Posts

You Are More Than Your Feed: How Social Media Algorithms Shape Gen Z’s Political Identity

You Are More Than Your Feed: How Social Media Algorithms Shape Gen Z’s Political Identity By: Emma O'Connor   In a world where social media has become our primary source of news, entertainment, and even political discussion, I sought to understand the extent of the influence these platforms have over what we believe. As a Gen Z college student, I use apps like TikTok and Instagram every day. But what I didn’t realize until I started this project is how little control we have over the content we see and how deeply this affects our political identities. My final project for JN201/NMC100 began with a question: How do social media algorithms influence political polarization? That idea quickly narrowed into something even more specific and personal how these algorithms shape political identity , especially among people my age. From that starting point, I researched how platforms use recommendation systems to keep users engaged, often by pushing content that reinforces their existing vi...
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BLOG PROJECT 2 - The Algorithm Made Me Do It: How TikTok is Rewiring Our Attention Spans

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Introduction Advertising and marketing have become an integral part of our daily lives, and with the entry of social media, these tools have seen a drastic change. One such site that is an ideal example of this change is TikTok. In recent times, TikTok has been promoting its advertising tools to brands by highlighting how its algorithm can reach users with precision. The campaign also illustrates how TikTok's personalized, algorithm-driven For You Page (FYP) has transformed the dynamics of how we engage with content so advertisers can reach their users naturally natively. The campaign, in itself, does not only market TikTok as an ad platform but illustrates how TikTok takes advantage of our attention and shapes our media behaviors. Description A recent advert campaign that caught my attention is TikTok promoting its advertising tools, leveraging the platform's effective algorithm to let companies reach prospective customers. In one of TikTok's recent campaigns, the platform...
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BLOG PROJECT 1 - What The Last of Us Teaches Us About Humanity, Survival, and Love

 INTRODUCTION HBO's The Last of Us, streaming on Max, is one of the most emotionally resonant television shows I've seen in recent years. Based on the critically acclaimed video game, the series pairs post-apocalyptic survival with deeply human storytelling. I chose this show because it moves beyond zombie tropes to examine grief, trauma, love, and how to survive when the world is ending. Whether you’re a fan of the game or new to the story, The Last of Us offers a raw and gripping look at how people respond to extreme circumstances, and what gets lost or found along the way. DESCRIBE I watched Season 1, Episode 3 of The Last of Us on Max. The show falls into the drama/sci-fi/post-apocalyptic genre. This episode revolves around two characters, Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett), and features a stand-alone romance amid society crumbling. Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) are the show's main characters, but this episode breaks away from their narrativ...
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Information I consume - Emma O'Connor

 In the digital era, being well-informed is about cutting through a noisy media landscape with true reporting and false information. My sources of information are a mix of The New York Times, NPR, and various forms of small videos. The New York Times provides me with in-depth coverage and investigative journalism, NPR provides me with thorough and balanced coverage, and TikTok is a platform with short videos that tend to be a small bit of information. However, no source is completely objective, so I have the habit of cross-verifying reports, finding primary sources, and paying attention to emotionally charged language to gauge the credibility of information. Misinformation, like deep fakes and disinformation, is becoming a growing menace. Deep fakes, through AI video and audio editing, can create convincing but entirely false accounts, particularly in politics and foreign affairs. The rapid spread of misinformation, often fueled by social media algorithms prioritizing engagement ov...
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Week 1 Blog Post

Welcome to Emma's Media Blog Hello and welcome! My name is Emma O'Connor, and I’m excited to dive into mass media, technology, and how it shapes our culture. I am a DPP student at LBCC and OSU, it is my second year here and I am majoring in Bio-Health Sciences. As someone who has always been fascinated by the ways media influence society, from journalism and social media to advertising and entertainment, I look forward to exploring these topics and engaging in discussions about the evolving media landscape. I'll be posting here on this blog and examining various aspects of media, ranging from the traditional mediums of television and newspapers to the ever-evolving realm of digital media. Look for posts that dissect major media concepts, examine ongoing events, and consider how media impacts our daily lives. My aspiration is to build a site in which I can share observations, inspire debate, and explore the role the media plays in influencing our perceptions and interactions...
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