Final Post: Top Ten and Questions

I have learned a great deal in this class about many aspects of the media, including advertising, corporate power, public relations, social networking, and various media sources. For my top ten list, however, I’d like to focus on some of the bigger picture, activist tools that I’ve found:

10) "5 Questions to Ask About a Media Message". Perhaps the most important thing someone could come away with is to ask questions. As I remember reading, democratic societies encourage their citizens to think and analyze their problems and ask tough questions about them. It’s important to reflect on what people are trying to tell you and why they're saying it. Be a skeptic.
9) "How to be a Media Activist- 10 Actions You Can Take". I really liked the activism proposed in these ten actions because they are things that everyone can do, with some extremely simple and others requiring more effort. These actions provide a wide range of opportunities for action that can greatly change the media environment around us.
8) "29 Persuasive Techniques". These techniques are a great tool to see how people may be attempting to persuade you (consciously or not). It’s great to be able to break down an advertisement or campaign by seeing through its fake attempts to convince without providing real substance or solutions
7) 5 Questions from "The Making of a Media Literate Mind". I really like how this article provides simple ways for breaking down the media around us and understanding how we’re being influenced. Asking these five questions is a great way to see the big picture of media and its impacts.
6) The Five Memes. I found the Five Memes to be particularly important because they show the major or root problems that we face. Fixing just any one would turn society upside down and vastly improve the way we function, benefitting individuals, communities, and the environment. I see these as the big goals that activists should have their eye on in the present and near future.
5) Spontaneity. Kalle Lasn suggests to live in the moment and not get caught up in the “spectacle”. I think it’s important to occasionally analyze your life and routines and think about why you do what you do. I think we often just go through our lives habitually. Why are you going to McDonald’s? Why are you buying that iPad? When you look at it from that perspective, you can make the decision that you want to make and do what you want to do with your time and life, not what others are persuading you that you should.
4) Education. This follows the belief that an informed public will do the right thing, which is something that I strongly believe to be true. I think that the main reason that there is so much wrong with the world is that people don’t fully understand the problems and their root causes. For example, climate legislation is on the table without a huge majority of Americans even believing in it. Imagine what we could do if everyone fully understood the causes and consequences.
3) Activism. This is coupled with education in that people need to apply their knowledge to their lives and the world around them. They need to see that they watch too much TV, have newspapers full of PR news releases, and how advertising attempts to influence their lives.
2) Activism. As it says in ‘Culture Jam’, “Sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul”. I believe that it’s important for people to be involved citizens and get involved with issues, or at least to work for one cause that they are passionate about. Imagine if everyone had just one cause that they supported when and how they could and then friends and communities supported these causes. The world would be a truly changed and democratic place.
1) Optimism. To paraphrase another quote, “If life sucks, then fix a small corner of it”. There is no point to moping around as the world burns. I think there will always be ways to make the world a better place and make people’s lives better. This is why it’s important to keep fighting the fight and trying to change things. I believe the book had some mention of how any victory is very rewarding and how it brings encouragement to others.


Questions
After this course, I have a lot to think about. This new knowledge has really changed my perspective and altered how I think I should go about my future work in the world. Before this class, I knew I wanted to get into “communications” in a way that I could work to better connect people to understanding the problems in the world and how to act upon them. Now I understand the flaws in our media and government much more thoroughly and believe that biggest solutions will be found as a byproduct of solving these media problems. Now I am trying to apply what I learned to how I want to use it in my own life and plans for activism and a career.

My first question is: What do I know? I’m trying to assess what I know, what I’ve learned from this course, and trying to break (or condense) it into categories and key points.
My second is: What I can do with this information? I want to figure out the many options for activism that are possible and what it is that I want to try to change. I know there are many various ways to try to make a difference and I want to further determine which tools I would like to use and what goals I want to have.
Lastly, I want to know: Who can help me? I have started to look at some more of the resources from that previous blog post, where we analyzed one site. I want to utilize all the support I can in whatever goals I determine for myself, because I know there are many other people and organizations out there who are working on a similar cause or willing to help with whatever mine may be.

PSA

I felt that the PSA was a meaningful and enjoyable learning experience. It is not that common that students get to share a meaningful message with society and even more rare that they get to use the video medium to do so. I thought that the whole process was kind of fun and went fairly smoothly. It was nice to just focus on one simple message and try to get it across effectively. I thought we came up with a straightforward storyline and gave the audience one clear persuasive message. It’s always difficult to coordinate group efforts, but once we got together, the filming and editing sessions were pretty fun. I think our educational message may have been very simple, but I think that one easy message is the best objective for a one minute PSA. We tell the audience something important and back it up with facts. In this sense, our message is also very clear, with the focus on the goal objective of unplugging. We worked hard to get the best scenes with regard to props, setting, lighting, and actions within the shot. For example, we tried multiple camera angles, adjusted lighting to change the mood, and allowed Pete to utilize his natural acting abilities. We also made sure that the text was simple, readable, and factual. The music was also added to contribute to the mood and better draw the audience’s attention. We created this video so that the audience would be interested and come away with an important message. In fact, we hope that they will act upon this message by being aware of how plugged in they are and perhaps strive to become a bit less connected. Overall, I would say it was a very thoroughly done project, perhaps even professional. I think video PSA’s are certainly an effective form of activism, especially in an age where YouTube videos are all the rage. One minute sometimes is all it takes to raise the level of awareness. This new experience with video makes me much more comfortable using it in the future and it is something that I am inspired to experiment with further.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejk0lMISleQ

Advertisement, Grist, PSA

"Green Ad"
http://www.facebook.com/futurefriendly?utm_source=NA&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=futurefriendly

I found a very interesting advertisement by Tide which simply had a picture of a bottle of Tide with green letters saying “Join the Future Friendly Challenge”. The link went to a Facebook fan page for Future Friendly (social media=marketing). To me, this was a very thinly veiled attempt to drum up some positive publicity for Tide. The main propaganda techniques were “diversion” and “warm fuzzies”. The campaign has nothing to do with the product and its impacts and instead focuses on Proctor and Gamble’s “feel good” clean water campaign. In essence, Future Friendly is just a way to draw people in to all the ‘good work” that P & G is doing in the world and thus slyly convince people to use their products. They are trying to portray themselves to consumers as do-gooders who value helping others, not raking in big profits for themselves. Most people would admire an effort to help those in the developing world get fresh water and Tide is using this philanthropic image as their marketing tool. My question: what are P & G's corporate impacts on water quality. “By signing up for the Future Friendly Challenge you will receive conservation tips, expert advice, exclusive offers and Challenge updates. You’ll also learn more about the lives touched by fresh water in the developing world through the Children’s Safe Drinking Water.” What stuck out to me in this quotes is “exclusive offers”. Not only will get some info on water conservation and some nice news updates on P & G’s corporate social responsibility, you will receive advertising!

Grist
I chose to analyze the website, Grist. Grist fulfills its mission for change by providing news on environmental issues with a humorous, often sarcastic tone. They make light of the many problems we face, which perhaps help us handle them, rather than become too depressed to deal with them (which has undoubtedly happened to every environmentalist at times). Despite the silliness of the site, the news covers important national and international issues and addresses and analyzes many points of conflict/debate in the environmental field. It does a good job of providing meaningful journalism by probing for root causes of problems, different impacts, and analyzing different potential and chosen actions. I would say it plays an important role in informing the public and promoting environmental activism, while also serving to entertainment and lighten the mood. I think online activism can make a difference, though I have doubts about whether it can create change on its own. As far as informing people, it can definitely go a long way in filling that niche. The site is not especially interactive, though comments can be left by readers and they can join the discussion this way. They also welcome reader contributions to their content. Grist’s mission statement says that they make “lemonade out of the current climate apocalypse”, as well as use their “Clarity-o-Meter to draw out the real meaning behind green stories, and to connect big issues like climate change to daily life”. As far as this mission goes, I feel that they are doing an exceptional job.

PSA
Progress has somewhat stalled due to communication breakdown. Plans to film on Friday fell through, but that will have to be done this week. We should have all of our text completed by next class and hopefully will do the filming then or afterward so we can get to editing.

Toxic Sludge, Outside vs. TV, PSA

Toxic Sludge
I think the opening quote really shows how significant corporate power has become and how big of a role propaganda plays in allowing this to happen. It shows that without these billions of dollars being thrown into public relations, corporate power would not even resemble the monstrosity that it is today. Democracy to me means the active involvement of citizens in their government. For most people, this means voting. For true democratic citizens, this means fighting for a cause, whether that’s helping a candidate win election or fighting the creation of a landfill in your town. Democracy is about people working for the improvement of society by influencing the government’s actions from a local to international level. Without this pressure, the government has no reason to do anything besides follow the interests of corporate power and influence, which they have a tendency to do currently. As the article stated, citizens must keep a “constant vigilance”. The unchecked power of the public relations industry to secretly influence public opinion is certainly a barrier to true democracy. Currently, we are a nation excepting propaganda for news, while what we need is objective reporting that shows the issues and facts, allowing people to draw their own conclusions. I believe that the solution for true democracy may lie in the repossession of the media by the citizens. I think citizens should exercise their democratic rights by simply getting involved. I think the best way is to pick a fight and latch onto it. A citizen who is passionate, focused, and informed can be a powerful force. In a truly democratic country, everyone is involved with the government’s actions. The news informs us of the possible problems in our society and the politicians are directed by the citizens to act on these issues or their jobs will be at stake. The government, corporations and the media are controlled by the people. The hope is that people everywhere are making change for the better. Everyday, someone is out there working to fix a problem in society and sometimes the good guys win. My role is acting as an informed, involved citizen. My goal is to work to gradually become more and more involved in issues that I care about. I have been doing well at informing myself on these issues. I have signed a few petitions and even occasionally written to the press or elected officials. Now, I plan to step up my efforts to the next level by either getting more involved with many issues or committing to work on one problem (or both). It may be tough and depressing work, but I think that taking part in the fight is really what matters and any victory will be a great reward and lead to the encouragement of others to join the battle which will make it all worthwhile.

Select Observations:
TV
-a bit tenser than outside
-angry at commercials- lack content, blatant manipulations attempts, propaganda techniques, wonder if there's actually a show on this channel or if it's just commercials
-feel controlled and alone
-feel sluggish, eyes glaze,
-look at watch and out window
-consider stupidity of the actual show's content

Outside
-feel good, noticeable mood improvement
-calm, peaceful, free
-optimistic- it's hard to feel down when you're sitting in the sun
-consider that some people rarely experience this in any way
-notice the wind, sun, clouds, trees swaying, etc.- appreciation for nature's beauty
-see people having fun, family and friends interacting
-time to think deep thoughts

PSA
In my PSA group, we have decided on our topic and worked out a storyboard that seems like it will be very effective in portraying our message of "unplug". Our group seems to be working well together and the project has been progressing smoothly. Next time, we plan to begin filming and perhaps then we should divide some responsibilities such as editing, adding music, research for text, etc. So next class, I plan to do some filming and determine the exact text of the video.

"Toxic Sludge is Good for You"

My PSA ideas:
Group: Ben, Pete, Paul

My concept idea is to make a PSA to remind people how plugged in they are and to occasionally separate themselves from it all or cut down on their screen time. My goal is to portray this in a humorous way and end with some strong facts regarding the amounts of time that people are plugged in. I envision a bunch of people gradually coming over sitting on a bench and being totally plugged in and isolated, on Facebook, ipods, websurfing, texting, etc. This would be alternating with scenes of people interacting and having fun or perhaps the people on the bench leaving to live in the real world. From what I saw in the past PSA’s, I think a focus on timing and a good background song will also be important.

Chapter 8

I raced yesterday at Tufts U., where the river is highly polluted due to raw sewage entering it...

1. The work of the PR groups in communities really bothers me. They are so sly that they think they can just infiltrate into neighborhoods and manipulate people’s opinions, and even attempt to “buy out” a community with a few donations.
2. I think the entanglement of the businesses/interest groups and the government agencies was very clear in this article, such as with the reclassification of the sludge from hazardous to Class A fertilizer.
3. I was reminded of how this misleading PR really impacts people when the article described the “casualties” of this pro-sludge policy. It’s not fun to think about, but it’s important to remember that in these political battles that the quality of many human lives are often at stake.
4. I think the thoroughness of the evidence against the use of toxic sludge was made very clear throughout the chapter. Despite the clear evidence of toxins and pathogens, the PR people continue to push their product.
5. Lastly, I was very disturbed that all this PR work has started to convince large scale food buyers that sludge-grown is safe. For me, this just represented how much PR can erode the facts if left unchecked.

My question is…if we can’t even trust the EPA to be putting out reliable information, who can we trust?

Chapter 9
1.It was very creepy to hear that “best PR goes by unnoticed”. I think there is a definite problem in that we no longer know what is news and what is propaganda, and that unfortunately it’s often the latter.
2.I was intrigued by the good cop, bad cop approach of corporations towards environmental organizations. This made their relationship much more clear to me, and how they always seem to have links to environmental organizations, but still be fighting to protect themselves from penalty for their many methods of destroying the environment. The corporations get to cloak themselves in green, while still polluting, and it works!
3.I liked the AMP formula for action. It reminded me that change can not be made by one group of people, but rather it needs many groups to play roles in activism, media, and politics to achieve a common goal.
4.I was given a new perspective by the line about companies trying to say the opposite of what is perceived of them (we think “they don’t care = they say “we care”). This served as a good reminder to analyze the PR efforts of any corporation more thoroughly.
5.I had heard of the Keep America Beautiful campaign and I was disturbed to realize it was just a bunch of corporations trying to make us focus on ourselves as the source of environmental damage, rather than the polluting corporations.

My question is… how do we get these big “corporate” environmental organizations back on track with supporting activism?

Culture Jam Part 3, The Corporation Part 2

Culture Jam Letter

I decided to write a letter to President Obama on the "true cost meme" by providing a basic logical argument for sound economics and bringing about effective change.

Dear President Obama,

You came to Washington with an ultimatum for change. As a university student and supporter, I strongly believe that you are committed to this initiative and are doing your best to achieve it. You are clearly aware that this is a country with many problems left to be solved and are intent on addressing as many as you can while in office. I applaud your efforts and understand the extreme difficulties of the position that you have earned. I write to you to simply suggest an avenue for profound change that you have yet to propose.
During your presidency, the economy has been a major problem that has gotten in the way of all your other efforts. It’s clear that there are many issues with our economic process and I suggest a large action to address this rather than small regulatory changes. You focus on growing our economy, but our economy has long been growing without improving our standard of living. I suggest that you address the issue of valuing economic development over continuing growth. Your economic advisors believe that growth is the only answer, while that simply just means more spending, not better lives for Americans.
Your chief economic advisor, Larry Summers, has said that he perceived no limits to growth in the future. I would like to remind you that economics is not grounded in the real world. New resources will not magically appear when we run out of our current ones. Our economy encourages us to “shop ‘til you drop” rather than conserving our resources and living meaningful lives. Accumulating more stuff may lead to an expanding GDP, but not a better America. If you want your presidency to stop encouraging excessive consumerism, you should consider a change in policy.
I would like to introduce you to ecological economics. It’s not some kind of hippy economics, but rather a system that makes sense, compared to our absurd, disconnected economics today. It values positive change in our environment, economy, and society, while devaluing damage, providing an accurate depiction of how to improve as a nation, rather than just attempting to grow out of our problems. Instead of the inaccurate measure of the GDP, the Gross Progress Index actually shows our progress as a nation. Finally, the economy would reflect progressive aspirations for the country, rather than endless spending and exploited resources.
You have the power to change America by even just beginning to accept this new form of economics that makes sense to the average American. It’s the kind of economics that doesn’t make the GDP rise when there’s an oil spill or a new cancer diagnosis. It's the kind of economics that America can trust and understand. I believe at this point in time most citizens have doubt in the economic system and would like to see it changed to a more logical system. Please meet with an ecological economist and at least hear them out. Their proposals will lead to a rational economy and a brighter future.

Sincerely,

Ben Carlson


The Corporation

Surprise: The surprise for me was the revelation that in this country broadcasting entirely fake news is not illegal. The instance of the Fox rBGH segment was ridiculous. I think this one example of manipulation of the news by sponsors shows how much we need truly free media. It’s a good reminder of how much our regular news sources might be leaving out or falsifying to suit the needs of their sponsors.

Agitation: My agitation was in the segment on business with the Nazi’s. The involvement of companies, such as GM, IBM, and Coca-Cola was despicable. I think it was a great reminder that corporations are, by nature, not our friends. As the film said the CEO may be nice and even develop some social responsibility, but it is very rare that a corporation has a positive impact on the world, simply because of the way it functions. Profits matter above all else. Corporations must controlled and regulated by us, because when allowed to do as they please they reward themselves at considerable cost to others.

Learning: I guess the main thing that I learned from the film is that the corporations are the “high priests” of the world. I think everyone knows that many corporations are big and powerful, but to realize that they really control the world is quite eye-opening. They are global entities, causing problems around the world in order to increase profits. I think most people either don’t realize that corporations are so powerful or exactly understand why that’s such a problem.

Hopeful? I did think that the film tried very hard to end on a high note. I especially liked Michael Moore’s bit about corporations selling the rope to hang them. The film was overall very dark and showed the world in a way that people don’t usually see it. It exposed the immense power of the corporation and how that is damaging. The ending was necessary to bring about some sense of optimism that we can get things back to the way they’re meant to be. It won’t be easy, but it’s not impossible and that’s why I think it’s worth the fight. Besides, just attempting to bring down corporate America and consumer culture seems to be a pretty exciting endeavor to me.

How Use Info?
I will use the information from this film in my own life by examining the way corporations affect us in what I see around me. I have learned to be very skeptical of corporate power and recognize its control around the world. I will be recognize and analyze my own involvement with corporations and their impact on myself and others. When I see the instances of corporate abuse and control, I will share my views around me who may not have the same perspective or knowledge as me. I will also continue to learn about these issues and how to become involved in the fight for power over the corporation.

The Corporation Part 1, Culture Jam Part 2

"The Corporation"

I think people aren’t familiar with the history of corporations rise to power. They just see it the way it is today and accept that that’s the way things are. Corporations have amassed huge amounts of power over time in the name of providing people with jobs and helping the economy. Don’t mess with business, that affects people's jobs and lives. What started as a more efficient way of doing business and increasing production has evolved in what might be a logical path to privatization, manipulative marketing, externalizing costs, inequality, law breaking, and manufactured wants. AAarggh! It’s time for the corporation to lose its "humanity', since it has thoroughly demonstrated its lack of responsibility through its psychopathic action. There are many outrageous crimes against society that have become commonplace from big biz. Maybe the discontent can be brought to a point of action.

"Culture Jam"

1.I have come to realize that this book is exposing the net causes of the problems in the world that I worry about. It’s bringing together my fragmented knowledge to show the big picture. I always feel the need to trace problems back to the source and now I feel like I’m finally getting to the real, direct causes and solutions. It is looking to change the big picture so that all these issues and problems can be solved as a byproduct of this massive cultural change. It’s even broken down into the five memes that would totally turn society on its head, in a good way. So many problems would be immediately on the fast track being solved. Forget being an environmentalist, culture jamming may be the way to the real progress I want to see.
2.“Sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul”. This line really struck me, because I feel like I’m amassing all this knowledge and frustration without doing anything with it. I just feel the need to take action, wishing I could just step in boxing ring and throw some punches to solve the problems and release the frustration. So I resolve to start doing small things. Quitting Facebook definitely feels good (and my persuasive speech for my public speaking class is on the same topic). So maybe that’s my start, and I'll work on figuring out step two.
3.Spontaneity. This was a new idea for me, fighting the “spectacle” through spontaneous action. This method for salvation used by Truman and the Buddha must be worth considering. It’s a bit abstract and I’m not sure I totally grasp it. I guess its about living in the moment, breaking out of the trance, and acting freely, not as the spectacle want you to.
4.I liked the line about if life sucks, then fix a corner of it. This phrase really reminded me of how pointless it is to be pessimistic or cynical. Things might be bad, but they can always be made better. I think this is the kind of attitude I will need to keep if I’m going to be working in the environmental field to remind myself that it’s not an effort in vain.
5. I also found the line interesting about "we will wreck this world" and rebuilding on the rubble of our old culture. It's clear, we need massive changes, but at times the book started to take a destructive tone. It reminds me of "Fight Club", where they essentially resort to terrorism to make their changes in society. I think the author doesn't really mean physical destruction and ruin, but more that the changes will totally destroy our corporate and consumer dominated culture.

My question is, how does this fit into politics? Culture jamming could be a whole political platform. Culture jammers have lost faith in the left, so who do they go to?

Culture Jam, Part 1

As I continue to ponder my two week old decision to leave Facebook, the "reality index" offered by Culture Jam really stuck out to me. How much of our lives are real and authentic versus the virtual world of the media? I find the difference in phrasing to be hugely important. Spending a lot of time in media land might not be terrible, but how about spending a large portion of our life there? It becomes much more clear when we think in terms of wasting a life, rather than just in hours and minutes.
I was struck by the line about how in America you “can’t speak out against the sponsors”. This really brought together my understanding of how corporate power actually controls America through the media. The idea of advertisers censoring content is very disturbing, but that’s what happens in all our major media sources. It’s no wonder that we have become a culture of consumption and corporation, when all the discussion brings no challenge to this destiny.
I really liked the metaphor of American consumer culture as a cult. We are what we see on TV, we join brands “fraternities”, and most striking “all dream the same dream”. This is the line that I have thought over most. Almost without exception, people want to grow rich so they can buy a lot of stuff. This really connected to me. How many people do I know that don’t feel the need for more money or more stuff? No one comes to mind. We always need more stuff, but yet in reality that doesn’t even make us happier. The media then just continues to perpetuate this illusion. To paraphrase, we are consuming the essence of our society, communities, environment, families, because we can’t let go of this sour “dream”. To me, this is an increasingly damaging force that undermines positive efforts in our society. It’s clear that it’s time for a revolution against corporations and consumption and even though these forces are even more powerful then ever before, just in this class alone, I see a great potential for redefining the American dream.

"With Friends Like These", "Killing Us Softly", "The Making of a Media Literate Mind"

“With Friends Like These”

Thesis: Facebook, a.k.a. Big Brother, claims to create meaningful connections, but really just isolates people, while profiting from their personal information through 'narrow-casting' marketing.

Agree:
I agree that Facebook’s use of personal data is disturbing. When you are on Facebook, it seems you've submitted yourself for personalized advertising and are “in the system”. Not only this, but also the CIA can check you out. I haven’t broken any laws nor am I really worried about the ads Facebook might throw at me, but it seems wrong and having your personal data up for sale just doesn’t seem right. I also agree that Facebook is a wonderful, yet deceiving, business idea. Once the program is created, you just let people flock to it, submit their information for advertisers, and they experience the warm fuzzy illusion of connection.

Disagree:
I disagree that everyone should Facebook because Peter Thiel owns 7 percent of the company. He may be a shady character, but what about the other 97 percent of ownership? I’m sure many other very popular companies have many more creepy neocons in their ranks, say perhaps Google. There are many reasons not to support Facebook, but I don’t think this one man should play much of a role in that decision.
I also disagree with the dark tone cast upon Facebook. I think the business is genuine in that it was created to help people connect and still strives to do that (perhaps whether it does is up for each individual to decide). The privacy aspect is simply something that people should be aware of in using the tool. Using our information that we post to market to us is just common sense for any entrepreneur. Facebook isn’t evil, but still, I’m not sure I trust it.

Also: I deactived my Facebook account the other day. I decided it's really not worth anything to me except to waste my time and the privacy stuff weirds me out. The deactivate page had pictures of my "friends" saying "So-and-so will miss you". This encouraged me to deactivate. I will give it a week then probably delete my account, which is possible: http://antisocial.nectareen.com/how-do-i-delete-my-facebook-account/

Killing Us Softly 3

1.Advertising in America has made pornography mainstream. It’s an absurd statement, but a moment’s reflection shows it’s totally accurate.
2.Human qualities are divided in half- masculine and feminine and the feminine traits are devalued. We are all half people. That is the ideal that has been put forth for us, to aspire to become half of a person.
3.The message sent to women is that their body is most important and if they buy they can get it right, but they can never reach the computer generated standard.
4.Advertising sells concepts, such as defining what is normal. I repeat, advertisers have actual control over what is normal. Not okay.
5.Attitude change is needed from ‘aware, active, educated’ citizens (not consumers). At stake is the ability to live an authentic and freely chosen life.

The film made me frustrated by how our culture is forced upon us by advertisers, and we don’t even know it. The past couple years I’ve been thinking about what I want to do with my life and how I can create change through whatever career I find. I had been looking at the political arena- politicians, lobbyists, etc., but maybe advertising and mass media has found an even higher rung on the ladder. They determine our culture, deciding what’s normal, and telling us what to want, and determining our values

Jean Kilbourne uses some propaganda techniques very effectively. She scapegoats the advertising industry for all of these problems. I’m sure they’ve found ways to pass the blame. She definitely appeals to our sense of fear, showing us the disturbing influence of ads. Humor is interjected into her script, which definitely ads to the power of her message as she mocks the ads. I’m sure there were many rhetorical questions. Timing is well played, with offensive ads played after her main points to back them up. Strength is also a big part in that she shows that we have lost our power to determine our own lives and that we need to take it back.

“The Making of a Media Literate Mind”

The first half of the article basically emphasized what we have already learned, punctuated by this line, “For the first time in human history, Gerbner notes, most of the stories about people, life, and values are told not by parents, schools, churches, and others in the community who have something to tell, but by a group of distant conglomerates that have little to tell and everything to sell”. This is a powerful statement and it’s as disturbing as it is true. What I enjoyed about the article was how it transformed the cynicism and discontent it generated into actions. The five actions were certainly a “simple solution”, but even if just those were implemented in every public school it would make such a difference. I think the point of using the media to teach is very important, both for media literacy and just as a way to reach students. According to Rob Williams, solving the “media problem” can be solved by giving the storytelling powers to students. It’s an eye-opening solution, providing freedom from the mass media by creating our own media. In the generation of YouTube and Twitter, that may be possible.

Ad Nauseum, Twitter Changes World, Merchants of Cool

Ad Nauseum 5 & 6
Three things I learned from Ad Nauseum, Parts 5 & 6:
1.Advertisers are desperate to try anything to win over consumers, as illustrated through various attempts at subliminal advertising.
2.Company mascots are designed to be “cute and comforting” simply to help sell products that they have nothing to do with.
3.Pranks can lighten the mood from the depressing outlook of advertising and corporate, consumer culture.

Part 5: My question is how can marketers actually believe they “give the people what they want” when all their efforts are put towards manipulating people into buying their products?

Part 6: My question is, pranks may be fun and cause some change, but how do we really change things?

“How Twitter Will Change the World”
Steven Johnson’s thesis: Twitter is a useful tool, allowing open conversations, real-time information, and inspiring innovation.

I agree with Johnson that open conversations through Twitter could improve previously internal discussions. Solving difficult problems can be made much easier drawing from a large variety of people with varying perspectives for input. I also agree that it has a great use in providing immediate information, especially in times of turmoil, such as in Iran and Haiti, to inform the world.

I disagree with Johnson’s minimizing of the distraction factor of Twitter. Though it may have some uses, it seems it’s most often for celebrity stalking and meaningless tweets, adding to the world’s fascination with staring at a screen.

I also disagree with the portrayal of the intimacy of Twitter as positive, when in many ways it is just misleading and creepy; believing you know someone well without ever needing to meet them or even identify yourself to them.

I am not currently using Twitter. I wasn't very interested in it and what I knew about it seemed to show it as a waste of time. After reading Johnson’s article, however, I think I’ll give it a try, mostly because I’ve become curious about it and want to glimpse its potential for myself.

Merchants of Cool
1.Culture spies are out cool hunting, trying to find the trend setters so they can sell the next new thing, allowing the teen-media connection to be a feedback loop of imitation.
2.Marketers study teens anthropologically to get their parents guilt money and give them what marketers want them to have. They even have their peers do the dirty work to better connect with the market.
3.Teen rebellion is just another product marketed and sponsored by the conglomerate media companies. Your parents and teachers are dumb, but the corporation understands you.
4.Marketers create terrible role models through the child-like “mook” and image obsessed “midriff” as well as television obsessed with sex and violence.
5.Cultural expression has just evolved into consumption and a reflection of corporate messages.

Ad Nauseum, "Get Smarter", "The Persuaders"

Ad Nauseum
The section “How Do Kids Read Commericials” was particularly disturbing. Just like “Consuming Kids”, it shows how consumption is ingrained into us as soon as we're born. What’s most bothersome to me is the blindness of people to their manipulation; they think they are making personal statements by buying something, but really they’re just playing into the hands of the advertisers. As it says “…kids unwittingly reciting slogans, believing advertising claims, and misunderstanding commercial motives”. They are doing just what “The Persuaders” want them to do, consuming on impulse, without questioning the motives of sellers. As illustrated in “Consuming Kids”, it shows the needs for regulation on advertising to kids, especially at school!
“Shopping Spies” shows the creepy advertising research that is required for people to get “inside our heads”. It reminds me of “The Persuaders” when the researcher asks the man if he feels lonely when eating white bread. Everything about it just seems wrong. It’s an invasion of privacy and just the definition of creepy, yet that is what the ad industry feeds on. If this work was for something like solving social problems, it would be one thing, but it’s just to figure out the “code” that will lead to ultimate consumption. Not only is it disgusting how marketing tries to get into our minds, its terrifying how its invisibly weaving its way into our lives. Restaurants avoiding selling water, pharmaceutical reps manipulating physicians, and movies that are essentially commercials; we seem to be headed toward total envelopment by advertising.

Get Smarter
“Get Smarter” shows that the adaptation required to modern evolving technology will make us more intelligent, using it to solve the increasingly complex problems that we face.
I agree that younger generations are much more adapted to technological change. Younger kids can figure out Facebook without effort, while older users struggle to comprehend how to use it correctly. This, however, is specifically related to technological change, and other change, such as sudden loss of this advanced technology, would be devastating to younger generations.
I also agree that technology has in some ways allowed us to become “wicked smart”, with access to data, simulation capabilities, and pattern-matching abilities. This external smarts is inarguably helpful in understanding and solving complex problems.
I disagree with his enthusiasm for increasing intellgence artificially. This seems unnecessary since I believe the current intellectual capabilities of human are far from fully utilized. He should look towards improvements in public education for solving our future problems.
I disagree with his idea that change happens slowly, rather it seems changes are coming increasingly quickly, with skeptics raising concerns over the unforeseen impacts. Texting, Facebook, Twitter, iphones, ipods, etc., all of these are extremely new phenomenons. How will the affect learning in school? Obesity? The environment?

The Persuaders
1.Ads are working to find a deep connection with viewers, so it no longer even feels like persuasion.
2.Marketers work to build cultures and experiences around their products.
3.People are unconsciously persuaded to manufacture needs for products and then try to justify these wants.
4.Entertainment and advertising are becoming indistguishable.
5.Politicians can now use narrow-casting to target very specific demographics with what appeals to those voters.

Environmental Art Project Photos

Lack of TV, Excess of Books

Growing up in my family, the television was rarely on. We had one, but unlike everyone I knew, no channels. Despite occasional resentment or embarrassment at my family’s lack of this basic medium, I have come to support their decision. With few exceptions, I see little value in television, but that doesn’t mean I don’t find myself watching it sometimes. Trips to Grandma’s always included the chance to get some time with cable. Though I enjoyed the opportunity to watch TV, there was always a sense of relief to get home and away from its grasp.

I’ve always liked to watch a good movie or show, but I find commercials to be extremely annoying. I sometimes find myself watching the stupid ads, drawn to the screen by a force that seems unavoidable. The stupidity of the commercials that I find myself watching also works to remind me that whatever show I might be watching isn’t worth much either. I remember, however, sometimes feeling out of the loop at school. Kids would quote lines from last night’s show, often a program I had never even seen.

On a quite possibly related note, I’ve always enjoyed reading. I remember one summer in elementary school trying to out-read all the other summer reading participants. I can’t really grasp how someone can make such a sweeping statement, that they “don’t like to read”. On the other hand, I may be a hypocrite for generally saying that I don’t like television. Though you can watch a movie made about a book, reading the books always seems like time better spent. Reading a book is somehow less passive, more involved.

I give books credit for helping me with developing the ability to focus well and give me a huge advantage in school. While many kids get slowed down by their lack of reading skills, my reading experience made school easy. Lack of TV was also a substantial benefit to my education. No shows to watch after a busy day meant there was still time for homework to get done or a chapter to be read. By high school, the lack of television calling me to sit and watch became something I started to appreciate.

I think it’s also important to address my most recent encounters with TV. At college, my roommate has a TV in our room. I find it to be a distraction, but I’m learning how to avoid the draw of the screen. Most of the time if the TV’s on, I just have to go somewhere quiet to get anything accomplished. The TV seems like a good way to relax once in a while, but more often it seems to just waste my time. Usually, there’s something else I’d rather being doing than staring at a screen.