Media & Culture (Part 2)

"Sounds and Images"

Chapter 3: Sound Recording and Popular Music
I enjoyed reading this chapter on how sound recording was developed, starting out with analog recording with phonographs and audiotapes to digital recordings with CDs and MP3s. Also interesting was the major part of this chapter on how the American popular music has shaped our culture and bring social changes to the country, such as the integration of the white and black cultures and blurring the boundary between masculinity and femininity. It goes to show that music has been and still is an important form of media that speaks universally that has the power to bring changes to the world.

Chapter 4: Radio
After reading this chapter, I've learned much more about the radio, like it's origin and how big of a role it played as the nation's first electronic mass medium. It's interesting to learn that telegraphy has helped saved lives in seas, such as the sinking of Titanic. Radio has since then became a part of the American culture, and before the arrival of television, was used as an electronic form to broadcast news, talk shows, short stories, and music. I feel like radio today acts as an electronic form of magazine, targeting different listeners with format specialization.

Chapter 5: Television
The arrival of television was probably the most important cultural change in America. It offered not only sound but also visual, visual that has given Americans a glimpse into the world outside their own home. Since then, Americans turn to the television for news and entertainment. It became a major medium to televise important events such as the presidential election and also a medium which Americans can sit down and be entertained by its various shows and programs. The internet now allows us to view and download TV episodes, and with that, we can multitask on other things and come back to the computer later to catch up on the shows we've missed.

Chapter 6: Cable
Let's start out by saying that my household is not subscribed to cable TV, therefore I rarely watch television. This chapter gives me an insight of the history and impact of cable. What I found is interesting was how MTV and Michael Jackson's Thriller broke down the barrier that prevented music videos by black artists to be shown on television, and as a result, also introduced the hip hop culture to the world.

Chapter 7: Movies
Movies have brought a great impact to our culture, it not only introduced pictures in motion for the first time, it became a form of entertainment, and also a medium for social, cultural change. Just like the impact of internet on other media forms, the arrival of internet has drawn people to watching movies online, illegally or through purchase. Furthermore, with the rise of YouTube, people can now easily make their own movies or shorts and promote them without the need of Hollywood and such. I believe, however, people would still go to theaters as the experience of watching it on a big screen is more satisfactory.