I am thinking that this weekly reflection could also double as class notes, where I can edit and update regularly and keep records of what we’re told in class.
In the Media 1 Lectorial, we were asked to make a list of the 5 things we think of when we hear the word “Media”
1. Film
2. Television
3. Books and papers
4. Music
5. Communication (including propaganda and advertisement)
There were many others, but it seemed like a better idea to only mention mine as this is my reflection.
“Media are not so much “things” as places which most of us inhabit, which weave in and out of our lives. Their constant messages and pleasures seem to flow around and through us, and they immerse most of our waking lives.” – Branston and Stafford, The Media Student’s book.
This quote was explained as a good way to explain the Media course, as something more abstract than anything completely physical (in terms of its impact). We consistently use some form of media in our everyday lives, whether it be an ad on TV, a Facebook post, or filling out a tax form. Media is everywhere.
For the second half of the lectorial, we started to experience the media world around us, to consciously “notice” whats there and later eventually intentionally notice whats there. We sat in silence for 33 seconds to hear what “notice” the sounds near us (such as tapping, pens clicking, etc.) in reference to John Cage’s 4 minutes and 33 seconds of silence symphony.
We then split into small groups, went outside of the classroom, and spent about 45 minutes noticing, listing, and recording the mediated information we came across. Such things included:
Up High: A blimp for appliances online: 
On the ground: An RMIT no-smoking sign painted on the floor: 
Mid-Ground: Vending machines, big and flashy: 
Back-ground: A drawing of Bill Murray on a cafe wall.
Foreground: A poster for a feminism rally
In my hand: My black pen, with “M&G” written on its side.
There were possibly a hundred other things I could have recorded but there was simply too much media – it was overwhelming once I started noticing everything.