Name: Paul Shurin Age: 68
1. What forms of media do you use? (i.e. TV, computer, internet, iPhone, iTouch, iPod, etc.): TV, computer, and internet
2. Does “the media” influence your life? If so in what way? (i.e. my job, my relationships) Relationship increasingly use email as a communication vehicle. My work uses email. For information, searches of the media (journals, newspapers) are used heavily, occupying a major amount of time.
3. Can you imagine your life without the following: TV, the internet, cell phone? No problem would be more relaxed and more fun.
4. Do you think age affects your understanding of media? If so how? It might be more difficult to learn new programs. But this may also be a consequence of having conflicting time responsibilities.
5. Can you imagine living in a country without having access to media (internet, television, the computer, etc.) Yes. see #3.
TV
1. Did you grow up the TV? If, so how has the television influenced your life? I have had very little exposure to TV (estimate 1 hour per month since childhood)
2. Do you watch TV? Why? If not, why? If so how much? Yes I watch some TV. No, too many other interests.
3. If you didn’t or don’t watch television why? Too many other interests and responsibilities. It was my decision.
4. Do you think television and the media is too dominating in determining society norms? Yes, which is one of the reasons I stay away from it.
Computer/Internet
1. Did you grow up with the computer and the internet? No
2. What do you mostly use the computer for (i.e. academic purposes, business purposes, personal purposes (email), etc.) Academic, research on personal interests, email, finances
3. What websites do you use visit most often? New York Times, Search engines, MedLine
4. What are the reasons behind your usage of those websites? News, information on wide variety of subjects, specific topics in the medical literature
5. Do you use Facebook? No.
6. Do you feel your privacy is safe when using the internet? Probably not, but I am careful about what I enter.
Print Media
1. Do you read the newspaper? If so how (online, print, iPhone/iTouch)? I read many papers, (the NY Times daily) – all online.
a. Why do you prefer that method? The online editions are “up-to-the-minute and do not require payment of subscription fees.
2. Do you read books? If so how (print or electronically)?Yes. I read books in print – occasionally on tape or disc – have not tried computerized methods.
3. Can you imagine a world without newspapers and books in print? Yes, but I hope it never happens.
Blogging
1. Do you know what blogging is? Yes.
2. Do you blog? If so why? No. I consider blogs a waste of time. Most are only a vehicle that allows ill-informed persons to reach an audience. It is usually not possible to determine which blogger fit this generalization and which do not.
School/Job:
1. Job Status (i.e. working, student, retired etc.) Retired Pediatrician
Changes in the Media
1. Is there something you wish you could change about any medium? If so what? Fewer ads, more scientific programming, particularly about subjects of public importance (medicine, climate change, biology and genetics – all should be better understood by the public).
My (Paul) Commentary on “The Media”:
A widespread trend to spend increasing amounts of time in media-related pursuits has affected much of the public. This trend can be criticized in many ways. Individuals may, in addition, seek ways to combat this trend with activities that permit greater personal fulfillment.
Specific points related to this critique are as follows:
1. Activities seen on the movie, television, or computer screen are weak simulations of the multi-sensory and emotional content of the same activity in real life. A dance movie is not the same as learning the tango. A reality show may involve exotic locations and expensive sets but the show does not have the reality of an evening out (or walk in the woods) with friends.) A cooking show does nothing for the tastebuds.
2. The media have been able to take over increasing amounts of our time because they are cheap, require little if any mental or physical effort from the participant, and are enormously profitable to corporate sponsors.
3. Rapid spread of “information” by blogs and other internet-based media have several disadvantages in comparison to books (and to a lesser expense compared to magazines and television broadcasts). Books, production films, and magazines represent the end product of extensive review processes. To varying degrees the output reflects critical review by editors and others. Entries in blogs and similar vehicles represent only the opinions of the writers. They may contain large misstatements of facts or partial interpretations in areas where there is controversy. However, because of the format of the blog (and persuasive skills of the writer) they may become accepted as facts by readers.
4. Media-related pursuits are almost certainly specific causes of the rising national death rates from hypertension, heart attacks, and other causes. Lack of exercise and increased consumption of prepared foods “fast foods” appear to be major causes.
I suggest that many of the media activities be reduced or replaced by real reality. Many people would benefit by trying some tango lessons, a walk in the woods, or a simple home-cooked dinner.
1. What forms of media do you use? (i.e. TV, computer, internet, iPhone, iTouch, iPod, etc.): TV, computer, and internet
2. Does “the media” influence your life? If so in what way? (i.e. my job, my relationships) Relationship increasingly use email as a communication vehicle. My work uses email. For information, searches of the media (journals, newspapers) are used heavily, occupying a major amount of time.
3. Can you imagine your life without the following: TV, the internet, cell phone? No problem would be more relaxed and more fun.
4. Do you think age affects your understanding of media? If so how? It might be more difficult to learn new programs. But this may also be a consequence of having conflicting time responsibilities.
5. Can you imagine living in a country without having access to media (internet, television, the computer, etc.) Yes. see #3.
TV
1. Did you grow up the TV? If, so how has the television influenced your life? I have had very little exposure to TV (estimate 1 hour per month since childhood)
2. Do you watch TV? Why? If not, why? If so how much? Yes I watch some TV. No, too many other interests.
3. If you didn’t or don’t watch television why? Too many other interests and responsibilities. It was my decision.
4. Do you think television and the media is too dominating in determining society norms? Yes, which is one of the reasons I stay away from it.
Computer/Internet
1. Did you grow up with the computer and the internet? No
2. What do you mostly use the computer for (i.e. academic purposes, business purposes, personal purposes (email), etc.) Academic, research on personal interests, email, finances
3. What websites do you use visit most often? New York Times, Search engines, MedLine
4. What are the reasons behind your usage of those websites? News, information on wide variety of subjects, specific topics in the medical literature
5. Do you use Facebook? No.
6. Do you feel your privacy is safe when using the internet? Probably not, but I am careful about what I enter.
Print Media
1. Do you read the newspaper? If so how (online, print, iPhone/iTouch)? I read many papers, (the NY Times daily) – all online.
a. Why do you prefer that method? The online editions are “up-to-the-minute and do not require payment of subscription fees.
2. Do you read books? If so how (print or electronically)?Yes. I read books in print – occasionally on tape or disc – have not tried computerized methods.
3. Can you imagine a world without newspapers and books in print? Yes, but I hope it never happens.
Blogging
1. Do you know what blogging is? Yes.
2. Do you blog? If so why? No. I consider blogs a waste of time. Most are only a vehicle that allows ill-informed persons to reach an audience. It is usually not possible to determine which blogger fit this generalization and which do not.
School/Job:
1. Job Status (i.e. working, student, retired etc.) Retired Pediatrician
Changes in the Media
1. Is there something you wish you could change about any medium? If so what? Fewer ads, more scientific programming, particularly about subjects of public importance (medicine, climate change, biology and genetics – all should be better understood by the public).
My (Paul) Commentary on “The Media”:
A widespread trend to spend increasing amounts of time in media-related pursuits has affected much of the public. This trend can be criticized in many ways. Individuals may, in addition, seek ways to combat this trend with activities that permit greater personal fulfillment.
Specific points related to this critique are as follows:
1. Activities seen on the movie, television, or computer screen are weak simulations of the multi-sensory and emotional content of the same activity in real life. A dance movie is not the same as learning the tango. A reality show may involve exotic locations and expensive sets but the show does not have the reality of an evening out (or walk in the woods) with friends.) A cooking show does nothing for the tastebuds.
2. The media have been able to take over increasing amounts of our time because they are cheap, require little if any mental or physical effort from the participant, and are enormously profitable to corporate sponsors.
3. Rapid spread of “information” by blogs and other internet-based media have several disadvantages in comparison to books (and to a lesser expense compared to magazines and television broadcasts). Books, production films, and magazines represent the end product of extensive review processes. To varying degrees the output reflects critical review by editors and others. Entries in blogs and similar vehicles represent only the opinions of the writers. They may contain large misstatements of facts or partial interpretations in areas where there is controversy. However, because of the format of the blog (and persuasive skills of the writer) they may become accepted as facts by readers.
4. Media-related pursuits are almost certainly specific causes of the rising national death rates from hypertension, heart attacks, and other causes. Lack of exercise and increased consumption of prepared foods “fast foods” appear to be major causes.
I suggest that many of the media activities be reduced or replaced by real reality. Many people would benefit by trying some tango lessons, a walk in the woods, or a simple home-cooked dinner.
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