Discussion Thread: Freedom of Speech and Ethics in Media
Liberty University
SCOM 110
Dr. David Allison
September 30, 2024
1. Current mobile devices offer everything from ordering a pizza to playing video games to
doing your banking. Is having this consumer control and access a benefit or are we ceding some
control over to a few large media companies?
Personally, consumers today having control and access is a good thing for many reasons. For
example, it allows convenience to be able to send money virtually to a friend or family member
through apps called Venmo or Cashapp without having to physically go to give them the money
and eliminates the bank having to do anything. Not only time is saved but so is money, giving
the consideration of your transportation is. We see the option of buying online and picking- up in
store becoming popular among multiple stores and restaurants. One day I might try to make a
coffee and eat cereal for breakfast but realize that I forgot to get milk at the store after work. I
may say to myself, “I need to go to the store to pick up the milk I forgot. But, I start to feel dread
and anxiety for having to run into the store while it’s late at night and I’m alone. Luckily, I
remember that I have the option of curbside pickup and in-store pickup, which I feel much safer
by using. Rather than walking in the store, I choose to utilize the curbside pickup option. Not
only do I feel safer, but I also am able to skip any lines at checkout which is convenient.
Groceries stores with the option of in-store pickup and curbside pickup. With these options,
many rewards are possible to be earned on the apps based on the specific stores and restaurants.
This allows for possible food items and nonperishables to be free or greatly discounted are
however many purchases are bought off the app and thus rewards and points are accumulated
over time.
2. How are today’s evolving media content and mobility options increasing or decrease the
quality and value of the media we have available to us as consumers?
The media today is always changing and progressing by the ways that we are able to send
and receive things. But, thinking about the big picture, there is a big possibility of this
progression becoming something that is taken for granted. We see it as magic and something that
has always been there, especially the generations that are being brought up in the 2000’s. With
such technological convenience, we are able to ask an Alexa device to play any song of our
choice and what the weather is like for the day. Any person back in time, say the 1800’s, would
find this to be eye opening and foreign.
This would be seen with the process of making butter. Today, we have the ability to run in
the store or curbside pickup such simple things and then come back home and put it in the
refrigerator to store for use later on. In the ways of the 1800’s that would not be a possibility, as
they had to hand make it and store it properly with any refrigeration like we rely on currently.
“For the butter to “come,” the weather had to be just right. An outdoor temperature of 65 degrees
was optimal; butter formed in about 20 minutes. On hot days, the butter churned would be soft
and kept poorly, but on cold days it would take much longer to form. Once the buttermilk was
poured off, the butter was rinsed with cold water and squeezed with wooden paddles to remove
any extra moisture” (Fortunately, 2018). With that said, it’s safe to say that we have progressed a
lot as a society and that we have that to be thankful to Christ for.
3. The business model of social media platforms is to keep people engaged. Do you ever feel as
if you have become addicted to social media? Why or why not? Either way - do you make efforts
to moderate your social media consumption during mealtime, at work, or when out with friends
or family? Explain your thoughts.
Sometimes, I do feel as though I’ve become victim to being codependent to social media
platforms. Constantly, I see ads and promotions for brands, and I also see what my friends,
family, and celebrities post. Many positive things are seen on these platforms, but I can’t help
but fall into the rabbit hole of comparison and all things items that I don’t have on social media.
When I am doing schoolwork, I do turn my phone on do not disturb, it keeps me in check to
focus and not be distracted by notifications. I do this also to prioritize family time when I am
home and with friends much of the time.
Works Cited
Baran, S. J. (2022). . McGraw Hill.
Fortuna, E. (2018, February 26). . Boulder County Parks
and Open Space. https://bouldercountyopenspace.org/i/history/homemade-butter-taste-
past/
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