Ah Sara.

This has been my favorite song of late.  

These words speak truth.

What the Handbook Says

I found these two guidelines on lds.org.  It's interesting to hear what the church says about the internet and social media.

From lds.org/pages/social-media-helps:

Social media can be a powerful influence in the lives of those who use it. It can provide ways to express our faith in Jesus Christ and strengthen relationships. The Church encourages the use of social media so long as it supports the mission of the Church, improves relationships, and facilitates revelation among children of our Heavenly Father. Church members are encouraged to be examples of their faith at all times and in all places, including when participating in the global conversations available through social media.

And from Handbook 2:

When carefully used, the Internet can help coordinate the work of the Church, strengthen faith, and minister to the needs of others. However, where feasible, members should ensure that electronic communication does not replace opportunities for in-person contact.

I think these are some great insights into how we are really meant to use media!

Pong

This is my little brother.

He's a genius (almost literally.)

For Halloween he loves to make creative costumes and I feel like his latest was a very appropriate example of the prevalence of media.

He made the first video game ever invented into a T-Shirt.

So cool, right?!

And if you're into the nerdy/geeky fashion, here's a shameless plug for his T-shirt website.

Click HERE.

Enjoy!

Photography

This is a form of media I don't usually consider, but photography is one of the most powerful forms of communication.

Recently, I stumbled across the photography of a Russian mother.  I think it floated through social media sites for a few weeks, as many people admired her awe-inspiring work.

Here are just a few of my favorites.

..................

..................

Which ones do you like and why?

Geico

"15 minutes could save you 15% or more on your car insurance."

Why is that so memorable?

One reason could be these commercials.

Also, there is a TedTalk that explains the power of advertising.

What do you think?

Do people really buy why you are selling a product and not the product itself?

Social Media

My Dad posted this on Facebook today.  I think it's pretty accurate.  

And I think it's hilarious they have a T-shirt for it.

Perspective

Sometimes I'm amazed at the power media has.  These videos and photos (though unrelated to each other) are about the same place, yet you'll be able to feel a very different impact from each.

Click here to go to video 1.

Click here to go to video 2.

So, it makes me wonder what being in that place is really like.

Taking it for Granted

Do we take technology for granted?

This past week my friend showed me a video.  In this video, it was Christmas time, and his entire family was sitting in the living room of his Mom's apartment opening presents.  The camera panned the scene.  It was a small apartment, and colorful, but it was apparent that this family could in no terms be described as well-off.  In fact, they looked poor.  There were very few belongings, and most of the decorations looked home-made.  It was a happy place, but not a wealthy place.  I watched for a moment until the camera focused in on the mother of this close-knit Nicaraguan family.  She was opening her Christmas present from my friend.  As she opened it, her hands started to shake.  She realized what she was seeing on the outside of a box. 

An iPad.

Just a simple iPad.

It was too much.  She broke down and held her hand to her mouth as tears streamed down her face.  

It's not very often that we see reactions like this anymore on Christmas, but this sweet woman, coming from such humble circumstances, could not have ever imagined owning such technology as an iPad.  

It was a reminder to me to be grateful for what I have.  Even 10 years ago, I wouldn't have thought that technology is where it is today. 

Dove

I've always considered myself a realist, but I've found that as I get older, sometimes I'm swayed by the world's projections of success and beauty.

However, Dove commercials have helped me to keep it real.

Here are a few of my favorites:

This one gives me the perspective and reminder that advertising can influence us from a very young age and that we have a responsibility to help children understand their real worth.

Grown women often need the reminder of who they are as well.

And here's one for the men.  Even they can have misconceptions about their body image and what is expected of them.

Hopefully this has given you some food for thought and a few moments to ponder these questions:

Who am I?

How do I let advertisements and the world influence who I am?

What should be the greatest influencing factor of my self-worth?

Thoughts from an Apostle

As I watch this Mormon Message I am reminded of two things: the power of media and the wisdom of God.  I know that in His wisdom He allowed technologies and media to be invented so that hearts could be changed as the gospel reaches all the corners of the earth.  I know His plan is perfect, and I know that media has an incredible role in that plan.  

Yet I also know, that the spectrum of media's influence is great.  Media can have extremely detrimental affects.  It is up to us to choose how we will be impacted.

Elder Bednar reminds us of our agency and identity in this Mormon Message called "Things as They Really Are."

Here are the last two questions Elder Bednar asked us to consider in our personal pondering and prayerful study:

Question 1: Does the use of various technologies and media invite or impede the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost in your life?

Question 2: Does the time you spend using various technologies and media, enlarge or restrict your capacity to live, to love, and to serve in meaningful ways?

YouTube: Broadcast Yourself.

After asking on facebook for my friends' favorite YouTube videos, here are the responses:

1. Best Cat Vines

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tzhyfWHdLo

2. Thought of You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBk3ynRbtsw

3. Jurassic Park Them Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w-58hQ9dLk

4. 20th Century Fox Flute Version

http://youtu.be/IsdCGQbbd8k

5. Sketchy Ice Creams

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOfy5LDpEHo

6. Royals - ("Sad Clown With the Golden Voice" Version)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBmCJEehYtU

7. Danny MacAskill's Imaginate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv3xVOs7_

8. The Social Revolution - Remember Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LczkikAgAVE

9. Explosions In the Sky

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFwOmxP56-g

10. How to Make Fruit Salad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH616LkTaW0

11. Stand By Me

http://youtu.be/Us-TVg40ExM

12. Ghost in the Stalls

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZO9tMetxno

13. MadTV Pizza Hut Twisted Crust Pizza Complete-za Parody

http://youtu.be/uPxOxfOLUyk

14. Dan Pink: The puzzle of motivation

(This one's not a YouTube video but it's still great.)

http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_on_motivation.html

Now for some trivia.

Would you believe that YouTube was created only in 2005?  And in the first year after its creation, the site grew from only 30 users per day to over 3 million users per day.  

A study examining the motives to view and publish on YouTube found that most watch for entertainment purposes.  I would agree, especially after examining the small sample I had on my facebook.   Here is the chart that demonstrates viewing motives.

What is your favorite YouTube video and why?

Why do you think so many people seek for entertainment?

Have you ever thought of using YouTube for educational or learning purposes?

(Citation for research presented on this post: Jones, J. M. (2010). The me in media: A functionalist approach to examining motives to produce within the public space of YouTube. (Order No. 3398314, University of Minnesota). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, , 237. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/219921526?accountid=4488. (219921526).)

Why is Media so Popular?

Well, I found the answer in a book called, "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years."  

The book is an autobiography of Donald Miller.  He chronicles his life by showing us how he learned to live a better story. Look at what he says in the first paragraph of Chapter 13: A Character Is What He Does:

"Once I understood the power of story in my personal life, I wanted to know more about how to create a good one.  I was getting up a little earlier, and interestingly enough, I was going to fewer movies. In a way, I'd started a new story about trying to find a story, and so I didn't need to escape my boring life anymore.  I was a character who wanted something, and well, that's half the battle."

How often do we use media as an escape or to live vicariously? Almost every form of media has become expert at capturing stories, or beginning them so the viewer has a need to come back to finish the story.  For example, twitter may just seem to be status updates, but after compiling the updates of one year, a person may have a small book which, disconnected though it may be, is a small piece of their life experience.  Even 5 second 'vines' have the essence of a story.  

So, some questions for you:

What story are you living?

What stories keep you coming back?

Why does a story hold such a powerful pull?

Media Defined

me·di·a

ˈmēdēə

noun

1. 1.

   plural form of medium.
2. 2.

   the main means of mass communication (esp. television, radio, newspapers, and the Internet) regarded collectively.