Communication & Media: A Part of Culture

As time continues, so does the influence of communication and media within culture.  Although communication existed before technology, it is difficult to imagine communication without technology today.  Communication exists because of technology such as phones, computers, iPods, just to name a few.  Our world today has become dependent on technology.  So dependent on technology that many people criticize mass media.  Many people criticize television for having no educational or artistic value.  Also, violence is being blamed on mass media.  As the younger generation is becoming more and more absorbed in technology, this is becoming an even more controversial topic.

Along with the influence of media, consumerism has played a huge role in the culture today.  As mass culture grows and expands and new forms of mass media develop, consumerism grows along with it.  Today, people have become more and more about materials.  Many people believe that an identity is created through consumer goods.  For example, many believe that one's identity should be based on the cars they own, the house they live in, and the clothes they wear.  This is not show people should identify one another.  Instead one should be identified by their personality and things they enjoy doing, not the things they own.  Materials are not the key to happiness, but instead living life for the moments and memories.