Characteristics of Media Overload
- The concept alludes to an individual focusing on excessive media usage at the same time.
- Media overload involves the increased dependency on electronic gadgets and online platforms in the wake of growing media.
- As a result, an individual connection at the self-level decreases as people try to spend much of their time in ‘more interesting’ things (Kingwell, 2019).
- It is typical for individuals to have an undying yearning for media junk as they are persistent in spending a considerable amount of hours on television, on mobile phones, and any other electronic gadgets.
- Media overload highlights society as experiencing a different kind of revolution from technology.
- As Kingwell (2019) illustrates, examples of typical media overload characteristics include ‘Sitting in front of a screen’ with a muted game showing.
- The individual still has their phone on the desk, through which they receive persistent voicemails concerning day to day trivialities from people they know (Kingwell, 2019).
- However, the person will answer a portion of the messages, leaving out the rest.
- Moreover, there is an open web-browser window in a different tab, just in case they want to cross-check some details without bothering their atypical memory (Kingwell, 2019).
- Media overload, as Kingwell (2019) further exemplifies, involves ordering less-crucial goods online, given that individuals will even forget that they had ordered the item in the first place.
- Media overload often results from the state of boredom when an individual does not have anything constructive to do.
- Kingwell (2019) further presents media overload as accompanied by mixed feelings and emotions such as fast loss of attention in one media item.
- Further, the individual tries focusing on the other for a shorter time and being unsure about what one could do to escape from boredom.
- Other than a short concentration span, media overload results in a persistent hunger for media engagement (Kingwell, 2019).
- Online channels have also come at the cost of falling memories as people over-rely on them for tasks that would have been better performed by the human body, including thinking.
- The height of torment that individuals undergo for lack of constructive activities to engage in often drives people to engage in media overload.
- Media overload is a false way to escape from reality (Kingwell, 2019).
Features of Media Deprivation
- Media deprivation is a tool for conscious unplugging, involving shutting down all electronic devices.
- As an outcome, there will be no more reading texting, emailing or internet surfing, no more TV watching, or talking radio.
- However, media deprivation is a technique that most would disagree with, as it means taking away their boredom killing mechanisms or their addictive distractions.
- In recent days, media deprivation is equitable to individuals losing a part of themselves or essential components of their everyday lives.
- Furthermore, the concept bars one from constant interruptions and keeps one from ending up misusing or becoming addicted from media use.
- People that practice media deprivation are relaxed moderately, stimulated and do not consume themselves as fractions of reality (Kingwell, 2019).
- For example, they can settle on one activity and walk away from light emitted by electronic screens and from diverse realities (Kingwell, 2019).
- Media deprivation prevents individuals from becoming zombie selves, suspended in an extensive technological framework (Kingwell, 2019).
- Individuals who embrace media deprivation further do not capitalize on comfort and entertainment based on media channels.
- Instead, they perceive more constructive tools, such as reading constructive books, gardening, and hiking as forms of comfort and entertainment.
- The method might consider other alternatives to media usage as a way of keeping one occupied during leisure or killing boredom.
- Through deprivation, one can face reality, which in turn promotes creative generation of ideas.
Comparison
- Media overload and media deprivation are similar in that they concern media channels; broadcast and online.
- Overload concerns too much use of media channels, including several at a go.
- Deprivation also involves the media, as without it; then, there would be no need to keep away from electronic devices.
- Furthermore, media overuse and deprivation are concerns are concepts that trend in the 21st century than any other preceding period.
- There are also high chances that overload and deprivation of the media cut across individuals of all ages but are more common among adolescents and the youth.
- Both concepts are similar in that they are a form of addictions, although at two extreme ends.
- For instance, upon allowing distractions from the media, then one can, in the end, becomes addicted, not unless they train their minds on responsible media use.
- Media deprivation can be addictive when one achieves it and learns to be content living without media distractions and over-usage.
Contrast
- Media overload and media deprivation are different in that while overload involves the excessive use of electronic devices, deprivation concerns turning off all devices.
- In equal measure, while overload concerns the misuse of media channels and devices, including using multiple at a go, derivation involves refraining the use of any.
- The two also differ in their purposes as media overload results from a desire to kill boredom.
- On the other hand, media deprivation concerns refrain from unnecessary distractions.
- Moreover, while media overload has a wide range of adverse impacts on the victim, deprivation is beneficial.
- For instance, media overload leads to disrupted focus, limited concentration span, and brain disuse.
- In contrast, media deprivation results in enhanced focus without any disruptions.
- Also, while media overload may result in fast forgetting and lack of priorities, practicing media deprivation helps promote mental health and allows for prioritization.
- Moreover, while media overload signifies media over-usage even when it is unnecessary, deprivation implies the use of media when it is unavoidable or not using at all.
- In a similar vein, while media overload signifies irresponsible use of the platform, deprivation, on the other hand, implies the responsible use of media channels as their application would be on critical instances.
- Also, it is easy for an individual to overuse the media than it is for them to pull away from its usage.
- Therefore, while media overuse seems easy to practice, media deprivation is hard to achieve.
- The two concepts further differ in that while one cannot get enough of media usage, media deprivation comes with immense satisfaction.
- Kingwell (2019) exemplifies that media users, “And yet, and yet, cannot find myself here.” Therefore, the yearning for overuse is unquenchable despite continued use of the media.
- However, turning one’s mind to alternative ways of evading boredom comes with vast satisfaction and calmness.
- Activities that make up each of the concepts are different; therefore, they cannot co-occur.
- For example, while media use is a form of dependency, media deprivation is a therapy for the addiction.
- Regardless, the impacts of boredom are well illustrated through media overuse; they are not well exemplified in media deprivation.
- Media deprivation can be considered from a causative factor of boredom perspective and not a consequence as is the case in overload.
- While media overload is a means to escape reality, deprivation is a bold means of facing it.
Reference Kingwell, M. (2019). Why Being Bored Is Good | The Walrus. The Walrus. Retrieved 19 June 2020, from https://thewalrus.ca/why-being-bore
