Understanding Key Terms

  For me to explain my understanding of the key terms, I will have to start with explaining "mass media" since it is, without a doubt, a crucial term for further comprehension. 

The literal definition of mass media is "communication technologies that have the potential to reach large, distant, and anonymous audiences". However, what I automatically think of when I hear this term is the digital media, mostly my thoughts go straight to JUST internet in every sense of the word. 

  

  Following the constant change and development of mass media, we encounter something called postmodernity. Since mass media is ever changing, the need for dividing it into epochs is inevitably necessary. Postmodernity comes into play right here since it is considered as a historical period that started in the 1960s and is also encompassing the present mass media. The distinction between the epochs can clearly be seen when comparing postmodernity and modernity that came before. 

  Convergence is only one of the differences between modernity and postmodernity, but it is certainly a big one. The easiest way to describe it is as a joint platform of a variety of different media. One example that comes to mind are smartphones (computers and laptops as well) that can be used as a camera, a music player, a video player, a means of communication and so much more. Everything is available to us and it is only a click away. 

  Convergence led to globalization. Globalization could be defined as a process of interaction between people, companies, and governments of different nations.

It is a process driven by international trade and investment and aided by information technology. This process has effects on the environment, on culture, on political systems, on economic development and prosperity, and on human physical well-being in societies around the world.

I have to admit I had trouble understanding it, for the sole reason of it being so tightly tied to economics. I had to look at it from a different point of view and to be quite frank - I only saw the negative traits and the terrible things it could lead to. Cultural loss being one them is something I personally do NOT want to ever experience or witness. 

  The one thing that absolutely has to be mentioned is a social phenomenon known as simulation. A definition of simulation would be as follows -the activity of producing imitations which are similar to real ones. The mass media are the driving force that fuels this phenomenon. It might have started as an accurate imitation of the reality, but quickly it became everything except the real. I see it as a completely new illusion which is presented to us, as a way of altering our reality and shaping it into a weapon that can easily be used to manipulate our views and opinions. 

  All of these terms can be seen as good or bad (to put it simply), yet I feel as if everything is uncertain, we know nothing concretely and I see it as staying the same until we actually experience the outcomes that will come from mass media influence.