Dip into the Dip

One of the 8 options for Step 1 of GSUSA Cadette MEdia Journey Set requirements.

Items needed

Pens or pencils
Paper (enough for at least one per scout)
Access to internet-connected devices for research

Instructions

Scouts find three examples of how media connects with other media. For example, a news story might start online, be shared by TV stations, and then get featured in a podcast.
For each example, they analyze:
- How the idea or story spreads across different types of media.
- Why it was spread—what made it interesting or worth sharing?
After reflecting, scouts write down their thoughts about the impact of the story and its spread. Did the “taste” (meaning or message) change as it was shared across different media?

What is the 7-Layer Media Dip?

Think of media like a 7-layer dip—everything is mixed together and hard to separate. Here’s how it works:

A story might first appear online, then be picked up by a newspaper, and later covered on TV.
A podcast could end up being played on the radio.
A blogger might become so popular they get to make a movie.
New media (like websites) talks about old media (like TV shows or newspapers).
Old media (like TV) reports on the latest trends in new media (like TikTok challenges).
Websites often share or comment on what other websites are saying.

This back-and-forth sharing happens so much that, like a game of telephone, the original message can get distorted or its meaning can change over time. It shows how media all connects and influences each other!