COM 565: Technology, Media, and Culture Analysis

     In 1979, Ted Bundy ’s murder trial was the first trial to be televised nationwide. “The building had been filled to the brim with media outlets from across the nation, all circling in to broadcast the trial of America’s most notorious serial killer” (Lauredo, 2019). Some speculate that it was this case that sensationalized true crime. While having cameras in courtrooms is a heavily debated topic, certain cases have become popular amongst society due to them being sensationalized by the media. Additionally, there are concerns around the ethics of broadcasting cases as it could result in: an impartial jury, public backlash, and overall lack of privacy. By broadcasting live trials, millions of people from around the world are able to watch and form their own opinions on the nature of the case.      Sixteen years later, viewers tuned in to the OJ Simpson trial. Simpson was accused of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. “A celebrity turned accused

       “As technology affects all the components of culture, it determines the direction of cultural development” (Niroula, 2018).      “Mass Culture is a set of cultural values and ideas that arise from common exposure of a population to the same cultural activities, communications media, music and art, etc. Mass culture becomes possible only with modern communications and electronic media” (Paicu, 2017). Ultimately mass media consumption impacts a society and the way that it shapes a culture that is not limited to geographical borders, which then leads to the creation of  a culture that is bound together by global events. Technology has not only increased the speed in which cultural values, ideas, and practices are experienced and exchanged, but has allowed them to be instantaneously experienced despite oceans and borders. Film franchises that have impacted mass culture are: Star Wars, the Marvel Cinematic Universe , and James Bond. What sets these franchises apart from other films i

       What started as a video rental company competing with Blockbuster, Netflix then became a major competitor in both the film and television industry. “Since Netflix began its worldwide expansion in 2016, the streaming service has rewritten the playbook for global entertainment — from TV to film, and, more recently, video games” (Moses & Rodriguez, 2023). Not only did Netflix create their own shows and films, but they eradicated consumer patience with watching commercials. Then by releasing entire series of shows at once, Netflix created binge-watching, which became a consumption trend in its own right. A prime example of this was the release of Netflix’s original show, Orange is the New Black. The show has since become Netflix’s most watched original programming, with Stranger Things later becoming the second most watched original show on the platform. “Orange is the New Black, became the most influential show of the decade” (Berman, 2019). The show was one of the first shows