Media Ecology is how communication, media and technology affect human environments. There are eight elements to media ecology which all interlink and work together:


    

  • Money
    • 

  • Institutions
    • 

  • Social media
    • 

  • Government
    • 

  • Distribution
    • 

  • Audience
    • 

  • Technology
    • 

  • Creators
    • 



Without any of the eight elements, the media environment would collapse. All of the components have to be able to work together in order to understand the impact media has on society’s understanding and perception of the world, as well as giving insight into the feelings and values of society.


Creating a mindmap focussing on the element of Audience has allowed me to understand how each element is interdependent and how each element works. Without Creators there would be no content to be consumed by an audience, without Government institutions and creators would be able to share anything they liked without thinking about the negative effects to be had on others values and feelings. Money and Distribution mean that people are able to share more whilst earning a living through consumption from the audience on social media sites and other outlets. Finally without technology there would be no audience and no media to be consumed meaning there would be no online media ecology and people would struggle to make hard copies of newspapers or magazines. The mindmap has allowed me to understand how every element in media ecology are all interlinked and equally important.


When I come to make my music magazine I will consider how all of these elements work together so that I can create a magazine which entices my audience. Media Ecology has taught me that I would not be able to make my magazine in isolation or independently as my work would not be successful because producing a magazine that includes all elements would be very difficult to complete alone.