Representing ourselves: blog task

Read the Media Magazine article on collective identity: Self-image and the Media (MM41 - page 6). Our Media Magazine archive is here.

Complete the following tasks on your blog:

1) Read the article and summarise each section in one sentence, starting with the section 'Who are you?'

who are you?

We have complex ideas about our selves; there is a difference between the person we think we are, the person we want to be and the person we want to be seen to be. The representation of cultural values, the construction of role models and the way the media informs us about lifestyle and fashion choices is constructing an image that we wish to communicate through our identity.

I think, therefore I am

This section talks about the way we use different fashion senses etc. to create a representation of ourselves to communicate our identity to people, also, there is a huge difference between who we want to be and who we actually are, which may not be completely represented in the image of ourselves

From citizen to consumer

This section talks about how our identities used to be pre-determined, disallowing us to express any individuality, these images of ourselves were constructed using our social class, age, gender, religion and ethnicity.

The rise of the individual

This section talks about how we have potentially become passive viewers, rather than people who are actively giving input, whilst ignoring our inner personality.

Branding and lifestyle

Who will we be?

This section talks about how images of ourselves are constructed through the artistic decisions of people that we gravitate towards.

2) List five brands you are happy to be associated with and explain how they reflect your sense of identity

Nike 

- Has a range of different sporting equipment e.g. boots which allows me to excel in my sporting ability when playing sports such as football

Diesel 

- They offer high quality jeans that are comfortable to wear outdoors. This reflects me as I pride myself in quality products ts that i feel comfortable to go out in.

lynx 

- The brand in my opinion is diverse as it has a number f different fragrances that enable me to smell nice when i finish applying it onto my skin.

  

3) Do you agree with the view that modern media is all about 'style over substance'? What does this expression mean?

I agree with the idea that media is about style over substance as people have been shown to care more about their social life online and how they express themselves over media then their personal real image.

4) Explain Baudrillard's theory of 'media saturation' in one paragraph. You may need to research it online to find out more.

According to Baudrillards theory the media presents a simulation of the world that is artificial and hyperreal.some audiences can read the hyperreal representation as reality,and the representation of the reality is meditated through media.

5) Is your presence on social media an accurate reflection of who you are? Have you ever added or removed a picture from a social media site purely because of what it says about the type of person you are?

My social media account such as Instagram in fact has no pictures of me instead I use the app to view other pages and accounts rather then expressing myself through my own account.

6) What is your opinion on 'data mining'? Are you happy for companies to sell you products based on your social media presence and online search terms? Is this an invasion of privacy?

Date mining is a good use of marketing and is a smart way of trying to promote and sell a product however the idea behind invading someones privacy is still relevant as people may want their browsing history to be private.