Children of the Screen

In some respects, we are all children of the screen. This generation has grown up surrounded by modern conveniences that allow entertainment and the media to pervade our homes and minds. We have adapted to this way of life. Why? Because that is what we know, how we have been raised. So yes, this generation lives considerably more in a state of virtual reality, however, that is not the only way that our society should be defined.

Hannah Baylon states that “the media is our environment.” The media does make up a large part of our lives, and so in the same essence it makes up only part of our environment. Not all of us live in the cities, surrounded by cement and buildings, with no appreciation for the exquisite earth. In fact, many of us live in and among nature’s beauty and take pleasure in the things beyond an exclusively social environment.

I do not believe that any of us are unaffected by the media and the predominately socially constructed environment that surrounds us. However, as much as I occasionally enjoy artificial pastimes, I have found that there is so much more to life than television and similar distractions. Baylon doubts that we as a society are realizing our true purposes in life and wonders whether or not we are just abiding by the ideas of others. To me, this seems a bit dehumanizing. Despite the vast amount of external influences that surround us, we are still people capable of thinking for ourselves. Here in the university setting, I am surrounded by peers who, like me, aspire to fulfilling and meaningful careers and lives. I believe that for the most part our generation is not content to remain in a stagnant and uncreative setting. In particular, Baylon makes the assumption that only “a negligible fraction of today’s society is free to explore and nurture their creative potentials.” In my opinion, with today’s ever-advancing and changing technology and opportunities, there are endless possibilities for creative expansion and exploration. I can at least speak for myself that as I aspire to become a veterinarian, there will be no end to the need for creative thinking and willingness to learn new things as technology advances. This is one of the benefits to this increasingly technological world.

By conforming to modern society, there is no need to lose our personal identities. Certainly, there is a need to balance the virtual world and the natural one. We cannot allow media and television to dominate our lives. Indeed, we are accustomed to this materialistic world and need to make an effort to not let it completely govern society. There are definite disadvantages to being children of the screen, especially when you do consider those who let virtual reality rule. As Baylon says, we must avoid letting “our naturalness and essential humanness be bred out of civilization.” Fortunately, we have not yet reached such a state. Currently there is much to be said for the individuality and ingenuity of the millennial generation.

Lastly, Baylon’s disturbing photograph seems to conclude her idea of a child of the screen. The woman in the photo is silenced and chained, backed by a blue television screen. A gray hue is cast upon her person. Baylon seems to be making the point that the media-driven society shuts people out of the world. However, I believe that in some aspects, media has helped people broadcast their opinions and lives to the world. With social networking and international television, children of the screen are able to connect and interact with people in ways that truly allow their voices to be heard.