Activist Project [PETA]

In light of the American Thanksgiving spirit, I invited myself to attend the PETA website for a special behind the scenes look at a turkey ranch. I was not thrilled to say the least. Now, I’m no vegetarian, but I certainly do not support the way that these animals are treated. I don’t eat Veil and I don’t know if after watching this video I will ever be able to eat turkey again. 

PETA stands for ‘People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ and they stand strong in their beliefs. They are the ones you see downtown, standing outside of a KFC yelling “Kentucky Fried Cruelty!”, or powder bombing Lindsay Lohan for wearing a fur coat at Paris Hiltons club. Do I agree with some of there methods? Well, picketing is one thing, but assaulting someone for their own rights is another. On occasion, like most activist groups, someone will take it too far, but usually it’s with the best intentions. PETA focuses mainly on factory farms, laboratories, clothing, and the entertainment business, but they branch of into just about anywhere an animal can be found being harmed. They have a 2 million member list all throughout North America and its growing. 

Not only are they an activist group fighting for their beliefs, but they are a non-profit organization that sends all donations straight to the help of animals. On the PETA website you can find all kinds of statistics, videos, and more on the mistreatment on animals, such as the list of consumer products that are tested on animals. I don’t know why Lancôme tests make-up on pigs, but I do know that I won’t buy their products anymore. Like I said before, I’m not a vegetarian like the majority of PETA members, but I definitely am in agreeance with them in the sense that something should be done about animal cruelty. 

I won’t stop eating meat, but I don’t see the harm in telling some of my friends about their favourite products using animals as test subjects.

 Works Cited

Breaking Investigation Reveals Holiday Horrors for Turkeys. Perf. PETA. 2008.

 

Photo- "PETA." People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. 24 Nov. 2008. PETA. 25 Nov. 2008 .

Participatory Culture [The World of Gaming]

Video games are a highly addictive and time consuming form of entertainment that even I myself enjoy partaking in once in a while. The evolution of gaming has gone from the simple 2-D pong all the way to 3 dimensional gaming that allows the player to enter an entirely different world on or offline. But the growing online gaming community is becoming a problem. 

Kids like 15 year old Brandon Crisp are not mature enough to fight the addiction and choose to take it to new extremes. Last month he ran away from home because his parents took his XBOX away from him, and wound up dead. It’s occurrences like this that have comities such as MADD and leaders like Jack Thompson trying to not only ban violent video games but all video games because of the addictive nature of the problem. Both organizations believe that the majority of violent crimes committed in North America by teens are the result of playing video games too much, and thinking that it’s cool or fun. Most of these games are played online with friends and strangers, and another concern of these groups, is the fact that you never really know who you are playing with. The big scare about Brandon Crisp running away was his parents were afraid if it was due to him meeting someone online who he went to meet.

 To add to the addiction, the companies that mass produce the games and systems hold off on orders to increase the demand of them, and make them more tempting. I asked an HMV sales associate, and she enlightened me on the issue with a shipment box of Nintendo Wiis. The shipment was completed January 2007, but was not issued for order until November 2008, proof that the companies are withholding shipments to make them more addictive and high in demand. This game addiction is what companies like Nintendo thrive for; a crazed consumer who will spend any amounts of money on a console, even after two years of its release.

Will I continue to be a member in the world of gaming? Probably. It’s just the difference between knowing a game “is just a game” and making that game your reality. People have to be aware that gaming is a type of social networking, especially with the advancements of being able to play online, and just like Facebook, msn, or even this blog I am writing now, all information you release is available to those who want to find it. Companies want you addicted to their games and don’t care about the cost to a person personally. It’s all in your hands to know when to put down the controller.

 

Works Cited

Photo- http://www.freewebs.com/pavga/video%20game%20addiction5.jpg

Biedler, Aurae. "Grand Theft Auto IV Troubles MADD." MADD Against Grand Theft Auto. 29 Apr. 2008. Suite101. 25 Nov. 2008

 

Ottawa Correspondents. "Missing Canadian XBOX Boy Found Dead." Harold Sun 6 Nov. 2008: 1-1

 

"Welcome to Jack Thompson.org." Jack Thompson. June 2005. JackThompson.org. 25 Nov. 2008

Culture Jamming [Zoom Zoom- But watch out for the iceberg]

Culture jamming is done to poke fun at the nature of pop culture and the usual media-infused products or events it stands for. It’s usually against commercialism and any type of media-inspired or corporate images. It is usually a viewpoint of an opposing image.

 

I, myself, am a huge advocate for many different causes but one in particular I stand for is the effect of pollution on our environment. I was never able to understand to this day why more isn’t being done to stop more damage from being done to our O-Zone and the air we breathe in. The following picture deals with this situation, yet even manages to poke fun at another issue present in society.

 

Our need for “big, powerful cars” is completely unnecessary, and although it is prominently seen in males, some women even fall victim to the media’s taught perception that “the bigger, the better”. Of course this means companies will still manufacture and sell these air-killing automobiles than consume and burn more gas in one day that a fuel-efficient car would in a week! If the government truly cared so much in the environment, why not ban the manufacturing of these cars and put some money towards helping to lower the costs of battery-operated vehicles instead? Oh right, that would be admitting they’ve actually made a mistake.

 

Yet another point this advertisement makes. It obviously isn’t our fault that climate changes are drastically occurring at alarming rates. Blame it on something that can be proven somehow through science. That always seems to work, right? Better yet, just keep it all quiet and keep letting consumers know about the positive about having a big, powerful S.U.V. such as…. Four wheel drive?

 

Ha. Personally, I would trade in a powerful engine for a livable earth any day. Don’t get me wrong though, that’s just me…

Works Cited

Photo- http://www.abrupt.org/CJ/ccc.jpg

Buy Nothing Day [Let's All Make a Snowman Instead!]

The title definitely says it all. This Saturday the 29^th, people around the world are making a pact to say no to shopping to prove to themselves and the media that we do not need consumerism! For twenty-four hours, people will barricade their wallets and make a statement that the solution to the economic crisis is NOT spend, spend, spend. In fact, for personal financial security, it should be save, save, save, but the greed of the government and media still pushes its expectations on us. Which is why we will stand together and say NO!

 

Don’t get me wrong though, I have never been one to hate shopping. In fact, working in the high-end retail business since I was sixteen, I am an avid shopper for the latest fashions. Not to mention working in a mall and going to school with a William’s available causes me to spend more than my allotted budget on food. What can I say? I am a consumer.

 

The ideology that the higher the price, the more fashionable you are has never been my philosophy though. Working for Jacob currently, I see women of all shapes and sizes come in thinking that after paying $98 for a shirt they will be more accepted than the women who bought her shirt from Wal-Mart. I am sorry to say ladies, that this is not the case.

 

Did you know that those “no name” brands of clothing, food, electronics, etc. are usually made from the some manufacturers but just shipped out to different companies who then either put a label on them and hike up the price or choose to sell it as is for the price it’s worth. It’s true. Yet, no matter how many times this can be proven, there will still be the consumer demand for high-end label. Chanel, Dior, LaCoste, Pepsi, Nike… Why settle for Cola when it’s only a dollar more for Coke? Why not stock up on two hundred dollar jeans, they’re half price, you can’t go wrong!

 

Magazines, retail, fast food, and television all intertwine to rely on consumers to succeed. What good is having commercials if no one will buy the product? Why tell women what’s in style if they won’t listen? Why come out with a new burger each month if no one cares?

 

After watching this video posted on Buynothingday blog site, entitle “Good Consumer”, you really learn how much the economy and media truly relies on us to be “good consumers”. The one scary comment that stood out to me?

“Teach your children to be good consumers… they are after all the consumers of tomorrow.”

 

Let’s think about this one and in which direction we want the future of our world to go in.

 

 

Works Cited

www.buynothingday.co.uk

Net Neutrality [Ladies and Gentlemen, we will currently be blasting back to 1984]

“Who were the Stanley Cup winners in 1979?” “Hold on, give me one minute.” Opens Google. “That would be the Montreal Canadiens”.

Typical occurrence for modern day times to answer any questions, from important to random and obscure through the Internet, and receive a quick and prompt response.

But what if an obstacle was presented that could stop us from receiving the high speed and access we have gotten comfortable with over the years? What happens if the equality we have taken for granted is suddenly taken away and replaced with favourtism of those who are willing to whip out the green? Is this even a possibility?

Yes it is. The regulation that currently is preventing this from happening is called Network Neutrality, which keeps the Internet free and open to its users and prevents discrimination while allowing free speech from all. In short, it protects our rights as equals on the Internet. But, right now, major telephone and cable companies such as AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and Time Warner are trying to put an end to this regulation, which has been in existence since the creation of the Internet.

 

But why would these companies want to put an end to something so good?

 

Simply for their own greed and prosperity. This way they can tax content providers and have their own search engines, video and phone services favoured on the Internet. To them, it’s all about making money and gaining power.

 

This will change the Internet as we know it. No longer will it be an online community of free speech, where we ca dig up all and any information we so desire. The content we are show will be censored to promote the cable and phone companies and what big paying users want us to see. It’s not about us anymore. We will view what we are told we are “allowed” to view. Anything else shall be withheld. Anyone feeling a slight parallel to Orwell’s novel, 1984?

 

This is truly a possibility. These companies are spending millions to pressure Congress and the Federal Communications Commission to get rid of Net Neutrality and let the Internet becoming their molding block.

We cannot let this happen. I, for one, will not stand to see another part of this world become even more commercialized than it already is. I refuse to become another sheep.

 

I urge you to become aware and help others to do so. It hasn’t happened yet; we can still make a difference. I’m sure we all believe in the power of the little people...

 

Works Cited

www.savetheinternet.com

Media Hegemonies/Mapping Out Who Owns What [Are We Really oh-so Vogue?]

After flipping through this month’s, Vogue, I instantly knew which Media Company I wanted to research and explore. As an avid fan of the fashion industry, and in turn, fashion magazines, I figured what better company to learn about than whichever one owned Vogue Magazine. The name of this company is Condé Nast Publications.

Upon digging a little into the history, I learned that this company not only owns Vogue but has ownership over a good majority of all fashion magazines, such as Allure, Teen Vogue, W, Glamour, Lucky, etc. Not only does Condé Nast Publications own these fashion magazines, but they also extend out into Bridal, Home, Architecture, Finance, and Culture magazine, which includes the famous, Vanity Fair and The New Yorker (known for its satire on current day affairs).

 

Condé Nast Publications doesn’t stop at magazines though. This company extends on to have ownership over websites such as www.style.com and even does the marketing for the CBS show, Fashion Rocks.

 

Where am I going with all this information? The owner of Condé Nast Publications is S.I. Newhouse Jr., who inherited the company and all it owns from his father. A man who did not have the desire for the magazine industry and was probably thrust into it as a child is currently running the most powerful media forms in it.

 

So I’m left with a bit of food for thought after learning all of this. When seeing the same looks in the big named fashion magazines, it may not be because this is really “what is in”. Instead, it’s because the same owner owns the same magazines and vast discrepancies between them would be bad for business. Telling women over and over that purple is the new blue is ten times more effective when more than one source is telling them so. Also, the same advertisements in the different magazine must mean that more than one fashion company support it, right? Not when it’s the same company.

In a nutshell, an eighty-one year old male is running several of the most influential fashion magazines, many of which women rely on to find out how they should dress, look, and act.

 

No wonder why mini skirts never seem to go out of style…

 

 

Works Cited

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condé_Nast_Publications

http://www.pointofpassion.com/

Fake News [Don't Vote!]

Though many may not agree, there are other ways of becoming informed on what is occurring in the news, besides flicking on CBC or opening up the Toronto Star. Especially for younger generations, these outlets of media are not able to always hold the strong interest that it has on our parents. What does the average teenager’s life revolve around? Sad though it is to admit, the top three things would have to be the Internet, the latest television shows, and time spend with our beloved friends. This would be where other forms of news, forms many consider to be “Fake News” come in.           

 

In one of our Mass Communications classes, Ian showed us a video link on YouTube that showed famous actors such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Aniston, Ashton Kutcher, etc. repeating the slogan “Don’t Vote”. This sarcastic five-minute clip had to be the most informing and inspiring video I have seen on the American election. The class reaction was unanimous; after hearing people telling us not to vote, we all couldn’t wait to go out and vote ourselves (in the Canadian election obviously). Although near the end of the video, the message shifted into reasons why we should be voting, it was almost unnecessary; we had already been won over. Seeing these famous stars making a movie like this effectively works psychologically on our minds to think “well, if they care enough to take the time from their busy lives to do this, why can’t I take the time to vote?”. And even though there was a lot of admittedly unnecessary, but entertaining humour (“Darfur? I don’t even know what the fuck that is! It sounds like a t-shirt company to me…”), it didn’t take away from the truth and facts that were provided on the subject of voting.           

 

Then again, humourous, satirical news sometimes can hold the most truth. While watching Saturday Night Live skits such as the ones with Tina Fey portraying Sarah Palin, I believe I learned the most on the events of the 2008 American Election while still having a good laugh. Most of the time, satires have the courage to be blunt about the facts we are too polite to say out loud.

 

Switching back over to the Internet, as a member of Facebook, I don’t believe I have ever had a more entertaining yet efficient way of keeping up with news and events. Earth Hour, student protests over tuition fees, and petitions to keep the new Ontario driving laws from being passed are some of the many events I learn about through fellow citizens who report like journalists to keep the Facebook community on top of things.

Knowing that when I go out with my friends after, we’ll all be able to discuss the current news we’ve learned through means like television and Internet “Fake News” is always another reason to be sure to keep up with the times.

 

To be fair, it’s not really “Fake News” if they’re just playing upon our interests. We are, after all, only young and tend to lead busy lives. Kudos to those we can get us to sit down for five minutes and absorb the basics.

 

Works Cited

 

“Don’t Vote” Video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8y1e-z1JA0

            

Social Uses/Implicants of Technology and Media [My Cell Phone Destroys My Life]

“Hello Moto”.

How I remember hearing those words chimed through an upbeat rhythm for the first time, Christmas 2006. And then it began. From that day forward, my cell phone, whether it was the silver Motorola I started with, or the pink and stylish Sony Ericsson I have today, has never left my side.

I never did think I needed a cell before I met one of my now ex-boyfriends, Jon. The idea of phoning me on my house line was revolting to him, and pretty soon, I started to feel embarrassment at the fact I didn’t own a cell. So I begged and pleaded with my parents until the glorious day came.

The result? You would think a few phone bills rigging up over $200 would teach me a lesson, but no. Month after month, plan change after plan change, I find myself in debt to Rogers Wireless.

But why do I insist on continuing my rampage of endless phone calls and text messages? To keep in touch with long distance friends, let family know about my life, and speak for endless hours on end with my current boyfriend, Kevin.

Maybe it’s that last one that does it…

Which makes me think about a theory. Perhaps in this day’s dating world, we cannot manage to thrive in relationships without the use of the cell phone. The majority of people in relationships always want to stay connected and what better way than to pick up a phone and dial a cell number, increasing the chances of your loved one answering. Even a text message lets me feel more connected to Kevin than just going the whole day without speaking.

Then again, before the invention of cell phones, or phones in general, people managed to date and get married just fine. In fact, the divorce rate was MUCH lower before the invention of cell phones. The romance was much more authentic! Love letters, proclamations of undying affections, and the longing makes love seem much more unique. 

Thinking about it, I'd much rather receive a love sonnet then a computerized message stating "C u soon. Lv you!<3"

Maybe I'm just old fashioned.

Theory/Praxis [Media Ideology]

Ideology is a set of rules, beliefs, or aims that are used in many different contexts and cultures. In Mass Communications, we discussed the ideologies the media has and how they mediate them towards the audience it's aiming at. There's the ideologies that all women should be a size 6 or less to have a beautiful body, or the ideology of owning designer clothing to fit in. The media holds very superficial ideologies that they want to mold us into believing and following, basically, we belong to a subconscious cult.

How does this media ideology affect me? To be honest, for the longest time, I hated my body. I went day after day wishing I could be like the girls I saw in magazines and on television, hoping I could get thin enough to one day be on television. Wanting to be a t.v journalist growing up or an actress and seeing my role models look the way they did, I felt like I couldn't succeed. I truly wanted to give up.

But after maturing and buckling down in school and doing research on my potential careers, I realized that those who follow these media ideologies cannot be considered truly media savvy. It's only when you can look at the information and aims presented before you and choose to create your own that you can start your own ideologies for yourself.

And that's what I'm doing. BBC... watch out!

Decoding/Deconstructing Advertising [One Taste and You'll Get it]]

Ever since watching "The World's Funniest Commercials 2006", I fell in absolute love with this hilarious Dr. Pepper advertisement. It portrays a young man going through different tasks of embarrassment, all in the name of pleasing his girlfriend. From tampon shopping, to taking yoga classes, to holding her little pink purse as she tries on clothing, this man would "do anything for love". Except give her a sip of his Dr. Pepper in the closing scene; that's where he draws the line. No folks, he just won't do that. So he does as any man would do when things are unforgivable; he runs.

Even though I adore this commercial, it is a prime example of what Ian Reilly was trying to show us about advertising in one of our earlier classes. Companies (Dr. Pepper in this case) use many different advertising techniques that we as an audience are blind to unless we are taught to see exactly what we're watching and absorbing. Implementing gender roles to create wit and humour is a major tactic advertisers will use, as we have seemed to have numbed ourselves as a society to the insult of it.

In the Dr. Pepper commercial for example, a man going into a store to purchase a box of tampons is played up to be such a burden and embarrassment, when really, where is the logic in that? Obviously, the clerk will know they're not for him; if anything, it'll be assumed it's for a girlfriend/wife. This only means he'll be letting others know of his commitment and dedication to a woman. Oh! Right, I forgot. That would mean he was "whipped". Yet another play on masculinity advertisers use as humour in this commercial. 

Then there's his little pink purse issue. Clearly, taking a purse and holding it is NOT a big deal, correct? Apparently not. Add in the pale pink shade and the awkward hand position and voila! The audience is rolling in their seats. What if the purse had been blue? Would it have been as funny? Had it been a shoulder strapped purse, would the affect have been the same? These are all questions advertisers ask before coming out with this finished product.

Not that I'm trying to bash my Meatloaf-inspired, all-time favourite commercial here. I'm just someone who is learning the In's and Out's of the media world and is practising it. This doesn't mean I can't still watch and laugh with my new-found analytical thoughts being kept in mind.

If you wanna check out "I would do anything for love"- Dr. Pepper, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjWcbz00Wm4 . 

Mass Media [Borrowed Theory]

Any form of communication in which a large number of people are receiving a mediated message is what we can call mass communication. From television and radio, to the Internet, newspaper and magazines, these are all forms of media in which these messages are communicated through, thus becoming mass media.

But what types of mediated messages are we talking about? It can be anything!!! Telling people how they should dress, how much they should weigh, what they should buy, what will make them happy, etc.

It makes you think that through mass media we are being controlled, doesn’t it? Maybe we are.

Wanting to do some background research, I read Neil Postman’s, Amusing Ourselves to Death, and learned something very interesting regarding Orwell’s novel, 1984, and Aldous Huxley’s novel, Brave New World. Orwell warns about a world in which we are controlled by the “Big Brother” and what we hate is what will destroy us. Ruxley, on the other hand, argues that it is all this mass communication and forms of media that will destroy us. In short, what we love will bring us to our end. How can we learn to become our own unique person when subconsciously we are receiving mediated messages through objects we don’t even see as dangerous. We can become so absorbed by television, magazines, msn, facebook, etc. that we’ll ignore the real world around us, falling victim to become clones of the media.

Clones of the media. Hmmm, I like that. Perhaps I should write my own theorizing novel…

Works Cited

Postman, Neil. Amusing Ourselves to Death : Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business. New York: Penguin (Non-Classics), 1986.

Media Autobiography

I had a tough time deciding how to execute the task of a media autobiography. How does media affect my life? I believe the question is more so, how does it not? Ideas flooded my mind, but in the end, it was almost a no-brainer. I work for one of the most media-influenced companies in today’s fashioned industry, Jacob. This company’s goal is to set standards to women all over to rise up and become a “Jacob Woman”. The proper hairstyle (god forbid you dare to try curls), the make-up, the perfume, and of course, the high-fashion, expensive clothing.

I decided to do this project through the art of film because, as a media student, it will be a medium I will be working with quite a bit and it is one that I do not believe I have enough experience with. So I turned this project not only into a self-reflexive piece, but a opportunity to learn more about a different field of media that might interest me. It was definitely a well-thought out decision on my part.

My intention with this project was to showcase that, in working for such a company, I’m forced to be an example of this “Jacob Woman”. Setting aside all moral beliefs that women are all beautiful despite what the media claims, is something I do each time I walk through those matte-finished, black doors. It’s unfortunately the decision a financially insecure student must make.

I see some good in this though. I may work for a media-crazed fashion company, but it’s made me aware. I understand the tricks of retail. I see and hear the lies they feed unsuspecting customers each day. I can use a video like the one I created for my media autobiography to show that yes, looking good is fine and dandy, but so is feeling good. I’ve realized that the industry of media I work for has structured my life, but in the best way possible. I’ve obtained a knowledge that you can’t learn through books. The knowledge that when you try to avoid the media, it can consume you; instead, learn to live with it and make the mental choice to be smart, to be aware, and to be your own person. It’s the reason why I confidently tell customers H&M sells the same shirt for half the price, or explain to them that no, wide leg pants really aren’t meant for everyone.

I may be the “Jacob Woman” on the outside but I will always be me through the make-up.

The Ecology of Media [Why My Laptop Owns Me]

Though there is much debate over the first laptop inventor, from William Moggridge's NASA model to Adam Osbourne's version, it doesn't change the notebook machines we are left with today. Light and portable, the laptop was brought into our lives to create ease and convenience to help us carry around needed information and programs that will help us with our daily routines, whether school related, work related, etc. The purpose of the laptop is clear; when having an immobile computer at home isn't enough, here's an option to make life easier and help out.

But thinking about my own laptop, is its purpose really helpful? Do I use my miniature computer to better my life? I purchased my 15 inch Macbook Pro a week before starting university this year to "let me take notes during class" and "complete work in between classes". Have I? Well, if taking notes in class is considered facebook commenting and completing work is deemed msn chatting, then yes, my lovely silver gadget is doing a fine job. Otherwise, I believe me and the 96% of laptop owners in university I verbally surveyed have tweaked the laptop from its origin purpose to a new function...

A portable distraction!

                     

Works Cited

"History of Laptop Computers." About.Com. 26 Sept. 2008 <http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bllaptop.htm>.

Photo Taken From: "The History of The Laptop Computer." Electronic Communication Device. 26 Sept. 2008 <http://ligon.wcpss.net/dept/tech/studentprojects/ecdpage/ecd.html>.