The Influence of Media on Society in the 21st Century

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The influence of media on society in the 21st century is undeniable. Of all the types of media, music and books stand out as two of the main strands that influences people the most. They are both invaluable resources of knowledge and entertainment that can be accessed by all age groups. However, the most important aspect of music and books that has made them so prominent to the 21st century audience is that it offers a wide range of genres and styles. Consequently, Music and books have become the principal method of entertainment in the lives of many, as it bestows upon people the opportunity to free themselves from reality, and exist in their own fantasy worlds. By comparing and contrasting the impact of music and books, a superior understanding of their effects on society becomes apparent. Pop sensations such as Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga have dominated and captivated the attention of the world wide audience. Even terms such as “Belieber” or “Bieber fever” are employed as a way of expressing individuals’ love for Justin Bieber. Such a vast crowd of admirers worldwide expressing the same adoration for one person perchance is only rivaled by characters in books and novels. For instance, characters in Harry Potter and Twilight have established fan bases with memberships in the millions. Edward Cullen in Twilight has set new standards for boyfriends. While eleven year olds wait patiently for their Hogwarts acceptance letters because they want to one day become as great a wizard as Harry Potter. However, at the end of the day, these influences create an unrealistic illusion in the minds of individuals to mimic these events when the authors simply meant for them to be fictional. In the case of music, it creates unrealistic expectatio... ... middle of paper ... ...as a reader might with a book. That being said, music does provide benefits such as entertainment, and relaxation, however, from an academic point of view, music distracts students and influences their grades by limiting their academic potential. The influence of books and music on today’s society is undeniably significant. It plays an immense role in what the values of a society is, and expands the imagination of people of all ages. Such examples are that fantasy novels inspire people to think big while music acts as a way of expressing oneself through lyrics and beats. Other forms of media such as the internet, television, and radio have been effective in spreading books and music of different authors and singers. They will continue to be effective as more and more applications and programs are created everyday for the sole purpose of distributing these materials.

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