Alike yet unalike

By: Pete Thackston

To this point we’ve given ideas and beliefs on the analysis of audiences. What I have found is that all analysis of audiences can be related to one thing and that is the nature of the audience. Depending on what media forms we are talking about the nature of the audience is similar when addressing specific media forms. Many times we can see similarities among specific media audiences, and in effect the nature of these audiences are seemingly very similar. The characteristics in nature of audience among rap music lovers is typically similar to all those who compose the group/audience. If looking at it objectively, the nature among audience members at a Metallica concert is probably quite similar. Even though we can assume common characteristics among the nature of specific audiences, they are very different at the same time.

Through doing this assignment I feel that the most beneficial aspect I’ve come to realize is that the nature of every audience is different, while at the same time alike. Broad views can relate many similarities that are common within the nature of various audiences. Taking a more intricate and detailed explanation when analyzing the nature of the audience you could see that there are distinct differences. Many times the differences are formed through experiences and culture. “The realization that audience is not adequately explained by researching either the people of the audience or the texts they like, but that audience is distinctively inflected by the nature and cultural significance of the interaction between audience activities and textual character (understood in the widest possible sense) causes a reconsideration of the very nature of audience.”

As a whole it must be understood that audiences can be examined and assumptions can be formed, but no theory can be formulated that applies to each audiences specific nature. The nature of audience for our class is an example of this. We are the same in that we are obligate to do this assignment and come to class in order to pass the class. We are different in the sense that we all have different ideas and perspectives about certain media areas which is evident through the blog writings.