Wrapping It Up

A lot has changed since my first entry. Even though I thought that I was a smart media consumer there was so much that I didn't know about. MCOM072, along with MCOM070 has taught me some valuable lessons. Now when I see a newspaper I actually analyze it, the contents, the headline, the type, the writing style...before I simply saw it and would read it but that was it. I also find myself searching for media where ever I go. It has become a habbit for me. I never thought about the planning, mapping and constant revising of evey little detail that the average media consumer can easily overlook. I have learned to be more critical and ask questions about what I see. I'll be honest before this semester I hardly ever watched the news, or read a newspaper. Now I find myself picking one up every day and tuning in every night at 6pm. BBC is my favorite and pretty much the only news that I watch. Every once in a while I will swtich to FOX or ABC news to get some entertainment. I have also come to know how the media is integrated with larger companies and how messed up the world really is. It's depressing but it is the truth. There is scandal and corruption almost everywhere I just didn't know about it and for that matter I didn't want to know. It's also nice to know where we are headed in the future. New media is replacing old media, presenting innovative technology and convenience to the fullest. This has been an experience, and like I said in my last post I will continue to write on so for now peace. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and all the rest : )

check out the news

"Write On"

I will continue blogging. I have to say that I enjoyed this. At first I thought it would be a pain to constantly have to write all the time. But I realized that I like writing, even if I am not that good at it yet, I will keep practicing. You know that practice makes perfect. I found it reminded me of how I used to have a diary when I was a young girl. Life was so much simpler back then... anyway I will keep this blog if I don't find a better one. It has become a part of me, and I find that it is a great way to vent! I need some king of relief from this crazy world. Writing is a stress reliever for me, I just get it all out and then I feel a little better. The class was interesting, I learned about new types of media, and how the media world is constantly changing. This has been one of my better classes b/c it actually interests me. I'll be honest I probably wouldn't have even started a blog if I didn't take this class. I heard about them but I never really looked into it. Now I don't feel so far behind when it comes to technology and the media. Thank you for showing me the way to blogging If anyone wants to keep in touch you know where you can reach me :)

LOST

I don’t know if I mentioned this before but I LOVE Lost. This hit TV show on ABC has captivated me for 3 seasons. It’s ironic, b/c before I even got into the show my Mom was always talking about it, she is addicted to it by the way. Anyway, I never really paid any attention to it. It just sounded like another stupid, overplayed series to watch b/c there is nothing else on. But I was wrong… it’s so much more! I was actually in Poland when I saw the fist Lost. The show had progressed by then. Even though the whole thing was in Polish I knew the minute I started to watch that it was true love. I even got my husband into the show. I know it’s it filled with drama and never ending suspense but I just can’t get enough of it. After that, I wanted more, so we found a program that you have to pay for, and then it started. I downloaded every episode of the 1st season so I could catch up. We didn’t have anything else to do so we closed the door, got some popcorn and got down to business. We watched about like 6 hours of Lost which is ridiculous to say the most! When I came back home to the US I was keyed up to watch the second season. Every Wednesday night at 9:00 I would sit down to get LOST. Our anniversary is almost here, I can’t believe it’s been a year. The creator of Lost has to be pretty imaginative to come up with some of the stuff that goes on with the show. I have to say though; the show seems a little shorter, considering there is a commercial every freiken five minutes! I am not even joking. The show used to be like 40 minutes plus 20 minutes in a 1 hour block. Now it seems more like the show is barely 30 minutes with 30 minutes of commercials! So why do I torture myself by putting up with this every Wednesday? Watch the show!!! I know that I can watch it online, but it’s kind of a ritual now for me. Plus I don’t really want to sit and stare at the computer, I’d rather watch TV. This season seemed to go by way too quick, I can’t wait until it starts up again. By the way, Josh Hollaway (aka Sawyer is totally hot!

Advertising Rights

When I went to Ad Age’s homepage today and a headline caught my eye, "Pediatricians Demand Cuts in Children-Targeted Advertising." Regardless of whether you are in advertising or not, this story should concern you b/c it has to do with First Amendment Rights. Certain groups are asking that junk-food ads be banned during shows viewed mostly by children under age 8. They also requested that alcohol ads be limited to product pictures and text and erectile-dysfunction ads be limited to after 10 p.m. A request for a complete ban on tobacco ads also was under discussion. This is dangerous and imposes severe wide-reaching limits and is a threat to advertising everywhere. Advertising is certainly protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution Even though advertising or "Commercial speech" has less First Amendment protection from governmental infringement than other types of speech. The Federal Trade Commission, for example, can regulate speech that is found to be deceptive. Any individual can make a complaint against an ad. However it has to go through the proper channels. The FCC or the FTC has the authority to determine whether an advertisement is appropriate or not. Yet they use a 4 part test for assessing government restrictions on commercial speech. This was set forth in a landmark case, Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. v. Public Service Commission Of New York. This has become the standard for all commercial speech cases. Anyway, these requests are too broad. If this is aloud to happen, the pendulum for First Amendment protection will swing back to 1942. At this point in time, commercial advertisements were considered to be outside the First Amendment's protection. We have come a long way with the First Amendment. We do not want to go back now. This is just another way to open the door to more censorship, and infringement of the First Amendment, and we can not let that happen.

Opinion To JOUR163

I do not see any point in enhancing the teaching of traditional media. There is a reason that new forms of media are established; why would you try to go against new technology and dwell on the past? That is never the solution. Isn’t it JMC’s job to offer the tools student’s need to succeed in today's world? That means teaching the newest forms of media out there b/c so we can be prepared for the professional world of media and communication. If you want to learn about traditional forms of media take a history class! We are in the age of technological innovation. This is obviously an improvement from older forms of media. I think that the course should explore and expand our reach of new media. It is important for students to learn what new things are available and out there to make communication a little easier. It’s a digital world now and we should embrace it. I also think that the teachers that are leading this class should have a decision in what it is going to become; this is obviously there field and the school should acknowledge their opinion, especially since it is a new course.

"Boze Narodzenie"-Christmas

Doesn't it seem like our holidays are blending more and more these days? It is only almost the end of November and I have been hearing Christmas ads since October! My mom already did her Christmas shopping. It is all about the presents here, and sometimes it is sickening how we as Americans are so materialistic. Well I had the chance last year to experience Christmas in another country and it is much different. People weren't fighting over things in the stores and rushing around like mad to get things done. It just all seemed to slow down. People were pleasant stopping to wish each other a “Wesoly Sviont” and so on. It is all about religion and traditional over there, especially for my in-laws and I can appreciate that. I won't get into the religion bit b/c I just don't want to go there but I will describe the tradition. There wasn't that much emphasis on presents, however there was an exchange of gifts. It was short and sweet. We spent most of the holiday time going to relatives’ houses and having supper or tea and just spending some quality time together. We had 4 dinner parties before the 24th and on Christmas day we stayed home and had a nice, quiet dinner. That is what it's about for me, the family. I love the presents but being with the ones you love and all is priceless, even though I couldn't communicate very well with them because I am learning Polish but I don't think I will ever be fluent in it :( Anyway the traditions are very different over there. Polish people eat lots of food especially on the holidays. I mean like 14 different courses with side dishes, not including desserts. Traditionally you eat like 7 different types of fish dishes. At first I was kind of put off by this idea but I ate it and I ate it all-oh except for the blood soup and the gut soup. I just can't do that! You wouldn't believe the amount of food that you are supposed to eat, it's crazy. It is safe to way I practically waddled to the car I was so full. Anyway it was fun to get away from the chaos that we create during the holidays!

There Goes The Neighborhood

When we look at global issues global warming is at the top of the list and it will have devastating effects not only on the environment but on the economy, and humanity. The largest result would be the rise in sea level which could lead to water shortages, massive population displacement, decreased food production and extensive species extinction, including humans. The question is not if it happens its when is it going to happen? Scientists have found recent results from drilling and analyzing core samples from some of the world's oldest glaciers, which have convinced some scientists that we will encounter an 'ice age' in the future, as little as a decade or 2. That is scary. With this rise in sea level The melting of the polar ice caps would bring more fresh water into the Atlantic Ocean resulting in an effect on the Gulf Stream, part of The Great Conveyor Belt. This system gives the northern regions of the world a temperate climate. If this natural flow of cold and warm current is disrupted the ocean currents will shift, and the results will be disastrous. People are not paying attention to what could happen here. We have evidence of this situation as a possibility! That alone should wake people up. Recently there has been mush debate on the global warming issue. “The 1997 Kyoto Protocol, a product of an international treaty on climate change, was ratified by 165 countries between 2005 and 2006. It requires 35 industrialized countries to cut greenhouse gases emissions to 5 percent below 1990 levels by 2012.” Australia and the U.S., aka the world's largest greenhouse gas emitters, are the only two major industrialized countries to reject the Kyoto Protocol. “The Bush administration objected to the Kyoto Protocol because developing nations that produce significant amounts of greenhouse gases do not have to meet the same goals as developed nations.” So basically we are saying well why should we have to when they aren’t… The U.S. has also said that this emissions reduction would hurt the economy. Well that’s nice, when nature is giving us the beat down of a life time we can look back and think about our selfishness. Although many nations have agreed to decrease emissions in the past, many have failed and have actually increased them globally. It’s time to stop making empty promises and follow through with this or else.

K Fed going down

I decided to take a little break on the real issues for a bit and focus on some celebrity entertainment. Here’s a long awaited newsflash: On November 7th 2006 mommy Spears filed for divorce. I am not a die hard fan of Britney Spears but I do not like Kevin Federline so I am going to be rooting for the mommy in this one. Finally Britney has smartened up and kicked her blood thirsty boy toy to the curb. What the hell was she thinking anyway? He sucks at dancing, singing, and living! He dated actress Shar Jackson, and has 2 children with her as well. Actually he was with Britney while Shar was pregnant with his 2nd child, which is messed up! After he found out about the divorce- on his blackberry ha-ha, Federline counter-filed court papers wanting spousal support and sole custody of the couple’s two children, 1 year old Sean Preston, and infant son Jayden James. Hmm let's compare, wealthy successful all-known pop singer v deadbeat dad flop out loser. I don’t’ think so, but hey you never know, there are many injustices out there and this could be one of them. As for Federline’s “career” the tracks of his new album debuted at 151 on the Billboard 200, only selling 6,000 copies during its first week. In an MTV interview last week Federline jokingly said if his album didn’t do well on the charts “I would probably poop on myself.” Well Federloser lets see it! Good thing that Britney has that iron-clad prenup she doesn’t want to talk about, b/c Federloser is looking to score some moola, and he is going to get paid either way, just not as much as he would like! In the end there is no doubt in my mind that Federline will try to find some other meal ticket…

Bush wants SPACE

“U.S. President George W. Bush has signed an order declaring the United States’ right to deny adversaries access to space for hostile purposes.” (yeah who he deems hostile, which would be everyone standing in his way of glorious domination) “Bush also said the United States would oppose the development of treaties or other restrictions that seek to prohibit or limit U.S. access to or use of space.” First off, Bush is stating that he can limit other countries to space? That is bullshit! Second, the greedy bastard will not accept any limitations on himself! How can we make the rest of the world hate us even more? We have to go and make yet a dumb ass comment like this. This world is so messed up, everyone wants to own everything, money is the root of all evil, etc etc… I know that is the way things have been since the beginning, divide and conquer, but it sucks! What gives Bush the right to even think that he can conquer and dominate space!!! This is absurd. We don’t even know how big the universe is! How can we claim it all! This pisses me off, everyone is so greedy! He is even pressuring NASA for manned missions to Mars… I don’t have anything against the exploration of space, but to actually claim it? We are like a spec when it comes to the cosmos. Our government is very greedy, wanting to get their grimy hands on everything in existence. It’s not enough that we consume almost everything on this planet, but now we have to go and do this??? Clearly Bush refuses to acknowledge that we might not be the only ones out there! What if we aren't? If Bush thinks that we can go and claim space for ourselves, how are the life forms that are already out there going to feel? I hope they won’t take the greedy politicians as a representation of the entire human race and vaporize our asses. Anyway people all over the world are outraged at Bush’s stupid idea. Read the article.

TV Propositions' Intentions

I am so sick of the campaign commercials for the propositions. They are so repetitive and they don't even really explain what the proposition is all about. They use such heavy propaganda with the intent to encourage or discourage the audience from voting for one party, and hammer it into your head so it stays there. These proposition campaigns also use quotes out of context from the original documentation. This can change the whole meaning of the point being discussed. Political groups use this to their advantage to attack the opposing campaign, often blurring the real truth and omitting important details that can affect the voter’s opinion. It’s all about the image of the proposition, not the actual facts. Luckily when general election time comes around they send out booklets explaining every proposition in depth. Furthermore they even sum each one up in a sweet little package for the voters that don’t want to go through the entire documentation so they have no excuse to not know what they are voting for unless they are alliterate. Being alliterate means that a person only chooses to read when they have to, like for work. It is commonly known that a lot of people in the U.S. can’t read or choose not to. We rank 49th in the illiteracy rate, and that isn’t even including the people that can read yet choose not to. They make decisions solely on what they see and hear on TV, mistaking many things presented as fact when they are actually generalized, heavily diluted, or just made up. A lot of those individuals don’t even know what they are voting for b/c they don’t have all the necessary facts to make an educated decision. So when the Official Voter Information Guide is mailed to “responsible” voters, some of them take one look at the booklet and toss it in the corner where it sits there collecting dust with the rest of the books that they have neglected. Then they happily trot off to “do their part” when they have in their minds only what they saw on TV from those advertising campaigns commanded by political propaganda bullshit instead of basing their educated opinions on the real facts! While the actual illiterates can’t defend themselves from the ads, b/c they don’t have the ability to consume the facts unless someone tells them. This is the role of those campaign ads. The people that drive these proposition campaigns know a good sum of people like to take the easy way out, so they target the non-readers and TV viewers. They tell people what to think often misinforming the audience. Political propaganda plays a dirty game and can heavily influence an opinion. Just remember there are two sides to everything and always get the facts! Check out this video

I watched the new "Celebrity Paranormal Project" that aired last night on VH1. It's about 5 celebrities that visit a supposedly haunted location. They go inside the haunted location and try to see or hear any paranormal activity. I don't know what to believe... I mean it's on TV so chances are it is probably staged but the people that share the experiences with the beyond seem genuinely scared. What is interesting is that when the celebs get their assignments the base command tells them the whole story about the deceased they are trying to connect with. So the celebs automatically have this image and idea in their head of what they are going to see. They also can’t return to the base until they have completed their assignment. The cognitive perception is easily fooled when the idea is already presented in their mind. So it is hard to determine whether the images the experiences are real. I also think that this show is a little disrespectful towards the dead. The people go in and contact the dead just so they can have the experience. I do believe in spirits and maybe some of them are trapped but I don't think that it is right to disturb the dead. It’s not like they are trying to free the spirits so they can “cross over.” It seems more for the purpose of entertainment, even so when I was watching the show it did give me chills at some points. I wonder if the celebs get paid for it…

American Beauty

So I came across an advertisement for American Laser Centers. It’s a full page ad with an attractive blonde hotty on the right hand side. On the left there is a small caption saying: American Beauty-“Looking gorgeous is easy when you choose with confidence” This of course suggests to choose American Laser Centers. I think this ad uses stereotypes. The woman used is a blonde hair, blue eyed beauty. This is such a big stereotype of the all American girl. Remember those old movies with the high school chicks? They were the perfect package of the all American girl. But what is interesting is that this girl in the ad isn’t a natural blonde. She has dark roots, and flawless skin… artificial beauty. Whatever happened to the “natural beauty?” Women in America are becoming more fake every day; fake breasts, fake tans, fake fingernails. Plastic surgery is at an all time high, fake breasts, fake skin, fake face. We constantly cover our faces with shit. We are all looking for a quick fix b/c people have become lazy. Not to mention those TV shows, “Dr 90210”, “Extreme Makeover”, or “I Want a Famous Face.” This country has an obsession with physical perfection. From the outside eye, women are portrayed as beautiful and perfect… but they are totally fake! Those women with 5 inch long nails bleach blonde hair, orange tinted skin from “fakin’ bake.” Sometimes it’s really sickening. What’s wrong with having your natural skin? Why do you have to have butt implants and D cups? I guess this is more appealing to many than less b/c it’s taking over our idea of being beautiful...

straight up

First I would like to say that I am not going to talk about what other people wrote. I Love Lucy, All in the Family, Mash... didn't we talk about all those in class? Whatever, I am going to be honest. First I have to say BBC World News is number one. I watch the news a lot and after watching Fox, or CNN, or ABC news networks. I turn on the BBC World News to see what is really going on. Let's face it our news networks are all the same, sometimes focusing on trivial things that are only for entertainment. And really what happened to news isn't supposed to have an opinion? That is so dead here! You flick through the channels only to find that each news show is talking about the same thing...BBC shows you what is happening in the world without repeating the same damn headline over and over again. I find this really important. It might not be so influential with society and all but that's how I feel straight up.

Second I would have to give it to Reading Rainbow. This show along with Sesame Street encouraged reading among many children. It's interesting to know that LeVar Burton, who is also known for his roles in Roots and Star Trek: The Next Generation, which were also influential TV shows. Reading Rainbow Reading Rainbow has won 7 Emmy awards for Outstanding Children's Series over the last 10 years. Celebs like Bill Cosby have guest starred on the show to read to the children(actually i think i remember that one). This show was very influential for kids and still is.

Third I have to hail to South Park. I can not express how much I love this show. It mainly focuses on "American culture and current events, and challenges deep-seated convictions and taboos, usually employing parody and black comedy"-Wikipedia. Examples of some episodes: when Paris Hilton comes to town "stupid spoiled whore", the conflict with Michael Jackson, and most recently the one with Bush and 911. That one was great! At the end of every episode there usually is an important, heart felt lesson expressed by one of the 4 boys. Each episode focuses on something that is or has taken place in recent events, which gives fans something to relate to. Unless you get those "crab people" episodes that are totally random. It is also interesting to know that Cartmen's character, that butt hole, is based on Archie Bunker. Even though this show is not aimed towards kids, seeing that it is on at 10pm, they probably still watch it-which is the parent's fault by the way. Anyway this show has gained much popularity and some harsh criticisms from many public protests, religious groups and so on. But Matt Stone and Trey Parker just use it for inspiration often reflecting the shows criticisms in their episodes. They are genius.

Take It To The Limit

I am a divided fan of Howard Stern. I saw Private Parts many times and have enjoyed it every time. I do watch the show sometimes with my husband b/c there is just nothing else like it. The stuff that goes down on that show, sometimes, is pretty disgusting but I try to keep an open mind. Sometimes I feel like he goes way too far, but then again I still watch to see what will happen. Howard definitely takes it to the limit and then some. I think it is a good example of how much freedom you can really have in this country, even when media is constantly censored and restrained, but then again Stern is now totally uncensored. If I had satellite radio and enough time to listen to it while driving, I would listen to the show. It beats the other asses I hear on the radio in the morning in that short time I commute to school. The regular guests (at least on the episodes I've seen on demand) consist of porn stars and celebrities or something along those lines. Did anyone see the latest one with Dustin Diamond? I heard that was worth watching, ha ha. Oh and I can't believe how far they went with the Sybian-it was a birthday present to Howard. It is used a great deal on the show, I don't dare put a link up for that but click here for the link to the website. And you can't forget about the crew, specifically Artie and Robyn, but the other guys are pretty entertaining as well.

Behind the Screens

The movie “A Face in the Crowd” is a compelling story, written by Budd Schulberg and directed by Elia Kazan in 1957. This story is full of cynical humor and scheming characters. It also gives today’s present audience an idea of what life used to be like when mass media was still young and how people fell to the power of persuasion in advertising. Larry or “Lonesome” Rhodes, played by Andy Griffith, is a tumble weed just rolling with the wind, when Marcia Jeffries, played by Patricia Neal discovers him in a jail house interview while trying to find some interesting personalities for her radio talk show. Marcia is a business savvy, yet naïve woman who finds a spark of interest in Lonesome Rhodes’s personality. Rhodes appears to be a simple, well-spoke, country boy who can give the people a good piece of mind and what they crave, when he is in fact the exact opposite. So Marcia puts him on the radio encouraging Rhodes to do the Early Bird Show on KGRK radio and wham bam he is an overnight sensation. It all seems innocent at first, Rhodes tells it like it is and the people love it. But when the big heads realize that Rhodes actually has power over the people they seek to obtain his influence on America. When the over night sensation gains fans, sponsors and endorsements, his success gives him more power which turns him into a symbol of knowledge and influence. On his path to corruption Lonesome Rhodes is twisted into a sick maniacal, power hungry man. “This whole country's just like my flock of sheep! Hillbillies, hausfraus - everybody that's got to jump when someone else blows a whistle! They're mine!” This quote accurately describes Rhodes to his rotten core when the power of mass persuasion consumes him and fame and fortune goes to his head. Rhodes spins out of control spewing any rubbish that people will listen to, and influencing political powers in order to obtain higher ratings from fans. The sweet irony of this story is that Lonesome Rhodes becomes a manipulative, dishonest tramp of the media; the very thing that he used to criticize which also makes him a hypocrite, to add to the satire his pure image is shattered by his very maker, Marcia, and his true nature is revealed. Watch as this timeless classic of wealth, power, and corruption unfolds behind the screens in “A Face in the Crowd.”

Money Saver

To respond to the current Skype issue, I don't live on campus so it doesn't directly have an affect on me, but I do use it nonetheless. My husband's parents live in Poland and we use Skype every day to keep in touch with them. It is a big money saver for us. If we didn't have Skype we would be paying quite a sum on our phone bill. We were calling them using our regular service before we had Skype and it was costing like $2-$4 a minute or something ridiculous like that! I think that skype helps students out with their money and being student we need our money! Any way hurray for Skype :)

Above the Law

These days it seems like a lot of high class people are above the law. Is this fair? Celebrity Paris Hilton was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence early Thursday after "driving erratically" and failing a field sobriety test, police said. "The DUI charge would be a misdemeanor. Hilton has been released on her own recognizance and is scheduled to appear in court at the end of the month, at which time she will learn if she will be charged." Do celebrity convicted criminals get lighter sentences than ordinary people? I doubt that they would wonder about charging anybody else. I thought that the law was the law and nobody is above the law. But you always here about the one that got away. Celebs are usually receiving lesser punishments then "ordinary people" these days. Take the case of famous Michael Jackson. And what about what really happens when celebs are arrested. Sometimes the public doesn't even get to hear what really went down. The case of Mel Gibson is appalling! I didn't know he said and did all that stuff? Sources say that the Deputy that handled the case was told to write another report with omitted details for the public, probably to maintain the celeb's image. They called "sanitizing the report." That is messed up. I think that celebs should be shown in their true light, they are supposed to be somewhat of a role model figure for the public!

Magazine Info

I was looking at the latest issue of People Magazine yesterday and I noticed that the first few pages had advertisements for food: rich chocolates, cakes and goody desserts. As I continued on, I noticed that the pages that followed the ads were all about dieting! Isn't this a little contradictory to advertise sweets to women and then tell them their too fat?
Anyway at the moment I have been reading SELF, the articles not the ads. Even though this magazine has lots of advertisements I still like the stories. The one I read was about a woman getting cancer and what she had to go through. It was both informative and emotional. I couldn't believe how many ads there were. I would say about 80% of the magazine was just ads. Of course they were ads that have to do with health and beauty: Almay, Loreal, Olay, Neutrogena just to name a few. There were also bra ads, and dieting foods. The rest of the magazine was about exercising to stay in shape or get in shape, and how to spice up your love life. I like other magazines in addition to the superficial ones; such as Time. Time has all the scientific stuff and important facts that I like to know. Here is the new story this week for the women out there, you should read this article.

I prefer magazines over newspaper b/c they are easier to flip through, and navigate, for me anyway. I also like the personal touch. Last class we were discussing how magazines have a tone to them and I agree. The stories written in newspapers are more professional and serious. I like being able to relate to the story and the emotional appeal does the trick for me.

The Kite Runner Essay

In my view The Kite Runner is an epic story with a personal history of what the people of Afghanistan had and have to endure in an ordinary every day life; a country that is divided between political powers and religiously idealistic views and beliefs which creates poverty, and violence within the people and their terrorist run country. The story line is more personal with the description of Afghanistan’s culture and traditions, along with the lives of the people who live in Kabul. The story provides an educational and eye-opening account of a country's political chaos. Of course there are many things that are unsaid and under explained in this tragic novel which, in my observation, is an oversimplification. There is also a heavy use of emotional appeal, and an underlying message. This is a flag for propaganda.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini begins in the 1970s in Kabul, Afghanistan, when the country is in a time of an ending monarchy. The main character, Amir, is the son of wealthy Afghanistan business man, and his playmate, Hassan, the son of his father's houseman, Ali. Hassan is a Hazara and Amir is a Pashtun, which makes them from different social classes. The author has undoubtedly stirred my emotions and I admit that I did cry several times. I think that this was the author's objective; this is an appeal to emotion, one of the fallacies of propaganda. Propaganda is a message or an idea that persuades the audience to change their perspectives in one way or another. There are many faces of propaganda but this to my knowledge is one that is easy to recognize. I ‘m not saying I didn’t like The Kite Runner, the author had me after the first chapter and then I couldn’t put it down. However I am naïve when it comes to politics and propaganda, so at first I didn’t even consider this book a form of persuasion. But as I thought about it, I came to the conclusion that The Kite Runner is just that.

There are many oversimplifications and stereotypes, even if they may be from a reality-based ideology. The ethnic group of the Hazara and the Pashtun is not entirely developed. Amir was always referred to as a Pashtun but the background of the Pashtun isn’t fully touched upon. The narrator only focuses on the Mongolian-like physical features of the Hazara’s, and because of this diversity, they are considered a more lowly class than Pashtuns. They are commonly viewed as an outsider; only being fully accepted into society to be servants for wealthy Pashtuns like Amir, and his Baba. Assef, the hated and much renowned bully in Kabul who just happens to worship Hitler and his beliefs of ethnic-cleansing, is a stereotype. I loathed him when reading this novel, but in every story there has to be the “good guy” and the “bad guy,” which are also labels. Of course there always has to be two goons backing the bully; Wali and Kamal in this case. Assef portrayed the perfect evil character; the child raping, Hitler-worshipping racial-supremacist! It’s a given to hate this guy, he is committing the ultimate crime that everyone disgusts.

A short history: the meaning of propaganda significantly changed after Hitler had continuously used it to gain power and control over his audiences. The term was and still is linked with words like evil and manipulative. However all propaganda is not evil and misleading. Every business uses propaganda, how else would they make money? The key word here is persuasion and it depends on how you use it. Hitler perverted the term propaganda to the point that some people still do not want to be associated with the word.

The largest propaganda technique that I recognized was Appeal to Emotion; the obvious reason why I was drawn into the story. The story is of a personal, graphic nature and paints the reader a picture in much detail. These events that take place are also very horrifying. An example: the story opens with the scene when Hassan is being sodomized in a remote alley of Kabul by Assef, while Amir silently watches hiding behind a corner. That is a large use of foreshadowing for the main character and his personality. It also grabs the attention of an audience. How about the part where Hassan and his wife are brutally shot out in the street for no real reason? I know I cried at that part, and also the scene where Sohrab comes out dressed like a doll with rouge on his cheeks and heavy eye make-up. That is sick and it enraged me! Scenes like this stir emotion, are appealing to the reader, and therefore make it easier for the story to send a message and for the reader to receive it. I believe that the author’s message was to show the reader that everyone in Afghanistan is not a terrorist and many live in fear of the terrorist acts that have taken place.

This book has shed some light on Afghanistan’s culture and its hardships. I had ideas but I can’t pretend that I can imagine what it’s like for people to go through these life changing experiences. I have some sort of perspective and feelings towards Afghanistan and what they have been through and this story makes me sympathize for the people and makes me feel fortunate for what I have. I think the author achieved his goal of sending the message. America is a sheltered country and I think that The Kite Runner can give people an idea of what it feels like to have to live under constant fear and struggle. Now that I can identify propaganda accurately I do consider this book a form of widespread propaganda due to the mass audience it has and the strong emotions and occurrences this book uses to reach the reader.

Many people seem to think that all of Afghanistan’s citizens are terrorists or bad people, and I don’t agree. I think that the people are stuck and engaged in between political strife and a violent war, and many of them do support the terrorists but there are some who are innocent. There are many reviews on this novel saying that it's not a good story line and it's nothing but a force of persuasion, and there are many that are for it. I liked the story, it kept me engaged, and I enjoyed reading it. I also got the message.

Skinny Ban Yes!!!

There is a new band on fashion, and it's not eating. I'm talking about the new "skinny ban" that took place at Madrid's fashion week. Madrid's regional government imposed the rules on fashion week to protect the models as well as teenagers who may develop anorexia as they try to copy underweight catwalk stars. The mayor of Milan, Italy, Letizia Moratti, told an Italian newspaper she would seek a similar ban for her city's show unless it could find a solution to "sick" looking models. Meanwhile some other hot spot fashion locations are protesting in fear of the ban, saying that it is a bad idea and it that it could effect models and designers everywhere. Well isn’t that the idea? It's about time someone has payed attention to what message the media is sending young girls and women everywhere. For so long the public has looked at being rail thin as sexy and alluring, when it is actually very unhealthy and defying. Many women defy themselves everyday by making the simple decision of not eating. They lie to themselves by saying it will make them beautiful and popular when it is actually killing them. This sort of message can be damaging to young girls' self-image and to their health. It is an easy path to an eating disorder and once you go there, its not an easy road back. I commend the new ban on being too skinny, maybe this will help to start a new trend, or healthier trend b/c models really shouldn't look like scare crows and skeletons. Check out the pic, sexy huh? Ugghhh!

paper vs .com

VS

So I picked up the daily Mercury News and was looking through it, and I can honestly say that the online version is much easier to get through. You have the convenience of not having to search through the paper for the section you want. The online news has neat little columns listed right there for you, just click and your there. I prefer reading online versions b/c I admit I am lazy and I hate folding the newspaper over and refolding. I know that's pathetic but at least I admit it, and I don't think I am the only one. Anyway, when I look at the homepage for Mercury News the visuals are different. Sometimes they display a different picture for the same story, or they give a short version of the full story posted in the newspaper. The reason why I like the online newspaper is, when you look in the classifieds you don’t have to strain your eyes to read the tiny print that is usually in the paper. Another difference is the newspaper is full of advertisements; a full page for Verizon, Macy's has a 2 page spread (that's not necessary). When choosing the online news at least you get to decide if you want to look at the ad by clicking on it, the newspaper just throws it onto page 5 and you end up looking at it anyway. Also, it doesn't cost anything to read the news online. Hey free is free. The biggest difference of the 2 forms of media are the headlines. They seem more impacting in the newspaper: IS NEW YORK REALLY SAFER THAN SAN JOSE? The online version is: Is New York really safer than San Jose? See here: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/crime_courts/15562255.htm This different representation causes the online headline to have less of an impact. The paper headline is in all caps. That grabs your attention. The online headline just doesn’t have the same effect as the printed version.

The Kite Runner

I just finished reading the book The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini. I thought that this was going to be another political propaganda book but when I started reading it, that idea quickly faded. I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It was a riveting story and it held my interest in every chapter, I even cried at a few points. I couldn't put it down. The reason why I felt it wasn’t propaganda is b/c I didn’t feel like someone was trying to sell me something or persuade me in any way. I came away with a new understanding of what the people of Afghanistan went through and what they had and still have to deal with.

Books?

Whenever I think of media it is always the more popular forms like the net, and TV, it's weird how things become outdated. I know some people that don't even read anymore, that's a shame but it's their choice. I however like my books. I am not a collector but I do keep some of the books I read. I was recently thinking about what would happen if we didn't have books. Would they be in a digital form of a book, or solely on the computer screen? I don't know, and I hope not b/c staring at the screen for hours like you take the time to read a book would cause me a lot of headaches! What about reading in the tub, that's a classic past time, or just carrying a book around? Replace that with a laptop and that would be a pain. Of course there has already been a revolution in books, where there are digital novels and books in palm pilots but I hope that the world doesn't think it's time to move on. Personally I am a romantic and there is just something about cozying up with a book, and enjoying every turn of a page, with that anticipation of what will be on the next page. Somehow I don't think I would feel the same if I was scrolling on a computer screen...

downloading and the industry

It's been years now but I remember when Napster first came out, people immediately got busy downloading as much as they could. I didn't care how much time it took b/c I was a teen at that point and I loved my music. I also thought that it wouldn't last b/c this is America and nothing is for free. Then one day I remember that it became illegal to download music for free and lawbreakers would be found and penalized under the "no electronic theft act." People continued to download, knowing that it was now a crime. Then people started to download these “spoofs" which are advertisements or horrible screeching noises that disrupt the song. This made downloading discouraging so I guess the idea worked. I thought that this was a dirty approach to maintain record sales and revenue but I realized that the record companies thought that this was the only alternative. Naturally I was frightened by the thought of going to jail and losing all the money that I didn't have so I stopped… Then there was Kazaa, Lime wire Winmx, and all the others. These programs were and are very tempting, and no matter what efforts the RIAA pursues, new programs and technologies emerge. However, companies were sued; Napster was shut down and later reopened with a subscription service offered to music lovers, along with others that came along like ITunes. Other file sharing programs that refused to conform to subscription services and fight for free music in the end were abated. The record companies won out and the programs were shut down and still are. So why are all of these extremes being taken? Well maybe music is being made for the wrong reasons... If there were no record companies, no RIAA, BMI, or ASCAP, it's possible music artists wouldn't be sitting in the top 5 list of the wealthiest people in America. Some music artists make a ridiculous amount of money. Artists could play for the fans, they could maybe travel around the globe and have a completely different lifestyle, they could sell their cd's to people at live concerts, find new opportunities and endorsements from using technology. With that said record companies shouldn’t be fighting this new wave of technology; it is just another way for them to make money. Ring tones, iTunes, and file sharing cost money, and everyone gets a piece. That’s vertical integration for you. Everyone helps everybody as long as it’s good for the head companies. Also, on that note when you download a song it’s not like the cd- quality you would get if you bought the original. Copying music seems like a part of music history, b/c that’s all it comes down to, making the music and getting it heard. People have been copying cassette tapes, cds, and movies, for years. The only difference between the copying now and the copying then is it wasn’t monitored; not visible to the public eye like the Internet is. Record companies do not like the Internet b/c it is a true path for change. They are stuck in the Stone Age. With technology comes evolution, and that is inevitable. The RIAA should accept and embrace technology to entice the consumer and bring them back with new things to use and new alternatives.

Technorati

I have just registered with Technorati for people to search my blog if they want.
This is a new post just trying to see if my claim worked for Technorati...
Technorati Profile

Consumer Type

I would consider myself a smart media consumer b/c I consume all types of media. I don't buy into things very easily, I like to do my research before buying a product just b/c I saw it being advertised somewhere. I like to compare different perspectives: for instance I watch US World News, and then compare it to BBC World News and there are striking differences in everything from presentation to the headlines... I watch TV, and I like watching commercials. It's just one way for me to see what else is new and out there for the consumer. I also surf the net a bit, now I am kind of a "newsy". I look at magazines, I'm usually a flipper but lately I've been buying them. I definitely buy things to try them out too. I watch TV for a few hours at night, the news, my favorites like discovery, and discovery science, comedy central, stuff like that.
Before I was one of those ignorant people who didn't want to know what was going on with politics and such. I figured what is the point, but the point is that I now need to know, its not a matter of wanting to be informed. I feel like there are many injustices in our country, and even though I get really pissed, I have realized its better to be in the know than being in the dark and pretending everything is fine...

9/11 Workers Cheated

The heroes of 9/11 have been cheated; this is such an injustice on the government's part. How can they deny that there is a link between the health issues?! Dr. Stephen Levin, the director of Mount Sinai's monitoring program and a co-author of the study, complained that his patients were "being called malingerers and liars and cheats" when they sought health benefits from the government. Is this the way that we treat our heroes? We bash them when they reach out for help? There is striking evidence linking the sick to Ground Zero. There are workers complaining that the air was so dense and smoky that they were choking for a fresh breath. The Environmental Protection Agency assured the public and the workers that the air was healthy and there was nothing to worry about. Well look at that, another lie from the government. These poor people dedicated hundreds of hours to cleaning up the mess, some have died from the illnesses they have been exposed to, and the rest have to live with ailments like cancer for the rest of their lives, however long that may be... this is a shame and I hope it will force more people to pay attention to what is going on. By the way do the environments in the pictures look healthy to work in???

Here are the links to the sites that I found but originally it was covered on CNN briefly...

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/local/story/449817p-378596c.html,

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-health6sep06,1,4224519.story?coll=la-headlines-nation&track=crosspromo

UFO

Last night I was watching UFO videos on google video, I think that it is ignorant for people to think that we are the only ones in the universe. There has to be others out there, and if there are why are they avoiding us? Just a thought... the video was about compiled videos that people posted on the net and some of the footage was mind blowing but then there were others that were totally fake. Of course I have always been a believer but I don't take it to a level of obsession like some other people do. There are skeptics that think that every UFO sighting has an explanation, is a hoax, or is part of a government conspiracy. I am not saying that they are wrong but its a shame how some people can be selfish enough to think that it is all about us. No one knows, or do they? In the video, NASA claimed that they have seen things out in space that can not be accounted for, like when Apollo 11 was flying around out in space they saw something that was traveling near them, and the only other space craft that was out there at that time was very far away. So there definitely was something out there but NASA never released that information to the Press for fear of it hindering them. This is just one of many examples, so you have to wonder what else does the government hide from us?

A New World

Hi my name is Megan, I am 22 and I just moved here with my husband to San Jose CA from Plymouth NH. This is my 1st blog. It's pretty quiet back home but it is a whole new world out here. I was on the road for 1 week being exposed to many different types of media. We drove cross country and camped out here and there. We stayed in Salt Lake City at the KOA campground and in the morning they gave us a flyer for a discount at Denny's. We ended up stopping and eating there thanks to the flyer. During the trip I listened to the radio, caught up on some music, surfed the net, followed signs for tourist attractions, and used my cell phone.... the point is that even though I was on the road, sometimes out in the middle of no where, I was still consumed by the media. I will not pretend that I don't like the media. I love tv, music, the internet, and recently I have been watching a lot of news and getting more involved in the present issues of our world. Did anyone here about the Pascua Lama project involving 2 glaciers in Chile? Here is the link... http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/pascualama.asp. This is a true current event so check it out, it basically comes down to the water being permanently contaminated and unfit for consumption... ever :( I ended up joining the list to support the protest :) Anyway I love it here, the warm weather is beautiful, and there is so much to do. I miss Dunkin Donuts though…