Media && Influence

In today's society, the media has such a huge influence on us, even when we are least expecting it.  This influence is very subtle and we let it pass us by without even realizing.  When songs are being played on the radio, it sets a trend of the kind of music that is currently popular in our time.  When certain popular shows get high ratings, many others will try to duplicate and produce similar shows because they are hoping to get the same success.  Let's look at Apple products.  We mentioned this briefly in class today, but Apple is now considered a monopoly by many (although monopolies are not a positive position in the US, or legal).  They are creating this "sameness" we mentioned in class, this convergence of subject by the media.  They have an iPod, iMac, iPhone, etc...but they only have two, three colors.   They make it seem as though you have a plethora of choices, whereas your choices are limited.  It is important to recognize instances such as these because we have to learn to think for ourselves, and not be led astray unintentionally.  It is okay to like certain popular products, there is nothing wrong with that, but we have to stop and think, "is this what i really need?  What is the reason I am doing a, b, c...?".