Second Reader Response

“Average person spends more time using media than anything else”

I wasn’t exactly surprised by this article. Everywhere I go, most people are on their cell phone or are listening to an iPod. People I see driving are either listening to the radio, using their cell phone, or both. Media are also used in classes. Other students surf the Web on their laptop, the professor shows YouTube videos, and students secretly text with their phones. When I come home I might write an e-mail while talking on the phone and the TV will be on in the background. I was surprised by the fact that television is used more than computers and by the fact that young people don’t use the Internet as much as older people.

“Plugged in, tuned out”

I like that this article moves beyond the mere fact that many young people are not interested in news and are not informed about current events. It suggests how to solve this problem and predicts the problems that having uninformed citizens will cause. I agree that news media have to be open, interactive discussions as opposed to lectures. Yet, even if these interactions are available, we are still faced with the problem of youth’s lost interest in news issues. This problem seems too big for media outlets to solve. Even the most eye-catching, fast-paced video will not impact someone who isn’t passionate about the subject matter.

“Diversity in the Digital Age: Complicated Issues, Sophisticated Storytelling”

Using new media to connect cultures is intriguing. I feel that it is important for people of different backgrounds to communicate with each other and try to understand the other person’s point of view. Even if we continue to disagree about issues, we can respect each other. It is easier to respect someone when you see the logic in their arguments. Media professionals should use the technology available to spread awareness among communities to promote communication and understanding.