MEdia Notes
I waste time so you don’t have to.
Here’s some stuff I am watching, listening to, and reading that I wanted to share.
MEDIA LITERATE MEDIA
NPR’s Landslide Podcast - Engines of Outrage Part 1-4 (approximately 30 mns each)
Description: “A new miniseries from Landslide explores America's information divide — starting with a coordinated campaign in the early 1970s to undermine the press, and the alternate media ecosystem that followed.”
Thoughts: Definitely going to add this series into my Media Literacy syllabus. It does an excellent job translating issues related to the information landscape into accessible, digestible language. It’s good foundational knowledge for students who have not yet thought about these topics and need some of the basics.
Links:
Subject Documentary
Description: Subject explores the life-altering experience of sharing one’s life on screen through key participants of acclaimed documentaries The Staircase, Hoop Dreams, The Wolfpack, Capturing the Friedmans, and The Square. These erstwhile documentary “stars” reveal the highs and lows of their experiences as well as the everyday realities of having their lives put under a microscope. As tens of millions of people consume documentaries in an unprecedented "golden era," Subject urges audiences to consider the often profound impact on their participants.
Thoughts: This is such an important media literacy topic!!! It can lead into an incredible conversation about the ethics of documentary filmmaking. As someone who has been the subject of documentary films and TV shows, I was very moved by this film and how it makes the viewer think about the documentary participants.
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Why I Quit YouTube - Daniel Howell
Description: “A cautionary tale about fame, followers, the clash between making content and being content ..and being careful what you wish for, because one day you will absolutely have a complete breakdown.”
Thoughts: This video was referenced in Devorah Heitner's book Growing Up Public and I finally watched it. If you haven't seen it, it's a fantastic (albeit VERY LONG) look at what it is like to be a youtuber/influencer. I am definitely going to be discussing with my students next semester when we talk about influencer culture. Highly recommend it for all the media literacy professors out there.
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JUST FOR FUN
Wimbledon Sibling Love
I’ve had a bit of a cold the last couple of weeks which has coincided nicely with the Wimbledon tournament. Nothing like lying in bed watching tennis to start your day! There was an absolutely adorable and sweet moment when Ben Shelton (ranked 10 in the world) told the world that his sister was his good luck charm and that she really needed more time off from her job at JP Morgan so she could keep coming to his matches. Spoiler alert: they gave it to her! Also, another spoiler alert: he eventually lost in the semi-finals. Still - SOOOO SWEET!
Great list -- thank you for sharing!! Wimbledon had so many sweet moments of support and sportsmanship :-)