Media technology is considered a form of mass communication. Mass communication is defined as individuals and entities relaying information through mass media to large segments of the population at the same time. This includes news articles, magazines, radio, television and movies. This affects a mass of people in a variety of ways, one of them being manipulation.

A prime example of mass manipulation is advertised beauty. The media portrays beauty as those who wear make-up, the latest trends, a certain hair cut or a certain weight. This influences people to try and look a certain way. Behaviors that are portrayed through different types of media and the fact that it is placed center stage makes it seem that these actions are applauded instead of punished and convinces others that it is fine to act out in a certain way.

The Media technologies which offer mass manipulation can have negative affects as well as positive ones. On a more positive note, educational programs reach a large scale of people, mainly children and teach them various aspects of life and help them develop their learning skills. Mass media can either be considered a mental prison guard or an angel in disguise depending on what it is that you are viewing.

Manipulation is defined as shrewd or devious management, especially for one's own advantage. Even though certain manipulations may not seem harmful, they are still a form of manipulative action. Advertisements that you see showing a happy couple buying or selling their home, this portrays the fact that buying or selling your home is a good idea. Whether or not this is true, it is a manipulative advertisement which is beneficial to those who fund and approve of the advertising. This is a great example of media technologies being used to manipulate the masses.

The impact of manipulation can never be outdone as there will always be some form of mass communication. We can decide for ourselves how far we are willing to be manipulated. An individual has the right to decide how much of their decision making is actually their own and not the speculation of others. So whether technology's outreach is actually harmful or helpful is generally up to us.

Interesting links:

Study Micro Blog

Media Micro Blog

Obsessive Personality.com