So long... Farwell....

So, for this final blog we have a choice of the assignment from Soc or the media prompt. Personally, I really did not like the Soc class which means I'll be blogging about the media consumer.

The main question focused on looking into the future for the media consumer. Through this we were asked if we had to buy shares from a particular list and keep those shares for 10 years, what would it be and why. After looking through the list, I didn't really find anything that really jumped out at me... until, all the way at the end. 10 Shares of Apple. Now, I don't understand the stock market in the least, but I do understand technology, the media, and popular trends.
Apple has been coming with new technology and media for quite a while now. For example, they are the creators of Mac and QuickTime. But even more impressive than that, Apple is home to the iPod and iTunes.
iPod's are all the rage these days and being the savvy business people they are, Apple keeps coming out with new versions of the iPod. There was the first iPod, and then Nano came along. Now, they've come out with the iPod shuffle, which I have to admit.. I have one myself. If those options weren't enough for you, iPod's are also in color. So girlie girls, never fear... they come in pink too.

But now that you have your iPod... you need something to go with it, right? Apple also sells iPod accessories. Now, you can connect your iPod to your car, to the radio stations...

With the cell phones on the high rise, Apple has even joined in that bandwagon as well. They've come out with the iPhone. This means that Apple is now connected through a variety of media. Apple has their hands in television, music, communication, and computers.

Now, you might be asking... why is she telling me this. I know this already. Think about it this way. If Apple keeps on this track for the next decade, and i buy 10 shares of their stock... I'm guessing I'll make money too.

"Once I was blind, but now I see."

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a disability or physical handicap?
If so then this documentary will answer many of your unanswered questions.

"Believing without Seeing," produced by LEJJ, brings to light the life the story of one extraordinary Westminster College student living without sight.

Where you might ask? McKelvey Theater, Westminster Campus. The time is to be announced.

Hyperreality

"The simulation of something which never really existed."

- Jean Baudrillard

Theorists, such as Jean Baudrillard, have long studied hyperreality and it's effects. He would argue that hyperreality is created and maintained by the media. Also, he would state that the media is able to do so because it has control over the norms of society and popular culture. For example, the media defines what music and fashion are popular along with establishing the ideal of beauty. Also along those lines, Baudrillard would state that the media blurs the line between what is real and unreal and with that the general public begins to see the unreal as truth.

We can find many examples of this, those being:
-Pictures of models that have been digitally altered
-Sports superstars depicted as a normal human body
-Television shows and films
-Las Vegas and gambling
-Economic status based on the brands a person buys
-and even, unfortunately, within the news.


We've heard in class about the Cultivation Theory, which is the idea that television and the media have long terms affects on a persons thoughts or mindset. This can also lead to, what is called, "Mean World Syndrome," which affects the elderly, youth, and viewers that watch alone more so than other viewers. This "Syndrome" states that the viewer is influenced to believe that the world is more violent than it actually is. This ties very closely to Baudrillard's theory of hyperreality. Viewers blur the line between real and unreal. We've also heard that "If it bleeds, it's news." This is really unfortunate, however, it plays into both theories.



This goes to show that these theories are not as far fetched as they may seem to be. For example, according to the media and the news, most Americans would believe that the War on Terror, or the American occupancy in Iraq, is much more dangerous than it actually is. But why is that? The media shows only the events of the war that are guaranteed to get them ratings. This leads to the constant display of violence, bombings, and insurgents. The media does not show any of the progress that might be made during our time there. In that affect, hyperreality and "Mean World Syndrome" seem very plausible.

American Idol?

To be honest, this is probably going to be one of my most difficult blogs. Why? I don't watch tv shows. Really the only time I turn my television on... is for background noise, you know just so these dorm rooms don't feel entirely creepy and lonesome.

Why did I choose American Idol? Well, my parents are big fans and frankly I don't get it. According to most surveys, such as the Nielson Ratings and USA Today, the show is not only in the top slot but the top two (one for each day it airs.) Also, if you look at the USA Today's rating list, you'll also see something interesting in the side bar. Under the TV section, you'll find a link entitled "Idol Chatter." From there, you can not only read blogs about Idol, you can find links to practically anything American Idol related.

So why all the hype? American Idol has it's highest ratings in the 18-49 Category, which is a huge chunk of the population. It also has a prime time slot, when most people are at home relaxing. I've also heard, several times, that the show has more voters, than a typical presidential election.

But I still don't understand it. Think about it, only two of the American Idol winners have gone on to be truly successful. For example, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood have both gone on to be a success in the music industry and we're starting to see bits from last year's runner up. What about those other "Idols." Why is it that they were able to win and yet since have practically disappeared from the spot light? There is absolutely no limit on how many times a person can vote! So really, there aren't a ton of people voting. There are just people out there voting until their fingers fall off from dialing the phone!

So, to finish my rant. I don't get it, why is it number one... and apparently number two.

Documentary Update

I believe our group is doing really well. So far, we've done that majority of our taping and interviews. Kayla's mom is send us some pictures so that we'll have more than just video of people talking. We have some really good ideas about how to put it all together.. so really, that's all we have to do. Just put it all together and fill in any gaps that we might encounter.

"Before there was Romeo and Juliet..."

Looking for that perfect date movie? Something that she's sure to love but still enough battle scenes to make you still feel like a man? Here a movie that's garunteed to leave her teary eyed and you begging for more. Don't believe me? Watch the trailer.

Tristan and Isolde is quoted as being, "...a sweeping tale of love and loss, myth and fate, based on the timeless Celtic myth of star crossed passion." In the midst of a war Tristan (James Franco) and Isolde (Sophie Myles) find love with in one another but unable to be with each other. Even in peace, these two lovers are bound to be within the same walls but decicated to another. It truly is a tale of the forbiden love, one which treatens to bring down a nation.

"Crash" in review

"Look around! You couldn't find a whiter, safer or better lit part of this city. But this white woman sees two black guys, who look like UCLA students, strolling down the sidewalk and her reaction is blind fear. I mean, look at us! Are we dressed like gangbangers? Do we look threatening? No. Fact, if anybody should be scared, it's us: the only two black faces surrounded by a sea of over-caffeinated white people, patrolled by the triggerhappy LAPD. So, why aren't we scared?" Anthony (Played by Ludacris)

The movie "Crash", written and dirceted by Paul Haggins, is a mixture of irony and stereotypes. It takes the viewer through the lives of several different main characters, each having differnent backrounds and upbringings, that just so happen to be involoved one way or another with the other main characters lives.

Throughout "Crash" we find one major, and obvious, theme, being racism. Haggins uses characters and irony to show that each person, be it subtle or obvious, has some bit of prejudice or racist thoughts. Lippman would say that we have preconcieved pictures in our heads of they ways in which people of a certain race or gender are to act. We, finding out the opposite is also true, tend to be shocked and awed. Although Haggins does show racism in a few scenes subtly, most of the time his tactics are a bit over the top. This, among other things, makes the movie most unblievable.

That is probably the biggest downfall of the movie. Something like this should be able to send a message, really make the viewer feel it and want to act, or atleast think, differently after having watched it. It should be powerful, not poking fun or over the top.

I'm not saying I've wasted part of my life by viewing the movie, but I wouldn't take the time to watch it again.

Think I've crashed and burned? Read this...