Module 2 Reading Reflection

In Chapter 3 of Connecting Social Problems and Popular Culture, Sternheimer challenges the paranoia of the Internet causing dangerous trends in youth culture. Although new media has changed our culture and the way people communicate and navigate relationships, Sternheimer argues that there is no solid proof that it is responsible for spiking harmful trends. In fact, Sternheimer even shows convincing evidence that crime rates have gone down significantly over the past several decades. “The stories we hear might be shocking and familiar, and although powerful examples, they are not necessarily representative of a larger trend of increased danger to young people” (Sternheimer, pg. 50). Her argument and evidence is very persuasive, but part of me cannot fully trust anything after studying Carl Hausman’s techniques for lying with words, numbers and images. Since bullying, homophobia, pedophilia, and suicide have existed within our society long before the internet, it is not surprising that these these trends still exist and are now expressed through the Internet (especially due to its uncensored and anonymous nature). As times change, similar trends take different forms to adapt to the present. I agree with Sternheimer that the Internet and social networking is not alone a main cause of depression and suicide. But I also understand “the Internet and new electronic communications create additional complexities in our lives and relationships” (Sternheimer, pg.52). These complexities can be a lot to handle when you are young, making growing up even more hard and confusing than it already is. Especially since things that are posted on the Internet never really go away entirely. I believe that parents should not allow their children to have free rein over the Internet until they are mature enough to handle the responsibility. However, some full grown adults aren’t mature enough to handle the responsibility, proving that there will always be some level of conflict associated with this powerful platform. Whether we love it or hate it, the Internet is only going to become a more invasive, intertwined part of the world we live in. Sure the Internet can be harmful, but so can going to the grocery store or taking the dog for a walk if we are not aware of our surroundings. Learning to navigate the Internet with our best judgement is what determines if it is a safe place or not.

In Chapter 4, Sternheimer challenges another fear that is increasing as fast as our online habits: Is popular culture turning us into a nation of shallow idiots? Sternheimer questions those who believe electronics and popular culture are to blame for educational failure. However, the reality and source of ignorance in our country is much more complex than people realize. Sternheimer explains, “Problems within education stem from structural factors bigger than pop culture: lack of resources, inconsistent family and community support, and inequality” (pg.73). Inequality in American society has lead to a population that is vastly divided when it comes to education and intellectual achievement. While many believe that television is detrimental to the growth of children, there is no evidence that suggests that it has a negative effect on youth. It doesn’t necessarily always support their growth, but it is also not necessarily harmful either (as long as its age appropriate). While the Internet and many TV programs are full of useless junk, there are also many incredible sources to learn from that technological advances have made accessible to almost anyone who has a WiFi connection. Several decades ago, if I wanted to know what the capital of Sweden was, I would have to go down to the local public library and look it up using an encyclopedia. Knowing myself, I probably wouldn’t do that and I would go on the rest of my life without ever knowing what the capital of Sweden was. However, the technological advances of today make it possible for me to look up the capital of Sweden within seconds, something that was not even imaginable 50 years ago. Overall, I agree with Sternheimer that electronics and popular culture cannot be blamed for educational failure. According to the reading, The Inversion of Visibility, the public school system is severely flawed as a result of our culture valuing of corporate over public welfare. Philosopher, Micheal Foucault, coined the phrase “inversion of visibility” to describe the modern of exercise of power. This involves the higher-ups avoiding the public eye in order to control what is not being seen by the public. Since we come from a culture where seeing is believing, it is easy for the those in power to pull the strings of society without being detected or influenced by those who suffer the consequences. Education should be motivated by genuine commitment to public welfare, not motivated by private interest. Even in the different neighborhoods of Santa Barbara, the difference in the quality of schools varies vastly depending on the neighborhood. I agree that we must feel a sense of responsibility in every school and neighborhood in order for all youth the gain access to a bright future.

Young people are exposed to media messages just as often, if not more, than adults. This fact is only going to become more and more evident as the level of media exposure we receive everyday increases. Corporations are shameless when it comes to marketing their products.  Our capitalism fueled society will not hesitate to manipulate even the most vulnerable members of society. In a Common Sense Media article discussing the issue of advertising to young people, Common Sense Media shines a spotlight on the recent explosion of new techniques for advertising to the youth demographic. Researchers have been unable to develop a proper way of measuring young people’s exposure to such marketing and their ability to understand the intent of these messages. While it could be a while before researchers agree upon a way to accurately measure these impacts, it is crucial that in the meantime young people learn the purpose and intentions of these messages so they do not fall into the traps of these highly manipulative corporations. In Struggling with Stereotypes: Uses and Abuses of a Critical Concept, Cortes acknowledges that as humans, we all generalize to make sense of the world around us. However, the creation of stereotypes works more as “a function of selectivity and frequency than of accuracy” (Cortes, 2000, pg.148). The media works as a huge source for fueling stereotypes regarding certain groups, individuals, places, events, etc. These stereotypes can be very limiting and very dangerous at a time when our society desperately needs tolerance and understanding for diversity. In the article, Out of the Mainstream: Sexual Minorities and the Mass Media, Larry Gross expresses his protectionist view on the inaccuracies of mass media. He uses 5 characteristics to describe the role of mass media within our society. (1) Modern industrial society allows few communities or individuals to maintain independent integrity, creating a heterogeneous national community  (2) Groups that do not possess significant power are hardly represented (3) When groups are represented, they are represented in a way that reflects the biases and interests of the elite who create the public agenda (4) News, drama, quiz shows, sports, and commercials share underlying similarities of them , emphasis and value (5) The dominant conventions of our media are those of “realism” and psychologically grounded realism. (Gross, 2001). While children are young and still forming their views on the world, it is crucial that schools help students learn the difference between generalizing and stereotyping, reality and mediated reality, so they can grow to be positive, constructive members of our multicultural communities. Cortes claims, “The issues of mass media stereotyping, as well as the broader goal of helping students learn to generalize without stereotyping, are too important to be deal with in a facile manner. They are also too important for schools to avoid” (2000, pg.161). While other subjects are also important, the subject of media literacy is one that is monumentally important in the 21st century and needs to be recognized on a national level.