The week one workshop was quite a casual affair. We spent a lot of time simply discussing the readings, requirements for assignments, and just getting to know each other in general.

One of these “getting to know you questions” pertained to a pieces of media from the last year that we really liked or really hated. It was interesting to hear the opinions of the rest of my classmates, during which I realised something very powerful about media – it can be incredibly polarising and can strongly influence society one way or another.

Take for example, the Kardashian Family – who have become a huge brand within the last few years due to their television programme “Keeping Up with the Kardashians”; as well as high profile relationships (‘Kimye’, that one dating the basketballer(?) ). Personally, I am one of those who cannot stand the Kardashians, and would love to see that app that blocks everything Kardashian-related bleed onto facebook. But there are a large number of fans who rant and rave over every tweet, instagram post or facebook update by the family.

Nonetheless, this train of thought took me to reflecting on the power media appears to have in influencing us. A few examples I have seen of this are the Outfoxed documentary that highlights Fox News’ attempt to influence the 2004 US Presidential Election and the KONY 2012 campaign which sparked monumental slacktivism for (perhaps) a questionable cause. It’s not just media in the form of film – printed propaganda in the war times influenced society to join the fight; and video games and heavy metal music were both blamed for influencing the perpetrators of the tragic Columbine High School Massacre in 2000.

It’s no wonder there is a school of thought in media influence, and countless theories of how media influences society. It is most definitely part of who we are, and most definitely an element of shaping our way of living.

Even if that way of living is fighting over whether Kendall or Kylie is the better Jenner.