It's no Nine till Five!!!

Working in the media sounds like quite a glamourous job doesn't it? Possible fame, probable fortune and perfect networks. Well; this is what I thought. Gill (2007) got me thinking about the modern day and how media provides and changes job opportunities.

Recently people even had the opportunity to work for Charlie Sheen by becoming his social networking intern.  Who knew these jobs even existed!?

I must say I agree with Megan Hausler in her most recent blog, 'first you pitch and then you die'. 

She too explains the excitement of working in a creative and fun environment - and then we are awaken to the harsh reality that things just aren't that easy. 

Sure, becoming the media intern for Charlie Sheen would be challenging, stimulating and exciting - he is after all one of the most followed people on Twitter. The only news I've heard come from this is that well known Australian radio announcer and comedian, Scott Dools got to spend time with Charlie Sheen in his mansion - they became mates! Scott Dools isn't really your average Joe though is he? Imagine his connections and networking abilities! It is scary to think that I; a person very little connections in this industry (yet) will someday be competing for jobs against people like him.

It seems like I really will have to put in the hard yards, work around the clock and go that extra mile. The world is changing because of the media. Bring it on!

 

 

 

Need a job? Look no further...

References

 Gill, R. (2007). Informality is the New Black. In Technobohemians or the new Cybertariat? New Media work in Amsterdam a decade after the web. Amsterdam: Institute of Network Cultures: 24-30 & 38-43.

 

Hausler, M 2011. "Lifes a pitch, then you die." http://kcb206meganhausler.blogspot.com/ Retreived 18/04/11

Who needs doctors when we have the media?

Let's face it; nobody really enjoys going to the doctor. Whether it be waiting in a room full of other sick people and out dated magazines; having your body tested with freezing cold metal objects and needles or forking out the cash at the end of a session - it is rarely an enjoyable experience.

New media, particularly the internet allows people to become their own doctors. A simple Google search including symptom can lead to a diagnosis and recommendation of treatment.

As Cherise mentions in her blog 'Discovering New Media', this can be quite a dangerous thing. Doctors study and train to correctly diagnose patients. How can a quick Google search possible allow us to do the same? How do we know if it is reliable? It is then that online users need to be cautious when retreiving information from certain websites.

Does the internet give us the same knowledge of medicine our doctors have?

Not sure who to trust? Just ask Oprah!!! No, she hasn’t recently graduated from medical school. She has however given the ‘thumbs up’ to health website RealAge.com which enables users to calculate the biological age of their bodies and create a health based strategy to improve their well-being.(Lewis 2011).
Television is another growing media platform which enables audiences to visit a doctor without leaving the couch. Reality progams such as the Biggest Loser, educate and imform veiwers about nutrition and the risks of obesity.

Dr. Oz is an American doctor who has his own daytime TV slot and live audience. He has become a celebrity by providing medical advice over the small screen.
Yes; these websites and television shows may be informative but are they helping diagnose and cure your specific health problems as your GP would? I think not...

Reference List

Joelle, C 2011. "Discovering New Media: Whose the expert now?" Retreived from http://cherisediscoveringnewmedia.blogspot.com/2011/04/whose-expert-now.html 11 April 2011

Lewis, T. 2006. Seeking health information on the internet: lifestyle choice or bad attack of cyberchondria? Media, Culture & Society, volume 28, issue 4: 521-539.

Me and My Mobile Phone - Best Friends Forever!!

Do you have a friend like this?

 Windows 7 Ad.

Mobile phones will be the death of many friendships. 

It's hard to believe that the portable electronic device connecting people everywhere could infact create greater distance between them.

More and more often I notice that when I am spending the time to catch up with a friend, they spend the whole time staring at their mobile! I ask them a question or tell them a story and look up to see that they are paying more attention to their new best friend; the phone.
Hannah mentions in her blog that sometimes the media can help people create a different version of themselves. Could this be why so many people are more focused on their 'mobile phone life' than reality?

What could possibly be more important?! Windows 7 Ad.

Bell (2006) suggests that we are "the age of the thumb". We use mobile phones for almost everything in our daily lives from emailing to banking and checking our favourite social networking sites! Not to forget keeping in contact with people through talk and text. 

With a phone that does so much, it's no wonder that my friends and many others in society don't feel the need to socialise outside their phone. 

Perhaps next time I want their advice or opinion I should just text message them?

Reference List

Bell, G. (2006). The Age of the Thumb: a Cultural Reading of Mobile Technologies from Asia Knowledge, Technology, & Policy, 19 (2), 41-57.
Whiteley, H 2011. Hannah Whiteley and New Media. Retrieved http://hannahwhiteley.blogspot.com/ 4 April 2011
Liquid Squid 2011. Really? New Windows 7 Phone ad. Retrieved http://laughingsquid.com/really-new-windows-7-phone-ad/ 4 April 2011