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My media interactions have a connection with Canadian-ness and national belonging. The media that I consume and enjoy does have specific Canadian content. From viewing national news to social media with geographic specific content, where one resides has an impact on the media content being absorbed. I was curious about the amount of Canadian content I followed on the media platform Instagram. I observed that I follow various Canadian news outlets, Canadian political figures, and municipal government pages specific to my province and city. I think it is important to have a pulse what is going on with within your country and community. Interacting with Canadian media and Canadian content is a way to communicate with others in your community and country.  Being connected with other Canadians during significant national news events is an especially important aspect that cannot be overlooked.  For example, the resignation of the Governor General is significant national news. I have viewed multiple Canadian news sites and scrolled to the comments sections regarding this breaking news story. In reading the comments, I observed many Canadians very displeased with the situation and demanding reform. This is a Canadian specific issue in which Canadians all can comment and voice various opinions on media pages.  Media can stir debate and provide Canadians information on developing situations.  As a Canadian that is fortunate to live in a democracy, I believe it is my responsibility as a citizen to be informed and up to date on issues nationally, provincially and locally. The media allows this to happen, connecting Canadians with issues and letting them form their own unique opinions.

My commercial interests have been front and center since advertising and media go hand in hand. If you search products online or visit various online shopping websites your commercial history is easily tracked and displayed. By searching one product another five closely related products are suggested for you to view . It is extremely easy to go down the rabbit hole when partaking in new media commerce. Advertising has adapted in a brilliant way to ensure the products they are marketing are constantly displayed to you. From clickbait to paid advertisements on social media, products you have researched follow you from platform to platform.  I find these new ways of advertising and marketing low key aggressive and intrusive. Imagine  being hounded by a salesperson daily, hour after hour for expressing some interest in a product. This approach would be deemed unacceptable and borderline the area of harassment.  In the world of online advertising and commerce, aggressive marketing is encouraged and thrives. Countless times, I have researched products online and then pivoted to my personal social media accounts to view content. As I view my social media account, there is always advertisements for the product I was previously researching being displayed on the page. Although this is a brilliant marketing ploy aimed at impulsive consumers, having advertising follow you on media platforms is intrusive. I would prefer the ability to research products without suggestions. As the world reverts to the heavy use of ecommerce, online marketing and media will have to adapt to meet their target consumer. Targeted advertising is here to stay and follow us from platform to platform.

Prior to starting this class, I did not pay any specific attention to my media usage, platform usage or how I accessed media. Today, I realized how previous separate media platforms are all converged into the palm of my hand.  Want to see what is happening in the world? Easy, simply open up a news app and have access to multiple articles from all around the world. Feel the need to share and tag friends regarding something you find important or passionate about?  Done, in less than a minute multiple people can be tagged and shared any piece of content or news. Media content has no bounds and can be shared globally by the press of a button. Sitting back and realizing the gravity of how quick media can be accessed and shared is the calling card of the 21st Century.  With current world events unfolding the way they are, media is becoming the biggest defining factor regarding free speech and differing opinion. Media has been curtailed to fit with one’s views and beliefs. If a person disagrees with a news story or agenda of a media network, it only takes finding a different platform that lines up with your beliefs to support and cement your beliefs. There is no question that media convergence is a convenient luxury of modern day living. Is this necessarily a good thing? Media is becoming mightier than the pen, it can  promote, influence and destroy. I believe that with this mighty power comes great responsibility. Keep being objective, ask questions and see multiple sides of the issue. There is always two sides to a story. #Media   #Education #CMNS #201 #Learning  #Firsttimeblogger #AthabascaU