Our Media Ecology

Media is everywhere. Media is all around us. Are we aware of all kinds of media that is influencing our daily life? Probably not!

I've taken the time to think about just what kind of media I encounter throughout an average day. The easiest way to list them would be to start in the morning when I wake up and take you through a typical day of my life.

Around 8am my alarm on my phone goes off to wake me. As I wake up I check my messages, emails and yes, it is sad to admit, but I check my Facebook notifications, too. A while ago I signed up to an email subscription which sends out daily cheap deals on the Gold Coast so I am already facing media early in the morning. On the fridge in the kitchen I have a reminder to feed the fish, which could be counted as a form of media as it's giving me a message. While I'm getting ready for the day I generally watch Sunrise on TV which includes news, social topics and advertisements. Coles and IGA ads especially keep reminding me that I'm either running low on milk, eggs or bread.

Later on when I drive to the shops or uni I always listen to Triple J on the radio, which again has news, musical or other discussions and of course music itself. This affects me because I am in search of new music and listen out to nearby festival. lineups. As I'm driving I see advertising signs along the roads and lunch specials on restaurants. I generally think that $10 all-day breakfast or lunch is a pretty good price and think that it would be nice to try it out some day. To show just how influential media is, this morning a sushi truck was driving next to me and next thing I knew, I was craving sushi!

While I'm shopping for groceries, quite often a little sign is placed next to a product advertising 'buy two and get the third one for free'. My partner and I came across such media yesterday and ended up buying three, well technically two, giant bottles of body-wash. On the way to the car we started laughing, saying those advertisements are constantly making us buy things in bulk.

When I'm at the mall I have to admit that when Valleygirl has a massive sign on their window saying 'Up to 70% Off Storewide' I can't help myself but run into the store ASAP and look through their dresses and tops. Walking through the shopping centre or along the street I always notice people who wear unique shirts or dresses. Some people have band or car shirts on but if there is writing on their clothing I try my best to read it because they are generally pretty amusing.

Media is everywhere. In your home, work, uni, shopping malls, restaurants and other buildings; along the streets, on cars, humans and even sometimes written in the sky on a sunny day.

All the media and other advertisements around you is very influential. However you only notice it's effects when you take a step back and take your time to think about it carefully.