The Media

In these past years, the argument, whether mass media is beneficial to us, has been very popular. Steven Pinker, the author of Mind over Mass Media, believes these new forms of technology are keeping us smart, instead of harming us. He points out that technology has helped make great advances in science and that even people who criticize technology use it (since it so convenient). Plus he states that people should have self-control over their use of technology so it won’t intervene with their intimate/personal relationships with others.  Peggy Orenstein, the author of I Tweet, Therefore I am, claims that mass media/technology has been shaping us, making us into people we want others to think we are causing us to lose our true selves. She states that people are more concerned of what their next Tweet will be instead of living in the moment. She says we must, “sort out the line between person and persona, the public and private self.”

Steven Pinker and Peggy Orenstein use several techniques that help make their arguments stronger. Steven Pinker uses ethos when describing the positive results things such as comic books and power points have had on people.  He clearly claims that technology has made even scientific research easier. Steven Pinker also uses logos when telling people that it’s self-will that will keep them either away or attached to the social media/technology. Peggy Orenstein uses her personal experiences and tweeting urges to make her point. She uses pathos in her flashback of the time she was outside with her daughter. Her reference to sociologist Erving Goffman’s argument is her way of using ethos. Plus, logos is used when she makes the statement that we are shaping ourselves based on the media. 

I agree with Steven Pinker. Technology has been very helpful these past years. The advances that have been made in science are amazing (especially in the medical field). These advances have helped humanity in countless ways (for example new medicine has been created for diseases and even new treatments have been created to prevent diseases).  I believe instead of criticizing the mass media; we should all use it to our advantage. No one can deny that social media websites, such as Facebook, have made communication so much easier. The fact that people all around the world can communicate instantly is absolutely amazing and should be used to spread good news and ideas. I have heard the argument that mass media/social media makes relationships less personal/special. However, I agree with Steven Pinker that anyone who wants to have a more personal relationship has to just put down the phone, get off the internet and just talk in person.