As I was observing what to pick as a media artifact, I realized I was always focusing on technology, ads, TV shows or movies. However, these media artifacts rarely enable people to come together on a personal basis. Drinking is often considered as a social tool; it brings people together, and is often served in places where people go to have fun and meet others. I realized smoking has an even greater impact on communication, of course to those that smoke. Smirting is a modern term that means smoking and flirting outside public places where it is illegal to smoke outside. This is true; many smokers always say that they meet so many people when they go outside to smoke. Although, it is a very harmful habit, smoking does bring people together and make them communicate. Smirting was first identified in New York in 2003, and articles titled “Smoking ban lights up love life” began to be published. In fact, this concept is so common that, one study showed 25% of Irish couples had a relationship that started while smoking outside. Overall, cigarettes are a very widespread medium that allows people to communicate and it is a proof how media is not just limited to technology.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Smirting
As I was observing what to pick as a media artifact, I realized I was always focusing on technology, ads, TV shows or movies. However, these media artifacts rarely enable people to come together on a personal basis. Drinking is often considered as a social tool; it brings people together, and is often served in places where people go to have fun and meet others. I realized smoking has an even greater impact on communication, of course to those that smoke. Smirting is a modern term that means smoking and flirting outside public places where it is illegal to smoke outside. This is true; many smokers always say that they meet so many people when they go outside to smoke. Although, it is a very harmful habit, smoking does bring people together and make them communicate. Smirting was first identified in New York in 2003, and articles titled “Smoking ban lights up love life” began to be published. In fact, this concept is so common that, one study showed 25% of Irish couples had a relationship that started while smoking outside. Overall, cigarettes are a very widespread medium that allows people to communicate and it is a proof how media is not just limited to technology.
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While smoking brings people together, I think it can also push them apart. Many people find smoking completely disgusting - it smells, it's poor for your health, etc. While it may be a medium that brings 2 smokers together, I don't think it's a medium that will ever bring a smoker and non-smoker together.
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