Semiotic Domains

After learning about semiotic domains, I have analyzed different semiotic domains within the media. I have placed myself in some affinity groups within certain semiotic domains and I only hope that as I learn more about semiotic domains, that I will learn to not only be knowledgeable in my internal views of my affinity groups, but that I will be able to better understand external views that I have now of other semiotic domains. I know that my knowledge will grow through active and critical learning that I chose to apply myself. For now, I am going to describe a semiotic domain and affinity group that I associate myself with. Book reading is a semiotic domain that I would currently place myself in. Up until the past few years, I didn't enjoy reading for pleasure at all, and now I love it. I have grown to have a new appreciation for it and continue to grow in knowledge through it daily. Reading different media not only provides me with more wisdom and knowledge, but it provides me to open up my mind to things I don't often think about. It gives me an escape. Reading takes my mind off the problems that I have in this world. While I am reading, my mind is not focused on anything but simply, the words that are before my eyes. While reading, I discover new symbols, which create a higher level of thinking. Through discovering my love of reading books of my choice, for pleasure, I have found not only pleasure and enjoyment in just these, but in all media that I read. I now have a new understanding that reading has many benefits and I want to read with an open mind, (yes, even my boring Ancient History, I try to read with some enjoyment.) :) So, as I associate myself with the semiotic domain of reading, I would place myself in the affinity group of a "reader." To be specific, I love reading Christian Romance novels, but like I said, I am trying to be open to different types of books and novels. I hope that as I continue to read for this class and others, that I will gain a better understanding of others views so that I can better communicate with society.

Myth Un/True

I do find the Myth, "The coming of the Messiah," to be a Myth that I find the most true. I am sure that many people find this myth to be true and one that we can see often within media. It is one I do see most often and that I do believe to be true, but another myth that I find to be true and see much importance and value in is the myth, "Pull yourself up by your boot straps." This myth is also one that we can see throughout many movies and within books and other media. This myth is true because people do encounter this myth. Although we may not be surrounded by people who have lifted themselves up through a certain problem or situation, we do encounter these people, and are often effected by them, whether we realize it or not, they often provide great wisdom for us. As I spent my years of education in public schools, I have seen many students around me, fend for themselves and fight their families battles and ways, making there own life and having goals in life to be successful. Just seeing this through other people, has made me more disciplined in life and makes me thankful for the way my family has raised me. So, I do believe this myth is true because we can see it everyday through others lives and through media, which portrays many stories of these types of people's lives.
I suppose this myth can be untrue as well. It can be untrue in the sense that we tend to judge people by standards of myths, as Dr. Rudd said. This is something that we must be careful of and look out for. Especially as we watch movies and engage in media, we can’t forget about reality. Often, media adds drama to situations, for our entertainment of course, but we must not forget that while media does have its true parts, it also must not control our ways of thinking. We may see people change their life and effect lives around them, making us think that we must be as successful and productive in our own lives. I do believe that this myth and other are great in the sense to provide inspiration and give us an open mind to other people and their situation, but we also must remember that we are all different and have our own goals, dreams, and aspirations- and sometimes we can't let media change our path toward them.

Myths in Media

I have never really thought much about myths throughout media. In my high school senior English class, we learned about how every movie and book we read applies to this idea the teacher called, "A Hero's Journey." This is totally related to all the same ideas as the myths. Basically, the Hero's Journey that we see in all movies and such is that a character or group of people encounter a hard situation that they realize they must overcome. Through this journey to overcome the situation, they will encounter things or people along they way that will help or hinder their journey. Ultimately in the end, the person or group finds their true self by the end or they are defeated. This sort of idea generally applies to many of the movies and books we read. There is always a myth or life lesson that we can take out of them. I always try to look for meaning in movies and books. I want to make the most of my time. So whether I am studying, watching a movie, or reading, I try to look for wisdom through them that I can apply to my everyday life. One of my favorite movies that I see many myths in is The Chronicles of Narnia movies/books. I am most familiar with "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe." I think there are several myths that we can see within this story, but one that sticks out the most to me is the myth "The Coming of the Messiah." Aslyan, ultimately portrays Jesus in the story. He is the ultimate hero who provides guidance to the kids on their quest and he ultimately sacrifices himself in the end, and returns to life to help fight the final battle for Narnia. We can also see the Myth of “Eternal Return.” The land of Narnia has lost all hope because of the evil witch, but the people of Narnia bring together their hope and strength with the help of Susan, Peter, Edmund, and Lucy, and they find common value and hope to win in the end. We can find other Myths within these stories as well, but I do think it is important to look for myths within all media because they do help shape our media community.

Formative Media Text

It is most certainly hard to pick just one media text that has had an importance on shaping my life. Of course, the Bible is the book that has the most influence and impact on my life, but I wanted to describe another text that would be more exciting to talk about- one that not many people have heard of. The first idea that came to mind was that books have most certainly impacted me in more ways than TV shows, magazines, the Internet, or any other media text. I didn't really enjoy reading for pleasure until a few years ago. I mean, I read when I was little and all- (the books from the Book Fair that you pay a fortune for and never end up reading), but I never really found meaning in the books I read. In the beginning of my senior year in high school, on a college visit, I remember picking up a Christian Romance Novel called "Ever After," by Karen Kingsbury. My Aunt had given me the book a few weeks earlier and I just didn't think I would have interest in reading it, but the trip to the University of New Mexico turned out to be a disaster, so I needed something to pull my mind away from it. I began reading and was instantly hooked. I have read many of Karen Kingsbury’s books since I touched "Ever After." "Ever After" had a huge impact on me and helped shape my life. My reasoning is probably going to sound corny and cliché to many, but this is the way it affected me. "Ever After" is mainly about a relationships- “two couples are torn apart-one by war between countries, one by a way within.” Through the characters lives, Karen Kingsbury showed realistic life situations. She showed the collapse of relationships and showed that nothing is impossible to handle with God in our hearts and His wisdom in our minds. I was struggling with a relationship of my own; at the time I was reading this book. I was getting ready to decide where I wanted to go to college- facing the fact that I wasn’t going to be able to continue relationships on the same level when I went off to college. “Ever After,” reminded me, in the midst of my doubt and fear of the future, that God has a plan and that I need to be faithful in His plans. This book, along with many others, is one that has had a great influence and has helped shape my life and attitude today.

Problems with Mass Media in Society

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of problems with mass media is distraction. I talked about this in my last blog about Facebook as well, but I have truly come to the realization that so many more media texts are a distraction as well. Internet, TV, magazines, all these things and more, have such an influence on our lives. They are a blessing to us in some ways. I mean, after all they connect us to others that we sometimes wouldn't communicate with. Not only are these media texts a distraction to me and pull me away from other things and face to face interaction, but they also have a huge influence on me. Sometimes we don't even realize the influence that media has on us. As I look back on my high school years, I am disappointed with how I let it influence me sometimes. I had an obsession with Teen Vogue magazines in high school, which most certainly had an impact on me. For the most part, these magazines had good intentions, trying to persuade teens to be confident in who they are and that sort of thing, but I didn't always read the articles. It is crazy how just flipping through a magazine can have such an influence on me and send ridiculous thoughts through my mind. I often caught myself comparing myself to "skinny and pretty" girls. I intended to open this magazine and be influenced in a positive way, but sometimes media manipulates us-causing us to think in ways we don't want to. I also think media obviously is very bias. Many times, for example on news channels, we only hear one side. As I look back on the way that media has influenced me throughout the past few years, I mainly see that it has influenced me in bad ways, more so than good. Now, don't get me wrong, I do believe that it can have good influences as well, but I think right now, I am learning how to appropriately expose myself to this media. I do think that media is a blessing in many ways as well, allowing us to open up our minds to different opinions and views.

First impression on mass media

Mass media-to be honest, I didn't even know exactly what this meant until the first day of class. I am still not sure I understand completely what it means, but I do know that I have a connection with mass media in society in many ways. I love to read, listen to music, and use the internet, among other media texts. I am excited to learn more about these media texts and other views on them.
Currently, the big media text that comes to mind for me is, of course, Facebook. I do think Facebook is a good way to interact with others, but I do think that sometimes, it isn't necessary. It is a distraction to me, at many times, as I'm sure it is for others too. Of course, lots of things distract me. As much as I like being able to talk and connect with those that I am not around often, Facebook isn't necessary. It takes up too much time that I could be using to do other things, such as study and interact with those who are around me.
At times, I have thought about getting rid of my Facebook account. I feel like I get too caught up in other people's lives. I can view pictures of "my facebook friends" which some, I hardly even know or have never talked to before. I feel like through these pictures, people's status' and other wall writing and comments, I am getting to know people that I have never talked with! That is pretty weird, when I stop and think about it, but I still get on it daily- many times a day, actually. I am interested to learn other people's opinions and views on Facebook and other media texts this semester.

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