I think the class blog was an interesting idea to keep class discussions going and have people think about the material after class. However, I personally didn't feel much draw to them since no one checks them regularly enough to be beneficial and its difficult to find time to write detailed posts about topics from class.
Though the idea was good, I didn't really find the blog useful to understanding the material better. I think actually discussing the topics in class is more helpful since many people can comment on ideas more completely.
I'm glad I experienced blogging, but I doubt I will continue to do so in the future.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Avoiding Media
In our last essay assignment, we were asked to avoid media and technology for 48 hours. It was weird trying not to use my phone, computer, and iPod as they are all part of my every day routine.
While avoiding technology, I realized how much we depend on technology in day-to-day life. Without my phone, I felt disconnected from my friends and at a loss for information. I had to use the internet to get all of my homework assignments and stay up to date on class work, and all assignments had to be word processed.
Doing all of my work without music on actually helped me focus more, but I was bored and at a loss for things to do when I needed a break.
Though it was nice to disconnect for a little while, I was happy to get all of my media back.
Homosexuality in the Media
Though more and more homosexual characters are being written into TV shows and movies, their roles are more for entertainment than substance.
Lesbian relationships are shown as experimental encounters for attractive female characters. They are added to shows for extra sex appeal. Rather than showing the reality of real female homosexual relationships, they gloss over their sexual encounters to apease male heterosexual viewers. This film clip from Cruel Intentions shows a lesbian encounter that has no connection to the plot of the film. Its only added for the entartainment value.
Male homosexuals in the media are shown as the flamboyantly gay friend of some female character. They are shown in a comical light that lacks depth of character and ignores many of the issues surrounding homosexuality in America. Unlike their lesbian counterparts, they have on screen relationships in order to keep conservative audiences watching the show.
Gender and Race in the 2008 Democratic Primary
Race, gender, and media played a huge role in the 2008 election. Particularly in the Democratic primary, Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama chose two oposing public images in order to secure the vote. In the Eileen Walsh article we discussed in class, she noted the "masculinization" of Senator Clinton and the "feminization" of Senator Obama.
She argues that Senator Clinton had to make herself seem tougher and less emotional than an "average woman" in order to compete for office with her male counter parts. For this, the media (as shown in this SNL sketch) skewerd her for being insensitive and mean. The concept of gender roles in the media put Senator Clinton in a difficult position. Competing against men, she needed to prove her equality and ability to govern the nation with a level head and forcefullness. However, her tough public image led the media to depict her as "shrill" and a "bitch" (SNL).
On the other hand, Senator Obama had to down play some of the negative stereotypes associated with race in America. Throughout the campaign for both the Democratic and national vote, Senator Obama was depicted as an eloquent, calm, sensitive, and stable candidate for the American public. In this SNL sketch, his almost brevity is emphasized next to Clinton's active response to each question.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/11208/saturday-night-live-democratic-debate-2
She argues that Senator Clinton had to make herself seem tougher and less emotional than an "average woman" in order to compete for office with her male counter parts. For this, the media (as shown in this SNL sketch) skewerd her for being insensitive and mean. The concept of gender roles in the media put Senator Clinton in a difficult position. Competing against men, she needed to prove her equality and ability to govern the nation with a level head and forcefullness. However, her tough public image led the media to depict her as "shrill" and a "bitch" (SNL).
On the other hand, Senator Obama had to down play some of the negative stereotypes associated with race in America. Throughout the campaign for both the Democratic and national vote, Senator Obama was depicted as an eloquent, calm, sensitive, and stable candidate for the American public. In this SNL sketch, his almost brevity is emphasized next to Clinton's active response to each question.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/11208/saturday-night-live-democratic-debate-2
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Media Mover
According to the PEW quiz, I am a media mover. I use my media to communicate and for enterainment rather than to pursue anything professional.
I use the internet mainly for Facebook, music, research, and getting my homework and e-mail. At this point, I have no use for other sights. I watch the news on TV, don't own a radio, and don't have access to newspapers.
My phone keeps me in touch and up to date with my friends. I use it for phone calls, texting, and the internet on occassion to make plans, and learn whats going on with friends and family.
I depend on my media to keep me involved and on top of my school and social life. I doubt I could make it long without them.
Merchants of Cool
The PBS documentary "Merchants of Cool" that we watched in class explained the job of a "Cool-Hunter" as someone who studies cultural trend setters, capitalizes their look, and sells it back to the public.
This didn't seem like a real job until I found this website Thecoolhunter.com whose tagline is "Roaming the US & the Globe... so you're in the know." This website exposes "up-and-coming" trends, products, and ideas to ensure their audience can find the newest comsumer products on the market. They even tap into other markets with The Cool Hunter: Design, The Cool Hunter Platinum, and FASHIONATION. Geared toward the visual people, technological people, and fashionistas respectively, these web sites find the individualistic trends in society and sell them back to the mainstream.
The link to the website is http://www.thecoolhunter.net/
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Ariel Levy's Femail Chauvanist Pigs
Teusday's talk given by Ariel Levy about her book Female Chauvanist Pigs and modern feminism tied together several themes from our class.
In her discussion, she explained the images of "sexuality" and "hot women" as portrayed by the media and the way its immitated by women in society. It reminded me of the video Merchants of Cool in that they capture some image of sexuality, re-package it, and sell it back to the public. That "image of an image," as Levy explained it, of sexuality and feminine power further distances women from the true confidence and skills that will make them equivalently powerful as their male counterparts. This point also coincided with the article about brand association and culture relations. The way sexuality is packaged and regurgitated back to society is similar to brand management in that it requires the people to relate to it culturally in some way. Coke related to the public for "always being there for America." Sex relates by showing people that it is always around and should be a huge part of peoples lives.
She also talked about reality TV shows like "Rock of Love" from VH1, where women "competed" for the "love" of Brett Micheals, former lead singer for Poison. She described the growing trend of unexplained and out-of context sex of "raunch culture" as it confuses younger generations into thinking of sex and attention as power. In reality, Levy states that these temporary fixtures are not anything close to real respect and only make for good, trashy TV drama.
Here is a clip from "Rock of Love" exemplifying her stance... These are not people to emulate. Levy argues that they really serve as examples of what TV and media can teach people.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRPyqXet1BI&feature=related
In her discussion, she explained the images of "sexuality" and "hot women" as portrayed by the media and the way its immitated by women in society. It reminded me of the video Merchants of Cool in that they capture some image of sexuality, re-package it, and sell it back to the public. That "image of an image," as Levy explained it, of sexuality and feminine power further distances women from the true confidence and skills that will make them equivalently powerful as their male counterparts. This point also coincided with the article about brand association and culture relations. The way sexuality is packaged and regurgitated back to society is similar to brand management in that it requires the people to relate to it culturally in some way. Coke related to the public for "always being there for America." Sex relates by showing people that it is always around and should be a huge part of peoples lives.
She also talked about reality TV shows like "Rock of Love" from VH1, where women "competed" for the "love" of Brett Micheals, former lead singer for Poison. She described the growing trend of unexplained and out-of context sex of "raunch culture" as it confuses younger generations into thinking of sex and attention as power. In reality, Levy states that these temporary fixtures are not anything close to real respect and only make for good, trashy TV drama.
Here is a clip from "Rock of Love" exemplifying her stance... These are not people to emulate. Levy argues that they really serve as examples of what TV and media can teach people.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRPyqXet1BI&feature=related
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