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1. Explain how the influence of mass media extends beyond what we know to include how we relate to the social world.
Society learns through the mass media and we learn from social interactions with others. Everything we define is shaped based on society's definition. If the newspapers, television or radio tells us that baldness as an attractive feature, majority of society will think it is true and will shave their heads bald to become more attractive. If your girlfriend/mother/best friend then tells you that, you may be inclined to shave as well because you want to appear cool. Most of the media content is controlled by news organizations and the government in Malaysia though, so news, especially political news, are mostly untrustable.


3. How does the presence of media affect your life? How would it be different without mass media?

- I'm more informed of what is going on in other countries
- I keep in touch of what is "in" and trendy
- To entertain me; I can't live without movies, games and music, and that's all sourced from the Internet.
- To keep in touch with my old schoolmates and my best friend in Holland
- Without mass media, I would be a caveman. Maybe a healthier, more social caveman, but nontheless an uninformed, disconnected one.

4. Overall, do you think the growing presence of mass media in our lives is a positive or negative development? Why?

It can be both negative and positive. Negative in a sense that kids now no longer spend time outdoors anymore, but play sports games on computers. The younger generation is very dependent on mass media, so basically we can no longer survive without it, and that dependence is unhealthy. Positively, mass media introduces to things beyond the scope of our knowledge. We can cross the time and geographical differences to connect with other people across the globe, and people can gather together to fight for a cause as a united front. Take the Kony campaign for example. We are crossing the boundaries of human capabilities as we speak. 

5. How do you think the presence of television has changed family life? Do you think the spread of the internet will have similar effects? Why or why not?

I believe that the development of the television has made families closer. I know not of better ways to bond than sit around watching a movie with my family and having a good laugh with them. There are also many sitcoms about family life broadcasted on TV that makes us realize the importance of family values and relationships. The spread of the internet has a double-edged effect on family life. Families are not going to be as connected if every member is too busy surfing the internet on their laptops/ desktops/ Ipads/Ipods everyday. On the other hand, the use of social media such as Facebook and Skype help to keep families that are apart keep connected. 


6. What do you think is the most significant media development in your lifetime?

The most significant media development of (almost) everyone's lifetime is the Internet. It has been developed on such a large scale that it has covered the entire globe; even if the residents of certain rural areas are unable to connect to the World Wide Web, we could still know how they are doing via the Internet. It's changing the way we see the world and the way we connect to the people on it. Businesses are also starting to change; no business with sense would not have a website and a Facebook page to promote itself. In short, the WWW is redefining the world as we know it.