As much as I would like to say that I have been a member of Greenpeace for three years or a lifetime member of Habitats for Humanity, and as much as I would like to say I have taken to the streets, picket sign in hand, to bring awareness to a war or conflict abroad, unfortunately, I have not.
Now I ask myself the question: Does this mean I am a bad person? Do I care about those less fortunate than myself?
And although I haven’t shown my support for a particular cause, I still know the answer to this question. The answer being that I do care. So why am I not doing something about it?
I do not find myself especially political but I do care about what matters in the world. I may not have a button pinned to my backpack that says I care about the environment, but I recycle. I may not have been a part of a signature campaign to garner support for the hungry in Africa, but I donate to my church and create food baskets at Christmastime.
What I’m getting at is that I may not be an ‘activist’ in the traditional sense of the word, but that doesn’t mean I’m insensitive or apathetic. I believe that activism does not need to be organized to be effective, that it starts with the person - the individual - and though the larger and more formalized organizations help the cause, they are not the only solution or option. I may be a silent activist, but I still feel strongly about certain issues and help where I feel I can (at this ripe young age of 18).
I recycle, I donate to charity when I can, I donate to my church and I want to do more but I feel like I can’t. Maybe that’s an excuse, but I feel inclined to use the cliche, “I don’t have enough time.”
And as I type this I get angry. Who am I to say that I “do not have enough time” for the poor, the helpless, the taken-advantage-of? I’m writing this blog in a warm house, wearing designer clothes, and clicking away on a MacBook worth more than some of these poor individuals make in a year.
But I “don’t have enough time,” right?
Ah, I love being a part of the multi-tasking, blame-absolving, Facebook generation. It’s a sad, pathetic, (hopefully you’ve inferred, a ‘sarcastic’) love, but a love all the same.
Nov 24, 2009
Facebook! (Participatory Culture)
Recently, I met a twenty-one year old woman who was discussing why she does not like to use the telephone to speak directly with friends; she would much rather text or Facebook message to chat with them. I noticed, that when speaking to her, she did not have a lot to say, kept quiet and hid behind her many text messages she sent out while participating in a ‘real life’ conversation with me. It was as if she would text a friend whenever there was a pause in our talk.
This made me think of how our culture has been completely changed by technological advancements. People have become so accustomed to using text and Facebook messages, that they have lost the confidence to speak face-to-face with individuals. In Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs, author Chuck Klosterman discusses the impact media has acquired with an explanation of the virtual-life game known as, The Sims. Facebook and The Sims have something in common, they are “an escapist vehicle for people who want to escape to where they already are” (Klosterman 13). On Facebook, we become socially connected and we can make new friends and maintain older friendships. This social networking tool is useful, however, it is different from our ‘real’ lives. My professor, Ian Reilly has mentioned that we have hundreds of “fake friends” online. The first time he said this, I took offense and did not agree. Later, I decided to check how many of these friend I write to on Facebook, and let’s just say that out of my six-hundred and ninety-four friends, I keep in touch with twenty of them.
Facebook provides strong incentives for active participation, by providing users with options to upload pictures and videos, write to friends, join groups, and create groups. Many Facebook users will judge a person by the photo they use as their profile picture, or the photos that our tagged of them. This makes for a very judgmental online community because people are always uploading information to Facebook, allowing people to view their details and from this conclusions are made about their personalities.
Before Facebook was created, there was Myspace, a website where people would post pictures, videos, and chat with friends. When myspace was popular, there was what was called the “Myspace picture,” a photo taken from a high angle pointed towards a mirror reflecting the Myspace user. This type of image was used by many as a profile picture, I admit I used to take these photos too...
I thought these images were sexy and appealing because everyone had plastered these kind of photos all over their Myspace pages. Luckily, I now understand that I would hide my true identity behind fake looking images to fit into this participatory culture. Much like the way I put up attractive photos on Facebook, but look for images that are more unique and artistic in comparison to our “fake friends”. Klosterman writes, “The impact of this understanding comes later in life, usually at college, and usually around the point when being “weird” starts to be periodically interpreted by others as “charming” and /or “sexually intriguing” (Klosterman 123). Now when I look at profile pictures of friends in my age group on Facebook, the most unusual or creative images are those that attract me the most.
Works Cited:
Klosterman, Chuck. Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs. New York: Scribner., 2003.
This made me think of how our culture has been completely changed by technological advancements. People have become so accustomed to using text and Facebook messages, that they have lost the confidence to speak face-to-face with individuals. In Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs, author Chuck Klosterman discusses the impact media has acquired with an explanation of the virtual-life game known as, The Sims. Facebook and The Sims have something in common, they are “an escapist vehicle for people who want to escape to where they already are” (Klosterman 13). On Facebook, we become socially connected and we can make new friends and maintain older friendships. This social networking tool is useful, however, it is different from our ‘real’ lives. My professor, Ian Reilly has mentioned that we have hundreds of “fake friends” online. The first time he said this, I took offense and did not agree. Later, I decided to check how many of these friend I write to on Facebook, and let’s just say that out of my six-hundred and ninety-four friends, I keep in touch with twenty of them.
Facebook provides strong incentives for active participation, by providing users with options to upload pictures and videos, write to friends, join groups, and create groups. Many Facebook users will judge a person by the photo they use as their profile picture, or the photos that our tagged of them. This makes for a very judgmental online community because people are always uploading information to Facebook, allowing people to view their details and from this conclusions are made about their personalities.
Before Facebook was created, there was Myspace, a website where people would post pictures, videos, and chat with friends. When myspace was popular, there was what was called the “Myspace picture,” a photo taken from a high angle pointed towards a mirror reflecting the Myspace user. This type of image was used by many as a profile picture, I admit I used to take these photos too...
I thought these images were sexy and appealing because everyone had plastered these kind of photos all over their Myspace pages. Luckily, I now understand that I would hide my true identity behind fake looking images to fit into this participatory culture. Much like the way I put up attractive photos on Facebook, but look for images that are more unique and artistic in comparison to our “fake friends”. Klosterman writes, “The impact of this understanding comes later in life, usually at college, and usually around the point when being “weird” starts to be periodically interpreted by others as “charming” and /or “sexually intriguing” (Klosterman 123). Now when I look at profile pictures of friends in my age group on Facebook, the most unusual or creative images are those that attract me the most.
Works Cited:
Klosterman, Chuck. Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs. New York: Scribner., 2003.
We're Jammin! (Culture Jamming)
When I read the words “Culture Jamming” on the syllabus, I was very confused as to what the words meant and the only thing that came to mind was Bob Marley’s song entitled, “Jammin”...Which is playing on my Itunes as I write this post.
After reading several definitions of the two words, I still could not find a source that I thought described it in the best of terms. So I have chosen to define it myself. I believe Culture Jamming to be a rebellion against corporations that are interested in selling products to consumers by poking fun at the messages they send to the masses. Culture Jamming is usually done to raise awareness to consumers in an entertaining way.
To show my understanding of Culture Jamming, above is an image that I came across that I will analyze.
This image pokes fun at the Pepsi Corporation by using the well-known Pepsi logo and modifying it to look like a large man drinking Pepsi. The logo is recognizable because it uses the three colours that Pepsi is known for: red, white and blue. In Understanding Comics the Invisible Art, Scott McCloud writes about the colours used in comic superheroes costumes, explaining how these colours symbolize the character in the mind of the reader, much like the colours used in popular logos. To further this idea, think of the colours that represent the McDonalds, Roger’s, Cocoa-Cola, Re/max, Nike, Ebay, Zellers... and I think you get the point! When we see these colours in an image, we quickly can recognize what company it belongs to.
...and now for something completely different so I still pass!
This image presents ideas that twist the message Pepsi delivers to the public. As discussed in class, the advertisement has been hijacked to create something effective. The image was made available by Adbusters, “a global network of artists. activists, writers, pranksters, students, educators and entrepreneurs who want to advance the new social activist movement of the information age. [Their] aim is to topple existing power structures and forge a major shift in the way we will in the 21st century” (“Adbusters”). This group has a collection of images that spoof the original meaning of logos and advertisements in order to make awareness about what a product might do to the consumer. This image tells us that Pepsi has the possibility of making the consumer overweight... if they choose to drink a lot of this product.
Works Cited:
Klosterman, Chuck. Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs. New York: Scribner., 2003.
An Expensive Visa Bill (Buy Nothing Day)
Upon review of my Visa bill this month, that I have yet to pay, I have come to learn that this year I should take part in Buy Nothing Day on November 25th...
It seems that when I use my Visa card, a seventy dollar hat from a cute boutique, eighty-three dollar bra and pantie set from La Senza and a thirty-five dollar meal at Moxie’s are all necessary and affordable. Despite my lack of income as I only work weekends and tuition is sucking me dry. I choose to use my credit card when I see an overpriced must-have because I figure that by the time my bill is due I can put aside money each week to pay it off. This idea fails to work when I use the money on other items that I consider necessities!
Well, to look on the bright side, I am doing a great job of keeping our economy stimulated!
Our culture has become incredibly materialist, to the point where it is hard for us to avoid buying things for one day of the year. We are inundated by the media providing advertisements, commercials, logos and stores that are convincing us that we need to buy things in order to be happy or “cool”. The Buy Nothing Day campaign was created by activist, Ted Dave when he became frustrated with the markets pricey items. His purpose was to put the spotlight on how consumeristic our culture has become; informing many of us that we use money wastefully. Buy Nothing Day is celebrated on November 25th, and is now recognized by several countries around the world.
This year I challenge you to participate in Buy Nothing Day!
Works Cited:
McKay, John. “Vancouver actor Ted Dave better known as an activist”. Canadian Press. Sept. 15. 2000. <>. Nov. 19. 09.
Link: https://www.adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd
It seems that when I use my Visa card, a seventy dollar hat from a cute boutique, eighty-three dollar bra and pantie set from La Senza and a thirty-five dollar meal at Moxie’s are all necessary and affordable. Despite my lack of income as I only work weekends and tuition is sucking me dry. I choose to use my credit card when I see an overpriced must-have because I figure that by the time my bill is due I can put aside money each week to pay it off. This idea fails to work when I use the money on other items that I consider necessities!
Well, to look on the bright side, I am doing a great job of keeping our economy stimulated!
Our culture has become incredibly materialist, to the point where it is hard for us to avoid buying things for one day of the year. We are inundated by the media providing advertisements, commercials, logos and stores that are convincing us that we need to buy things in order to be happy or “cool”. The Buy Nothing Day campaign was created by activist, Ted Dave when he became frustrated with the markets pricey items. His purpose was to put the spotlight on how consumeristic our culture has become; informing many of us that we use money wastefully. Buy Nothing Day is celebrated on November 25th, and is now recognized by several countries around the world.
This year I challenge you to participate in Buy Nothing Day!
Works Cited:
McKay, John. “Vancouver actor Ted Dave better known as an activist”. Canadian Press. Sept. 15. 2000. <>. Nov. 19. 09.
Link: https://www.adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd
Net Neutrality
Net Neutrality allows Internet users to freely search information on the web, upload content and create their own websites and blogs. This is ideal for students like myself, because as I mentioned in earlier posts, I have a place to voice my opinions on matters just like Net Neutrality. Unfortunately, many companies wish to make profit on the information we access online, controlling the content we want to use. Telecom companies such as AT&T and Verizon Communications are limiting the freedom of the Internet by aggressively campaigning to control what will be available to us online.
I strongly disagree with this elimination of Internet freedom because it provides us with information at our fingertips. Richard Whitt from Google’s Public Policy Blog, agrees that, “The Internet was built and has thrived as an open platform, where individuals and entrepreneurs -- not network owners -- can connect and interact, choose marketplace winners and losers, and create new services and content on a level playing field.”
As Lawrence Lessig, author of Free Culture explains, “the Internet has made communication faster, it has lowered the cost of gathering data, and so on. These technical changes are not the focus of this book. They are important. They are not well understood. But they are the sort of thing that would simply go away if we all just switched the Internet off” (Lessig 7). If the Telecom companies succeed by controlling the information we can access for free, these technical changes would not exist and our culture would not be as knowledgeable about varieties of subjects and occurring issues in the world.
Works Cited:
Lessig, Lawrence. Free Culture. New York: Penguin Books Ltd., 2004.
Bateman, Justine. “We Need To Put Our Foot Down On Net Neutrality”. The Huffington Post.
. Nov. 23. 09
I strongly disagree with this elimination of Internet freedom because it provides us with information at our fingertips. Richard Whitt from Google’s Public Policy Blog, agrees that, “The Internet was built and has thrived as an open platform, where individuals and entrepreneurs -- not network owners -- can connect and interact, choose marketplace winners and losers, and create new services and content on a level playing field.”
As Lawrence Lessig, author of Free Culture explains, “the Internet has made communication faster, it has lowered the cost of gathering data, and so on. These technical changes are not the focus of this book. They are important. They are not well understood. But they are the sort of thing that would simply go away if we all just switched the Internet off” (Lessig 7). If the Telecom companies succeed by controlling the information we can access for free, these technical changes would not exist and our culture would not be as knowledgeable about varieties of subjects and occurring issues in the world.
Works Cited:
Lessig, Lawrence. Free Culture. New York: Penguin Books Ltd., 2004.
Bateman, Justine. “We Need To Put Our Foot Down On Net Neutrality”. The Huffington Post.
More than meets the eye (Media Hegemonies/Mapping Who Owns What)
It is important to understand the role media has in our society to be able to analyze the information we are flooded with by the media itself.
To explain the above, the more media literate we are as a society the more power we have to understand media hegemonies and the impact they have on our culture.
Corporations that have cross media ownership have the power to influence the people en masse. In many cases, there is one larger corporate conglomerate that owns different sub-companies underneath its umbrella. A perfect example of such a company is “News Corporation”
News Corporation’s portfolio contains so many different entities, it is simpler to just let them speak for themselves:
“News Corporation is the globe’s leading publisher of English-language newspapers,with operations in the U.K., the United States, Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and across Europe and Asia. The Newspaper and Information Services segment includes News International, which publishes four national newspapers in the U.K.; News Limited, which publishes more than 110 national, capital city and suburban newspapers in Australia; the New York Post in the U.S.; The Wall Street Journal in the U.S., Europe and Asia; and Dow Jones. News Corp. also publishes several special interest magazines in Australia.”
And that is simply the companies News Corporation owns under the “Newspapers and Information Services” heading! They also own the whole FOX family of television channels, filmed entertainment companies such as Twentieth Century Fox and major websites such as www.myspace.com and www.ign.com!
What I find more shocking than finding out that one shell company owns a multitude of media outlets, is the fact that there are very, very few people who own that particular shell. For the purposes of this study, I’m speaking of one, Mr. Rupert Murdoch, their company Chairman and CEO.
Rupert Murdoch is a media powerhouse and is often questioned about whether or not he uses the scope of his conglomerate to influence the way people think and what people think about. In discussing Bush’s agenda in Iraq, Mr. Murdoch addresses his company’s role in influencing Americans to be in support of Bush’s agenda here:
Being conscious of the fact that media hegemonies exist is crucial because we should take in the millions of messages we are fed everyday with a grain of salt, so to speak. There may not be a need to instantly transform into a conspiracy theorist but knowledge is power; being critical, expressing our opinions, and looking at the world through out own lens (not merely a lens we are provided with) is necessary to ensure that the will and thoughts of one do not trickle down into the will and thoughts of ourselves.
LINKS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K2pLo8JV5Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZinUQHAN74
To explain the above, the more media literate we are as a society the more power we have to understand media hegemonies and the impact they have on our culture.
Corporations that have cross media ownership have the power to influence the people en masse. In many cases, there is one larger corporate conglomerate that owns different sub-companies underneath its umbrella. A perfect example of such a company is “News Corporation”
News Corporation’s portfolio contains so many different entities, it is simpler to just let them speak for themselves:
“News Corporation is the globe’s leading publisher of English-language newspapers,with operations in the U.K., the United States, Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and across Europe and Asia. The Newspaper and Information Services segment includes News International, which publishes four national newspapers in the U.K.; News Limited, which publishes more than 110 national, capital city and suburban newspapers in Australia; the New York Post in the U.S.; The Wall Street Journal in the U.S., Europe and Asia; and Dow Jones. News Corp. also publishes several special interest magazines in Australia.”
And that is simply the companies News Corporation owns under the “Newspapers and Information Services” heading! They also own the whole FOX family of television channels, filmed entertainment companies such as Twentieth Century Fox and major websites such as www.myspace.com and www.ign.com!
What I find more shocking than finding out that one shell company owns a multitude of media outlets, is the fact that there are very, very few people who own that particular shell. For the purposes of this study, I’m speaking of one, Mr. Rupert Murdoch, their company Chairman and CEO.
Rupert Murdoch is a media powerhouse and is often questioned about whether or not he uses the scope of his conglomerate to influence the way people think and what people think about. In discussing Bush’s agenda in Iraq, Mr. Murdoch addresses his company’s role in influencing Americans to be in support of Bush’s agenda here:
Being conscious of the fact that media hegemonies exist is crucial because we should take in the millions of messages we are fed everyday with a grain of salt, so to speak. There may not be a need to instantly transform into a conspiracy theorist but knowledge is power; being critical, expressing our opinions, and looking at the world through out own lens (not merely a lens we are provided with) is necessary to ensure that the will and thoughts of one do not trickle down into the will and thoughts of ourselves.
LINKS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K2pLo8JV5Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZinUQHAN74
Oct 12, 2009
Citizen Journalism (Fake news)
Investing four years of my life in a reputable University program for Media Studies is something that I am confident will provide me with the knowledge basis and contacts needed for a career in journalism. However, I was introduced to the term Citizen Journalism, a writer who can in a sense take the spotlight away from paid journalists because they had a note pad and cell phone camera at the right time. Despite the fact that there are citizen journalists out there, I plan to do my best to ensure that my stories and comments will be read.
Everyone deserves the freedom to voice their thoughts and opinions, I just have a little problem with the fact that here I am learning all the formal fundamentals while someone who may have not gone to post-secondary education has the potential to publish a better story than me!
As I reflect on citizen journalism, I was thinking about how my blog could be considered citizen journalism too. I make this relation because I am voicing my own opinions on the world-wide web which could be easily compared to someone writing a small article in the newspaper. In this mindset I encourage the idea of Citizen Journalism (because it is giving me a small voice in world issues). Yet, somehow I am troubled to think that when I complete my program at the University of Guelph-Humber, a normal citizen could get a better spot in the paper than me.
Everyone deserves the freedom to voice their thoughts and opinions, I just have a little problem with the fact that here I am learning all the formal fundamentals while someone who may have not gone to post-secondary education has the potential to publish a better story than me!
As I reflect on citizen journalism, I was thinking about how my blog could be considered citizen journalism too. I make this relation because I am voicing my own opinions on the world-wide web which could be easily compared to someone writing a small article in the newspaper. In this mindset I encourage the idea of Citizen Journalism (because it is giving me a small voice in world issues). Yet, somehow I am troubled to think that when I complete my program at the University of Guelph-Humber, a normal citizen could get a better spot in the paper than me.
Media Surrounding me (Theory/Praxis)
Marshall McLuhan introduces an idea about "Narcissus narcosis, a peculiar form of self-hypnosis, a syndrome whereby man remains as unaware of the psychic and social effects of his new technology as a fish of the water it swims in.” (McLuhan.) This relates greatly to my everyday media practices because I engage myself in so much media daily, from checking emails, sending text messages, reading the newspaper, listening to the radio, listening to my Ipod, and more that I have almost forgotten how media has become so prevalent in my life. In class while learning about the theory it was almost ironic that I was being exposed to many types of media during the lecture itself; my cell phone was ringing in my pocket, the professor was playing music, I had a newspaper in my backpack, my laptop was open, I was on the internet, etc, etc. As the fish swimming water I do not realize the media surrounding me because I am inundated with it.
Works Cited:
McLuhan, Marshall. “The Playboy Interview: Marshall McLuhan.” Interview. Playboy Mar. 1969. Web.
Has advertising changed us? (Decoding/Deconstructing Advertising)
Sitting in my room, I pick up my four magazines that are always placed on the edge of my desk. Normally, I flip right to the horoscope page, but instead, I analyze the front cover. When I choose a magazine at the corner store, I tend to pick out either a Cosmopolitan, Seventeen or People, I look for a brightly coloured cover with someone photographed who I can in some way relate to or would like to anyway.
Now as I look at the words and articles contained in these magazines I begin to think... Could it be possible that I was subliminally attracted to these magazines because they can tell me a “Sneaky way to get Flat Abs!” or the tips and tricks to have “Amazing Hair everyday”? Could it be possible that media and in particular, advertising have influenced me to want to change who I am?
The short answer would be yes!
Advertising has in some way made me who I am and influenced me in ways that I may not even recognize right now. Growing up in an age where I am inundated with media the amount of advertisements that have had an impact on me is unimaginable. Recently, I saw a Dove commercial on television, it is a fine example of how advertising has effected me.
I have chosen to analyze a Dove commercial from the Campaign for Real Beauty. Men and women today are bombarded with unreal expectations for sexy bodies, flawless faces and perfect personalities. Dove has recognized this perfection competition and has made this it’s mission to “help free ourselves and the next generation from beauty stereotypes. It’s this message that’s at the heart of [their] Campaign for Real Beauty and Self-Esteem Fund, and it’s why [they] continue to create thought-provoking ads, confidence-building programs and messages that embrace all definitions of beauty.” (Dove).
The children of today have seen so many ads about changing their appearance that they can easy fall into believing a very twisted perception of what is beautiful or cool.
The commercial shows a little girl looking at an ad posted up on a bus stop shelter. Within seconds the image changes to several flashes of pictures that have to do with changing the way one looks in order to become a more beautiful person.
The women in the advertisements are usually baring skin and offering themselves sexually or persuasively to the viewer. In most cases these women are trying to impress men by baring it all. Surprisingly, this is related back to oil paintings from years ago. Men would paint women naked on a canvas, in order to show them giving themselves to men. John Berger author of Ways of Seeing draws upon these ideas by discussing how men would paint women nude years ago in order to show their inferiority compared to men and to amplify the idea that women are can be objects to men. This is directly related to today because magazines and commercials with women scantily dressed for the appreciation of men is the oil painting canvas of our generation. It makes me question who has made the commercials with these women bouncing around nearly nude?
We see these images and relate them directly with words like “sexy”, “hot”, and “beautiful”. There are several images of super skinny girls wearing skimpy outfits, some images of plastic surgery are flashed quickly and then words are used to emphasize how we should want our bodies to look and perhaps how men want women’s bodies to look.
We are digesting all of these images and words in the perspective of this innocent little girl, this point of view makes the ad incredibly strong because we see first hand what this little girl can be influenced by. Much like what women in previous years would have felt by looking at the bodies of these nude women in oil paintings. Berger states that a woman “has to survey everything she is and everything she does because how she appears to others, and ultimately how she appears to men, is of crucial importance for what is normally thought of as the success of her life.” (Berger, 46.) Females are continuously comparing themselves with each other and this all has a negative impact on our culture because more women are being sucked in by the media telling them that there is a certain type of beautiful that can be achieved by changing your body or dressing sleazily.
The statement at the end of the commercial captures the idea that women are being scrutinized by each other and the opposite sex and that the images we encounter everyday are seriously effecting us negatively as a society.
Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=321Kb8pBu5s
Berger, John. Ways of Seeing. London: The British Broadcasting Corporation., 2008
"We see beauty all around us". Unilever Canada Inc.. October 9, 2009.
Now as I look at the words and articles contained in these magazines I begin to think... Could it be possible that I was subliminally attracted to these magazines because they can tell me a “Sneaky way to get Flat Abs!” or the tips and tricks to have “Amazing Hair everyday”? Could it be possible that media and in particular, advertising have influenced me to want to change who I am?
The short answer would be yes!
Advertising has in some way made me who I am and influenced me in ways that I may not even recognize right now. Growing up in an age where I am inundated with media the amount of advertisements that have had an impact on me is unimaginable. Recently, I saw a Dove commercial on television, it is a fine example of how advertising has effected me.
I have chosen to analyze a Dove commercial from the Campaign for Real Beauty. Men and women today are bombarded with unreal expectations for sexy bodies, flawless faces and perfect personalities. Dove has recognized this perfection competition and has made this it’s mission to “help free ourselves and the next generation from beauty stereotypes. It’s this message that’s at the heart of [their] Campaign for Real Beauty and Self-Esteem Fund, and it’s why [they] continue to create thought-provoking ads, confidence-building programs and messages that embrace all definitions of beauty.” (Dove).
The children of today have seen so many ads about changing their appearance that they can easy fall into believing a very twisted perception of what is beautiful or cool.
The commercial shows a little girl looking at an ad posted up on a bus stop shelter. Within seconds the image changes to several flashes of pictures that have to do with changing the way one looks in order to become a more beautiful person.
The women in the advertisements are usually baring skin and offering themselves sexually or persuasively to the viewer. In most cases these women are trying to impress men by baring it all. Surprisingly, this is related back to oil paintings from years ago. Men would paint women naked on a canvas, in order to show them giving themselves to men. John Berger author of Ways of Seeing draws upon these ideas by discussing how men would paint women nude years ago in order to show their inferiority compared to men and to amplify the idea that women are can be objects to men. This is directly related to today because magazines and commercials with women scantily dressed for the appreciation of men is the oil painting canvas of our generation. It makes me question who has made the commercials with these women bouncing around nearly nude?
We see these images and relate them directly with words like “sexy”, “hot”, and “beautiful”. There are several images of super skinny girls wearing skimpy outfits, some images of plastic surgery are flashed quickly and then words are used to emphasize how we should want our bodies to look and perhaps how men want women’s bodies to look.
We are digesting all of these images and words in the perspective of this innocent little girl, this point of view makes the ad incredibly strong because we see first hand what this little girl can be influenced by. Much like what women in previous years would have felt by looking at the bodies of these nude women in oil paintings. Berger states that a woman “has to survey everything she is and everything she does because how she appears to others, and ultimately how she appears to men, is of crucial importance for what is normally thought of as the success of her life.” (Berger, 46.) Females are continuously comparing themselves with each other and this all has a negative impact on our culture because more women are being sucked in by the media telling them that there is a certain type of beautiful that can be achieved by changing your body or dressing sleazily.
The statement at the end of the commercial captures the idea that women are being scrutinized by each other and the opposite sex and that the images we encounter everyday are seriously effecting us negatively as a society.
Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=321Kb8pBu5s
Works Cited:
Berger, John. Ways of Seeing. London: The British Broadcasting Corporation., 2008
"We see beauty all around us". Unilever Canada Inc.. October 9, 2009
My definition (Mass Media)
When I think about what the term “Mass Media” is I immediately envision all of the technological devices and how we receive our information. This term is hard to define because our diverse culture has a great role in the media. The media consists of several ways to acquire information, the most popular forms are the television, radio, internet and newspaper. To understand the term “Mass Media” one should reflect upon the idea that we all have a role in the media, we as individuals are all participating in the news daily and our thoughts and opinions make the news much more interesting.
The mass media is more than the information that is delivered to large audiences, it is the new reality that we are continuously comparing ourselves with. In Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs, author Chuck Klosterman compares Pamela Anderson and Marilyn Monroe as two different generations sex symbols. These two women are portrayed as women who would be desired by a man. Without the mass media and the connections it can make, these women would not be considered such role models.
John Berger author of Ways of Seeing, reflects on how women would compare themselves to painted canvasses years ago. Men would paint women in nude poses and the women of that time would see these pictures and compare their bodies to the bodies in which a man painted. The photographs presented in the media today are closely related to the early paintings of women because now we see women and men with unreal bodies that make us want to compare and attain the unimaginable. Media is presenting our society with an unrealistic perception of reality. It is up to us to overcome it.
Berger, John. Ways of Seeing. London: British Broadcasting Corporation., 2008.
Klosterman, Chuck. Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs. New York: Scribner., 2003.
The mass media is more than the information that is delivered to large audiences, it is the new reality that we are continuously comparing ourselves with. In Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs, author Chuck Klosterman compares Pamela Anderson and Marilyn Monroe as two different generations sex symbols. These two women are portrayed as women who would be desired by a man. Without the mass media and the connections it can make, these women would not be considered such role models.
John Berger author of Ways of Seeing, reflects on how women would compare themselves to painted canvasses years ago. Men would paint women in nude poses and the women of that time would see these pictures and compare their bodies to the bodies in which a man painted. The photographs presented in the media today are closely related to the early paintings of women because now we see women and men with unreal bodies that make us want to compare and attain the unimaginable. Media is presenting our society with an unrealistic perception of reality. It is up to us to overcome it.
Works Cited:
Berger, John. Ways of Seeing. London: British Broadcasting Corporation., 2008.
Klosterman, Chuck. Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs. New York: Scribner., 2003.
Glowing pants! (The Ecology of Media)
Have you ever been in a deep conversation with someone and they start looking at their pocket? You begin to motion that they can go ahead and check their phone. You convince yourself that you can wait however long to tell them the rest of your story; the one about your life changing epiphany you had last night while you were eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. They look concerned and give you an apologetic look. Then their pants start glowing and yes, the cellphone interrupts again.
The cell phone has connected people all over the world and has become increasingly popular since it was first used in April 1973 by Dr. Martin Cooper, the man who is said to be the inventor of the portable device. In the 70’s, the cell phone’s sole purpose was to allow two people to talk to each other without the restrictions of a landline. This was a huge innovation to people around the world because it allowed everyone to keep in touch constantly, no matter where they were. With advancements in technology the cellular phone now has a multitude of functions beyond simple two way calls. Cell phones most commonly are used for phone calls and text messaging but they now have games, built-in cameras, media players, internet access, special messenger programs like Blackberry Messenger, voice recorders,and instant Facebook and Hotmail access.
In The Playboy Interview: Marshall McLuhan by Playboy Magazine, McLuhan introduces a theory that technology becomes an extension of man, an extension of what we normally do with the human body to amplify our senses. Using McLuhan’s theory, I agree that it can be argued that the cell phone is an extension of our mouths and ears because it allows us to transfer information to each other through this medium of technology.
Being born in this generation that is media-dominant, I own a cell phone, and have had one since I was fifteen years old. At fifteen a cell phone was quite unnecessary, yet all of my friends owned one and most of them had since they were thirteen. Now kids are getting cell phones at younger ages and just about every adult has one. To really understand the impact this device has made on our culture we can look at the new law that has taken effect that prohibits the use of hand-held devices while driving a motor vehicle. This new law shows us that people are now so connected with their phone that they cannot put it down even when driving a vehicle.
The cell phone has become a significant source of communication, keeping everyone in touch with one another around the world. Some even believe that it is a “cellular-shield,” something that can protect them if they ever encounter danger. Others feel it is a comfort blanket to know that their family and friends are just a call away.
Recently, I lost my cell phone for a week and it felt as if I had a huge rain cloud on top of my head because for the week I was persistently dwelling on where I could have misplaced what I like to call my “life line”. I couldn’t keep in touch with my friends as easily and by commuting to Rexdale everyday for school, (on a city bus) I felt as if I was not protected by my so called “cellular-shield”! Luckily, I found it and life went back to normal. Phew!
"Who Invented the Cell Phone?". October 1, 2009.
The cell phone has connected people all over the world and has become increasingly popular since it was first used in April 1973 by Dr. Martin Cooper, the man who is said to be the inventor of the portable device. In the 70’s, the cell phone’s sole purpose was to allow two people to talk to each other without the restrictions of a landline. This was a huge innovation to people around the world because it allowed everyone to keep in touch constantly, no matter where they were. With advancements in technology the cellular phone now has a multitude of functions beyond simple two way calls. Cell phones most commonly are used for phone calls and text messaging but they now have games, built-in cameras, media players, internet access, special messenger programs like Blackberry Messenger, voice recorders,and instant Facebook and Hotmail access.
In The Playboy Interview: Marshall McLuhan by Playboy Magazine, McLuhan introduces a theory that technology becomes an extension of man, an extension of what we normally do with the human body to amplify our senses. Using McLuhan’s theory, I agree that it can be argued that the cell phone is an extension of our mouths and ears because it allows us to transfer information to each other through this medium of technology.
Being born in this generation that is media-dominant, I own a cell phone, and have had one since I was fifteen years old. At fifteen a cell phone was quite unnecessary, yet all of my friends owned one and most of them had since they were thirteen. Now kids are getting cell phones at younger ages and just about every adult has one. To really understand the impact this device has made on our culture we can look at the new law that has taken effect that prohibits the use of hand-held devices while driving a motor vehicle. This new law shows us that people are now so connected with their phone that they cannot put it down even when driving a vehicle.
The cell phone has become a significant source of communication, keeping everyone in touch with one another around the world. Some even believe that it is a “cellular-shield,” something that can protect them if they ever encounter danger. Others feel it is a comfort blanket to know that their family and friends are just a call away.
Recently, I lost my cell phone for a week and it felt as if I had a huge rain cloud on top of my head because for the week I was persistently dwelling on where I could have misplaced what I like to call my “life line”. I couldn’t keep in touch with my friends as easily and by commuting to Rexdale everyday for school, (on a city bus) I felt as if I was not protected by my so called “cellular-shield”! Luckily, I found it and life went back to normal. Phew!
Works Cited:
McLuhan, Marshall. “The Playboy Interview: Marshall McLuhan.” Interview. Playboy Mar. 1969. Web."Who Invented the Cell Phone?". October 1, 2009
Oct 11, 2009
A Warm Welcome! (Academic Blogging)
The idea of blogging intimidates me greatly, I find it very nerve-racking that my thoughts and ideas will now be posted for all of the cyber world to read. It also puts me at unease to think that my peers, some of which I have not spoken personally too (and do not even know my name) will be able to read my thoughts without even formally meeting me... This is actually ridiculous, I should not feel that way because I post hundreds of pictures on Facebook and never seem to care about what goes up and I am sure people who I completely do not know have seen a few pictures or “creeped” me. Yet somehow this blogging idea seems so different to me.
I have little faith that my thoughts and opinions will deeply effect or inspire someone and in turn allow me to somehow contribute to the “public sphere.” Despite my opinions against blogging, the anticipation and anxiety I have about creating this blog surprisingly fuel me to begin working on it. It is as if I can introduce myself to my classmates while introducing myself to a gigantic world of bloggers and internet surfers. This medium allows me to express myself and hope that maybe one day someone very important will stumble upon this blog and something good will come of it.
So I began to set up an account, and within minutes there it was! Empty and waiting for my first post.
Now reflecting on the idea of blogging for marks (50% of my grade). I am going to be open-minded to this assignment and use it to my advantage. What better way to get me out in the “real world” because being a Media Studies student at the University of Guelph-Humber, I do need a way to have my thoughts and opinions heard.
So without further ado, Welcome to my blog!
I have little faith that my thoughts and opinions will deeply effect or inspire someone and in turn allow me to somehow contribute to the “public sphere.” Despite my opinions against blogging, the anticipation and anxiety I have about creating this blog surprisingly fuel me to begin working on it. It is as if I can introduce myself to my classmates while introducing myself to a gigantic world of bloggers and internet surfers. This medium allows me to express myself and hope that maybe one day someone very important will stumble upon this blog and something good will come of it.
So I began to set up an account, and within minutes there it was! Empty and waiting for my first post.
Now reflecting on the idea of blogging for marks (50% of my grade). I am going to be open-minded to this assignment and use it to my advantage. What better way to get me out in the “real world” because being a Media Studies student at the University of Guelph-Humber, I do need a way to have my thoughts and opinions heard.
So without further ado, Welcome to my blog!
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