Socrates Cafe: How does media shape perception?

By on February 02, 2009 | Add a Comment

Media in one form or another, has existed for as far back as we can tell.  The need to share ideas or create meanings has shaped our societies, political systems and how we percieve the world.  In this blog, feel free to openly explore any of these questions or your thoughts and concerns about the topic.   

How does media reinforce or counter dogma?

How does our choice of media (liberal, conservative, green, democrat, anarchist, libertarian, republican, moderate, etc) reinforce our view of the world? Can this range of views promote diversity and a wide range of choices?  How does locking into one kind of perspective hinder open dialogue (the Socratic Method)? How does it maintain it?

What is a meme and how does that relate to the conversation of media? 

How much of the media we consume is a reflection of our state of mind?  

What does it mean to hide behind media?  Why hide?

Some say we use fiction or art to say some truth about ourselves; why not just say it, straight? 

Do we look for the media we consume or does it look for us?

Can media alter your state of being, your personality, your notions of self?

How can perception, shaped by media, stop us from really getting to know someone? 

How does media subjugate or free us from particular social or economic strata?

Can media keep you poor?

Can counter culture media sold to you by corporations make you believe you're open minded and in control if they are the ones who make the money off of that belief system?

Is language media?  Consider memes. 

How is our spoken language influenced by the media we consume and how does this influence others you speak to who may not have consumed the media you did?

Can media be used as a mode of rebellion?  If so, how does it succeed in this? 

Do humans need mediation to live with one another?

What does hegemony have to do with media if anything?