Children of the Screen

Hannah Baylon makes some interesting comments in her essay Children of the Screen. In one sentence I believe that her main point is that the media, TV in particular, is ruining our souls and our lives. She says that here in America, people work to much and in order to unwind from their busy and stressful day we gather in from of our televisions. In part I believe that is true. I also agree that this act becomes routine and it is a hard routine to break. But I disagree with Hannah Baylon when she says that watching television is not relaxing. I think it is. I think that being able to rest and sit down after being up and busy all day is one of the best ways to de-stress. Watching television should not be the only other activity people do after they get home from work though. Working out and socializing with friend are also imperative to life. Relationships are always more important.

I will admit I am confused on Baylon’s idea of losing our true nature. What does that mean? True nature? She cannot depict everyone’s true nature. She cannot stereotype the entire population. Granted, her theory may be correct in some aspects but I do not like to be told who or what I am. Like all the species around us and before us, we adapt to our environment. We are adapting to a world were media and television are part of everyday life. Just because we adapt does not mean we are becoming robots and losing our true nature; it simply means that we are changing, for the better or for worst we cannot tell.

My view on the media is that it will change you if you let it. Take the typical skinny model type girl. Some, not all girls feel that this is how they should look. This is what they have to be like in order to be happy, successful, complete, or whatever other excuse they can come up with. In contrast some girls will see these Barbie figured girls and be repulsed, saying that they would never want to look like that. I believe that you let the media effect you whatever way you want it to. The media is not just something that “tells” us how we should look, act, or what we should wear but it is also our source of information and news. The news is not a bad form of the media whether it is the newspaper or television or the radio. The news is just facts. It supplies information that we need about our cities, about the weather, about the world, etc. It is important for us to stay informed and up-to-date.

Honestly, I wholeheartedly believe that media is a benefit. Some people may say that the killing in video games and movies, for example, is what causes young men and women to fight and maybe even kill. I disagree. I think that family life and the role of parents influence these types of actions too. The media can be relaxing, fun, entertaining, and informative. I will admit that their can be downsides but I do not let the media rule my life but instead I do other activities and I try new things along with watching television.