Popular media, which includes movies, TV shows, music, and video games, has a significant impact on our culture and society. It shapes our attitudes, influences our behavior, and provides a common language and shared experience that brings people together. Popular media also has the power to educate, inform, and raise awareness about important issues, such as social justice, politics, and environmental issues.
Popular media has weaponized variable rewards. Why do we scroll TikTok for an hour? Because we don't know if the next swipe will be boring or brilliant. This dopamine-driven loop creates addiction. The average adult now spends over 7 hours per day consuming media. The line between "entertainment" and "escapism" has blurred into dependency.
The 1980s saw the emergence of new media, including cable television, music videos, and video games. Cable TV expanded the range of channels and programming options available to viewers, while music videos on MTV and other channels revolutionized the way people consumed music. The 1990s saw the rise of the internet, which marked the beginning of a new era in entertainment. Online platforms such as websites, online radio, and early social media sites began to gain popularity.
