Food for thought: Our minds on new models of media consumption. | Alexandra Baumhardt | TEDxIEMadrid

Summary

The speaker discusses the powerful influence of media on shaping societal norms, emphasizing how the content we consume daily reinforces certain beliefs and biases. With over 500 minutes of media consumed per person daily, this constant exposure to specific images, stories, and ideas shapes our understanding of what is considered 'normal.' The speaker highlights examples like the lack of diversity in Vogue magazine's early years and the negative portrayal of Islam in the press. They urge the audience to challenge their media consumption habits and embrace diverse perspectives to foster a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Takeaways

• 😀 We consume around 506 minutes of media daily, influencing our values, beliefs, and perceptions of what is normal.
• 😀 Media acts like a feast, with a wide array of content constantly shaping our views on attractiveness, normality, and ideologies.
• 😀 Repeated media portrayals, such as the lack of black representation in Vogue for 83 years, can standardize specific ideas of beauty and normality.
• 😀 Negative media portrayals of Islam contribute to the normalization of suspicion, insecurity, and prejudice against Muslims.
• 😀 Sensationalized media coverage, like that of Donald Trump, can normalize harmful rhetoric and ideas by repetitively broadcasting them.
• 😀 Despite the vast media options available, people often limit their consumption to sources that validate their preexisting beliefs, creating a narrow worldview.
• 😀 As a journalist, it's important to engage with diverse perspectives, avoiding the trap of consuming the same content repeatedly.
• 😀 Normalizing diversity in media—through coverage of civil rights movements and representation of LGBTQ+ individuals—helps broaden our understanding of normality.
• 😀 Consuming media from a variety of sources and perspectives fosters a more compassionate, open-minded worldview.
• 😀 By diversifying our media consumption, we can break free from echo chambers and challenge existing biases, contributing to a more inclusive society.
• 😀 The media landscape is growing globally, offering more diverse stories and perspectives, which can lead to transformative change in how we view the world.

Q & A

What is the central metaphor used in the speech to describe how we consume media?

The central metaphor used is that media consumption is like a 'feast,' where people spend hours each day consuming various forms of media, from television to social media, and this affects our beliefs and perceptions of normality.

How does media repetition contribute to the normalization of certain ideas and beliefs?

Repeated exposure to specific images, ideas, or ideologies in the media, such as certain body types or ethnicities, normalizes them in society. Over time, this influences people's perceptions of what is considered 'normal' or 'acceptable.'

What is the significance of Vogue magazine's historical lack of diversity?

For the first 83 years, Vogue magazine did not feature any Black person on its cover, which contributed to the long-standing standardization of whiteness as the ideal of beauty. This lack of diversity reinforced a narrow, exclusionary view of beauty.

How did the British press in 2006 contribute to negative perceptions of Islam?

A study found that 91% of articles related to Islam in the British press made negative associations, presenting the religion as a threat. This created a normalized atmosphere of suspicion and prejudice toward Muslims.

What role did media coverage of Donald Trump during the U.S. presidential election play in normalizing his rhetoric?

Donald Trump’s controversial and sexist comments received extensive media coverage, amounting to a quarter of all evening news coverage on the three largest U.S. networks. This constant exposure helped normalize his rhetoric and its acceptance by the public.

What does the speaker mean by the 'narrowing' of media consumption habits in today's society?

Despite the increase in available media sources, people often limit their consumption to platforms like Facebook, where they only engage with content that aligns with their existing beliefs. This creates echo chambers and prevents exposure to diverse viewpoints.

What is the role of journalists in combating the normalization of narrow viewpoints?

Journalists should avoid the habit of only consuming media that reinforces their beliefs. Instead, they should engage with diverse perspectives and promote a broader understanding of what is considered normal by including a variety of experiences and viewpoints in their work.

How has media representation of marginalized groups changed in recent years?

Media representation of marginalized groups has improved, as seen in mainstream television shows like *Modern Family* and *Transparent*, which feature same-sex couples and trans women. This broader representation has helped normalize diverse identities and experiences.

What message does the speaker convey about the importance of trying new 'dishes' at the media table?

The speaker encourages individuals to explore different perspectives by metaphorically trying new 'dishes' at the media table. This openness to diverse viewpoints can lead to a more inclusive and compassionate society.

How can media consumption contribute to a more inclusive and compassionate society?

By diversifying our media consumption and being open to different viewpoints, we can foster understanding and empathy, which helps normalize a broader range of human experiences and promotes inclusivity.