Simulacra and Simulation- Media Coverage

Media plays a very interesting role in our current status quo. We live in a world where media essentially controls our news outlets and our ideology. Not only does media sway our political views, it also controls our perception of food, music, and any sort of entertainment. In a sense, it controls our perception of our world. When celebrities or “influencers” shares a product or a place, many people are consumed by the idea that “my idol supports and loves this place or product, therefore, this must be a good place or a good product.” In a sense, many young people are brainwashed by social media. Additionally, if we look at the current world where most people are isolated or quarantined, we rely so much more on social media to keep up to date. Personally, my average screen time for my iPhone went from 4 hours to almost 10 hours a day. I feel like I am constantly swiping through social media to make sure I don’t live under a rock. Most interestingly, I currently live in China. Relating to my last post where Ai Wei Wei essentially criticizes the fact that Chinese media restricts and controls the citizens of the country, it creates a very interesting perspective. I use a VPN to access websites that are restricted. Whether or not this is politically incorrect, I am not sure. Growing up overseas but my family is based in China I have perspectives from both sides. Perhaps many people overseas still believe that China is an outdated country because that is how the media presents China, yet, living in China now, I know that this country is very up to date. China is such a fast pacing country, advancing every day yet media restricts the outlet. This is just a food for thought, before it gets too political and I get restricted.