Blog#5- Blogging Evaluation
1. As compared to other classes were I was required to write traditional assays the blog assignments seem a little out of the norm at first. I wasn’t clear as to what the expectations were in regard to the format or how to produce one. That had direct reflection in my first blog score which was pretty low. As we continued to the second, third and forth blogs I grasped the format and had much better understanding as to the expectations of the arguments I presented and the conclusions I came up with. I also had a clearer vision as to how to present the argument from both sides of the spectrum (for and against) and come up with hyperlinks that flow with the written text. I also had a better idea as to how to supports my arguments with relevant data. It helped me tremendously to be able to convey my thoughts and arguments and, in my opinion, made me definitely a better write that can actually support an argument. I found it to be a tremendously helpful tool to add to y writing ability and my critical thinking skills.
2. The blog assignments and merely the fact that I had to create a blog seemed a little strange at the beginning of the semester. I didn’t see the importance of that particular assignment in relation to the course objectives or outcome. But the further we progressed through the semester the more apparent was the connection between the blog assignments and critical thinking. The purpose of the class was to make us think “outside of the box” sort of speak. We were asked to take a look at the presented subjects in many different ways not only our own, “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes”, and see how they fit. I have to admit that I am not computer savvy and this class really helped me explore some “uncharted waters” that I wouldn’t have otherwise. This class thought me how to present an argument and gave me the tools to support my argument as a critical thinker. Another thing I learned while blogging was how to research a subject and how to determine what is valid information vs. invalid information and that is what critical thinking is all about, isn’t it?
3. I found the non-text elements of the blog program that I have used to be very helpful. I can’t comment on the voice thread since I haven’t used it in any of my blog assignments. However I did use Animoto which I thought was a wonderful tool and I probably will use again in future applications.
In closing, this class was very beneficial to me in many ways. As I mentioned earlier my experience with computers and the internet was very limited before I enrolled in this program, so essentially this program opened a window of opportunity to a world that I knew existed but didn’t have a part in. This class in particular helped me with many aspects of the internet that I never knew existed therefore had no idea how to use.
I was introduced to ways of thinking “outside of the box” and being able to express those thoughts into words. I learned how to bring my point across and build an argument supported by facts and furthermore learned how to present the opposing side and support that side as well. As to research of a subject this class gave me the tools and the how to knowledge. I feel very fortunate to have the chance to participate in this class. Thank You.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Blog# 4 Propaganda
Blog#4-Propaganda
The questions I will address in this blog are: what is propaganda? What is free speech? What distinguishes propaganda from the legitimate exercise of free speech? I will bring the discussion into the realm of reality with examples of both legitimate political free speech and propaganda.
I’ll start by defining the term propaganda. What is propaganda? Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community towards some cause or position. Propaganda in its most basic sense, presents information primarily to influence an audience. Propaganda often presents facts selectively to encourage a particular reaction or uses loaded messages to produce an emotional rather than rational response to the information presented. The desired result is a change of the attitude toward the subject in the target audience to further a political or any other agenda. There is what’s called propaganda techniques which are methods that are used to spread ideas to further a cause. These techniques are used to manipulate the readers or viewers reason and emotions. Many propaganda techniques are being used to persuade an audience: name calling, false analogy, testimonial, card stacking and the bandwagon technique just to name a few.
Next I’d like to define the term free speech. What is free speech or freedom of speech? Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak without censorship and/or limitation. The term freedom of expression which is related directly to the term freedom of speech is used to indicate not only freedom of verbal speech but any act of seeking, receiving or relating any information or ideas, regardless of the medium used. Freedom of speech in America is established in the very first amendment to the American Constitution:”Congress shall pass no law…abridging the freedom of speech.” Free speech is often regarded by many as one of the most important rights. At the same time, there are government efforts to regulate, restrict, or even prohibit many types of speech often with popular support.
So what distinguish propaganda from free speech? Propaganda is information that is spread for the purpose of promoting some cause and influence the intended audience. While free speech will bring to light the facts on a certain matter, idea or subject and let the audience drew its own conclusions and form its own opinion. In other words, propaganda will show the audience only part of the big picture so the facts are being taken out of context to influence the outcome (subjective). By using this tactic the audience will be influenced to reach a conclusion that will support a specific agenda. While free speech presents the whole picture and let the audience forms its conclusions (objective) without any influence to sway the results.
I started my research of modern day propaganda on the internet and found out there are some very opposing arguments from both ends of the spectrum. On one hand of the spectrum I found those who believe that propaganda doesn’t exist or if it does there is very little of it out there. On the other end of the spectrum there was the majority that believes propaganda exist in every aspect of our modern lives. The “propaganda believers”, for a lack of better term, go back to WW1 where they claim British propaganda was used against the German enemy. The same group believes that in WW2 where German propaganda was used against the Jewish people. But it doesn’t stop there, during the cold war era the United States and the Soviet Union used propaganda extensively to promote fear and strengthen public in support and advance of their agendas. In this day and age they advocating that the War on Terror is modern time propaganda.
A different aspect of the propaganda campaign that I found throughout my research was the same groups seem to believe that most of the media and political ads are propaganda. Since they prevent the audience from thinking too hard about the whole situation they are one sided, the one they want to convey as the truth. These groups view most advertisement as propaganda by that definition and claim that by turning on the news or watching commercials you’ll be exposed to plenty of propaganda. They used freecreditreport.com as an example that promotes fear in the audience to sell a product that can be obtained for free since by law the three major credit bureaus have to supply you with a free credit report but this fact isn’t mention in the ad otherwise the intended audience will not purchase the service these ads are trying to sell.
So what about legitimate political free speech? Does it exist or is it a myth? I believe that political free speech does exist in the United States. Let’s examine the process of the Presidential Elections that are held in the U.S. every four years. We live in a democracy and every legal citizen over the age of 18 therefore has the right to participate in the General Elections. During the presidential elections the main candidates meet usually in a University, before an audience of citizens, where they hold a Presidential Debate about the issues at hand and what is their position in regard to these issues. The questions are posed from one or more journalists or members of the audience. In my opinion, this is the ultimate political free speech, for this reason it won’t be found in any country that doesn’t support free speech. There is political free speech in the U.S. in every political realm; politicians can talk freely for or against the government without any censorship or penalty.
In closing, we all need to use our Critical thinking skills!!! We are very blessed to live in country that has free speech as the first amendment of the American Constitution. But as I showed in this assay living in a country that has free speech could be a two edge sward since the same freedom of speech can be taken by extremist groups and be used for propaganda against the country that give them this freedom. For example, extremists Muslim groups that uses that freedom of speech to infiltrate and poison public opinion as seen on the DVD Obsession where radical Islam declares war against the west. Propaganda was, is and will be part of our lives as we live in a free society where freedom of speech is one of our basic rights, so we have to be assertive as to the information we retain and the sources this information comes from, use our critical thinking skills and judge the facts on their own merit and determine what is propaganda and what are the facts and act accordingly. God Bless America!
The questions I will address in this blog are: what is propaganda? What is free speech? What distinguishes propaganda from the legitimate exercise of free speech? I will bring the discussion into the realm of reality with examples of both legitimate political free speech and propaganda.
I’ll start by defining the term propaganda. What is propaganda? Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community towards some cause or position. Propaganda in its most basic sense, presents information primarily to influence an audience. Propaganda often presents facts selectively to encourage a particular reaction or uses loaded messages to produce an emotional rather than rational response to the information presented. The desired result is a change of the attitude toward the subject in the target audience to further a political or any other agenda. There is what’s called propaganda techniques which are methods that are used to spread ideas to further a cause. These techniques are used to manipulate the readers or viewers reason and emotions. Many propaganda techniques are being used to persuade an audience: name calling, false analogy, testimonial, card stacking and the bandwagon technique just to name a few.
Next I’d like to define the term free speech. What is free speech or freedom of speech? Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak without censorship and/or limitation. The term freedom of expression which is related directly to the term freedom of speech is used to indicate not only freedom of verbal speech but any act of seeking, receiving or relating any information or ideas, regardless of the medium used. Freedom of speech in America is established in the very first amendment to the American Constitution:”Congress shall pass no law…abridging the freedom of speech.” Free speech is often regarded by many as one of the most important rights. At the same time, there are government efforts to regulate, restrict, or even prohibit many types of speech often with popular support.
So what distinguish propaganda from free speech? Propaganda is information that is spread for the purpose of promoting some cause and influence the intended audience. While free speech will bring to light the facts on a certain matter, idea or subject and let the audience drew its own conclusions and form its own opinion. In other words, propaganda will show the audience only part of the big picture so the facts are being taken out of context to influence the outcome (subjective). By using this tactic the audience will be influenced to reach a conclusion that will support a specific agenda. While free speech presents the whole picture and let the audience forms its conclusions (objective) without any influence to sway the results.
I started my research of modern day propaganda on the internet and found out there are some very opposing arguments from both ends of the spectrum. On one hand of the spectrum I found those who believe that propaganda doesn’t exist or if it does there is very little of it out there. On the other end of the spectrum there was the majority that believes propaganda exist in every aspect of our modern lives. The “propaganda believers”, for a lack of better term, go back to WW1 where they claim British propaganda was used against the German enemy. The same group believes that in WW2 where German propaganda was used against the Jewish people. But it doesn’t stop there, during the cold war era the United States and the Soviet Union used propaganda extensively to promote fear and strengthen public in support and advance of their agendas. In this day and age they advocating that the War on Terror is modern time propaganda.
A different aspect of the propaganda campaign that I found throughout my research was the same groups seem to believe that most of the media and political ads are propaganda. Since they prevent the audience from thinking too hard about the whole situation they are one sided, the one they want to convey as the truth. These groups view most advertisement as propaganda by that definition and claim that by turning on the news or watching commercials you’ll be exposed to plenty of propaganda. They used freecreditreport.com as an example that promotes fear in the audience to sell a product that can be obtained for free since by law the three major credit bureaus have to supply you with a free credit report but this fact isn’t mention in the ad otherwise the intended audience will not purchase the service these ads are trying to sell.
So what about legitimate political free speech? Does it exist or is it a myth? I believe that political free speech does exist in the United States. Let’s examine the process of the Presidential Elections that are held in the U.S. every four years. We live in a democracy and every legal citizen over the age of 18 therefore has the right to participate in the General Elections. During the presidential elections the main candidates meet usually in a University, before an audience of citizens, where they hold a Presidential Debate about the issues at hand and what is their position in regard to these issues. The questions are posed from one or more journalists or members of the audience. In my opinion, this is the ultimate political free speech, for this reason it won’t be found in any country that doesn’t support free speech. There is political free speech in the U.S. in every political realm; politicians can talk freely for or against the government without any censorship or penalty.
In closing, we all need to use our Critical thinking skills!!! We are very blessed to live in country that has free speech as the first amendment of the American Constitution. But as I showed in this assay living in a country that has free speech could be a two edge sward since the same freedom of speech can be taken by extremist groups and be used for propaganda against the country that give them this freedom. For example, extremists Muslim groups that uses that freedom of speech to infiltrate and poison public opinion as seen on the DVD Obsession where radical Islam declares war against the west. Propaganda was, is and will be part of our lives as we live in a free society where freedom of speech is one of our basic rights, so we have to be assertive as to the information we retain and the sources this information comes from, use our critical thinking skills and judge the facts on their own merit and determine what is propaganda and what are the facts and act accordingly. God Bless America!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Blog # 3- Lovemarks
The questions I will address in this particular blog are: Are there brands to which you or I are devoted to? When you or I stop to think about it, is our loyalty to any particular brand logical or is it a “lovemark”? And if purchasing a particular brand isn’t logical, why would you or I do it?
I would like to start by explaining the term “lovemarks”. Lovemarks is a marketing technique that was developed by Kevin Roberts, Chief Executive Officer Worldwide of the advertising agency “Saatchi a Saatchi,” who wrote a book by the same name. The idea behind his marketing strategy is the one that builds consumer loyalty to a brand beyond reason or logic. The three main ingredients he uses to target the consumer and achieve his goal are: mystery, sensuality and intimacy. With that term being explained let see where you and I fit in this picture since we are the target audience for this marketing strategy.
Advertisements fill up nearly every available inch of the landscape and are present in every aspect of our lives. They are on television where advertisers spend billions of dollars a year to reach their target audience or in other words us, take a look at the super bowl where advertisers spend three million dollars for 30 seconds of commercials. As consumer and technology get more and more sophisticated so do the advertisers. With the common use of the TiVo where consumers can skip the commercials by a click of a button the advertisers use the products as a part of the program as in: sex and the city which combined entertainment and advertising in very clever ways. We can see this trend in the movies as well, in the movie cast away the whole movie was used as a product placement for FedEx and the brilliant concept of the movie was that the targeted audience actually paid to see this advertisement for FedEx by purchasing tickets to see the movie.
I couldn't speak for you, but the answer to the question: Am I devoted to any particular brand beyond any logical reason? Is NO!!! I am not. I consider myself to be an educated consumer that uses logic and not emotions while shopping and I hope for your sake that you are too. I compare prices and quality and don’t just buy a product blindly because of its brand name. I must admit that in my younger years I did go for brand names and brands played a major role in my purchasing decisions, so I believe that age and experience play a major part in my consuming habits. As indicated by “The Merchants of Cool” major part of the advertising budget of corporate conglomerates is aimed at young adults since they have the funds and want to look cool and fit with their friends due to peer pressure.
The reason that I feel to be in the minority in is my daily interaction with the target audience of the advertising industry, the majority, in my opinion, is influenced by advertising and “lovemarks”. Let’s look at the reason to my opinion, if no one would respond to advertising the advertising industry would have collapsed a long time ago. But it seems to me that the advertising industry is a thriving multi-billion dollar industry which is being used by countless companies to promote their products and sales. Therefore the target audience must be influenced by the advertisements, in other words this strategy is working.
The three main questions the advertisers need answers to are: what works? When does it work? And with whom? These are the three billion dollars questions sort of speak.
So what do advertisers do to keep with the consumers? They keep creating more and more messages in hope of reaching us, as one advertiser put it “consumers are like roaches the more you spray them and spray them after a while it doesn’t work anymore”. The advertisers are trying to fill the empty spaces where noncommercial institutions like school or churches might have once done the job. For these reasons I believe people will purchase a particular brand although it doesn’t seem logical. There are some brands out there that could be considered “cult brands” where consumers buy with their need to feel as a part of a group this particular brand becomes part of their life style, that’s who they are and that’s how they identify themselves, Harley Davidson Motorcycle riders are an excellent example of that behavior.
For these reasons the logical conclusion, in my opinion, is that most of us are influenced by “lovemarks” and do have loyalty beyond reason to brand names. We all have the feeling of satisfaction and happiness when we buy something new but how long do this feeling last? An hour a day? or maybe a week? But then we need another quick fix in the form of another purchase. Let’s face it we live in a capitalistic society with lots of choices as to the brands we can purchase so the majority of us will be influenced by “lovemarks” while others won’t. In closing, I’d like to present you with a couple of questions: Do you want to be a smart shopper and base your purchasing decisions on logic or just follow the latest trend and imitate the majority? If its o.k. for them its o.k. for you, or is it? You decide which group you want to belong to the “smart shoppers” or the “followers”; I’ll leave it for you to decide.
I would like to start by explaining the term “lovemarks”. Lovemarks is a marketing technique that was developed by Kevin Roberts, Chief Executive Officer Worldwide of the advertising agency “Saatchi a Saatchi,” who wrote a book by the same name. The idea behind his marketing strategy is the one that builds consumer loyalty to a brand beyond reason or logic. The three main ingredients he uses to target the consumer and achieve his goal are: mystery, sensuality and intimacy. With that term being explained let see where you and I fit in this picture since we are the target audience for this marketing strategy.
Advertisements fill up nearly every available inch of the landscape and are present in every aspect of our lives. They are on television where advertisers spend billions of dollars a year to reach their target audience or in other words us, take a look at the super bowl where advertisers spend three million dollars for 30 seconds of commercials. As consumer and technology get more and more sophisticated so do the advertisers. With the common use of the TiVo where consumers can skip the commercials by a click of a button the advertisers use the products as a part of the program as in: sex and the city which combined entertainment and advertising in very clever ways. We can see this trend in the movies as well, in the movie cast away the whole movie was used as a product placement for FedEx and the brilliant concept of the movie was that the targeted audience actually paid to see this advertisement for FedEx by purchasing tickets to see the movie.
I couldn't speak for you, but the answer to the question: Am I devoted to any particular brand beyond any logical reason? Is NO!!! I am not. I consider myself to be an educated consumer that uses logic and not emotions while shopping and I hope for your sake that you are too. I compare prices and quality and don’t just buy a product blindly because of its brand name. I must admit that in my younger years I did go for brand names and brands played a major role in my purchasing decisions, so I believe that age and experience play a major part in my consuming habits. As indicated by “The Merchants of Cool” major part of the advertising budget of corporate conglomerates is aimed at young adults since they have the funds and want to look cool and fit with their friends due to peer pressure.
The reason that I feel to be in the minority in is my daily interaction with the target audience of the advertising industry, the majority, in my opinion, is influenced by advertising and “lovemarks”. Let’s look at the reason to my opinion, if no one would respond to advertising the advertising industry would have collapsed a long time ago. But it seems to me that the advertising industry is a thriving multi-billion dollar industry which is being used by countless companies to promote their products and sales. Therefore the target audience must be influenced by the advertisements, in other words this strategy is working.
The three main questions the advertisers need answers to are: what works? When does it work? And with whom? These are the three billion dollars questions sort of speak.
So what do advertisers do to keep with the consumers? They keep creating more and more messages in hope of reaching us, as one advertiser put it “consumers are like roaches the more you spray them and spray them after a while it doesn’t work anymore”. The advertisers are trying to fill the empty spaces where noncommercial institutions like school or churches might have once done the job. For these reasons I believe people will purchase a particular brand although it doesn’t seem logical. There are some brands out there that could be considered “cult brands” where consumers buy with their need to feel as a part of a group this particular brand becomes part of their life style, that’s who they are and that’s how they identify themselves, Harley Davidson Motorcycle riders are an excellent example of that behavior.
For these reasons the logical conclusion, in my opinion, is that most of us are influenced by “lovemarks” and do have loyalty beyond reason to brand names. We all have the feeling of satisfaction and happiness when we buy something new but how long do this feeling last? An hour a day? or maybe a week? But then we need another quick fix in the form of another purchase. Let’s face it we live in a capitalistic society with lots of choices as to the brands we can purchase so the majority of us will be influenced by “lovemarks” while others won’t. In closing, I’d like to present you with a couple of questions: Do you want to be a smart shopper and base your purchasing decisions on logic or just follow the latest trend and imitate the majority? If its o.k. for them its o.k. for you, or is it? You decide which group you want to belong to the “smart shoppers” or the “followers”; I’ll leave it for you to decide.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Blog# 2
BLOG#2-SHOULD REASONING SKILLS BE TAUGHT IN PRIMARY SCHOOL?
Should reasoning skills be thought in primary school? Why or why not? I am strongly in favor of teaching reasoning skills in primary school and I will elaborate as to my reasons why as well as the reasons of the opposite opinion that those skills should be thought later in life.
I would like to start by defining the term reasoning skills and how do they relate to children. Reasoning skills are utilized in the decision-making process and refer to specific cognitive abilities, some of which include assessing probability and thinking systematically or abstractly. Decision-making is the process of choosing what to do by considering the possible consequences of different choices. Reasoning skills allow children to go through a clear and logical process when coming to a decision. They are than able to give reasons for having reached that decision. Reasoning involves explaining, opinion forming, decision making, interpreting and giving reasons. Reasoning is a key skill for problem solving therefore the ability to reason out a problem and then give a clear explanation of the thought process needs to be developed in children throughout their educational careers.
I believe that reasoning skills as well as problem solving skills are crucial and important tools for everyday life and decision making. Given that we are faced everyday with countless options and choices. These skills cannot only help us make the right decisions but also explain the reasons for our choices and the path we took to reach them.
In humans, the frontal lobe reaches full maturity in their early twenties, marking the cognitive maturity associated with adulthood. The executive functions of the frontal lobes involve the ability to recognize future consequences resulting from current actions, to choose between good and bad actions (or better and best), override and suppress unacceptable social responses, and determine similarities and differences between things or events. Therefore, it is involved in higher mental functions. For that reason some might argue the point that it is more effective to teach reasoning skills at a later age rather than at early childhood. I disagree I believe that Children at a young age have the capability to absorb information very easily their minds are like a sponge to illustrate the similarity. They are open to new ideas and can be introduced to new ways of thinking. As children mature they are less likely to except new ideas.
Another reason is that we live in an age that is describe by many the “Information Age” we are surrounded by technology within every aspect of our lives from computers and cell phones to electronic media and television. Although technology has made our life easier in many ways there is a flip side. We are constantly bombarded by media and advertisement that try to persuade us to buy countless products and services to make our lives “EASIER AND HAPPIER” according to them. It does not stop there however, given that the political process takes its place on our television and electronic media where the candidates are trying to sell us on their agendas and try to win our vote.
So how do we make the right decisions? The answer is reasoning skills. We judge the situation with the tools we acquired throughout our education and through a logical process come to our decision. For this reason reasoning skills can help us think for ourselves and be leaders and not followers. They give us the power to make better decisions as individuals and not follow and do what everyone else is doing (the herd mentality). Knowledge is power! The more we know the better our decision making process is. Accordingly we need to teach our children at an early age to think for themselves and not just follow their peers and be copycats. Let us educate a new generation of thinkers with the ability to reason and problem solve. Let us reverse the current reality where only 25% of the population thinks for themselves and 75% don’t maybe through education we can switch these numbers around. A world where people can make decisions and think for themselves will definitely be a better place for all of us.
Should reasoning skills be thought in primary school? Why or why not? I am strongly in favor of teaching reasoning skills in primary school and I will elaborate as to my reasons why as well as the reasons of the opposite opinion that those skills should be thought later in life.
I would like to start by defining the term reasoning skills and how do they relate to children. Reasoning skills are utilized in the decision-making process and refer to specific cognitive abilities, some of which include assessing probability and thinking systematically or abstractly. Decision-making is the process of choosing what to do by considering the possible consequences of different choices. Reasoning skills allow children to go through a clear and logical process when coming to a decision. They are than able to give reasons for having reached that decision. Reasoning involves explaining, opinion forming, decision making, interpreting and giving reasons. Reasoning is a key skill for problem solving therefore the ability to reason out a problem and then give a clear explanation of the thought process needs to be developed in children throughout their educational careers.
I believe that reasoning skills as well as problem solving skills are crucial and important tools for everyday life and decision making. Given that we are faced everyday with countless options and choices. These skills cannot only help us make the right decisions but also explain the reasons for our choices and the path we took to reach them.
In humans, the frontal lobe reaches full maturity in their early twenties, marking the cognitive maturity associated with adulthood. The executive functions of the frontal lobes involve the ability to recognize future consequences resulting from current actions, to choose between good and bad actions (or better and best), override and suppress unacceptable social responses, and determine similarities and differences between things or events. Therefore, it is involved in higher mental functions. For that reason some might argue the point that it is more effective to teach reasoning skills at a later age rather than at early childhood. I disagree I believe that Children at a young age have the capability to absorb information very easily their minds are like a sponge to illustrate the similarity. They are open to new ideas and can be introduced to new ways of thinking. As children mature they are less likely to except new ideas.
Another reason is that we live in an age that is describe by many the “Information Age” we are surrounded by technology within every aspect of our lives from computers and cell phones to electronic media and television. Although technology has made our life easier in many ways there is a flip side. We are constantly bombarded by media and advertisement that try to persuade us to buy countless products and services to make our lives “EASIER AND HAPPIER” according to them. It does not stop there however, given that the political process takes its place on our television and electronic media where the candidates are trying to sell us on their agendas and try to win our vote.
So how do we make the right decisions? The answer is reasoning skills. We judge the situation with the tools we acquired throughout our education and through a logical process come to our decision. For this reason reasoning skills can help us think for ourselves and be leaders and not followers. They give us the power to make better decisions as individuals and not follow and do what everyone else is doing (the herd mentality). Knowledge is power! The more we know the better our decision making process is. Accordingly we need to teach our children at an early age to think for themselves and not just follow their peers and be copycats. Let us educate a new generation of thinkers with the ability to reason and problem solve. Let us reverse the current reality where only 25% of the population thinks for themselves and 75% don’t maybe through education we can switch these numbers around. A world where people can make decisions and think for themselves will definitely be a better place for all of us.
Friday, February 12, 2010
American Popular Culture
American Popular Culture
What is American Popular Culture (also known as Pop Culture)? As defined in it is” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_culture totality of ideas, perspectives, attitudes….that are deemed preferred per an informal consensus within the mainstream of a given culture”. Popular Culture is heavily influenced by mass media and is the norm as the acceptable culture that the majority of the American population follows. . Another definition of Popular Culture is” Mass Culture” it is seen as a commercial culture, mass produced for mass consumption.
From reality T.V. shows to” American Idol” or “dancing with the stars” television has a great influence on the American public. Our pop culture includes every aspect of our life and there isn't a moment during our daily lives when we are not exposed to one aspect or another of the pop culture. From the moment we wake up in the morning and watch the news that are embedded with countless commercials which trying to sell us anything and everything to make our lives “happier and/or easier”, to our daily drive to work where we pass billboards or listens to the radio. Open your mailbox and find countless magazines from "Victoria Secret" to "Oriental Trading" and every magazine in between, surf the Internet and Pop culture popping at you on every web site. We are surrounded by Pop culture 24/7/365, there is no escape. So what is the purpose of Pop culture? in my opinion the sole purpose of Pop culture is to separate us from our money and spend it if we have it or not.
So the question to be asked in light of all that information is: Are we a better society because of American Popular Culture? My answer to this question is NO and here is why. I believe the influence of the American Pop culture is more harmful than beneficial. We are all being molded into mindless society that follows the latest trend and being told how this “one thing” they are trying to sell us is going to make us happy or solve our problems. We are all individuals with different needs but it seems we are told we all part of a “global race”. Most people don’t seem to think for themselves they just follow everyone else. I call it “the herd mentality” if it’s good for them it must be good for me, just follow and don’t ask any questions.
The main change I’d like to see which will better American society, in my opinion, is for people to think for themselves. When people will think more clearly they would be able to make more rational decisions. As it is well known there are millions of people living with Hugh credit cards debt, people live way beyond their means. One of the contributors to this problem is that people are told by advertisers they deserve to have it now even if they can’t afford it. We can take a look at the “Sub prime mortgage crises” www.stock-market-investors.com that caused the economic recession we experiencing today and the main cause to this situation is people buying homes they couldn't’t afford but went ahead and bought them anyway.
In conclusion, we are all affected by American Popular Culture http://www.wsu.edu/~amerstu/pop/ including me. I believe that in my case the influence of the culture is minimal. It might sound arrogant but I do think as an individual not as part of the herd. I do live within my means and don’t spend more money than I make, some of you might probably think it to be a strange concept. I don’t feel that I am better than or superior to anyone, I believe anybody can live the way I do with some thought and think a little further down the road, plan and save for a rainy day, not just of today here and now.
What is American Popular Culture (also known as Pop Culture)? As defined in it is” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_culture totality of ideas, perspectives, attitudes….that are deemed preferred per an informal consensus within the mainstream of a given culture”. Popular Culture is heavily influenced by mass media and is the norm as the acceptable culture that the majority of the American population follows. . Another definition of Popular Culture is” Mass Culture” it is seen as a commercial culture, mass produced for mass consumption.
From reality T.V. shows to” American Idol” or “dancing with the stars” television has a great influence on the American public. Our pop culture includes every aspect of our life and there isn't a moment during our daily lives when we are not exposed to one aspect or another of the pop culture. From the moment we wake up in the morning and watch the news that are embedded with countless commercials which trying to sell us anything and everything to make our lives “happier and/or easier”, to our daily drive to work where we pass billboards or listens to the radio. Open your mailbox and find countless magazines from "Victoria Secret" to "Oriental Trading" and every magazine in between, surf the Internet and Pop culture popping at you on every web site. We are surrounded by Pop culture 24/7/365, there is no escape. So what is the purpose of Pop culture? in my opinion the sole purpose of Pop culture is to separate us from our money and spend it if we have it or not.
So the question to be asked in light of all that information is: Are we a better society because of American Popular Culture? My answer to this question is NO and here is why. I believe the influence of the American Pop culture is more harmful than beneficial. We are all being molded into mindless society that follows the latest trend and being told how this “one thing” they are trying to sell us is going to make us happy or solve our problems. We are all individuals with different needs but it seems we are told we all part of a “global race”. Most people don’t seem to think for themselves they just follow everyone else. I call it “the herd mentality” if it’s good for them it must be good for me, just follow and don’t ask any questions.
The main change I’d like to see which will better American society, in my opinion, is for people to think for themselves. When people will think more clearly they would be able to make more rational decisions. As it is well known there are millions of people living with Hugh credit cards debt, people live way beyond their means. One of the contributors to this problem is that people are told by advertisers they deserve to have it now even if they can’t afford it. We can take a look at the “Sub prime mortgage crises” www.stock-market-investors.com that caused the economic recession we experiencing today and the main cause to this situation is people buying homes they couldn't’t afford but went ahead and bought them anyway.
In conclusion, we are all affected by American Popular Culture http://www.wsu.edu/~amerstu/pop/ including me. I believe that in my case the influence of the culture is minimal. It might sound arrogant but I do think as an individual not as part of the herd. I do live within my means and don’t spend more money than I make, some of you might probably think it to be a strange concept. I don’t feel that I am better than or superior to anyone, I believe anybody can live the way I do with some thought and think a little further down the road, plan and save for a rainy day, not just of today here and now.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Popular Culture Survey
For my assignment of the pop culture survey I tracked my every element of popular culture I encountered over a course of three days. I started on February 2, 2010 till February 5, 2010 and here is my list:
- I listened to music on the radio
- I listened to talk shows on NPR
- I ate fast food twice
- I ordered movies from Netflix
- I saw a movie in a movie theater
- I surfed the Internet
- I watched TV
- I e-mailed
- I will watch the Super Bowl
- I visited number of web sites
- I watched TV commercials while watching TV programs
- I passed many bill boards while driving
- I received text messages and text back
So I hope you get the picture, I'm sure I missed a few things but our lives are filled with popular culture elements there is no escape. I try to use my good judgment as far as being influenced by these elements but, I admit, I fall in some of these traps from time to time.
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