Mass Communications

By Kyle Beard

In the past 15 weeks, I have gone through a bit of a change in opinion in regards to the “Mass Media.” Prior to taking the Mass Communications class, my views regarding mass media were a bit skeptical. I found myself annoyed by advertisements and poor practices used in distributing information — particularly with television and large advertising campaigns.

Before, I saw mass communications as a huge ploy to hark products such as Nike, McDonald’s and Coca-Cola. I saw it as perhaps an arrogant and greedy effort to get Americans to spend money. To coin a cliché, I learned to “not judge a book by its cover.”
I learned that there is a deep and unique subculture involved in producing these means of communication.

In reading the Wall Street Journal, I have gained a new appreciation for the technology behind our information distribution practices. I learned that we — as human beings — are moving toward a technological state of mind and dependency. Where as a few short years ago, we relied on printed newspapers, magazines and books, we are now developing different ways of communicating and sharing overall creativity.

I will continue to renew my Wall Street Journal subscription after this class to support print newspapers and publications. Also in part, to stay in touch with the wealth of information offered to us by Mass Media devices.

In all, I have gained an entirely new appreciation for journalists of all persuasions — whether it be print, broadcast or Internet. I think it is important to support all of these mediums. It is important for people to have a choice in how they receive their information. I, for one, think it will be a sad day when some of our media outlets inevitably disappear.

I haven’t decided whether or not I will continue to pursue a career in mass communications. I do know, that I want to make a difference. I want to be able to say that my efforts have helped someone somewhere. What I do know, is that mass communication is a device that I will need in pursuing that goal and that I am better for the things I have learned in this class.