1. COMM 101: UNDERSTANDING MASS MEDIA
PROJECT #1
• Avoid ALL direct and indirect contact with
MASS MEDIA MESSAGES sent/received via the
7 mass media channels for one 24-hour period:
• Print
• Recordings
• Cinema/Film
• Radio
• Television
• Internet/Video Games
• Mobile
2. YOU THEN REPORT ON THESE 4 AREAS:
• (A) The media contacts you could not avoid and why
• (B) Those you avoided but missed having in your life
• (C) Substitute activities you used to fill non-media time
• (D) Personal conclusions about the role of mass media
in your daily life
COMM 101: UNDERSTANDING MASS MEDIA
PROJECT #1
3. REMEMBER THE DEFINITION OF “MASS MEDIA”:
• “Mass Media” channels always use technology of
some kind to deliver the SAME message to a great
number of people at widely separated points who
typically don’t know each other.
• This only applies to mass media MESSAGES – you
may still engage in personal communication via
technology also used for MASS MEDIA (phone
calls, texting, emails, etc.) – just be aware when
interpersonal communication slips into mass
communication and you’re receiving “mass media”
messages.
COMM 101: UNDERSTANDING MASS MEDIA
PROJECT #1
4. • WORK: Stores, Restaurants, Bars, etc.
• SCHOOL: Textbooks, homework, etc.
• TO BE WITH OTHERS: Family time, friend
time, etc.
• GOING THROUGH EVERYDAY LIFE: Gas
pumps, GPS, etc.
• BECAUSE “I’M ADDICTED”
(A) The media contacts you could NOT avoid and why:
COMM 101: UNDERSTANDING MASS MEDIA
PROJECT #1
5. (B) Those you avoided but missed having in your life
• STAYING CONNECTED: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,
Snapchat, email, etc.
• COMMUTING: Driving/riding without music,
• WORKING OUT: Music as a motivator
• INFORMATION: Immediately knowing something
• DISTRACTION: Media while doing something else
(homework, laundry, chores, etc.
• AVOID BOREDOM: Media while waiting, etc.
• SLEEP AID: Media to go to sleep, help sleep, and stay
asleep
COMM 101: UNDERSTANDING MASS MEDIA
PROJECT #1
6. (C) Substitute activities you used to fill non-media time
• TIME WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS, & PETS (often
outside)
• MAKING MEDIA (ALL KINDS)
• SLEEPING/NAPPING
• WORKING OUT
• CLEANING ROOM/CHORES
• CATCHING UP WITH HOMEWORK
COMM 101: UNDERSTANDING MASS MEDIA
PROJECT #1
7. (D) Personal conclusions:
What did you all discover
about yourselves and your
relationship with mass
media?
COMM 101: UNDERSTANDING MASS MEDIA
PROJECT #1
8. •BOTH USING AND AVOIDING MASS
MEDIA ALLOWS US TO BOND WITH
OTHERS
•BUT CONSUMING MASS MEDIA ALSO
HELPS US BE ALONE
•MASS MEDIA IS A MAJOR PART OF OUR
SOCIAL, WORK, AND EDUCATIONAL LIVES
– WE NEED IT TO FULLY PARTICIPATE AND
BE PRODUCTIVE…IN OTHER WORDS, WE
NEED IT “TO LIVE”
PROJECT #1 OVERVIEW POINTS
9. • MASS MEDIA TECHNOLOGY INEVITABLY IMPACTS
OUR SENSE OF PERSONAL FREEDOM AND
RESPONSIBILITY IN DIFFERENT WAYS; WE EITHER
ACTIVELY CONTROL IT OR FEEL AS THOUGH IT’S
CONTROLLING US…SOMETIMES BOTH AT THE SAME
TIME!
• ANYTHING WE SPEND THIS MUCH TIME WITH
DESERVES OUR COLLECTIVE ATTENTION AND
SCRUTINY SO WE CAN BETTER UNDERSTAND ITS
ROLE IN YOUR OWN LIFE AND THE WORLD AROUND
YOU…
• BUT MEDIA DOES NOTHING TO US BY ITSELF…
PROJECT #1 OVERVIEW POINTS
10. SO WHILE YOU’RE USING MASS MEDIA NEVER FORGET THAT MASS
MEDIA IS ALSO USING YOU…
