Framing Questions Chp 1,3,13

1.)  The book discusses semiotics and how the use of symbols can determine documentary analysis. Semiotics, the study of signs and symbols, is open to interpretation. Like the example given in the book, C-A-T has different meanings for different people. Do you interpret this as a domestic pet, or maybe the wild animals in Africa? My question regarding semiotics is this: if people will interpret things independently, is there a universal message construct that can be used to mean one thing only? How does culture impact this message?

2.) There is a correlation between two main points in the book when it comes to journalism. On one hand, the book says that the media reflects the more influential persons. Then, on the other hand, the book says that in applying media theory, the media strives to enforce “the right to know”.  Most likely, any breaking news about a politician, or a celebrity will make the front page because the audiences need to know the truth. With Internet privacy becoming more of an issue, when will the elite members of society break through and clamp down on the media? If the media reports reflect them, where will they turn to next?

3.) The media determinism theory was mentioned briefly in chapter 13. Overall, the theory states that the “medium people use to interact with each another contributes to how society ends up being structured”. Nowadays, the medium we’re using the most to contact each other is arguable the Internet. With Skype, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media resources, will society begin to unstructured itself? Will we eventually no longer go outside to talk with someone? I’ve seen people text each other even when they were in the same room. Is our reliance on technology hindering our ability to socialize, and think creatively?

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