Media Phobia

          On a basic level, we may look at "fear" as an emotional characteristic and response to various factors which surround us in the world we live in today. Although, fear may also be a media hype. Whereas the most horrific things in the world would nonetheless being a reality to avoid, the forms of media we have today encourage the fears we have as humans, to remain within the public eye and in the minds of the general public. Karen Sternheimer explains in a section of her book "Connecting Social Problems and Popular Culture: Why Media is Not the Answer," history has shown it is filled with cultural influences which may cause an uproar of fear, thereby creating more problems than there were before. In fact, whether the medium is television, printed literature, mobile devices, and so forth, "our anxieties about a changing world, uncertain future, and seemingly unsolvable social ills are deflected onto popular culture," essentially leaving ourselves prone to fear of our own media creations. How silly. Are we truly developing into a society where we have taken upon the role of  Dr. Frankenstein by creating a new worldly aspect, otherwise known as the media in our culture, though we are starting to feel ill about our once praised "creations?" We very well may be doing so.

          There are continuously flowing streams of fear embedded into our formats of media. Frankly, this has arrived to the point where it is far too consistent and common to evade all together. Which very well is unfortunate for the general public- the targeted consumer of these "media delicacies." But then again, what is the problem here? Don't we want to be scared? Is this not what were after? Is this not why people proclaim they desire to "feel alive?"

          There is a vast variety of music available throughout the world today. Some songs are produced professionally, others may be amateur beats, and many others may simply be instrumental. Everyone have their preferred genre of music; the sound styles of music less favoured from one person to the next, may easily become a target of media phobia. Why? Simply because it's different than from what you are accustomed to on a regular basis. Sternheimer goes as far as to claim it is because of these opposing musical values which results in our cultural music to be "frequently used as a proxy for hostility." This is to say, some of the messages presented in various fresh beats may be seen as a cultural threat due to the messages or ideas they present in their lyrics. Realistically, anything in music may become a provocative tune. Is this not why you enjoy music to begin with, because you are able to relate to the messages presented in the song?