Content Analysis: Virtuous, Lovely, of Good Report, and Praiseworthy

I've noticed that content analysis studies predominately seem to focus on negative things.  We study violence levels, sexual content, physical and relational aggression, and other such topics.  Why don't we study positive values and acts in the media?  Is it because we wouldn't find enough positive material to analyze?  Is it because no one would be interested in the findings?  Is it because we can accomplish more good by disclosing the bad in negative aspects of media than we can by extolling the good in positive aspects?

This class has really helped me realize that if I don't proactively look for wholesome media, I'm not going to find it by chance.  Because of that, I had the idea to start my own personal content analysis project to evaluate the media I use.  Instead of looking for negative things, I'd like to "code" the media I use based on positive aspects.  How many uplifting and wholesome incidents occur in the video/book/song?  How frequently do images/acts/lyrics that invite the spirit occur?  How many portrayals of chastity and charity occur.

This means that I'd have to find definitions of uplifting, wholesome, chastity, and charity.  I'd have to take time to think about the media I use instead of just using it with my mind in "entertain me" mode.  I'd probably have to stop using some of the media I currently use.  But I've realized that if I really want to seek after things that are virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy, it's probably not going to be easy.

Revenge of the Bridesmaids

This week I watched Revenge of the Bridesmaids for the first time.  My roommates showed it to me.  When it was over, I asked myself, "why did I watch that whole thing?"  I couldn't really think of one good thing in the whole movie.  It depicted drinking as negative perhaps, but inevitable and portrayed sex as something that had no consequences.  I was especially surprised by the contrast between the movie's promotion of revenge, hatred, getting even which contrasted so sharply with what I had been studying earlier this week about forgiveness, love, and healing.

Prosocial preteen music?

I was really intrigued by what we learned about prosocial music, especially when we listened to the song "Soldier."  I've thought about how music impacts our lives whether we want it to or not, so it would probably be better for us to be proactive about finding good music that will affect us in the way we want it to.  With that in mind, I've been trying to come up with a prosocial playlist for a preteen boy who's had a difficult life.  I've found a few songs, but I'd like to find more.  Does anyone have any suggestions?

Media at the Market and Technology in the Testing Center

Technology is being used to fill so many of the needs that were done in person in the past.  Sometimes it's a plus, but other times it becomes so much of a hassle that it frustrates me.  For example, today I tried to pay for my groceries with a check.  In the olden days, cashiers accepted handwritten checks, and took them to the bank to be processed.  Now they just take your blank check, run it through a little machine "that goes ding ding ding" (as the cashier said to me), type in the ID number found on your driver's license, and give the check back to you.  In theory it sounds like a great idea right?  Quick and easy.  But it's a different story when the system doesn't work, the cashier has to call another cashier, who then calls customer service to come over, all while there are so many people waiting in the check out line that they spill over into the grocery aisle.  

For another example, my friend told me how she was planning to use the student ID found on her BYU app to get into the testing center.  Another great idea in theory.  No worry about losing or forgetting her ID card.  But then, after she made it through the testing center line and right when she got up to the counter to get her test, her phone died.  

I guess though that problems like these have always existed and they will probably just serve to help us continue improving technology.  I guess there's really no point in complaining about it, it's probably better to accept the newfangledness and embrace the good it brings while working to improve or eliminate the bad.  

This week, even the elderly lady teller at my bank exclaimed, "look how modern we are!" as she described the bank's new app that allows one to deposit checks by simply taking a picture of them.  Although I'm wary that it might not work as well as she described it over the phone, I guess I'm supporting it because I just downloaded the app.