Opening Thoughts
My main focus for this blog post will be to answer the aforestated question. I came to this inquiry while reflecting on this week's module materials. To be specific I was interested in the idea that encoded messages can be interpreted differently according to different audience demographics. If I were to have an extreme take on this I would compare it to mind control as silly as that may sound. The scaled influence of mass media does not always yield consistent outcomes. Sets of assumptions can often be incorrect. If a message is crafted to resonate with target individuals and the inferences about these people are incorrect then the message will still be received but the individual will not be receptive to it.
What do I think about diversity in conversation to public opinion?
My personal view is that we should not reduce people to labels, (these assumptions, and inferences). Although oftentimes, this is the only information we have to go off of and are common characteristic that a much larger audience shares. I would say that they are not our defining traits, but others may disagree. To elaborate, I would standby that my interests and those around me have more significance to my individuality than my eye color, shoe size, or any other arbitrary attribute that I can almost never change. On another note, news networks as we know them often impliment and impose the practice of making assumptions about their target audience in every facet even especially in situations that are not appropriate such as commentary or reporting on crises and tragedies. News networks, as well as social media platforms' goals, are to push an agenda by altering public opinion just as special interest groups seek to influence lawmakers into changing or passing legislation.
Real World Application
I know that this has been a handful of information so now I will attempt to apply this knowledge to a current event. The bombing of the Georgia Guidestones. When I heard about this, I was shocked due to the unexpectedness about this, and also to a degree saddened by the vandalism of our state's landmark as we identify as Georgians. This was an act of unexplained motive and so people began to project their own.
Now I also Identify with conservative/republican values, but polarized individuals have begun blowing up this conspiracy as an attack on the "New World Order" due to the contents inscribed into the destroyed monument. I believe that these extreme viewpoints stem from the pacing changes to the country and world. I would like to clarify and emphasizes that the point of bringing up this controversy was that simply the reporting of this event with no clear agenda or exterior motives prompted a response from a particular demographic.
No comments:
Post a Comment