Reflection

     This is cliche, but it actually seems like no time has passed since we started posting on these blogs. It’s gonna be pretty hard to stop taking note of any interesting ads that catch my eye throughout the day. I’ve gotten so used to being hyper-aware of every media experience. Before this blog, I was aware of the idea of media and advertising as a whole, but never really focused on each individual idea out of the thousands that we come across on a regular basis. Doing this blog brought to light the sheer amount of media input we receive. It forced me to notice every ad instead of soaking it all in without a second glance.

     I've noticed that I've become a lot more interested in how advertisements are produced after analyzing so many on my blog. Whether I plan to put an ad on my blog or not, I still give a little more thought to how and why it is pitched to me that specific way. Just the other day, in fact, my dad and I were talking to each other about which brands have staying power based on their advertising techniques. I didn't have any blog posts due, but I was still happy to think about the pros and cons of each company's ads.

     Before I got to critical thinking class, and especially before I started posting on this blog, I thought of myself as relatively unaffected by advertising. I know what products I like based on their quality or comfort, so ads didn't seem to be a big part of my life. This blog made me realize how much advertising I take in daily and how much it affects me. Even if I think I am not influenced by an ad, there are ways for me to be subconsciously persuaded. So no, I was never "above it all." Just like everyone else in this country, my advertising intake and its affect on my life is very high.

     This blog has definitely made me a smarter consumer. Once I accepted how much advertising I receive, I could begin to break each ad down and analyze its intent. This helps me decide several things. Is the ad worth paying attention to? Is it honest? (Most likely, not.) What does the advertiser want me to do or think? What place in my brain is this ad trying to reach? This blog has helped me develop and answer those questions, and I think that that makes me a lot more media literate.

     Not everyone can take a class like critical thinking. Unfortunately, for many people, a class that develops media literacy could be the difference between mindless consumerism and intelligent, skeptical decision-making. Educated consumers are able to filter through deceptive ads and choose products based on honest traits and messages. Educated consumers are also able to stay confident when confronted with media. They can see through an advertiser whose sole intent is to make them feel insecure. Teaching people to become media literate will ultimately contribute to a more honest, positive, and happy society.