After a week of analyzing my own media discussion I have discovered quite a bit about myself and the media I consume. I definitely discovered that I have a routine that I like to stick to when it comes to media consumption, and when that routine is interrupted I suffer. Some might call this OCD but I think of it more as a set of preferences that I have simply grown accustomed to.
First I think it's probably a good I idea to analyze each of my media choices and discuss what I think is the reason I choose them over others.
NPR's "Performance Today" - Simply put I am a lover of music in all its forms but I find classical music the most calming. It helps me start the day much in the same way coffee helps other people. I sometimes forget it's playing but I notice its absence when I am not able to catch it.
NPR's "Morning Edition," "Fresh Air," "Talk of the Nation," "All Things Considered" - I have always had a love of balanced reporting and hard news. I feel that NPR and public sources like PBS are the least biased sources available to the public and I enjoy the fact that they cover a broad array of topics, some which I might not find anywhere else. The reason I consume so much radio programming is because I have so little free time. I feel that the car trip is one of times we waste the most time during the day. I capitalize on this because of the half-four commute I have every day to and from university. I love these programs because they are one of my main sources for staying informed.
Reddit- a website I use for entertainment and infortmation. It is incredibly biased but its vastness and exclusive interviews make up for it. It's more of a cuasual thing for me and if I don't stay up-to-date, I don't feel that bad.
New York Times - This is my most essential source of news. Whenever I miss an issue, I am noticeably angry. I don't like every article or section, but I feel it casts a broad enough net to capture nearly everyone's interest. There isn't a better source of hard news paper media anywhere else.
The Traveler - My interest in The Traveler is fickle at best. Sometimes I feel that they provide worthwhile opinion and sports content, but most of the time I find myself uninterested because of the lack of serious discussion. Many of my high school friends are on staff, so I have a somewhat personal attachment to it but overall i feel that it has too much fluff. When I do pick it up it tends to be out of obligation rather than genuine interest.
The Daily Show - To me this is the best blend of entertainment and new media. I love the comedy and feel that it provides more actual information than most legit news programs. I love Jon Stewart and I love the fact that he can make everyday news entertaining.
Overall, I discovered that I have a passion for serious media, as well as satire of the the media. I also loathe gossip and soft news for the most part. I have a media schedule that I like to stick to and that this system allows me to keep informed and functional in society.
The thing I need to change is the scope of sources I draw from. I need to get outside my comfort zone and try other types of media and other points of view. I think this will strengthen my connecton with the media while also increasing my worldly knowledge.
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