The Boy Who Lived. (Media Meditation #2)

Hi, I’m Kate, and I am a Harry Potter fanatic.

Me at Harry Potter World over spring break.

I know that millions would say that they suffer from this same affliction, but my obsession may just be on a whole new level. It isn’t even a sort of love for a fictional character but more a longing to BE him. I was just another ten year old who dressed as Harry Potter for Halloween. No, not Hermione, not Ginny, Harry. Going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter this spring break really made my dreams come true and brought this world from my head into reality.

It also made me think long and hard about this story, this world, that JK Rowling has created. I never really thought about how this one woman had changed an entire generation. Sure, she didn’t save lives or cure diseases but she did change the lives of millions of people. She taught an entire generation how to read. She created an entire magical world full of people out of nothing. She truly changed the world.

It also astounds me how one napkin with the makings of a story on it turned into the empire that it is today. The books went through so many shifts to keep up with society, as it became more media oriented. It went through all sorts of shifts and changes, while still maintaining the core values the books instilled. The story contained value messages that inspired an entire generation to be brave like Harry. He stayed true to his friends and his heart, even through great challenges. The words on the page have the power to truly appeal to reader’s emotions.

                                                                                 The movie trailer for the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

The story has gone from words to movies to a theme park. It went from words on a page to costumes and objects and real life. It has become consumerism but in a way that keeps the younger generations innocent and the older generations young. Harry Potter and JK Rowling have, and will continue to, change the world.

An ISLAND Getaway.

      Picture a tropical island. Palm Trees. Sand. Now the word “Happiness” over it. Add the words “Chocolate” and “Getaways”. Creating a magazine that people want to pick up isn’t hard when it is all about beautiful tropical island vacations. 

 

This is the cover of the March 2011 issue of Islands, taken from the internet.

 

Islands magazine, owned by Bonnier Corp., is all about “celebrating the immersive, authentic experiences unique to island escapes” and they say that they “offer the stunning photos and compelling stories that inspire island travel.” Their website presents the multimedia information to make those travels happen.

Just from looking at the first page, the magazine works several aspects of your brain, especially the Limbic. The pictures inspire content and tranquil emotions. The words on the front, affecting the Neocortex, continue to make the reader feel happy and relaxed. 

          One of the key reasons this magazine continues to be successful is their recognition of the technological shift that has been occurring in this ever changing media culture. Not only do they have a website, but they created a facebook page, a twitter account and an iPad application.They have high definition videos on their website from all over the world.

This video is from the magazine's website. It is from a trip to Nassau in the Bahamas.

          The magazine is full of beautiful people and flattery. It tells people that they deserve a vacation to these gorgeous faraway destinations. It makes them want to grab the magazine, put their feet up and relax. And you know what? It works for me. I think, just maybe, happiness does start there.