespread panic among millions of viewers. Hours after the broadcast, people from coast to coast were thrown into panic, believing monsters from Mars, invulnerable space ships were destroying the earth. They took to cars, ran out to warn neighbors, traffic was jammed, church services were ended. Four times during the show the listeners were reminded that they were hearing a dramatization, but many citizens couldnt see past. After the incident, Wells told reporters that radio is a popular democratic machine for disseminating information and entertainment (Naremore 38). The power of radio was soon known, and this incident brought light to it. Today there more than 575 million radios in America alone (Encyclopedia Britannica). The latest study from the National Broadcasting Company found that 90.5 percent of the adult population listens to some type of radio during the week. Today, Clear Channel Communications owns over 1,200 radio stations across the United States, and Cumulus, the second largest owns 266 stations. (Grant, Meadows 141). With the FCC eliminating caps on ownership, one day everyone may be listening to the same news, spun whichever way Clear Channel feels like spinning it; to the left wing, or the right. Traditional radio is facing its toughest battle these days though. Satellite radio is sweeping through the market like a wildfire; with CD-quality sound, and hundreds of channels to choose from, who wouldnt spend the ten dollars a month to have  XM or Sirius? Although both companies reported losses in mid-2004, each service looks to become profitable by the end of 2005 (Grant 142). Radio will be hard-pressed to keep up with satellite. XMs digital music library is among the worlds largest 1.5 million titles and counting. Out of the 121 channels available on XM, 68 are 100% commercial free 24 hours a day, year round, with over 1500 hours of live programming every week. Although XM and Sirius only represent radios 4.5 million subscriptions only represents a fraction of radios 290 million weekly listeners, the number of satellite subscriptions is expected to double in 2005 (Bachman 4). On Christmas Day 2004, over 50,000 subscribers signed up for satellite radio service. If both companies hit their projections, there will be 7.7 million satellite radio subscribers by January 2006 (Bachman 4). Satellite radio isnt the only next generation radio system on the market. In 2004, 10,000 HD radios were sold, with prices ranging from $500-$1,000. B the end of 2005, Strubble predicts there will be a t least 600 HD radio stations, covering 80% of the U.S. and about 100,000 HD radios sold. HD radio representative John Smulyan believes, WE think this is one of those opportunities for game-changing radio business (Bachman 5). Television began with three companies that still dominate the airwaves, ABC, NBC, and CBS. In a world of subscription, these companies till offer free TV, but the ratings are going more towards cable. The clean cut programming that was once aired is being replaced with a plethora of violence and political propaganda that may ruin television. Television ranks just behind radio in penetration in the U.S. With over 106 million home, or 98% of the U.S. population having televisions, there is a plethora of sets ready to catch signals for people to view. Network TV has emerged over the last two decades as the dominant vehicle for interpreting national politics. TV has become the major source of news for the population, and the only news source for others. The problem is that politicians and journalists feed off each other like leeches. The politician needs the journalist for their messages to reach the intended audience, and journalists need the politicians to have something to write about. The coverage politicians seek gives them an outlet from which to speak. Those  who look good in the media can make a good image for themselves. The real problem comes when the news turns out to be propaganda, causing action from an opposing side that leads to deception. More than propaganda, violence seems to be the hot topic debated daily by politician and parent alike. Can what you child sees on television affect how he lives his/her life? E.B. White once said that television is going to be the test of the modern world (Simons 151). There is no doubt that television has become the central activity in homes today. Its ability to entertain, teach and persuade has huge impact on viewers. In the United States 98% of households have at least one set (Simons 149). What is astonishing is that children are watching an average of 7.5 hours a day (Simmons 149). One of the main concerns with television programming is the violence viewed by children that cannot understand the differences between fantasy and reality. Davidson, in a issue of Rolling Stones, agreed that children are vulnerable to television between the ages of 2 to 8 years because of their maturational inability to separate what they view from reality (qtd. in Simmons 152). Violence was such an issue that is came under consideration in the 50s and 60s in Congress. The findings supported the idea that a casual relationship existed between television violence and aggressive behavior. The National Coalition on Television Violence has classified the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers as the most violent program ever studied, with almost 200 violent acts per hour (Simmons 150). In an experimental study involving 5 to 11 year olds, children who watch Power Rangers committed seven times more aggressive acts than those who did not. Shows such as these caused a large number of accidents and quarrels due to the children imitating the characters actions. There is no doubt that the television programming has engulfed the U.S. population. As of 2003, 71.3% of U.S. households received cable programming (Grant, Meadows 29). This fact is amazing, because cable had only been around for fifty years. Not only programming is changing, but how we receive it as well. In May 2002, the FCC set a deadline by which all U.S. commercial television broadcasters were required to be broadcasting digital television signals. This date was a little early though, but by September 2003, 38 of 40 stations in the 10 largest markets in the United  States began broadcasting digital television signals (Grant, Meadows 28). By early 2004, 1.5 million household were watching HDTV, and that number is going to rise sharply. This means clearer sound and displays, recordable content, and crisp, clear reception of the same channels that have always been around. What if new 169 television sets make news broadcasts look weird or maybe cartoons might not look good on a widescreen set? There is no telling where the television market will go, hopefully bigger and better; but will content become more subtle, or so radical that new laws must be made to subdue? Radios.Encyclopaedia Britannica Online. 1999. Encyclopedia Britannica. 13 February 2005 Grant, August and Jennifer Meadows. Communication Technology Update. Oxford: Focal Press, 2004. Naremore, James. The Man who caused the Mars Panic. Humanities, Vol 24 (2003) 38-40 Simmons, Betty Jo, Stalsworth, Kelly, Wentzel, Heather. Television Violence and Its Effects on Young Children. Early Childhood Education journal Vol 26 (1999): 149-153 Wells, Alan. Mass Media and Society. Palo Alto, National Press Books. 1972

William Farrell’s Men as Success Objects Essay -- Rhetorical Analysis

William Farrell’s â€Å"Men as Success Objects† Identity is a subject commonly discussed within literature. In William Farrell’s essay entitled â€Å"Men as Success Objects† this subject is the object of much scrutiny. Farrell analyzes the role of gender in today’s society and states that male identity is in a condition where male insecurities about success, their appearance, and females have left most men in today’s society in dire straights. Compounded by prevailing ultra-feminist ideals, society has become saturated by the â€Å"men are jerks† mentality. This condition can be seen in various aspects of society such as commercials, television programs, even greeting cards (Farrell, 186). While some may not agree with his opinions on the state of male identity, Farrell uses a number of rhetorical strategies and literary devices such as an objective point of view, an intellectual tone, and appeals to both logos and ethos in order to effectively convey belief that men are treated as â€Å"succ ess objects† in today’s society. In discussing the subject of male identity, especially as compared to female identity, Farrell is very careful to remain very objective throughout his rhetoric. Part of his balanced approach to proving his argument, is the use of an objective point of view. Farrell’s deliberate objectivity can be seen in aspects of his piece such as his word choice, free of denotative language, his lack of any first hand anecdotes, a removal of any indication of his gender (except his name), and a strict third person style throughout his piece. All of these characteristics combine to make his argument effective to a large demographic of people, unlike many pieces on gender identity, whose audience is usually limited to at most a spe... ...emotional appeal, Farrell improves his argument by making it objective, understandable, and relatable. Debates over gender are always difficult to win. Each side has its own experience and it is impossible for the other side to completely understand the others perspective. In William Farrell’s essay â€Å"Men as Success Objects† the subject of male identity is discussed as objectively as a person of either gender could do. Through the use of an objective point of view, an intellectual tone, and appeals to both logos and ethos Farrell’s argument becomes both valid an effective. Through his use of rhetorical devices Farrell tells people what he knows and changes what they think. Works Cited Farrell, William. â€Å"Men as Success Objects.† Constructing Others Constructing Ourselves. Ed. Gruber, Sibylle et al. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing. 2002. 185-88. William Farrell’s Men as Success Objects Essay -- Rhetorical Analysis William Farrell’s â€Å"Men as Success Objects† Identity is a subject commonly discussed within literature. In William Farrell’s essay entitled â€Å"Men as Success Objects† this subject is the object of much scrutiny. Farrell analyzes the role of gender in today’s society and states that male identity is in a condition where male insecurities about success, their appearance, and females have left most men in today’s society in dire straights. Compounded by prevailing ultra-feminist ideals, society has become saturated by the â€Å"men are jerks† mentality. This condition can be seen in various aspects of society such as commercials, television programs, even greeting cards (Farrell, 186). While some may not agree with his opinions on the state of male identity, Farrell uses a number of rhetorical strategies and literary devices such as an objective point of view, an intellectual tone, and appeals to both logos and ethos in order to effectively convey belief that men are treated as â€Å"succ ess objects† in today’s society. In discussing the subject of male identity, especially as compared to female identity, Farrell is very careful to remain very objective throughout his rhetoric. Part of his balanced approach to proving his argument, is the use of an objective point of view. Farrell’s deliberate objectivity can be seen in aspects of his piece such as his word choice, free of denotative language, his lack of any first hand anecdotes, a removal of any indication of his gender (except his name), and a strict third person style throughout his piece. All of these characteristics combine to make his argument effective to a large demographic of people, unlike many pieces on gender identity, whose audience is usually limited to at most a spe... ...emotional appeal, Farrell improves his argument by making it objective, understandable, and relatable. Debates over gender are always difficult to win. Each side has its own experience and it is impossible for the other side to completely understand the others perspective. In William Farrell’s essay â€Å"Men as Success Objects† the subject of male identity is discussed as objectively as a person of either gender could do. Through the use of an objective point of view, an intellectual tone, and appeals to both logos and ethos Farrell’s argument becomes both valid an effective. Through his use of rhetorical devices Farrell tells people what he knows and changes what they think. Works Cited Farrell, William. â€Å"Men as Success Objects.† Constructing Others Constructing Ourselves. Ed. Gruber, Sibylle et al. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing. 2002. 185-88.

Thinking

I am thirty four years of age. I'm originally from Trinidad and Tobago W. L. Came to America twenty years ago, lived in Brooklyn New York, and attended south shore high school and graduated. I'm a very proud and active mother of five children four boys and one girl. I am truly blessed to have my kids In my life. My children play a very big part in my life they are my world. My two boys play basketball, and the other two plays football, my daughter Is a cheerleader, they also o swimming.We do a lot of traveling In the summer time; explore deferent ways of life and what life has to offer, until we ended up In the state of Pennsylvania. I have been In the medical field for over fifteen years, as a companion In homes also In hospitals now am a nurses aid, I love taking care of the elderly and the mentally challenged patients. Taking care of people I enjoy and love doing, I assist my patients with activities and dally living Including bathing, dressing, eating etc.My Job requires hours of walking, standing and heavy Lifting of patients. When I'm not working I'm cooking cleaning and spending time with my kids doing adventures things, I make sure and put that time in with my children. I am a single mother doing it on my own: I think I have the motherly part under control so far. Now I'm back in school pursing my dreams of graduating from college and getting a better paying job with my degree. My kids support my every step, and I am so excited to be back in school.

Hamlet Soliloquies Essay - 1204 Words

Hamlet: Soliloquies Hamlet, one of Shakespeare’s tragic plays, portrays the story of a young man’s quest to avenge his murdered father and his quest to find his true identity. In his soliloquies, Prince Hamlet reveals to the readers his personal perceptions of the events that take place in his homeland, Denmark, and of which are either indirectly or directly tied to his father’s murder. Many critics and scholars agree that while Hamlet’s soliloquies reveal the search of his identity and true character, his soliloquies universally illustrate man’s search for his true identity. The first soliloquy of Hamlet takes place early in the play, and Hamlet expresses his lachrymose feelings to the reader and how he wishes that God â€Å"had not†¦show more content†¦In his mature, adult mind, he knows that he must avenge his father, but there lives an innocent child in his conscience who does not want to commit murder; and Hamlet perceives this as cowardice. It seems as though Hamlet is struggling with what he knows he must do, and actually doing it. While instead of pursuing his father’s revenge, he lets his emotions dictate his actions (in this case, his lack of action). So, in self-justification, he tucks away his apprehension and decides to seek proof of Claudius’s murder of Hamlet’s father. Furthermore, Hamlet is beginning to question his identity as a â€Å"pigeon-livered coward.† What is more noteworthy, however, is that both soliloquies exhibit Hamlet to be an immature boy, as he speaks on impulses of emotion, rather than logic itself. Next, in one of the most famous soliloquies in the English language, Hamlet again contemplates the subject of suicide, but he does not do so on impulses of emotion. Instead, his contemplation is based on reason. â€Å"To be or not to be, that is the question: whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer outrageous fortune†¦or end them. To die, to sleep- no more- and by a sleep to say we end the heartache†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢Tis a consummation devoutly to be wished. For who would bear the whips and scorns of time†¦who would fardels bear, to grunt and sweat under a weary life, but that the dread of something after death, the undiscovered country from whose bourn no travelerShow MoreRelatedHamlet Soliloquies 1832 Words   |  8 PagesHamlet was written in the early 1600s.The tragedy of Hamlet is one of William Shakespeares most famous plays. It is popular because of the way Shakespeare uses Hamlet to show the complexity of the human mind is. Shakespeare uses soliloquies to re veal Hamlet’s innermost thoughts. Through the soliloquies, the audience learns of Hamlets struggle to face his internal conflicts, deciding when to avenge his father and his disgusted feelings about his mother’s lustful marriage. Also the soliloquies, whichRead MoreHamlet Soliloquy Analysis Essay626 Words   |  3 PagesHamlet, the main character of William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, is one of the most complex characters ever created. His intricacy can be seen in the amount of soliloquies he speaks throughout the play. Each one of Hamlet’s soliloquies reveals his innermost thoughts and gives the reader or audience insight as to what he is feeling at that time. Hamlet’s quartet of soliloquies illustrates how Hamlet is initially indecisive, but eventually makes a decision to take revenge against his uncle. In Hamlet’sRead MoreHamlet Soliloquy Speech1816 Words   |  8 PagesBeethoven’s â€Å"Ode to Joy†, Shakespeare’s ponderous soliloquy seems to be more famous for its fame than for its merits, though it has many. How do directors and actors convince their audiences to engage with Hamlet’s words, when the audience is more inclined to be pulled into their own thoughts and ideas about the soliloquy as soon as they hear the signifier of â€Å"To be†? I will be examining approaches taken by directors and actors across the history of filmed Hamlets to create Hamlet’s famous speech, focusingRead MoreEssay Hamlets soliloquy841 Words   |  4 Pages William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a complex play regarding the kingdom of Denmark, and the unusual stage it is going through. The main focus of the play concerns Hamlet, prince of Denmark, and his feeling of ambiguity toward his recently lost father and his remarried mother. Hamlet is a complicated character who plays assorted roles in order to manipulate people. These various roles make it problematic to develop a sense of the real Hamlet. Only during the soliloquies is the reader given a chanceRead MoreSoliloquies in Hamlet by William Shakespeare Essay1042 Words   |  5 PagesA soliloquy is a literacy device that is used to reveal the innermost thoughts of a character. Shakespeare uses soliloquies to expose fascinating insights into the thoughts and actions of Hamlet and in doing so: the readers can grasp his character. The first soliloquy of the play, introduces the main theme for the rest of hamlet’s thoughts and actions, this soliloquy allows the audience to understand hamlets inner thoughts that are repetitive throughout the play. Secondly, Hamlet’s famous soliloquyRead MoreEssay on The Use of Soliloquy in Shakespeares Hamlet1175 Words   |  5 Pages A Soliloquy is a dramatic convention, in which the character stands alone on stage, speaking. Originally it was a plot device, to enable a character to tell the audience what he planned to do next, for example, in the course of revenge. But the device is heightened in Shakespeare as it enables a character to reveal the amp;#8216;inner soulamp;#8217; to the audience without telling the other characters. It is usual that one discovers more of a character from a soliloquy than from the action ofRead MoreHamlet - Soliloquies Essay1481 Words   |  6 PagesHamlet In Shakespeares Hamlet, the tragic hero reveals his inner conflicts and introspective attitude in each of the lengthy soliloquies in the play. Hamlet is a static character whose thoughts never dramatically change. Each soliloquy delves further into Hamlets motivations, or lack thereof, and psyche. Each soliloquy, each slightly different, is all united by vivid imagery, introspective language, and discussion of Hamlets delay of a ction. The first soliloquy serves to set the stage for theRead MoreUnderstanding the Mind of Hamlet with His Soliloquies Essay678 Words   |  3 PagesUnderstanding the Mind of Hamlet with His Soliloquies The term soliloquy is a literary or dramatic form of discourse, within which a character talks to himself and reveals his inner thoughts without addressing a listener. Hamlet uses soliloquies to express his feelings towards his dead father and self loathing to the reader of the play but to none of the characters within it. Hamlet has a complex character and it is important for the audience to be able to understandRead More Soliloquy and Revenge in Hamlet Essay662 Words   |  3 PagesSoliloquy and Revenge in Hamlet      Ã‚  Ã‚   The soliloquy is a literary device that is employed to unconsciously reveal an actors thoughts to the audience. In William Shakespeares, Hamlet, Hamlets soliloquy in Act II, ii, (576-634) depicts his arrival at a state of vengeful behaviour through an internal process. Hamlet moves through states of depression and procrastination as he is caught up in the aftermath of the murder of his father and the marriage of his mother to his uncle. The soliloquyRead MoreUse of Soliloquies in Hamlet Essay941 Words   |  4 PagesA soliloquy is a speech in a play that is meant to be heard by the audience but not the other characters on the stage. In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the use of soliloquies allows the audience to know what the characters are feeling and what their pure motives are. They are also able to hear the characters’ thoughts directly. The character’s secrets are revealed only to the audience which gives way for irony to take a part in the play. Shakespeare uses soliloquies throughout the play