I have a job and an internship this semester that both require a lot of travel throughout Utah County. Recently I have noticed how overwhelmingly annoying the billboards are. They are getting more and more obscene in my opinion. I find myself looking at them without even thinking and then having a phrase or a picture in my mind for the rest of the day. Of course this is exactly what the advertisers want to have happen. They come up with something so catchy that just a couple of seconds of viewing will hook you.
Like everything in the media, there is good that comes from some of the messages. I will occasionally read something that is new or interesting or that makes me think.
These billboards have made me think about what kind of messages I want to send to people who I just meet me for a moment? Am I sending a vibe of love and kindness or am I like those annoying billboards that only relay disappointing information?
Be the good billboard.
I just got married over the Christmas break and one of our most beloved wedding gifts was
an apple TV
I find it so much more useful than regular television because I don't have any particular shows that I watch. With this little device I can more easily choose what I want to watch and not just what is offered. I feel like I can use the media for good in my home. Here are a few ways that I love using it:
Playing Mormon Messages while we get ready for church
Exercising & yoga videos
Showing pictures & videos to each other
Playing music
And of course, Netflix
I am one of those people that falls asleep in every movie I watch. I'll skip to the end of books so I don't have to read the whole thing. I scroll through my news feed until I see a picture of a baby because that's all I care about.
You get the idea. I just don't like a lot of media in my life.
So I've been thinking...what kind media am I exposed to that i'm not even aware of?
PANDORA: I need just enough background noise while i'm doing homework that I can keep my spirits up without being distracted. The Indie Folk Revival station to be specific.
PINTEREST: Ever since I found out about Pinterest I have been in love with it. My biggest boards are the ones with healthy food, clothes, and all-natural hippy stuff.
PALEO: I love food. But I love a special kind of food. I don't eat gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, and very little sugar. Paleo is a way of eating that takes you back to primitive life before food was processed. I read a lot about the benefits of eating this way and i'm always on the lookout for a new recipe to try.
These are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy modern media. So far, they have proven to be really good and enjoyable outlets for me to discover new things and find happiness in what interests me.
