How Media Controls Our Perception of Dinosaurs: What this Means

Media consumption around the world shapes culture. However, the significance of media lies not within culture, but in its ability to control the way people see elements in their world. Especially if people rely on media to interpret them. This applies to different backgrounds of people, locations, events, organizations, governments and even individuals. The choice of topic: dinosaurs and their representation in the media through the years demonstrates the power media have when the public consume media to learn and understand dinosaurs. This further highlights the commercial, political, and cultural factors that come into play when distinguishing the truth from media depictions. Building upon this premise, it becomes clear that war, gender and racial stereotyping, political elections, and global challenges such as poverty and climate change are phenomenon that incorporate media. The United Nations lists quality education for all as the 4th sustainable development goal. Teaching young children and even adults to become aware of the media’s role in society, practice an objective stance when looking at things portrayed in the media, and to become empowered to have their own opinions and values must be part of this goal.