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Amanda Pridmore
Professor Frank Meyers
SCOM-110
11 April 2022
Think Critically: Radio, TV, and Video Game
1) Are you a cable subscriber or have you “cut the cord?” What motivated your decision?
Do you prefer a la carte pricing? If you cut the cord how do you view your news and
entertainment?
a) While I grew up with constant access to Xfinity television services, my mother has
recently decided to drop this traditional route. Instead, she now has a “Roku” system.
Roku is a streaming device that allows you to use various streaming platforms for free.
Although, you do have to be a member of said streaming services such as Hulu or
Netflix.
b) Upon purchasing this device, she discontinued our subscription to Xfinity. When my
mother first told me that she made the switch to this streaming device and was going to
cancel our Xfinity service, I was worried that I would not have access to watching live
television shows, such as The Today Show. However, she reassured me that there is a way
to watch live television through the Roku device.
c) Roku gives the option to keep your cable subscriber and be able to access it through the
Roku, but if you do not do that, then you are able to click “live tv” and it has select
channels available. While this is a plus, it does not allow access to the fun channels such
as TLC and E!. However, I still am able to watch The Today Show and my NBC and Fox
News programs. I do quite enjoy the Roku platform and will most likely purchase a Roku
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of my own when I move out of my mother’s house, however, when that time comes, I
will be subscribed to Xfinity as well as I was a big fan of the service and how easy their
platforms and remote control were to navigate. Not to mention, the unprecedented variety
of on demand movies and television shows that were available.
d) Watching television is a way for me to seek momentary oasis from the stressors of life.
When I have these moments where life makes me feel engulfed in anxiety, I remind
myself of what was said in Matthew 6:34. “Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble (Matthew
6:34). This reminds me that there is no point in dwelling on what could be and focusing
on the present.
2) Are you an active social media user? If so, how accurate a representation of yourself do
you tend to present? Do you show the “real you” because that’s what you want to do, or
do you feel restricted in your presentation of yourself by the presence of your online
friends? Likewise, have you ever shared your Christian faith or maybe made a post about
controversial issues? How have you been received?
a) I would consider myself an active social media user. I have accounts on Instagram,
Snapchat, Facebook, VSCO, and TikTok. I am only active on Instagram and snapchat,
however Instagram more so than snapchat. Facebook I find to be more popular among
people my parents’ ages (mid to late forties).
b) Upon inspecting my most frequently used social media platform, I would say that my
Instagram is somewhat of an accurate representation of who I am. However, Instagram is
a social realm with many layers. Often, I post pictures of me with my friends, however, I
will admit, I do use a filter or two. I know the use of filters is vain, but I am only human
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and am living my early twenties in the cutthroat digital age. With that, I have my
insecurities, as everyone does. With this said, I suppose I do not fully put my “real self”
on display. However, I try my best to do so. I always post only appropriate posts since I
allow my family members and my boss to follow me. Not to mention, future employers
could see anything I share to the web. It is crucial for everyone to be extremely cautious
with everything they post as it could make or break you and your life.
c) The layers of Instagram are complex, I will try to summarize them as best as I can. First,
there is the user’s personal page of which displays their picture posts, the post’s likes, the
post’s comments, how many people follow the user and how many users the account
follows. On their personal page, it also allows for the user to post “Instagram stories”,
which are pretty much just Instagram’s way of copying snapchat, allowing users to post
“stories” that expire in twenty-four hours. This also allows the user to see who and how
many people viewed their story. Next up is the notification page. This displays recent
interactions other accounts have taken towards their own profile, be it following them,
liking or commenting on their post, etc. Then comes the explore page; this is essentially
the page that Instagram creates a culmination of posts that they think the user will like,
mine being primarily pictures of cats, Britney Spears (I am a very big fan of her),
makeup, fashion brands, runway, etc. The explore page also serves as a search engine for
users. Finally, we have the newsfeed page. This shows new posts and stories of profiles
that the user follows.
d) Over time, I have shared many bible verses to my Instagram stories. Controversial issues
on the other hand, I would say a much smaller amount. My political views tend to be
conservative/republican, and while that is fine and perfectly normal, as society is a
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culmination of different people with different beliefs, many of my coworkers, friends,
and even my mother are extremely liberal/democratic. With the recent 2016 and 2020
elections, I have shared small posts very infrequently, implying that I am conservative. As
one could imagine, my followers who have other political beliefs did not fare well with it.
Some people even blocked me and unfollowed me. This is no way to live. I understand
that our country is divided more than ever before with politics, but to shut someone who
once meant a lot to you out completely because they think differently than you is absurd
and unethical in my opinion. When I face such negativity in life such as this, I always am
able to push forward through prayer because He is always there for me and people will
come and go throughout life. This is said best in the book of Colossians, “Set your minds
on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2).
3) What is your favorite game platform? Why? Do you think different types of players
gravitate toward different platforms? Why or why not? Also, what about the addictive
tendencies of gaming. Does it hinder inter-personal relationships? Why or why not?
a) Typically, I tend to play games on my cellphone. I don’t have any gaming receivers or
devices, just the good old-fashioned ones that are available in the Appstore for
downloading on my iPhone. One of my favorite games is called, “Merge Mansion”. It is a
game where you merge certain items to complete gardening tasks. Meanwhile, you are
trying to discover the main character’s family mystery and what her grandmother is
hiding from her. It is very entertaining and relaxing.
b) Statistically, and as discussed in the textbook, those who play videogames regularly are
men in their early 30’s. I think that this age range, as well as teenage boys and men more
my age (in their 20’s) play the usual “Call of Duty”, “Fortnite” games. How do I know
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this? Well, I know that every single male friend of mine, as well as acquaintances, and
even my own father, all have this in common.
c) I think that different types of people tend to gravitate towards certain platforms and
gaming styles based on their lifestyles, personalities and preferences. My boyfriend,
Mark, is very fond of his Xbox and playing “Call of Duty” on it with all his friends.
Meanwhile, I am not as serious and invested in gaming, therefore I do not own my own
Xbox and choose to play games in my time of leisure. As well as playing more
lighthearted games such as my gardening mystery game in comparison to Mark’s combat
game.
d) The addictive tendencies of gaming could cause one to neglect certain responsibilities
and obligations, or even neglect those around them due to their fixation on the game. This
happened once, when I first downloaded the “Merge Mansion” game. I was so hooked on
this game that I had lost track of time. I ended up missing a dinner reservation with my
boyfriend. This hindered our relationship for a moment due to his frustration toward me.
He felt that I wasn’t paying attention to him and only to the game. He and I had a talk and
he helped me realize this, so I began to scale back the amount of time I spent on this
game. Philippians 3:16-21 have great meaning in this instance, with the notion of getting
back on track and staying on it.
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Works Cited
Baran, Stanley J. Introduction to Mass Communication, Media Literacy and Culture. Eleventh
Edition, McGraw-Hill Education, 2021.
