On the Edge

 Media has changed dramatically since the 1950’s.  Up until this time, major publications such as Life, Time, and Newsweek guided the American public in their collective thinking and buying. With the availability of televisions in the average family home, three television networks began to influence the information and entertainment through programming and advertisements. NBC and CBS, along with a smaller ABC were endorsed and given licenses in all the major cities by the government. Smaller regional television companies usually carried the national programs as well. This gradually changed with time as society moved from Fordism to the Post or Neo Fordism era. Large corporations, not only in media but worldwide, changed their structure and mentality. They became less corporate headquarter centered and more diverse in their geographical locals. Corporations started to have fewer employees on their actual payroll and outsourced to the casual labor market in order to save money. In the media business, similar changes were also made. Now days, large media corporations hire their creative staff as subcontractors and the former centers of entertainment, New York and Hollywood, are now becoming spread-out all over the country. Due to the incredible technological advancements in media, such as cable and satellite as well as the Internet, government has less input and many policies are now ignored.

One of the major changes in the media corporations is the move from mass production of TV shows or magazines to more culturally diverse markets. Shows and advertisements are no long produced for the mass audiences but tailor-made for racial or ethnic diversity. Some of these industries are considered on the edge with their content and focus. The hundreds of channels on TV as well as the information on the Internet make almost everything available to the general public all over the world. In today’s world, we can constantly interact with the media. I believe that social media is one of the biggest and fastest growing industries. Facebook allows people to catch up with old friends and as well make new ones with the same interests.  With our technology, it is possible to be connected to Facebook 24 hours a day through our cell phones, computers, and tablets.  People can share their opinions, interests, emotions and concerns with whoever is interested. This has also made it easier for companies to advertise their products. People may look up activities or different things that might interest them personally and are able to find advertisements of their liking. For an example, I like the concepts of extreme sports. Companies such as Red Bull that sponsor these types of events, have their own Facebook Fan Page which allows people to follow different events that the companies might put on and as well as advertise their products. It is an opportunity for not only you, but your friends that may be interested in the same hobbies or interests to be exposed to merchandise or ideas. Companies can become more creative in their approach to selling their products because they can focus on a certain type of audience.

            Although some people might argue that using Facebook can divide a society because there is less social physical interaction, I disagree. Facebook has evolved from Instant Messaging and My Space, to fulfill the needs of the public. The service actually unites society because it gives people the opportunity to interact with not only friends, but many others on the periphery of their personal circle. It allows communications with people that otherwise would not be connected to you as well as allowing companies to sell their products and ideas in a creative and “edgy” manner.