Reflection Post (LAST POST, WOOH!)

Now that I've taken Critical Thinking, I definitely look at media with a different perspective as opposed to how I viewed it before taking the class. Sure, I knew that the main goal of most companies was to sell their product; however, I was certainly not aware of all of the advertising techniques/appeals, I didn't know about things such as narrowcasting and lovemarks, and I never noticed the implicit messages that are embedded in various advertisements.

Now that I am aware of the arsenal of techniques and appeals out there, I can't help but try and figure out which ones a company is using when I see one of their advertisements. It's a good thing and a bad thing I guess. It's good since I can figure out how an advertisement is trying to trick me or get me to buy a product, but It's also bad because it sucks the fun out of watching a movie since I'll just anticipate, for example. product placement. And it's like I can't watch a commercial without a bunch of techniques and appeals flying around in my head. But I guess there is a price to pay for knowledge. 

I don't think my media habits have changed very much this semester. The only forms of media that I really use are Twitter and Youtube and it seems to have stayed this way. This is probably just because they're not soiled with desperate companies trying to sell me, for example, a backwards robe as though it were some avante garde creation.

Being an educated consumer is important because educated consumers are able to look at advertisements and really think about whether they should buy the product or not. If one is not educated, then they may well be dumb enough to think that a McDonalds burger will bring happiness or that a Coke will make you the rad rabbit of the block.

I think that many media sources in America have some work to do. Too often they publish irrelevant stuff like a celebrity dating rumors or bend the truth in order to convey a deceiving message. Media should actually present things that matter, it should inform the people and inspire them to do positive things like climb out of any holes that they may have fallen into. I don't really care how "unrealistic" or "corny" it may sound, but something that lacks in a large part of our society is love and compassion, which is partially the media's fault. Media sources needs to stop glorifying foolish things and must tell the stories that count, it should be a backbone the reinforces the good (Ha, well that shows my value assumptions, doesn't it?)

Farewell my blog, it was nice while it lasted.

Women in American Media

America, land of the free and home of the brave. The country where we are all equal in value, and also in opportunity...or so that's how the story goes.

In America, many of us are taught this idea that we are all equal, that we are all capable of doing what anyone else can do and that we're just as good as anyone; however, whether this teaching is truly implemented within our culture should be questioned. The media we consume portrays a very different perspective. Magazines and random articles on twitter do not hesitate to share naked photos of  female celebrities and they're quick to criticize them for gainig weight or having stretch marks, things which  are completely natural for humans. Media makes it seem as though women are not human. It is almost inevitable that a picture of a female celebrity is to be electronically edited in order to make them appear "more attractive." Women are wanted to show cleavage and be sexy for men, but simultaneously, shouldnt be showy or else they're a "slut." A woman must be highly intelligent, but when it comes to serious political discussion she is subtly, and sometimes not so subtly, pushed aside by the male-majority and told to waste her intellecuality on minor tasks such as house work.

Why is it that females in movies are constantly portrayed as sex-objects and only serve the purpose of obsessing over a male? Are girls/women not capable of living without one? I believe that love and companionship are beautiful things. I think that to have someone love you with all of their being is priceless. But this idea can be expressed without females being depicted as obsessive freaks that cannot function with a male counterpart.

The list of disadvantages that females face when compared to males is endless. To proceed would not be necessary, for the inequalities are apparent and they stretch far as well as wide. However, are women not the ones in movies and media that agree to participate in degrading films or pictures? Women are not forced to sign contracts to star in movies that depict them as objects, they are not forced to take photos or star in commercials that show them in a distasteful light. But then again, it is likely that the consumptiom of this very media is what perpetuates the cycle that continues to mold some females to fill these stereotypical, powerless, and objectified roles.

The way to defeat these portrayals is simple. The sooner we recognize the horrible ways in which the media portrays the majority of females, the sooner this stereotypical classification of them will cease to be prevalent. It's important to expose this issue, to teach small daughters, neices, cousins, sisters, etc. to not fall into the traps that some will set in attempt to keep them voiceless and dehumanized. And this is not simply a fight for the females, but males should also join and begin to hold other males accountable for enforcing the simple classifications of women. Hopefully this issue of gender inequality is one of the many issues that we as humans will eventually overcome.

Being Cool

"Cool" can take many shapes and forms depending on a multitude of factors. If you're athletic, cool is probably sports. If you love fashion, then being cool probably means dressing good. And if you're Derek, then cool is probably Taylor Swift and Beyonce. However, one form of "cool" that a portion of society seems to always follow would be the mook.

Definition of "mook"- a stupid or incompetent person

  

 These are pictures of prime time mooks. We all see how dumb they are, yet so many continue to follow in their footsteps. We see them in movies and at concerts doing idiotic things such as smashing tables, shouting obscenities, and pounding tons of alcohol. You probably know a mook or two. . . I know I do.

Perhaps mooks are followed simply because they are glorified in our media (for some odd reason). Things such as Jackass and Jersey Shore are glamorized and this message of "if you act stupid, then you're cool" is projected.

But despite how dumb I believe mooks are, even I sometimes find myself enjoying and promoting the antics that they are up to. I'll admit it, sometimes I like to see guys do wild stuff like beat each other with rotisserie chickens or run through doors. A little mind-numbing entertainment is nice every once in a while. When I'm stressed and need to let anger out, *cough term paper* I empathize with people such as the rapper Tyler the Creator when he says "kill people, burn sh*t, f*ck school." I suppose it is the consumption of mook behavior by people such as myself that keep the cycle of mook-ness turning. But of well, crap happens.

That is all for tonight. But before I go. . .

In the words of Lil B. . .

"i love you (points at you) even if you do not love me back!"

'Revenge' for Eric Garner

This past Saturday, December 20th, two uniformed NYPD officers were shot dead while sitting in their car on a Brooklyn street corner. The perpetrator's motive for doing so? To get avenge the death of Eric Garner, a man whom who died at the hands of the NYPD a few months ago. The New York Post not only did a through job of covering the story, but it also incorporated the viewpoints of the authors, viewpoints that I also agree with.

The overall view of the authors is that the gunman, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, was certainly in the wrong for randomly killing two innocent officers. The authors express this primarily through describing the policemen, Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, and the gunman, Brinsely. "Liu, 32, a newlywed of only two months, had seven years on the force; Ramos, 40, dad to two sons, had two years on the job." This makes a connection with readers because it touches the emotions. It causes one to have sympathy for the policemen and their families while making them upset that Brinsley would take the lives of a husband and a father. 

Next, the Post goes on to say, "Brinsley was already a fugitive, suspected of putting a bullet in his ex-girlfriend's abdomen at her residence in Baltimore." After  painting this picture of a man who destroys families, the authors also state that he is suspected of killing his girlfriend. This makes readers perceive Brinsley as the villain, which he certainly is in this situation. After this, the New York Post outlines various criminal activities that Brinsley engaged in prior to his killing the two policemen, further adding onto this portrayal of him being the bad guy.

I'd argue that justice was not served concerning the Eric Garner case. Excess force was used on Eric Garner in order to arrest him, including a chokehold which was banned by the NYPD in 1993, and there was probably a better way to go about detaining him. However, I believe these two innocent policemen did not deserve to be killed because of other officer's misconduct. It is not right that it should happen to them, and crimes such as these simply create more tension between civilians and police. They are nothing more than fuel to the fire of terror and hatred that many are currently experiencing, and it is the last thing we need if we hope to solve the issues between police and the general population.

Link to the New York Post's article: http://nypost.com/2014/12/20/2-nypd-cops-shot-execution-style-in-brooklyn/

And in case you haven't seen the Eric Garner video: http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2014/dec/04/i-cant-breathe-eric-garner-chokehold-death-video

Chittlins N' Thangs

                                                             
                                                    

If you haven't seen it yet, here is an advertisement for the Chittlins N' Thangs Restaurant here in Sacramento. This billboard uses the family image as well as its humorous restaurant title to appeal to customers.

First off, this image of the family that owns the restaurant could be an example of plain folks advertising. They just look like an ordinary family posing for a picture, looking happy and such. They make it seem as thought any typical family is warmly welcomed at the restaurant. It is as simple as that. A mother or father could also see this and feel as though eating at Chittlins N' Thangs will bring their family together, will bring them happiness like the family in the picture.

As for the name Chittlins N' Thangs, well, it can be seen as humorous depending on ones sense of humor. When saying the name of the restaurant aloud, it sounds like someone with a southern accent, and some people tend to mimic southern accents because they think they sound funny. The name is also unique and not typical like Mcdonalds, Burger King, or Wendy's, so this could draw new customers in. One might want to eat there just so they can utter the phrase "Yo I was at Chittlins N' Thangs today."

Do notice that "Soul Food" stood out the most due to its size. Perhaps this was done because it is essentially a summary of the rest of the billboard and if a driver sees this while craving soul food they'll think "Oh damn, I should read the rest of this sign to find out where this place is located."

Goodbye fellow organisms.
                                               

Rudy Project: Print Ad

L.A. Dodgers outfielder, Yasiel Puig

I found this print ad in one of my grandfathers magazines. It is an advertisement for sunglasses, featuring Yasiel Puig of the L.A. Dodgers.

This advertisement utilizes certain techniques and appeals in order to get people to buy the product. Specifically, it appeals to achievement, uses bribery, and also uses testimony.

The appeal to achievement is demonstrated through the phrase "Elevate your performance." It encourages the readers, if they play baseball, to enhance their performance on the field by wearing these sunglasses that apparently succeed in blocking out the big bad sun. And if their performance is enhanced, then they will win their games, thus showing the appeal to achievement.

Bribery runs rampant in this add, "Buy these, and get these FREE." "Score a FREE casual sunglass!" "Free Shipping." "90-Day Money-Back Guarantee." It doesn't take rocket science to see the bribery in this ad. All of this "free" talk and "money-back" gives a desirable extra something. It makes the reader want to buy the product because they'll be getting more than they asked for.

The testimonial advertising technique is shown through the usage of Yasiel Puig. "L.A. Dodgers rookie phenom Yasiel Puig prefers Rudy project sunglasses - on & off the field." Puig is a famous baseball player, so if one were to see this ad they would think "A famous person is wearing this so it MUST be good."

One Word: iPhones

One of the most popular devices in the world is the Apple iPhone. Famous beyond imagination, loved more than words can express, the iPhone is everywhere and it is virtually impossible to get away from. Year after year, Apple introduces another iPhone to continue their series of creations. As of September, the iPhone 6/6+ has taken the spotlight and has been accompanied by an arsenal of commercials and other advertisements.

In this iPhone 6/6+ commercial (look at their hands), Apple highlights the new "Health" app they've added to the phone. This little app simply provides an easy-to-read dashboard of the owner's health and fitness data, telling the owner things such as their heart rate, calories burned, blood sugar, etc. The commercial is simple and it primarily uses an appeal to wit and humor in order to make consumers want the phone.

Although the commercial is a dialogue between the owners of the iPhone 6 and 6+, it looks more like a dialogue between the phones themselves since they are the only images shown throughout the commercial, aside from the hands of the owners.

 In most cases we just naturally find this humorous or interesting. We like to see inanimate objects with feelings or emotions, it draws us in. The humor and wit of the commercial is demonstrated through the dialogue between the two phone owners, somewhat emulating that of a friendly competition between an older, mature brother, and his younger, somewhat goofy brother. The owners take a few shots at each other, going back and forth with various health statistics their phones have gathered about them throughout the course of the day. The owner of the iPhone on the right wins in the end because he had a lower calorie count than the owner of the iPhone on the left. But the owner on the left doesn't seem to mind, after all, those 1,230 calories of funnel cake were "delicious." This portrays the typical scene of a younger brother and his crude, simple comments that he makes towards his older sibling during a debate.

The actual voices as well as the hands used in this commercial are of some significance. The voices are pretty even-tone throughout the commercial. They are calm, sound natural, and they enunciate their words just as they should. These things come into play when selling a product. Admit it, we're a shallow society, and sometimes we can be bought over by attractive people or pleasing voices. So the usage of ear-pleasing voices could help persuade consumers to buy. I hope you looked at the hands of the men holding the phones. Their fingernails are clean, smooth, and nicely trimmed. Their skin is smooth and free of any blemishes.We'd hate to see some ugly nub fingers with barbecue sauce slathered on them, we wouldn't want to see jagged fingernails or scarred hands. Notice how they hold the phones and how calm their movements are, their scrolling and screen-tapping. You as well as I know that it is quite rare for anyone to operate their phone in such a way, we typically hold it in one or both hands and use our thumbs to scroll and select.  These hands were used in order to make the commercial more appealing.

Although it was a seemingly simple commercial, there was certainly more than meets the eye in order to persuade consumers to purchase the iPhone 6.