Synopses & Reviews
Through discussion of mass-mediated images of people, cultures, war, love, sex, death, community and identity, the author of this book demonstrates that there is often a large gap between reality and the reconstruction of 'realities' as communicated by the mass media.
Synopsis
Reviewing the images and meanings of the mass-mediated world, Gabriel Weimann examines the symbolic environment, where reality and fiction are almost inseparable. Through discussion of mass-mediated images of people, cultures, war, love, sex, death, community, and identity, he demonstrates that there is often a large gap between reality and the reconstruction of realities as communicated by the mass media.
Synopsis
From interactive, real-time Internet broadcasts to video game-like images of smart bombs on television, our perception of reality is shaped by the mass media. Willing or not, we are a mass mediated society, and the electronic media, especially television and computer-mediated-communication, plays a vital role in our daily lives.
Communicating Unreality reviews the images and meanings of our mass-mediated world. With careful attention to the integration of news and entertainment, fact and fiction, and event and story, author Gabriel Weimann examines our symbolic environment, where reality and fiction are almost inseparable. Through discussion of mass-mediated images of people, cultures, war, love, sex, death, community, and identity, we learn that there often exists a large gap between reality and reconstruction of realities as communicated by the mass media. This comprehensive and entertaining textbook can breathe life into the standard mass communication course. Students, professors, and everyone interested in the influence of the media will enjoy this book.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 391-425) and indexes.
Table of Contents
Living in a mediated world -- The debate over media effects -- Cultivation and mainstreaming -- The psychology of cultivation -- The mean and scary world -- Sex and sexuality -- Death and suicide -- The world according to MTV -- Portrayal of groups -- Images of America -- The unreal war -- Virtual reality: virtual or real? -- Communicating unreality.