The Future

It’s intriguing and also scary to think what the future holds for so many reasons. One of those being what technology will have in store for us. There have been many movies and TV shows that place their own spin on it. Some theories are flying cars, homes on the moon; microchips placed in our head so we can communicate without phones, computers that are smarter than us…etc. Even though I think it would be amazing to go to space and even live on the moon, that is probably a few more decades away, but I think computers eventually will take over. Most likely we won’t know they have taken over at first. We've come so far just in the last decade. I feel if we keep going at this rate we will have more technology than we know what to do with. The technology, such as Suri and the billion apps that are being created is even surpassing our basic knowledge. There won’t be any need for the arts, because there is no need for creativity, which will probably be the first downfall the future generations will see. I won’t be surprised for the day computers take over. There is a new show in NBC called Revolution, where power has shut off completely. I almost want there something similar to happen, because then we could almost start over, which could be a good thing. I’m just going to live in the present for now and whatever happens, happens. 

Internet vs Babies

I completely understand with the argue to provide more educational entertainment for kids and shows that have that “nostalgic” feel for young kids, especially with all the bad TV out there and the certain celebrity roles models that kids and teens are confronted with. I know there are many arguments at who should be in charge of regulating what children have access to through the media, but I do not think it’s a good idea to have the Reading Rainbow move to the online programming. I base merely on the fact that if we can barely control what they see on TV how in the world are we supposed to control what see online? There are tons and tons of spam out there, which no parental controls can really block. Also can we talk about the millions of creepers and weirdos on the internet; I don’t what my child anywhere near that. I’d be curious of how the program would work. Many children that view PBS shows are children in daycares, and most daycares don’t have regular internet access, but then again we are talking about today when babies can work an IPhone. I just don’t thinks it’s a good idea. We have enough kid’s shows that do the job. It is just up to the parents/guardians to help monitor what they watch. I personally watched Barney, and those were great years. If you have a thing against purple dinosaurs, then I’d recommend some Disney movies or Disney Junior. If you don’t like that then we got some problems. As for the Internet I can’t begin to guess where it’s going from here. I bet my bottom dollar that there will be more advertising and spam. Plus eventually we’ll have a lot of died people on Facebook. I aspect more cat videos and more copyright laws, as for that I have no idea. 

Tablets, Tablets, Tablets, OH MY!

There has recently been the explosion of tablets to hit the market. It seems like every company is now putting their own spin on the little computer you can hold in your hand. But let’s be honest, are they really worth it? I do not own any tablet, but my father owns a Kindle Fire and I have friends who have ipads. I think new technology is grand, but after a while it starts to lose its appeal. I played with an ipad for and 20 minutes one day and I was bored with it. I guess the main positive is that tablets are convenient; it’s like a laptop, but without the bulkiness that comes along with it. It’s nice if all you’re mainly doing is surfing the web, but not so much when you need to do actual work. Typing on those things is a nightmare and they don’t have that much storage space. I hear many pros about it them being good for car rides, but what if you’re like me and get car sick? I guess we’ll have to wait for the tablet that prevents car sickness. I personally don’t understand the craze and excitement about the min ipad. You are basically many tons of money for a larger phone that doesn't make calls. I think if you really want something that is has all the function of a laptop but the wonder of a tablet you should definitely go with Microsoft Surface. It’s easy to carry and sleek, but still big enough that you can see what you are working on, and comes the a keyboard that doubles as a case. Personally tablets are not a big thing for me, but I know a lot of people who love them. I’ll just be waiting to get excited for the next new piece of technology that will be out next year. 

VALs Survey

The VALs survey must be the easiest survey that I have ever taken. My results were Experiencer and Achiever. I mostly agree with them, because I do believe I like to experience things in life to the fullest and I want to achieve all my goals and dreams. I am very enthusiastic and I do consume a lot, probably more than I should. I do participate in a lot of social activities, in fact I work on a board that handles them and I'm throwing a party this weekend, which I have to go shopping for (Consumerism). I value appearance. I’m a tad obsessed with clothes and Bath&Body Works (my wallet doesn't like it though). They only thing I did not agree with, is the part under Achiever where it said their lives are more conventional and politically they are conservative, which is absolutely not me. I didn't really learn anything new, but my buying habits do make more sense. Since I am working so hard to achieve all my goals, and I’m constantly busy I do tend to buy something that will save me time. This appeals to me as a consumer, because if they know that my time and appearance is important then they will try to sell me the latest fashions and some tool that would make getting ready for my day take less time. I know by experience that has happened more than once. If anything, this survey taught me I need to limit my spending...oh look shoes.

Digital Storytelling Video

COMM203 Digital Storytelling Project

Annoying Technology

Technology is most of the time very useful, but other times I hate it. There are days where I just want to throw computers and my phone out the window. I then realize that would be really bad, so I decide against it. However, that still doesn't take away from the fact that some technology is just annoying.

For example, I absolutely despise  voice recognition software. Mostly because it never works and its really useless. It makes people more lazy in my opinion. When I was younger, I was the girl who had to have to voice recognition journal. You would unlock it by speaking your password and it would only open at the sound of your voice. Needless to say, it did not work. I never got to write anything in that journal, and it also would open even if it wasn't my voice. Looking back on it now, it was a stupid toy, and technology has improved since then, but I know for a fact even Siri makes mistakes. Not too mention to software companies use when you call in. I've been hung up on thousands of times because that machine couldn't understand what I wanted. Other annoying piece of technology is the Captcha. It's great that you want to stop the robots and block spam, but its SO annoying. Is it just me or does anyone else have to click through a 100 times to find one they can read?

I don't really have any other tech issues. I like the idea of car alarms, most days. I think automated hand dyers in bathrooms are nice, clean, and better for the environment. My snooze button is a god sent on days when I don't want to get out of bed (everyday). My personal opinion is technology is only good for people if they know how to use it. 

Impact of Media

Media has impacted in so many ways, just in the aspect of providing me with my major. In my personal life I think its help me make more connections with people I now call friends, but it’s definitely had negative effects as well. In my job or any job really it’s help with advertising and engaging the consumer. I’d say over all it’s had a positive impact on my life, but it is not without its flaws. For instance, there have been times when chatting on Facebook for example it was the medium that became more important than the message, which caused many problems, because the message was not becoming clear between myself and the other person. Other times I will be so connected to phone or ipod that it’s an extension of my body, and I will what’s going on around me. I also found myself trapped in the “global village” like Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. The desire to know at all times what people are doing is exhausting, which can be an agreement for technology determinism, because just a few years ago society wasn’t concerned with knowing who was doing what and how with, and where. If they did, they simply asked now we stalk people. This is way I think smartphones are more structuralism, because they are the response to the social “need” and change, that we are all creepers now. This is why I can’t really pick one of the other, because I don’t think there is a definite one.

Hey, so did you guys know that this past week was the 60^th anniversary of the Floppy disk? No, well good I had no idea either. Honestly I don’t remember the last time I thought about a floppy disk or last used one. I'm pretty sure I only used them once before I got a thumb drive. I was like mom, what is this? I think that is when she knew how old she really was. It’s crazy to think how far we have in terms of technology and how fast we keep moving. It scares me to think about what technology will look like in just 20 years, because we are constantly creating new gadgets. I really want an iPhone but I think to myself why get one now, because as soon as you buy it the iPhone 10 will be out and it will be a little chip that you stick in your ear and you communicate telepathically. I’m going to feel so old when I have kids and they ask me about ipods, and books where you actually have to flip the page yourself. 

 It’s still cool to think back to that time when floppy disks were the hot new thing on the market. It helps me appreciate the technology we have now. I look forward to what new technology is on the horizon. Except movie players; can we just agree to stop at Blu-ray, because I really don’t want to have to start my Disney collection over again? I can't, I just can't.

Creative Commons

When the discussion of copyright is presented, it’s always hard for me to take a stance on that subject, because I don’t see it as a black/white answer. I feel there is an area of gray. The beauty of the internet is that is gives us access to everything all at once, and we should have that right, but I understand that if you create something and put your blood, sweat, and tears into it that you should get the credit for it. At the same time if you post something on the internet, you are without a doubt giving someone else the right to use it in some shape or form, that may not be your intention, but it happens. I believe that if someone takes a picture they find funny and shares it with a friend is harmless. Now, if someone stole a company logo then that is a different story, and I would understand legal action taking place. But looking at someone’s work and using that as inspiration I feel is okay, just as long as you didn’t steal their expression of idea. I definitely feel that sites like Creative Commons are a good tool that way there is less dispute over who is using what, where they got it, what are they using it for, etc. The access to different things has become a lot easier too, sites like Pinterest have made it easier to find images, videos, blogs, and different things that people know aren't theirs, but if they aren’t causing harm or taking profit for whenever they are pinning then it shouldn't matter, in any circumstance.  

Social Media Bandwagon

Media has always fascinated me; my family has always been bug movie and TV buffs, so they raised me to love media. Fast forward to now where internet media has become the great new advent of this day and age. I love it as well because I love talking and getting to know new people and social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are great ways to branch out to old friends while also making new ones.      

Social media has changed our world by making it more interactive. It is a great tool for businesses, schools, and other organizations to advertise their mission and purpose. They can also keep them update on events. This way their followers do not have to wait, but can find all the information on their computer screen. I’m able to keep in touch with family that I normally wouldn’t talk to for months. People make connections and engage with people they normally wouldn’t outside of work and school. 

However, I do believe that people are relying on their social media a little too much. I know personally that I spend way too much time on Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter; and I don’t even know why. We have now morphed into this world where we need to know what’s going on all the time, which isn’t always a good thing. There are studies they believe Facebook causes depression and the incidents of cyber bullying. I do believe social media has many advantages, but there are people out there that abuse it. 

Worker Abuse

Hola Clase,

After reading the articles about the abuse Samsung and Apple factories seem to be exhibiting, I was in shock. You hear this kind of stuff in the news all the time, but normally I change the channel. Now to have read and imagine what these people go through it just boggles my mind. It takes us as a human race a million steps backwards and it’s horrible to think as our technology grows and we stand in line for the Iphone 5 that some 16 year old is being over worked and will probably never get to enjoy the phone they made. That being said, I do feel that what has been reported, is horrible on so many levels, no matter what country you live in. I do not know if I would stop using products though. I don’t own many Apple or Samsung gadgets, besides my ipod and phone, but let’s be honest here. Nowadays no one can go without their cell phone. They have become a vital part of our society. It’s really a tough answer to give, because I feel everyone should be treated with respect if they are providing a service, but I love my ipod. 

Apple vs Samsung

Hello Fellow Bloggers!!! 

While reading the different articles about the Apple vs Samsung trial I honestly couldn’t decide who was more stupid; Samsung for using Apple patents or Apple for suing over things like zooming features. Let me make one things clear, that I’m totally against someone stealing someone else’s work and passing it off as their or taking credit for work they did not do, but come on guys, can’t we just get along?

I own both Apple devices and Samsung and they couldn’t be more different in the way they work. I can’t tell you how long it took me to use my IPod, but I’m in love with it now. But like me, and so many other people I know, I am poor, and Apple technology costs money. Money most people don’t have, accept for those few who are on food stamps but have IPhones. That I do understand, but okay. I have a Tracfone by Samsung and it isn’t the greatest thing in the world, but it does give the ability to connect with my friends and family. Nevertheless it doesn’t compare to an IPhone, but if Samsung wants to use some of the same features you get with Apple technology then I think that’s very business savvy. You get the coolness of Apple but not by selling your first born for it. Win-win I’d say, however, at the same time, Apple should be given the credit for creating those features. They were the “geniuses” to think of it first. It is rightfully theirs. But think of it this way, there are numerous car companies out there right? And I never heard of one them being sued because they took the idea of a CD player in put it in a car. I think Apple should have just them take their idea, because that would reflect badly on Samsung and then Apple create something bigger and better, like they normally do. It will be interesting to see what happens in the future of technology. It’s hard for me to speculate, but I think there will more lawsuits to come. I hope Apple will take this all as a compliment and just keep being better than everyone else and hopefully Samsung will grow-up, and this whole power struggle will stop.

Hello fellow bloggers and COMM 406 classmates,

This past Sunday many of us tuned into to what is probably consider the most favorite American pass time, the Super Bowl, and with that comes football, wings, and (my reason for watching) the commercials. This is yeas was a good year in my opinion. I liked all of them, even the beer commercials, which I feel at times can be cliche and over done, were hilarious. I did get quite a chuckle when Chevy called out Ford, with this all so subtle line, "Dave drove a Ford", now I have never driven either one of these cars so I can't compare, but the fact Chevy used the Apocalypse angle for the commercial while playing Barry Manilow, pure genius. This, however was not favorite. My favorite and probably the most well done was the CR-V commercial featuring Matthew Broderick reprising his role as Ferris Bueller.

To celebrate the launch of the all-new 2012 CR-V, Honda brought Ferris Bueller's Day Off back in a big game commercial. They cast Matthew Broderick as himself, skipping out on a day of acting work and living it up in his all-new CR-V. Viewers get to relive movie history with Honda's fresh twist and homage to this '80s classic. They hid over two dozen references to the movie throughout the commercial. Some are obvious, some are VERY subtle. See how many you can find.  

The Persuaders Blog

One word: Shocking. After watching the PBS program The Persuaders I came to realize how advertising really affects us. I've always known from what I decide to watch on TV or buy, but this was a hole different kind of weird. I never realized the work that goes into advertising and just by using certain words can imply a positive message or negative one.

I found it utterly interesting how much advertising is interrogated in what we watch in movies and on televisions. The fact that Starbucks skillfully placed themselves in the movie Sam, I am to act a sort of hero was surprising because that is not something you think about as an audience. Then I thought about current interrogated advertisements and I remember how Transformers used cars produced my General Motors in the film, wanting us to think their car is so awesome that it saves the world. Even though it's not possible...sad.  I do feel that it's a little absurd, because we already have to watch the commercials or if your lucky skip threw them, but now they have to put the ads in our program. It almost makes me want to not watch any more TV, but even then I couldn't do that, because that advertisers for different networks have got me hooked on TV shows and I must know what happens, which is crazy, right? Why must I know?

I think the thing that most confused me was when they were having the focus group about the carbs, asking the man if certain words were associated with white bread, like acceptance, loneliness, trust. I was so confused because it would have never occurred to me that some people would feel acceptance while eating bread, but I guess it makes sense since many people eat emotionally and well bread doesn't judge you. At least you hope not.

The analysis that Clotaire Rapaille did on the word luxury was interesting because it not only played on the thought process of the word, but the emotional aspect of it as well. I never realized that our meaning of words come from the emotion that we have associated with it or mainly what media has told us to associate with it. This has a lot to do with what Luntz was referring to when talking about the word clarification of estate tax verses the death tax, because people think of the word estate meaning wealth, but that actually has nothing to do with what the tax is, if you call death tax, people know what death is and it has a negative cogitation to it. The same is said for climate change and war on terror.

I feel that Song would not succeed in the advertising world today. They did do a good job with their ad campaigned and put a lot of research into it, but I don't think that is the way media is advertising to us now. The game has changed to this more technology interactive world. To be honest I wouldn't have looked up from to watch that commercial if it were on mostly because it didn't grab my attention, and if I had taken time to watch it I wouldn't know what it was for because by the time the children got done running I would have either skipped the channel or fast forward my DVR. Ads now I think are more set on having people know exactly what they are selling because they know they have a limited open window of opportunity.  

A Summary of The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life

In the work "The Presentation of Self Everyday" sociologist Erving Goffman explains how the world of theater and human portray are connected, and indeed they are, they also support Goffman's themes stated in  Codes of Gender.

The concepts that Goffman refers to as the "dramaturgical framework" are performance, setting, manner, appearance, front, and front stage, back stage, off stage. Many of them are concepts used when you're an actor on stage portraying a role. 

The concept that mostly determines what role we play begins with our appearance, do we appear to be a male or female? Then our life is ultimately geared to those characteristics of the gender that is placed upon us, whether those characteristics fit us or not. This explains the next theme and concept called "manner". Manner refers to "how the individual plays the role and functions to warn the audience of how the performer will act or seek to act in role (for example, dominant, aggressive, receptive,)" these are the kinds of characteristics and in other words stereotypes that are given to the different genders that Goffman talks about in Codes of Gender.  Goffman discusses those character differences and how they can detrimental to society. The remaining concepts fall into place such as front meaning what impression we make to our audience.

This all boils down to how humans are portrayed in media. In advertising the models are playing roles, and never as themselves, but how society thinks women and men should act. Women appear submissive and dependent and are sexualized. Men are also sexualized, but in a more dominant emotionless character. Women can't be anything except for beautiful and men must be handsome, basically the perfect being which is impossible to reach, because the models that aren't even that perfect. It's all a front that the creator of the advertisement puts forth. In reality or off-stage the models are never as thin or gorgeous as they appear; women aren't as dependent as media says they are and men don't have to be emotionless.  As Goffman stated we are always portraying some role and that role we play has much to do with our gender.

Hola friends,

Gender plays a prominent role in advertising, most of the time not for the good of the consumer. In class we watched two thought-provoking films, Killing Us Softly and Codes of Gender, both gave us insight on how advertising depicts woman in a negative light. We are seen as passive, dependent, weak objects not as people or even a woman for that matter but timid girls. As a woman, this hurts, because I personally don’t , feel that way about myself. I feel beautiful, strong, intelligent, and independent; but when media tells me I should strive to be a size 0 and not human, well how am I, other woman, even teenage girls supposed to feel about their bodies. I know I don’t want my daughter growing up like she doesn't belong. That is why when I see an ad like the one above, I feel uneasy and is a good support to the films we watched in class.

This is a Victoria Secret Ad featuring their "new" models, I say new sarcastically because I don't see one difference in these girls compared to the models they have previously had. The underwear may be different but the girls look the same. All have fair/light skin, with the exception to the two black woman and even they have lighter skin than normal. They are all super skinny. What really grinds my gears is the ad says "meet our newest bodies", "there really is a body for every body", well not according to you guys, because your models are all the same airbrushed imitations! Yes, it is true that some woman look like that, but according Killing Us Softly that is 5% of woman out there. There are many different body types out there and they are all beautiful.

Not only are they unfairly showing skinny over any other body type, but they are dehumanizing woman as well. Not of the woman on center, but in these strange twisted positions that show innocence and passiveness and child like. Four of the models have their knees bent very awkwardly and all have their hands placed somewhere on their bodies, shoulder, head, thigh, neck, even playing with their hair giving on this impression they are shy and nervous.

After seeing all these things you wonder what Victoria Secret is trying to say, that all woman should look like this and be dominant objects? I hope not, but it seems that way.