#readingresponse5

[harrisongloa-blog]

Both Campbell and Steger looked at the effect of human development on the environment around us. Especially on how human development (infrastructure, technology, etc) would impact the environment negatively with pollution, loss of natural resources and so forth. 

Steger particularly delved into the issue of environmental degradation and how we are all linked with the environment either through what we consume, what we traverse through, or what we intake through the air. He also asserts that environmental degradation is linked with the consumption and uncontrolled population growth we participate in. 

Campbell seemed to addressed more the issue itself, than the causes and effects of it. He speaks of a range of issues, from rising sea levels to the destruction of certain biomes. For a specific example, how deforestation is a problem with the accumulating carbon wells and the lack of biodiversity. 

The reading was a little disturbing in the sense that the earth we know will not be as recognizable as it was after we pass. 

[dominiquemobilelearning-blog]

Week 5 Response

The article “Communication, Power and Counter-power in the Network Society” was very interesting. One thing that really captured my attention was when the author, Manuel Castells, states “Politics is based on socialized communication; on the capacity to influence people’s minds,” and “The main channel of communication between the political system and citizens is the mass media system, first of all television.” Today the television is one of the most powerful ways to spread information or news to the public. In our society almost everyone watches television at least once a day. Another source of media distribution that influences the public is the radio. Products, politicians, charities, sports teams, events, organizations, and many other things are being advertised daily on television, radio advertisements, internet popups, even when you are on hold on the telephone there are advertisement blurbs. All of these forms of advertisement are very influential over the public because you cannot escape them, these advertisements are forced on you. Even if you change the television channel or radio station the information is being put in front of you long enough for your brain to process it as an advertisement. I definitely believe the television is one of the most influential aspects in our society today because people are generally in a relaxed state while watching television and it is a combination of an audio and visual stimulation. Another aspect to consider is the fact that people often conversant about what they see on television and hear on the radio. For example, during elections you will see millions of advertisements for budgets or politicians. This advertisements main goal is to gain votes by influencing the audience. Senior year of high school I took a college government course and part of the course was to register to vote. Most of my classmates had no idea about politics at that time. All they knew was what they see on television and obviously advertisements either glorify the budget or politicians or bash the opposing party. That is the major problem with the media. It is hard to distinguish the truth from the lies. On television it is so easy to glorify, sugar coat, or pursued the audience.