Welcome to Media Practices!
Hello there! Today we are diving into a really cool part of Media Studies: Media Practices. This is all about what we, the audience, actually do with the media we consume. It’s not just about sitting on the sofa and staring at a screen; it’s about how media becomes a part of our daily lives, our friendships, and even who we think we are.
Don’t worry if some of these ideas feel a bit "deep" at first – we’re going to break them down using things you do every single day!
1. Media and Your Identity
The media you like says a lot about you. Think about the last time you saw someone wearing a hoodie with a specific gaming logo or a band's name. You immediately knew something about their Identity, right?
Media practices are the ways we use media to build our sense of self. This involves two main ideas:
Actual Self vs. Desired Self
This sounds complicated, but it's actually very simple:
• Actual Self: This is who you are right now. You might watch a documentary or read a news app because it reflects your current interests or hobbies.
• Desired Self: This is who you want to be.
Example: Imagine you follow a famous athlete on Instagram. You might not be a pro athlete yet (your actual self), but by watching their videos and "liking" their posts, you are connecting with the person you hope to become (your desired self).
Audience Membership
When you love a specific media product, you become part of a "club" or Audience Membership. Being a "gamer," a "Marvel fan," or a "Swiftie" gives you a sense of belonging. It helps you find "your people."
Quick Review: Media isn't just entertainment; it's a tool we use to show the world who we are and who we want to be.
2. Fans and Fandom
There is a big difference between someone who just watches a movie once and a Fan. Fandom refers to the community that grows around a media product.
Did you know? The word "fan" is actually short for "fanatic"! In Media Studies, we look at how fans take "ownership" of the things they love.
What do fans actually do?
Fans engage in active practices, such as:
• Creating: Writing fan-fiction, making "edit" videos for TikTok, or drawing fan art.
• Connecting: Going to conventions (like Comic-Con) or joining Discord servers to talk about theories.
• Collecting: Buying merchandise, limited edition posters, or in-game skins.
The Analogy: Being a fan is like being a supporter of a football team. You don't just watch the game; you wear the shirt, learn the history, and celebrate the wins with other supporters.
Key Takeaway: Fandom is an active practice. Fans don't just consume media; they participate in it and build communities around it.
3. Talking About the Media
One of the most common media practices is simply talking about it. Media gives us "social currency" – something valuable we can use to start conversations with others.
Where does this happen?
• The "Water Cooler" Moment: This is an old phrase for when people at work would gather around the water cooler to talk about what happened on TV the night before.
• Social Media: Today, this happens on X (Twitter), Reddit, or in the comments section of a YouTube video.
• Real Life: Discussing a cliffhanger with your friends at break time or arguing about which character is the best.
Why do we do it?
Talking about media helps us process what we’ve seen, compare our opinions with others, and strengthen our social bonds. If you and a friend both love the same show, your friendship feels stronger!
Memory Aid: Use the acronym FIT to remember the three main parts of Media Practices:
F - Fandom (Being part of a community)
I - Identity (Actual vs. Desired self)
T - Talk (Discussing media with others)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Mistake: Thinking "Media Practices" is about how a TV show is filmed.
Correction: No! That is "Media Industries." Media Practices is always about the audience and what they do.
• Mistake: Thinking all audiences are the same.
Correction: Everyone uses media differently. One person might watch a show just to pass the time, while another might write a 50-page fan-fiction about it!
Final Summary Table
Concept: Identity
What it means: How media reflects who we are or want to be.
Concept: Fandom
What it means: Active communities of fans who create and collect.
Concept: Social Interaction
What it means: Using media as a topic of conversation to connect with others.
Don't worry if you find the "Identity" section a bit tricky. Just think about your own social media feed—the accounts you follow are a perfect example of your media practices in action!