Journal Entry 8: Print Media

This week’s discussion in class was focused on the topic of print media. We discussed its relevance in society in this coming day of technological growth and compared its consumption within society today. This weeks class definitely got me thinking in regards to my media consumption here in London versus back at home in the States. Part of the class was dedicated to taking a magazine to read somewhere other than class for a half hour. I can say with certainty that that magazine was the first magazine I have read since being in London. That is a profound discovery for myself. Back at home in the States, I consider myself a magazine addict. I subscribe to several various magazines (Us Weekly, Vogue, Vanity Fair) and whenever I am in line at the grocery store, there is not much you can do to stop me from buying one. Especially when I travel, I find the biggest comfort in curling up with my magazine while on the plane. You would think with the immense amount of traveling I have been doing while studying abroad, I would be overflowing with my magazine archive. However, it is quite the opposite. The cost of buying a magazine here in London is double the price, which steers me in the complete opposite direction from purchasing such products. Not only is the price deterring me from physically buying a magazine but also since my arrival in London, the power of the Internet has completely taken over my media consumption.  My amount of time spent on the Internet has doubled since arriving in London and I find myself completely dependent on it.  Not only am I using the internet as a source for media consumption such as news reports, celebrity and fashion blogs but I am using it a source for communication with friends both in London and home and of course to connect with my family. Rather than purchase a magazine, I go online to the various blogs or the company’s website to receive my desired information instantly with no charge. This demonstrates a pivotal change that is slowly occurring within society today. The Internet serves as an all-encompassing form of media production, which will eventually replace various forms of print media. However, with this week’s class, holding the magazine and turning the pages with my fingertips reminded me of the importance of keeping this form of media alive. Seeing the pictures from the magazine first hand and the comparing their production on line gives a reader an entirely different experience. A unique tradition that takes place is London is the circulation of newspapers on the tube. I can go on the tube and pick up a newspaper that was left behind by previous commuters. While sitting on the tube, I then have the opportunity to view local British news and information brought to me through the newspaper. The Internet will never have the capability to do this.