Mediathon
Communications academics use the word "mediated" a lot-- "connected indirectly through another person or thing". The "thing" of course is a screen--TV, Computer, mobile phone--and a new survey says the average American stares at the damn things 8.5 hours a day. All of which delights advertisers.
The researchers found that the number of minutes with media is almost identical for every age group. Mr. Wakshlag called the amount of time "amazingly consistent across the age groups." Except, that is, for 45-to-54-year-olds, who spend on average an extra hour in front of screens each day, the study found.
I don't know about you, but I like to sleep 8 hours a night, swim for an hour a day and my commute to USC is 45 minutes each way. That leaves about 4 hours of human (unmediated) interaction a day.
I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
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WOW, is the lack of time to spend the real reason for the economic downturn?
Are hackers and worm creators only trying to save us? :)
March 29, 2009 9:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have terrible muscle pains and headaches and can't do too much besides stare at the computer. It's a sad story. (I apologize for providing too much information.) Norman Cousins had this chronic painful illness and said part of the treatment was looking at old comedies. Where are all these old comedies anyway? There are about 15 hours of Frank Capra movies, 10 hours of Charlie Chaplin movies and throw in another 80 hours of random classic gems and that deals with about two weeks of a chronic illness. Cousins account of his treatment was a terrific story but unfortunately in the main largely a story.
March 29, 2009 10:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
It may be true that we spend more time in front of screens but it's not at all the kind of passive viewing experience advertisers would like. With Hulu and Tivo, there's no such thing as "same bat place, same bat time, same bat channel" as they used to say. We choose when and where and how we watch what we watch. And we jump from screen to screen; I can't remember the last time I actually sat through a commercial.
If one comes on, I move my eyeballs to another screen--my computer screen, maybe, to check emails or write or surf.
March 29, 2009 10:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sooo, that's 14.5 hours out of 24.
What about the remaining 9.5 hours?...looking at screens, reading books/articles, writing?
Then theres basic life management stuff: eating/bathing/bathroom stuff.
Plus household maintenance: shopping/cleaning/etc chores...
Gads, I get tired just thinking abouzzz..zzzzzzzz
March 29, 2009 11:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Mediated" -- how a good word goes bad... and "mediated communication" is even worse.
How or when did "mediate" or "mediated" become an extension of "media"? Is it not bad enough that we no longer talk, but "communicate" or "interface"?
Such a pity that communications academicians will hasten the death of, well, communication.
March 29, 2009 11:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
No Jade, it's communicatiated. Not communication.
Sincerely,
Professor Destor23, esq
March 29, 2009 11:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
ha, good point Jade. (And interestingly, mediated is just one letter shy of medicated.)
March 30, 2009 7:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
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April 28, 2011 8:29 AM | Reply | Permalink