I am interested to see how far North Korea plans to go with its plans of nuclear disarmament. So far it looks like the North Koreans are ready to surrender its nuclear their program and have destroyed a nuclear cooling tower in Yongbyon. President Bush has already stated that he will remove North Korea from the terrorist list and lift sanctions.
This is great news! I always felt that we should have attacked North Korea instead of Iraq. North Korea told us flat out that they had weapons of mass destruction, but yet we invaded Iraq for suspicion of possession??? Kim Jong Il, Dictator of North Korea even went as far as to attempt to launch a potentially loaded ICBM over the US on July 4, 2006. Fortunately, the missile failed, otherwise we could have had some real fireworks!
But how could someone so evil, suddenly have a change of heart? Could it be that he has finally realized that humanity is more important that power? Whatever the reason, I just hope it’s sincere. Although it may be very rare, I believe that bad people can change, and when they do change it is one of the most beautiful things. I look forward to seeing a North Korea with a better economy for its people. Ironically, it could be the very same hand that destroyed them with excessive military spending to the hand that feeds them with federal aid.
Friday, June 27, 2008
What's Tim Thinking?
Tim Robbins keynote speech at the National Broadcasters Association this year was directed towards the power and potential of the broadcasters and its use. It was a plea to ask broadcasters to empower the “weak” and to help unify the nation. In another speech, Mr. Robbins criticizes the president for bombing Afghanistan and forming community watch for suspicious activity as a consequence of 9-11. I believe that by following Mr. Robbins advice would just shift extremes. Media would still fail to balance out. For example, the Canadian sitcom Little Mosque on the Prairie perhaps sends the message that Tim is looking for. The show displays the lives peaceful lives of the Islamic people and the prejudices they have to deal with everyday but it fails to show the radical side of Islam. Take a look at this article that I found written by a Muslim from Saudi Arabia (perhaps in the US). While I am pretty sure that most Muslims in the United States like Americans or have neutral feelings it is pretty obvious that there are nations overseas full of Muslims that hate us because of our support to Israel and other reasons. Broadcasts and media have a duty to show us what is going on in the world. We can not close our eyes or look the other way and pretend that we are living in Disneyland’s Small World. Being realistic, I believe that there are just too many people in the world, too many religions, and too many cultures to be understood by all of the different opinions in the world to achieve world peace. In my opinion, Tim Robbins is naïve and asking us to be naive with his hopes that Americans would have came together after 9-11 by fighting the war on terroism by sending a message that says we are stronger because we and our communities rebuild! And while I believe that Bush’s attack on Iraq was wrong I believe that we had every right to invade Afghanistan. Metaphorically speaking, had the 9-11 attacks been a slap to your cheek, would you turn you face and give the perpetrator your other cheek?.....I didn’t think so.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Water for Elephants
The New York Times best seller, Water for Elephants exhibits a separation between upper and lower social classes. Author Sara Gruen shows us though the life of Jacob Jankowski that this separation has been around since the Great Depression era and still exists in present times.
When Jacobs was young, he saw and experienced first hand the challenges that were present within the different social classes. It all started while Jacob was attending Cornell University and was called into the dean’s office. Jacob felt worried that he might be expelled by the higher authorities due to the illegal alcohol and his pornography collection he kept in his dorm room. Unfortunately, things were much worse and soon Jacob found himself face to face with a relentless esquire who repossessed the home. Finding himself at the bottom of the social classes and no longer identifying himself with other students, Jacob runs away only to find himself now as a member of the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth.
The Benzini Brothers Circus in comparison to other circuses is a very low class form of entertainment. They are always comparing themselves to others, especially the Ringling Brothers. For example, Big Bertha has better dinning services with waiters and Ringling has a better act overall with several elephants. The Benzini Brothers pick up the leftovers from other failed circuses. In fact, Ringmaster, Uncle Al acquired the circus in this manner. The shows are exaggerated. For example, the fat women isn’t as heavy as what she’s marketed to weigh and the show has fake freaks such as a horse who has his head protruding from his rear side. The circus is also financially in a lower class. At times they don’t have enough money to pay the crew and they throw members from their train when they no longer have use for them or can’t pay them. Finally, at a certain point Jacob express just how low the circus is when he says that he lied and has never heard of the Benzini Brothers. He also makes it a point to say that Ringling was “great” as making a comparison.
The separation of social classes is much more visible within the circus. There is a clear distinction between the workers and the performers. At meal time there is segregation between the two. Each are assigned their own table and it is forbidden for workers and performers to sit together. The performers are regarded as “kinkers” to the working class and the workers are known as “roustabouts” to the performers. The dining tables of the performers are dressed while the tables of the workers are bare. Also, the performers have much more luxurious train cars which is noted when the doctor changes expression as he travels from the shiny luxurious cars at the tail of train to the battered cars of the workers at towards the front of the train. Moreover, their sleeping conditions are also different. The performers sleep on beds such as when Jacob approached August’s bed with intentions to kill him, and workers like Jacob sleep on horse blanket with mildew. The working class is also at the mercy of Uncle Al. When more performers were acquired from Fox Brothers, he rationed two of the workers cars for the new performers. Additionally, when funds are low, the workers are the first who do not get paid. This resulted in Jacob paying a doctor with his father’s pocket watch for Camel’s bill. Camel was also lucky to see Marlena’s doctor because workers don’t get medical attention; they just get “redlighted.” The workers are also the ones to get blamed and punished if anything goes wrong. For example, before it was discovered that Rosie was the lemonade thief, the workers were fined for being suspects. Finally, Kinko triggers an incident that causes Jacob to become fed-up with the social classing when Kinko uses the work “kike.” Jacob then points out that performers pick on the workers, workers pick on the Polish, and the Polish pick on the Jews.
There is also a separation of social classes outside of the circus. The doctor that treats Camel for Jake Leg is disgusted by the workers. He won’t let his knees touch the ground when examining Camel, makes reference that Camel is an alcoholic, talks to Jacob as if he’s stupid, and wipes his hands thoroughly after the examination. Bums are also looked down upon as one of Blackie’s duties is to remove them from the train. Walter (a.k.a Kinko) was also not fit to live among the class of his mother. Being a dwarf, he was unfit for farm work, thus sold to the circus. When Jacob is finding his way back to the menagerie from the raid at the warehouse and his first kiss with Marlena, he stumbles across a “hobo jungle.” Jacob feels the homeless individuals starring at him with hostility due to the suit that he’s wearing. However Jacob realized that the suit is the only thing that separates them from being the same class. Marlena came from a certain class of family where her marriage was to be arranged. By marrying August a Jew, she lowered her class standing and was disowned by her parents. Marlena and Jacob also encounter problems together when trying to find a room for Marlena after August’s and Jacob’s fight. Marlena is denied a room because the clerk thinks she and Jacob are fornicating until he finds out that she is part of The Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Blacks are also portrayed in the book to be from a lower class. There is an image of a black boy shining shoes in the town after Jacob’s embarrassing moment with Barbara and Nell. Also, while blacks set up the banners to the circus, whites prepare the lemonade for the customers.
After the disaster at the circus, Jacob finds himself slipping into a higher social status. He finishes his exams at Cornell and marries Marlena. They had three children and found work with Ringling. When Rosie was too old, Jacob luckily found a job at Brookfield Zoo and was able to afford an automobile, and a ranch for Marlena’s horses.
In present times, Jacob Jankowski has moved back down the social ladder and has been sentenced by his children to live his final years in a nursing home. Here he is treated much like a caged animal by sometimes being isolated for disciplinary correction. Jacob also states that he is “poked and prodded like a piece of meat,” and that he is a “Jell-O eating sheep” when he is sedated. He has a hard time with locomotion and is on the verge of senility. He is given a special diet and is sometimes treated to a little extra treats from Rosemary such as cream and fruits; just like Rosie was given alcohol once and a while. He is visited sometimes from his children who are there only to serve a duty and are often anxious to leave. In the nursing home, Rosemary is very much loving and caring to him. There is also a “horse faced” nurse that has an August attitude which denies Jacob his walker and Dr. Rashid who is much like Uncle Al, calling the shots.
In the end, Jacob escapes the nursing home to watch the final acts of the circus. Along the way he encounters a woman who almost foils his outing and the ticket boy who won’t let him in without admission all in part to his social classification. However, Jacob meets Charlie O’Brien who allows him to find refuge in the Circus, where he can find a sense of belonging and identification.
Throughout the years very little has changed. The presence of social classes separates and segregates the community as we know it. Mostly it’s in terms of money. We see wealthy neighborhoods and slums like the “hobo jungle” and workers for the same corporation get different benefits depending on what position they are. For example, a retail employee for Sprint will get 3 holidays a year whereas a business representative will get 7 days a year. There will always be somebody on the top delegating the work and making the decisions. Ultimately, if we are not the ringmaster, then we are just the rubes.
When Jacobs was young, he saw and experienced first hand the challenges that were present within the different social classes. It all started while Jacob was attending Cornell University and was called into the dean’s office. Jacob felt worried that he might be expelled by the higher authorities due to the illegal alcohol and his pornography collection he kept in his dorm room. Unfortunately, things were much worse and soon Jacob found himself face to face with a relentless esquire who repossessed the home. Finding himself at the bottom of the social classes and no longer identifying himself with other students, Jacob runs away only to find himself now as a member of the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth.
The Benzini Brothers Circus in comparison to other circuses is a very low class form of entertainment. They are always comparing themselves to others, especially the Ringling Brothers. For example, Big Bertha has better dinning services with waiters and Ringling has a better act overall with several elephants. The Benzini Brothers pick up the leftovers from other failed circuses. In fact, Ringmaster, Uncle Al acquired the circus in this manner. The shows are exaggerated. For example, the fat women isn’t as heavy as what she’s marketed to weigh and the show has fake freaks such as a horse who has his head protruding from his rear side. The circus is also financially in a lower class. At times they don’t have enough money to pay the crew and they throw members from their train when they no longer have use for them or can’t pay them. Finally, at a certain point Jacob express just how low the circus is when he says that he lied and has never heard of the Benzini Brothers. He also makes it a point to say that Ringling was “great” as making a comparison.
The separation of social classes is much more visible within the circus. There is a clear distinction between the workers and the performers. At meal time there is segregation between the two. Each are assigned their own table and it is forbidden for workers and performers to sit together. The performers are regarded as “kinkers” to the working class and the workers are known as “roustabouts” to the performers. The dining tables of the performers are dressed while the tables of the workers are bare. Also, the performers have much more luxurious train cars which is noted when the doctor changes expression as he travels from the shiny luxurious cars at the tail of train to the battered cars of the workers at towards the front of the train. Moreover, their sleeping conditions are also different. The performers sleep on beds such as when Jacob approached August’s bed with intentions to kill him, and workers like Jacob sleep on horse blanket with mildew. The working class is also at the mercy of Uncle Al. When more performers were acquired from Fox Brothers, he rationed two of the workers cars for the new performers. Additionally, when funds are low, the workers are the first who do not get paid. This resulted in Jacob paying a doctor with his father’s pocket watch for Camel’s bill. Camel was also lucky to see Marlena’s doctor because workers don’t get medical attention; they just get “redlighted.” The workers are also the ones to get blamed and punished if anything goes wrong. For example, before it was discovered that Rosie was the lemonade thief, the workers were fined for being suspects. Finally, Kinko triggers an incident that causes Jacob to become fed-up with the social classing when Kinko uses the work “kike.” Jacob then points out that performers pick on the workers, workers pick on the Polish, and the Polish pick on the Jews.
There is also a separation of social classes outside of the circus. The doctor that treats Camel for Jake Leg is disgusted by the workers. He won’t let his knees touch the ground when examining Camel, makes reference that Camel is an alcoholic, talks to Jacob as if he’s stupid, and wipes his hands thoroughly after the examination. Bums are also looked down upon as one of Blackie’s duties is to remove them from the train. Walter (a.k.a Kinko) was also not fit to live among the class of his mother. Being a dwarf, he was unfit for farm work, thus sold to the circus. When Jacob is finding his way back to the menagerie from the raid at the warehouse and his first kiss with Marlena, he stumbles across a “hobo jungle.” Jacob feels the homeless individuals starring at him with hostility due to the suit that he’s wearing. However Jacob realized that the suit is the only thing that separates them from being the same class. Marlena came from a certain class of family where her marriage was to be arranged. By marrying August a Jew, she lowered her class standing and was disowned by her parents. Marlena and Jacob also encounter problems together when trying to find a room for Marlena after August’s and Jacob’s fight. Marlena is denied a room because the clerk thinks she and Jacob are fornicating until he finds out that she is part of The Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Blacks are also portrayed in the book to be from a lower class. There is an image of a black boy shining shoes in the town after Jacob’s embarrassing moment with Barbara and Nell. Also, while blacks set up the banners to the circus, whites prepare the lemonade for the customers.
After the disaster at the circus, Jacob finds himself slipping into a higher social status. He finishes his exams at Cornell and marries Marlena. They had three children and found work with Ringling. When Rosie was too old, Jacob luckily found a job at Brookfield Zoo and was able to afford an automobile, and a ranch for Marlena’s horses.
In present times, Jacob Jankowski has moved back down the social ladder and has been sentenced by his children to live his final years in a nursing home. Here he is treated much like a caged animal by sometimes being isolated for disciplinary correction. Jacob also states that he is “poked and prodded like a piece of meat,” and that he is a “Jell-O eating sheep” when he is sedated. He has a hard time with locomotion and is on the verge of senility. He is given a special diet and is sometimes treated to a little extra treats from Rosemary such as cream and fruits; just like Rosie was given alcohol once and a while. He is visited sometimes from his children who are there only to serve a duty and are often anxious to leave. In the nursing home, Rosemary is very much loving and caring to him. There is also a “horse faced” nurse that has an August attitude which denies Jacob his walker and Dr. Rashid who is much like Uncle Al, calling the shots.
In the end, Jacob escapes the nursing home to watch the final acts of the circus. Along the way he encounters a woman who almost foils his outing and the ticket boy who won’t let him in without admission all in part to his social classification. However, Jacob meets Charlie O’Brien who allows him to find refuge in the Circus, where he can find a sense of belonging and identification.
Throughout the years very little has changed. The presence of social classes separates and segregates the community as we know it. Mostly it’s in terms of money. We see wealthy neighborhoods and slums like the “hobo jungle” and workers for the same corporation get different benefits depending on what position they are. For example, a retail employee for Sprint will get 3 holidays a year whereas a business representative will get 7 days a year. There will always be somebody on the top delegating the work and making the decisions. Ultimately, if we are not the ringmaster, then we are just the rubes.
Friday, June 20, 2008
I'm Sold!
After watching a PBS report titled The Persuaders, I took the time to evaluate myself as a consumer. I thought about some recent purchases I made and carefully asked myself, “What motivated me to buy this particular product.” Focusing on a pair of Maui Jim sunglasses that I bought, I realize that I bought them for their technology. Their lens is composed of several layers that block UV rays, polarize the light, resist scratching, filter light, enhance colors, and are saltwater safe and distortion free. I may sound like I am plugging the company; I might be, but maybe that’s because Maui Jim is one of my “Lovemarks.” When I think about it, I have never purchased another set of sunglasses other than Maui Jim. I wouldn’t say that I’m crazy obsessed with the company and would travel to Hawaii just to visit the manufacture, but I would continue to buy them just as long as I believed they were the highest quality for the value. With that stated, I have looked at other sunglasses and have given them a fair chance, but the others just don’t seem to compare. It just might be the way they market them. They tend to focus more on the fashion and the style rather than the functional quality of the lens. Companies like Prada, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Versace do this all the time. This technique will never work for me. I would feel like I’m buying an over-priced piece of plastic. If the marketers want to deliver me to the companies, they will need to approach me from the technical aspect of the product.
Banned Books?
Please pardon my ignorance. It was recently revealed to me that some books could, and have been banned! The website, Controversial & Banned Books lists numerous publications that were banned and to my surprise, some authors are also banned! This is an outrage! This type of action from the governing bodies, communities, libraries, and organizations, show just how ignorant our people are today. I believe that this serves as a way to silence others and violates our freedom of speech.
Banning is not the answer! Education is the answer. Most people who support the banning of books do so based on what others have said, not because they have read it themselves. If a book is too much to handle for a group of people, maybe a book rating system should be put in place, such as the ratings on movies and video games. I would advise the rating to be broken down such like the ratings on cable television which tell us why the film received the rate it did. For example, a movie may get an R for nudity, alcohol use, blood, etc. For radical groups such as radical Christians, I would also recommend that the rating also include that include some type religious notice which informs the reader that he/she may be offended if the book contains anti-God content.
Ultimately, I believe nobody should have their creative work flushed down the toilet. If you don’t like something, don’t read it. But just don’t deprive others or the authors of their own likes, opinions, and curiosities.
Banning is not the answer! Education is the answer. Most people who support the banning of books do so based on what others have said, not because they have read it themselves. If a book is too much to handle for a group of people, maybe a book rating system should be put in place, such as the ratings on movies and video games. I would advise the rating to be broken down such like the ratings on cable television which tell us why the film received the rate it did. For example, a movie may get an R for nudity, alcohol use, blood, etc. For radical groups such as radical Christians, I would also recommend that the rating also include that include some type religious notice which informs the reader that he/she may be offended if the book contains anti-God content.
Ultimately, I believe nobody should have their creative work flushed down the toilet. If you don’t like something, don’t read it. But just don’t deprive others or the authors of their own likes, opinions, and curiosities.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Bush At It Again!!!
In a recently read article from the Wall Street Journal, the Bush Administration has signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia to import a nuclear program. This program will include building of nuclear reactors, training of nuclear engineers, the supplying of uranium, and a nuclear infrastructure.
WTF!!!!! George W. Bush is at it again. I believe with his term coming to an end, he wants to ensure that he and family will be financially secure for generations to come. How will this be made possible, through the Carlyle Group of course! Every time there is a war, the Carlyle Group benefits from its investments in defense. Because the Carlyle Group is a private firm, the public doesn’t need to know that George Bush Sr. is officially on their payroll. Check out the documentary The Iron Triangle, The Carlyle Group Exposed. The introduction is in Dutch, but after a couple of minutes the film will be in English.
Sure Bush could have supplied Saudi Arabia with solar power; after all the land is filled with plenty of desert and sunshine that would make it the perfect source of energy. But when one stops to think about it, it becomes clear why Bush would give nuclear power to a country that has been presumed of being involved in the 9/11 terrorist attacks and that has sought nuclear arms for so long; it’s all good business. As the Middle East develops its nuclear arms and rages war, it will bring in money to the Bush family. And I can bet my bottom dollar that by the time Saudi Arabia finds itself involved in a war; George W. Bush will be an established member of the Carlyle Group. I believe Kanye West said it right; “George Bush doesn’t care about black people.” For that matter, he doesn’t care about you or me either.
WTF!!!!! George W. Bush is at it again. I believe with his term coming to an end, he wants to ensure that he and family will be financially secure for generations to come. How will this be made possible, through the Carlyle Group of course! Every time there is a war, the Carlyle Group benefits from its investments in defense. Because the Carlyle Group is a private firm, the public doesn’t need to know that George Bush Sr. is officially on their payroll. Check out the documentary The Iron Triangle, The Carlyle Group Exposed. The introduction is in Dutch, but after a couple of minutes the film will be in English.
Sure Bush could have supplied Saudi Arabia with solar power; after all the land is filled with plenty of desert and sunshine that would make it the perfect source of energy. But when one stops to think about it, it becomes clear why Bush would give nuclear power to a country that has been presumed of being involved in the 9/11 terrorist attacks and that has sought nuclear arms for so long; it’s all good business. As the Middle East develops its nuclear arms and rages war, it will bring in money to the Bush family. And I can bet my bottom dollar that by the time Saudi Arabia finds itself involved in a war; George W. Bush will be an established member of the Carlyle Group. I believe Kanye West said it right; “George Bush doesn’t care about black people.” For that matter, he doesn’t care about you or me either.
Good Night and Good Luck
If you have ever watched the film, Good Night and Good Luck, you might ask yourself; “Why did the film industry choose to create this old setting movie in today’s times?” Well though the film’s setting may be vintage, the theme is very much alive and breathing today. In my opinion, the theme of the movie shows while the media chooses sides on any given story, the government has some influence on what messages can and can not be conveyed.
The setting of Good Night and Good Luck takes place in the mid 1950’s. Edward R. Murrow, a broadcast journalist of the Columbia Broadcasting System sets out to challenge Senator Joseph McCarthy of his accusations against anyone he suspects to be a communist. While Edward’s actions may seem to be ethical to some people, others will disagree just like the contrast between the Yin and the Yang.
In present times, the same conflict between the media sources and government can be observed. In my opinion, no broadcasting network is equal. Some are partisan and some are filled with sensationalism. They may make claims that they are fair and unbiased, but it is absolutely not true. Take a look at Fox News for example. They are anti-democratic and practice what I consider to be a form of yellow journalism based on the two links I posted.
Today, terrorism is the new communism. Civilians are constantly being monitored. I feel at times that I can’t board an airplane without practically being strip searched nor talk on the phone and send an email without the prying eyes of the USA PATRIOT Act. Even journalists like Lara Logan feel the pressures of the government when reporting a story. In the following clip, Lara is defending herself from President, George W. Bush and Vice President, Dick Cheney after being accused of “carrying the terrorism message!”
So why did the film industry opt to make Good Night and Good Luck a couple of years ago? To me, the answer is pretty obvious. Bias news and an oppressive government, some things may never change.
The setting of Good Night and Good Luck takes place in the mid 1950’s. Edward R. Murrow, a broadcast journalist of the Columbia Broadcasting System sets out to challenge Senator Joseph McCarthy of his accusations against anyone he suspects to be a communist. While Edward’s actions may seem to be ethical to some people, others will disagree just like the contrast between the Yin and the Yang.
In present times, the same conflict between the media sources and government can be observed. In my opinion, no broadcasting network is equal. Some are partisan and some are filled with sensationalism. They may make claims that they are fair and unbiased, but it is absolutely not true. Take a look at Fox News for example. They are anti-democratic and practice what I consider to be a form of yellow journalism based on the two links I posted.
Today, terrorism is the new communism. Civilians are constantly being monitored. I feel at times that I can’t board an airplane without practically being strip searched nor talk on the phone and send an email without the prying eyes of the USA PATRIOT Act. Even journalists like Lara Logan feel the pressures of the government when reporting a story. In the following clip, Lara is defending herself from President, George W. Bush and Vice President, Dick Cheney after being accused of “carrying the terrorism message!”
So why did the film industry opt to make Good Night and Good Luck a couple of years ago? To me, the answer is pretty obvious. Bias news and an oppressive government, some things may never change.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Millennials on the Rise
The Millennials are coming! If this phrase strikes fear into your heart, chances are you’re an informed Baby Boomer. I, am neither a Millennial nor a Baby Boomer, but I am open-minded enough to accept the inevitable changes.
Reading the introduction in chapter 1 of my Radio/TV/Film textbook and viewing the in-class video on Millennials, I am under the impression that Baby Boomers do not like Millenials very much. They feel that they act like children and are too care-free to assume responsibilities. The video stated that sociologist say that children grow up at 26 or older. I believe that Millenials have there reasons for acting like children for past adolescence. For example, with longer life spans, what’s the rush to grow up? Do Millenials really need to feed their money into Social Security for the Baby Boomers? Why not quit work if being by exploited? Who would want to work for a boss that’s an ass!
Are Baby Boomers afraid of the future? Most Baby boomers gave birth to these Millennals. They even mass stereotyped them and labeled them as “The Millenials.” They told their children that they mattered and that friends and family should come first. Now, some people are worried and inconvenienced because the Millennials don’t have the same work ethic as their parents. Afterall, it is the Baby Boomer generation that supports the young adults when they return home after college.
Like generations before, society evolves and each younger generation seems to be a little bit more rebellious and liberal than the previous. I remember my folks telling me stories how skirts had to hang below their knees, and that Elvis was censored for swaying his hips, and that it was a big deal when the word “damn” was used in the motion picture Gone With the Wind. Times have changed since then and will continue to do so. So what does it matter if an employee walks into the office dressed as if he/she was going to the beach? As long as the work gets done, the company and employee will collect their paycheck.
We can not stop what we started. The best thing to do is to roll with it; and I’m glad that some of today’s corporations such as, Merrill Lynch and Disney are complying. And because the Millennials are great learners, they will learn to handle similar issues with the generation they beget when the time comes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv52oVIcUKk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyVwY5b6-1g
Reading the introduction in chapter 1 of my Radio/TV/Film textbook and viewing the in-class video on Millennials, I am under the impression that Baby Boomers do not like Millenials very much. They feel that they act like children and are too care-free to assume responsibilities. The video stated that sociologist say that children grow up at 26 or older. I believe that Millenials have there reasons for acting like children for past adolescence. For example, with longer life spans, what’s the rush to grow up? Do Millenials really need to feed their money into Social Security for the Baby Boomers? Why not quit work if being by exploited? Who would want to work for a boss that’s an ass!
Are Baby Boomers afraid of the future? Most Baby boomers gave birth to these Millennals. They even mass stereotyped them and labeled them as “The Millenials.” They told their children that they mattered and that friends and family should come first. Now, some people are worried and inconvenienced because the Millennials don’t have the same work ethic as their parents. Afterall, it is the Baby Boomer generation that supports the young adults when they return home after college.
Like generations before, society evolves and each younger generation seems to be a little bit more rebellious and liberal than the previous. I remember my folks telling me stories how skirts had to hang below their knees, and that Elvis was censored for swaying his hips, and that it was a big deal when the word “damn” was used in the motion picture Gone With the Wind. Times have changed since then and will continue to do so. So what does it matter if an employee walks into the office dressed as if he/she was going to the beach? As long as the work gets done, the company and employee will collect their paycheck.
We can not stop what we started. The best thing to do is to roll with it; and I’m glad that some of today’s corporations such as, Merrill Lynch and Disney are complying. And because the Millennials are great learners, they will learn to handle similar issues with the generation they beget when the time comes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv52oVIcUKk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyVwY5b6-1g
Media Literacy
In my Radio/TV/Film (RTVF) class, I learned that media is defined as things we “consume” or otherwise “use.” In my own definition, I would define media as things we take in. For example, I used to think media was just news. It wasn’t until recently that I found out that there are many different sources of media. For example, advertisements, books, cell phones, and video games serve as sources of medium just to name a few. However, in all sources of media, we don’t just use the media, we internalize it somehow.
What one source of media means to one person means something to another. I believe based on a person’s upbringing, culture, open-mindedness, values, etc. all have an influence on their own interpretations of media. For example, in the recent primary elections, a woman might vote for Hilary Clinton only because she is a woman and a black person might vote for Barrack Obama only because he/she is black. In a case like this, it doesn’t matter what the candidate stands for, but how the voter feels that he/she relates to the candidate. Another example, most advertisements in the media are fake. Some people might buy Kobe Bryant’s Hyperdunk Shoes because they really believe they will make them jump higher. Or some young teenage boys might buy AXE products because they believe it will get them laid. (See links below) Nevertheless, these individuals fall victim to media glamour techniques made possible by Adobe Photoshop, CGI and other technologies that render and edit photos and video.
Essentially, the ultimate effect on how the individual responds to the media depends on what the individual takes in which is dependent on his or hers history and development of their psych. To help break this pattern just as I have become enlightened on sources of media, I agree with what my RTVF textbook has implicitly suggested; the only way for people to become media literate is to educate themselves on an unbiased spectrum of media extremes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22eoVMGoJow&feature=related
http://www.theaxeeffect.com/flash.html
What one source of media means to one person means something to another. I believe based on a person’s upbringing, culture, open-mindedness, values, etc. all have an influence on their own interpretations of media. For example, in the recent primary elections, a woman might vote for Hilary Clinton only because she is a woman and a black person might vote for Barrack Obama only because he/she is black. In a case like this, it doesn’t matter what the candidate stands for, but how the voter feels that he/she relates to the candidate. Another example, most advertisements in the media are fake. Some people might buy Kobe Bryant’s Hyperdunk Shoes because they really believe they will make them jump higher. Or some young teenage boys might buy AXE products because they believe it will get them laid. (See links below) Nevertheless, these individuals fall victim to media glamour techniques made possible by Adobe Photoshop, CGI and other technologies that render and edit photos and video.
Essentially, the ultimate effect on how the individual responds to the media depends on what the individual takes in which is dependent on his or hers history and development of their psych. To help break this pattern just as I have become enlightened on sources of media, I agree with what my RTVF textbook has implicitly suggested; the only way for people to become media literate is to educate themselves on an unbiased spectrum of media extremes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22eoVMGoJow&feature=related
http://www.theaxeeffect.com/flash.html
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