Blog Three: Learning Outcome

Mass media influences everyone regardless of their awareness of it or not. While some claim this to be untrue, media dictates people’s perceptions of life and reality.

As seen with American reality television shows, reality made by producers is not often times how reality really is like. For example, it can be claimed that reality television, such as Jersey Shore, focuses on what they believe the audiences want. For that show, it can be said that audiences want to see drama and a whole lot of partying; hence, producers and directors would not want to highlight the moments that the ‘cast’ gets along, but the parts when members of the group get into disagreements. While this is not advertised, the audience sees only what is edited together and the story filmed from a third party view. Yes, there are people who claim that reality television does not change their perceptions of reality, but it sure changes their cognitive thinking… If anyone was seen walking down the street dressed like Snooky, it is more likely that someone would begin to subconsciously stereotype the person as being what looks like to be a party girl. That is natural, but to what extent is television changing someone’s reality if it actually changes their stereotypes?

Media on a global scale is much easier to use as an example of how media can dictate people’s perceptions. Something that happened in China would be portrayed differently there versus here in the United States. That has various factors that go along with it. The form of government and customs is much different there than it is here. With that said, something could be shown on the news here and can give an entirely different look at an issue than what is shown of the actual situation. This could be done intentionally by using propaganda.

While there are only a few ways that media can influence perceptions given, there are many ways that it can be done. As previously mentioned, propaganda can be used as well as censorship. In the third learning outcome of the semester, it pinpoints the main ways that media plays a role. On an everyday bases, people are consistently influenced by mass media in the ways language and images as used as well as by the style, layout, and possible manipulation of the media that are used.  

Blog Two: The Machine Stops

Technology’s advancements have been the topic of the town, and much of the world. It is the advances in computers, phones, and digital devices that better lives and entertainment worlds that is the center of the topic. Yes books are clearly being replaced by electronic readers and iPad screens, but to what extent does society praise the advances in medical technology?

Technology is most thought of for entertainment purposes and will continue to produce products desirable for consumers. In the most recent years advancements in technology has changed the way society works and how people live and communicate. In the article Our Media, Ourselves: Are We Headed For A Matrix? by Bob Mondello, he writes about how the future is perceived to be something barren and most modern in the sense that people will lose their individuality by ridding themselves of the clutter that makes them who they are. He states, “It’s a horror story in which humanity has abandoned all of what makes us human,” when describing how movies tend to view the future.

Mondello continues with the previous statement by describing how it is right to think that future generations will not want what he says is “the accumulated mess of existence.” The future and present alike paint a picture of convenience in having everything one would need at the tips of their fingertips. He even gives an example of a friend who said she no longer has CDs in her house and does not buy the amount of books that she used to. Of course she would buy music online and keep only a minimal amount of books to not take up space that CDs and books use. It is convenient to have what you want with the click of a button. With that said, Mondello claims that people gather things around them to not lose the connections they represent, and the fear is not of having nothing material around someone, but having emptiness inside of someone.

 In E.M. Forster’s,The Machine Stops, Forster describes the future of a dystopian society that in which every person is secluded in their own room. Forster states “...though it contained nothing, was in touch with all that she cared for in the world.” On the surface of things, this quote supports Mondello’s claim. Though her room contained nothing, Vashti had all that she needed at the touch of a button. Vashti was fearful, and to an extent it was brought to the attention of the reader. After the character Vashti was trying to persuade her son to not go to the surface of the earth, Forster writes, “For a moment Vashti felt lonely.” This supports to some extent what Mondello had claimed. Vashti had all that she could want, but was discomforted by the idea that her son would not take her advice. It was not about material items, but about human feelings that had left her feeling lonely.

A comment made about Mondello’s article disagrees with his claim. RodgerDodger1 wrote that it is not the inner feeling of emptiness that gives fear, but the fear that comes from people knowing everything about a person. Surprisingly, The Machine Stops also can support this claim from the reader.  In the story Forster writes, “Vashanti’s next move was to turn off the isolation switch, and all the accumulations of the last three minutes burst upon her.” She had been in isolation to talk to one person, her son. Although she had been annoyed at first for him taking up her time, it was a time that she would not be distracted by everything around her. Isolation is something used to keep any personal information from being known.

While both claims made by the writer Bob Mondello and the reader of his article are different, they can both be qualified by using different parts from The Machine Stops.

Blog 1: Image Number Two

All art does not necessarily need to have a purpose. Some art forms may simply elicit joy or a liking for a specific piece of art. Other art forms such as advertisements and graffiti may have not always fit in the classic category of art, but they sure do now. Banksy, for instance, is, in my opinion, a great artist whose purpose is to voice his or her political opinion on a current or past political issue. Sure the stencils from Banksy do not take after styles from Monet or Picasso, but it can still evoke emotion and thought from a viewer. Is that not the point of art?

For example, one image from Banksy is that of a messenger bird spreading its wings. The bird holds a stem of a small branch with leaves on it, and wears what looks to be a bullet proof vest. Following the classic color choice of the artist, the image is displayed on a relatively plain, grey background. In the near bottom right corner, there is what looks to be a small box that could possibly be for electrical purposes. Using this plain grey wall as the background, Banksy paints an image with meaning and what I myself get from it, passion. The white carrier pigeon spreads its wings wide and shows its left side of the face, revealing the right eye. As mentioned previously, it holds a small branch with leaves on it in its yellow-orange beak. The vest that covers its chest is a combination of a light and darker grey color. Maybe the most thought provoking aspect of the image is the red target that crosses directly over the bullet proof vest where one can imagine the heart of the pigeon to be.

In an almost ominous tone, the colors that stick out the most are white and grey. The hint of green from the leaves, the yellow-orange from the beak, and the red from the target are also quite visible; they are almost like a second layer to the image. What interests me is the red target. Although made clear when looking closely, the part of the target that covers the vest almost blends in with the grey color.

As for meaning, this bird could be portrayed easily as a carrier pigeon. With that

said, it carries the branch of leaves in the beak and looks to me, like a peaceful bird. It is almost like it is offering the branch to someone as a token of peace. The vest on the other hand is a sign of defense. The target, well, is the potential threat. To me, the target does not look menacing as it reminds me of a harmless video game. Put into the context of the entire image, it is quite menacing.

It is hard to know exactly what Banksy wanted the audience to get out of this image if there is even a message itself. One can argue that “we see things not as they are, but as we are.” With that said, this message is to show the threat to peace. The purpose is to relate with others on the topic of peace and possible international relations. This carrier pigeon wants to make peace, but is threatened for trying to advocate that message. Could this be about war, or about neighboring countries? In my opinion I think it is about both. How often do nations enter a war to help out another country? Sure it sounds good, but is it that nation’s right to enter in something that may not be a problem in the eyes of those who live where armies are evading? Is this bird foreign support coming to help a nation? Say for example Fishers was going through tough times and they were having trouble with their mayor. Carmel sends their carriers of peace over to help but that means sending in a large group of people. Chaos erupts because this is now affecting the everyday lives of civilians. These civilians of Fishers are now mad at Carmel because it was them who tried to change things by bringing in their people to fix a problem that is not theirs to begin with. That is very far fetched and not necessarily anything like a real war as circumstances play a big role in war, but it is simply an example of what is just one of my interpretations of this image. I personally believe in working together on a global scale and simply thought of that as food for thought.

Going along with my thoughts, this image could be placed in a country that has recently been to war, is currently in a war, or has been affected by war. That leaves room for many potential locations. That also leaves room for a large audience by claiming that nearly everyone has heard of war or has been personally affected by war.

Remember, this is only one interpretation of this image. This could have endless possibilities for what a meaning behind it is as well as the audience and purpose. I believe that is what is so great about art. It is always open to interpretations and can spark thoughts about what could be.

                              

Blog 3

The bus rides to the cross country meets are full of half-asleep teenagers attached to their iPods and blankets or pillows. The best is when you get a stuffed animal from your secret buddy. Before every meet your secret buddy may not get you a special present of fuzzy, colorful socks, or Gatorade, but when you walk onto the bus and find a soft stuffed animal teddy bear sitting in the front seat with your name on it, you cherish your new mascot. The meets may be far away or closer than you expect, but you’re still full of anxious energy. You put a smile on your face and pretend to be ready, when you may even doubt yourself the littlest bit. Some courses you run better than others, but this time you’re determined to break your 5k time. That same steep hill waits for you at the two-mile mark and you picture it in your head as you greet the parents at the team tent and head to the course for the warm up. You look around as the other runners begin their ritual of stretches and listening to music that gets them pumped up. ‘Shoulders down and loose,’ you think, ‘Widen your stride, just like in practice’. Once you reach the one mile mark the group forms a circle and begins stretching. Other runners pass to get a look at the course, newcomers not expecting the one thing that gets to you; the gravel hill that stretches up and around a curve at a steep incline. After you finish stretching you return to the team tent and as you take off the warm-ups you feel a cold breeze that sends shivers up your spine. You put on your spikes and need help from a friend pin your number on as to not poke yourself in the stomach. It’s time. You reunite with the other runners at the spray-painted white starting line and take in a deep breath and close your eyes. As you lunge back ever so slightly on your right leg, a drop of rain falls on your cheek. You open your eyes and see the crowd of parents surrounding the border of the course. The gun goes off and suddenly everything disappears and it’s only you. Nothing can stop you but yourself…

It is clear that in this paragraph I have used sensory details as my strongest writing techniques. I tried to use ‘you’ as to put the reader in my place. I tried to use visuals as to have the reader see through my eyes and get a real sense of being at the meet. I believe that my most used sensory detail was touch. I talked about the soft teddy bear and feeling a cold breeze and that drop of rain that fell on my cheek. My audience would be those who are more familiar with running and cross country because this is only a small paragraph that I am assuming they know what spikes are and how the meets are held. I think that because I tried so hard to put the reader in my place, people who have not experienced running a cross country race will be able to get a feel for what it feels like and what it means to reach a goal and realizing that the only person holding you back from reaching your goals is yourself.

Blog 2: Outcome 1

36 Hours in Valencia, Spain is a review from The New York Times about none other than Valencia, Spain. It gives a good idea of what the day of a native looks like in the third largest city in Spain. It is helpful as it shares locations of restaurants and attractions that are a must see for a tourist visiting Spain.

Read the article at:   http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/01/23/travel/23hours-valencia.html?scp=1&sq=valencia%20spain&st=cse 

This review entails every detail one needs to know in order to navigate their way through “Valencia’s Moorish-accented neighborhoods.” The structure of the article is new user friendly for those who have yet to travel to Valencia. It targets an audience who may be going or may want to go to see this incredible city in Spain. The structure follows the audience as it is set up in a unique fashion. Written in a schedule form, it gives the time of day and details on where to go and for those who already booked a trip; it gives the addresses, phone numbers, or links to further search the suggested sights. For those who are still searching for more information about the city, the article starts out with an overview of the city and gives specific examples on why this city is on the radar for savvy travelers. It says, “Since 2005 — when work was completed on Santiago Calatrava’s futuristic museum complex, the City of Arts and Sciences — and 2007, when Spain’s third-largest city played host to the America’s Cup, Valencia’s Moorish-accented neighborhoods have been filling up with boutiques, restaurants and night spots.” The article continues to gain more excitement and appeal from the reader by appealing the wants and needs of all travelers. The writer gives places of where to go to shop, drink Horchata, eat at tapas bars, and visit the City of Arts and Sciences as well as the many plazas that make up the city center. For those looking for a good destination, this article is the one to read. For those who are looking for more places to go while visiting Valencia, they can be sure to not run out of things to do in this city.  

Blog 1: Learning Outcome 1

Bridesmaids Review: Deflating That big, Puffy White Gown

            The movie Bridesmaids is “an unexpectedly funny new comedy about women in love, if not of the Sapphic variety, goes where no typical chick flick does: the gutter,” according to The New York Times movie review written by Manohla Dargis. The review depicts the movie as starting out as any other chick flick would; a woman is getting married and chooses her best friend as her maid of honor in the glorious journey of planning the perfect wedding. This review shows women in the movie in another light and that women, like men, can have just as much fun while planning a wedding; it does a great job of capturing the women’s “route to a hangover of their own.” It’s clear this review captures an audience of women looking to watch something they can relate to and laugh with as it pushes the boundaries of what women are normally portrayed as. Normally men are viewed as holding the throne for funny movies, and this review makes sure that people know women can be funny too. The review incorporates a great scene of the movie such as when the bride finds herself in the middle of a busy road in a Vera Wang dress fighting disgusting affects of food poisoning; a scene that would not be seen in classic chick flicks such as The Notebook or My Best Friend’s Wedding.  The structure of this review is intricate with a continuous theme of a wedding that is not so traditional. The writer adds a metaphor about how the bride “flees like a runaway bride”, although she is really running for a bathroom on account of food poisoning. The writer also says, “for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till misunderstanding, jealousy, other people or just life do us part,” in order to capture the theme that this movie is not so traditional as it highlights the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to brides and their bridesmaids.

Album Review: Beirut’s The Flying Club Cup

            Beirut concerts are sold out in Washington, DC flying all the way to Sydney, Australia’s Sydney Opera House. This worldwide traveler brings in fans from all different parts of the world who speak all types of languages. It’s no surprise that Beirut’s leader, Zach Condon, is currently flying around the world in support of his latest addition to success, his album The Rip Tide.

            What is now a successful band started out in a typical teenager’s bedroom in New Mexico. After quitting college, Condon came up with Gulag Orkestar with other local artists. The album was drawing attention immediately. Beirut was flying into success and recording many more albums, songs and EPs such as Lon Gisland EP, March of the Zapotec/Holland EP, and the famous album The Flying Club Cup. It’s clear that the band, made up of accordions, drums, pianos, trombones, trumpets, tubas, ukuleles, etc, orchestrates music that is not so ordinary. The addition of these many instruments creates a unique sound that can only be described as folk to French chansons with some Hispanic sounds mixed in.

            The Flying Club Cup captivates the notes and sounds of something familiar, but different. It is the type of enchanting music that dances in your ear and takes you back to a simpler time. That was exactly the inspiration for this incredible invention he called The Flying Club Cup. He came up with the title after discovering a photo from 1910 that shows hot air balloons taking flight just a few steps from the Eiffel Tower.  The French feel reminds one of young love and adventure and resonates the effervescent feeling to being young and free to fly away to another distant land.

            The success of this dreamlike album can be attributed to the ever popular “take away shows” on YouTube. Other bands that have such shows are Bon Iver, Andrew Bird, and Local Natives. Like the other artists, Beirut creates a live video in the streets of Europe such as “Nantes” in Oberkamf, Paris, France. Other videos like the one for “St Apollonia” feature what looks like the various members playing together overlooking the nighttime scenery of a city covered in lights. These take away shows cast an artistic appeal like no other and truly take an audience to another place and time.

The artistic attributes that Condon holds is infinite. This young artist is only beginning to make a big impact on the world of music and it is this band that keeps fans all over waiting for him to fly to where they live and to experience what it’s like to be at a live concert. Fans can be sure to expect excellence from Condon in upcoming album and song debuts.