Sunday, October 11, 2009
Airbrushing in Advertising
I agree with many other Americans who feel that airbrushing is not realistic. Airbrushing and making women in ads smaller/lighter/wrinkle-free give the wrong impression. Not only does it display an unrealistic sense of beauty, but it makes young women (teens especially) feel that they have to look like the women in the ads and can lead to issues like bulimia and anorexia. It's disappointing that these ads have such a strong impact on young girls and makes them feel bad about themselves. I can't imagine how the models and actresses in the ads feel that they have been altered. Most people would agree the women featured in these ads are already beautiful, so I wonder how it feels to be told you are beautiful, but then your picture is changed and you don't see your true self in the ads. Airbrushing brings up the issue about the perception of beauty. By now we are all aware that advertisements are airbrushed, but do we realize how much work actually gies into it? How much do they actually change? Well, in my advertising class, the professor showed us an ad from Dove that shows this issue. Click here to see the ad. I think that people need to just try and ignore ads that show "true beauty" because we know they aren't exactly how the person actually looks. It's sad to see how our society demands perfection and leads people to do horrible things to themselves to try and achieve that. There's not much left to say here, but I just felt that this ad fit in with what we talked about in class on perception.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Meaning in Society
The chapter in our textbook opens by discussing how songs have particular meanings, but the meaning is not always as obvious in some songs as others. When an artist puts lyrics in a song, they do so with a specific message and meaning in mind. It's up to the listeners to decode the lyrics into a message with meaning. The book also infers that the time period, the culture which the listener comes from, and the listener's intelligence also plays a role in deciphering the message. The time period because words can change meaning over time. The culture because some things included in the song may be taboo in the listener's society and then they may think of it negatively when the artist didn't intend negativity. And the listener's intelligence is a factor because, obviously, if they aren't smart enough to interpret a message or interpret it correctly, they're going to be wrong.
The book also mentions visual messages. If you walk into a classroom, you'll know it because of the visual clues. The desks, chairs, blackboard and arrangement all lead you to make the correct interpretation. If the room was filled with beds and ovens and other random objects, you'd be confused and wouldn't think it was a classroom at all. This made me think that if I were a teacher, I'd intentionally put random objects in the room so the students were confused. Then I'd explain to them how we are constantly given visual clues that let us recognize things correctly.
This chapter then describes polysemy - the ability of some words or phrases to have several meanings. This is why many times we are misunderstood. I think it has a lot to do with context. If you don't understand the context in which a word or phrase is used, you won't interpret the message right.
If you apply this concept to poetry, it's easy to understand why it's so difficult for people to figure out poetry. Not to mention, poets intentionally put a play on words and make it cryptic. This is also the case in many books. If you know anything about the Robert Langdon series of books by Dan Brown, you'll know where I'm going with this. Robert Langdon is a symbologist and uses his knowledge to figure out symbols left behind by secret societies. This is another example of the use of meaning to convey messages. I enjoy these books because it makes you realize how some of the most "ordinary" things are actually messages that are a trail to figuring out a bigger message.
Well, that's all for now. I'll post more of my thoughts on my communication class some other time.
The book also mentions visual messages. If you walk into a classroom, you'll know it because of the visual clues. The desks, chairs, blackboard and arrangement all lead you to make the correct interpretation. If the room was filled with beds and ovens and other random objects, you'd be confused and wouldn't think it was a classroom at all. This made me think that if I were a teacher, I'd intentionally put random objects in the room so the students were confused. Then I'd explain to them how we are constantly given visual clues that let us recognize things correctly.
This chapter then describes polysemy - the ability of some words or phrases to have several meanings. This is why many times we are misunderstood. I think it has a lot to do with context. If you don't understand the context in which a word or phrase is used, you won't interpret the message right.
If you apply this concept to poetry, it's easy to understand why it's so difficult for people to figure out poetry. Not to mention, poets intentionally put a play on words and make it cryptic. This is also the case in many books. If you know anything about the Robert Langdon series of books by Dan Brown, you'll know where I'm going with this. Robert Langdon is a symbologist and uses his knowledge to figure out symbols left behind by secret societies. This is another example of the use of meaning to convey messages. I enjoy these books because it makes you realize how some of the most "ordinary" things are actually messages that are a trail to figuring out a bigger message.
Well, that's all for now. I'll post more of my thoughts on my communication class some other time.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The two models of Communication
Transmission Model:
The authors of the text describe the transmission model of communication as a message being transported from one place/person to another. They compare a message being sent/received to the literal method of transporting goods. They give the example of someone talking into the phone, being sent along the phone lines and received on the other end by the listener. The give a diagram to illustrate this process:
Source -> Message -> Receiver
They go on to say that this models assumes all communication is done this way (linearly) and that the message is subject to understanding and must be received like it is intended. There is a likelihood of inaccuracy if there is a misunderstanding of the message.
Cultural Model:
This model of communication depends on "the idea of the production of a common culture through which the concept of communication is closely tied to the notions of community and communion." The authors say this method is the most prevalent communication theory today. What I gathered about this model is that culture has a great impact on the way messages are interpreted. Like we talked about in class, what is said in one place can mean a different thing somewhere else. We used the example of the phrase "my door is open" to explain this.
Everyone's experiences in life are different, thus yielding different interpretations of messages. This also applies to actions and body language. In many cultures, it is seen as impolite to look someone in the eye while talking to them, whereas in America it is seen as rude NOT to look someone in the eye. Culture plays a large role in correctly interpreting messages.
The authors of the text describe the transmission model of communication as a message being transported from one place/person to another. They compare a message being sent/received to the literal method of transporting goods. They give the example of someone talking into the phone, being sent along the phone lines and received on the other end by the listener. The give a diagram to illustrate this process:
Source -> Message -> Receiver
They go on to say that this models assumes all communication is done this way (linearly) and that the message is subject to understanding and must be received like it is intended. There is a likelihood of inaccuracy if there is a misunderstanding of the message.
Cultural Model:
This model of communication depends on "the idea of the production of a common culture through which the concept of communication is closely tied to the notions of community and communion." The authors say this method is the most prevalent communication theory today. What I gathered about this model is that culture has a great impact on the way messages are interpreted. Like we talked about in class, what is said in one place can mean a different thing somewhere else. We used the example of the phrase "my door is open" to explain this.
Everyone's experiences in life are different, thus yielding different interpretations of messages. This also applies to actions and body language. In many cultures, it is seen as impolite to look someone in the eye while talking to them, whereas in America it is seen as rude NOT to look someone in the eye. Culture plays a large role in correctly interpreting messages.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Media in my life
Prof. Wachanga asked the class to create a blog describing how media has shaped our views/lives. He posed the question "Does the media change the public's view, or does the public change the media's view?" It was a simple question. One of perception. But it was also a question with many different answers. Before I can definitively answer this question, I must examine my own upbringing and my experiences with the media. However, I will only be able to explain whether I have been shaped by the media, as my perception differs from that of everyone else.
My childhood was typical. I was born in Madison and grew up 15 minutes south in Oregon. I lived with both my parents and my two siblings. My parents both worked (and still do) very hard to provide for three growing boys. As we grew older, we were exposed to different kinds of children that my mother babysat. My mother always made sure we shared our toys and cleaned our plates. During the day, we (me, my brothers, and the kids being babysat) watched TV in the living room, which usually consisted of an hour or two of our favorite cartoons. Sometimes the other kids wanted to watch Power Rangers, but my mother disapproved, seeing it as too violent for young kids. When my dad came home from work and the kids left, my family would sit down together for dinner. As I grew up, I realized that this is not how all families function.
Fast forward to the age when I start to really remember things and identify my values.
I think September 11th, 2001 was the time when everybody in my classes (7th grade) started to grow up a little bit. The teachers tried to explain to us what happened and school was put on hiatus and kids started to identify themselves as Republicans or Democrats. I'm not gonna get into the political side of things too much, but it's important to the story. When the students walked from class to class, the TV set was on whatever news channel the teacher was more comfortable with (hence the students being Rep. or Dem.) The story was told the same way, but the reactions were different. Some kids wanted to bomb the f+%k out of Afghanistan while others (like myself) were looking for more solid evidence of who did it before any actions were carried out. In this way, I think my beliefs and morals were shaped by my parents because they've always been really well-grounded and always did research before doing anything (whether it meant choosing an insurance company or buying a car.)
Fast forward to the last few years.
My opinions as of late have been stronger and I've been able to stand by my beliefs while others live by theirs. I have built my own opinion on politics and ethical issues. I have decided my place on drugs and alcohol. I live my life the way I think is best based on what I have been exposed to and relate to.
Here's what I've gathered:
I think the media can be shaped by public opinion, but mainly it's the media affecting the public because without the media, people wouldn't act the way the do. Say a commercial came on advertising a new shoe that was inexpensive, really cool, very practical, and comfortable. People are going to buy that shoe. But if that commercial never aired, people wouldn't own that shoe. The way in which the media is shaped by the public is if a news station airs a clip about something somebody did. The station will take a position on the issue and the station would represent the position they take. Overall, this is a pretty complex issue to try and break down in a single blog, but I took a stab at it and I hope I get an "A."
My childhood was typical. I was born in Madison and grew up 15 minutes south in Oregon. I lived with both my parents and my two siblings. My parents both worked (and still do) very hard to provide for three growing boys. As we grew older, we were exposed to different kinds of children that my mother babysat. My mother always made sure we shared our toys and cleaned our plates. During the day, we (me, my brothers, and the kids being babysat) watched TV in the living room, which usually consisted of an hour or two of our favorite cartoons. Sometimes the other kids wanted to watch Power Rangers, but my mother disapproved, seeing it as too violent for young kids. When my dad came home from work and the kids left, my family would sit down together for dinner. As I grew up, I realized that this is not how all families function.
Fast forward to the age when I start to really remember things and identify my values.
I think September 11th, 2001 was the time when everybody in my classes (7th grade) started to grow up a little bit. The teachers tried to explain to us what happened and school was put on hiatus and kids started to identify themselves as Republicans or Democrats. I'm not gonna get into the political side of things too much, but it's important to the story. When the students walked from class to class, the TV set was on whatever news channel the teacher was more comfortable with (hence the students being Rep. or Dem.) The story was told the same way, but the reactions were different. Some kids wanted to bomb the f+%k out of Afghanistan while others (like myself) were looking for more solid evidence of who did it before any actions were carried out. In this way, I think my beliefs and morals were shaped by my parents because they've always been really well-grounded and always did research before doing anything (whether it meant choosing an insurance company or buying a car.)
Fast forward to the last few years.
My opinions as of late have been stronger and I've been able to stand by my beliefs while others live by theirs. I have built my own opinion on politics and ethical issues. I have decided my place on drugs and alcohol. I live my life the way I think is best based on what I have been exposed to and relate to.
Here's what I've gathered:
- I buy clothes based on comfort and style (not necessarily what's popular)
- I stay away from drugs and alcohol because I've seen their damaging effects (a best friend gone wrong)
- I identify more with Democrats than Republicans (I feel that the Gov't should do all it can to benefit all people EQUALLY)
- I watch TV shows based on my sense of entertainment
- All in all I'm my own person, but I give some credit to the media for what I have been exposed to
I think the media can be shaped by public opinion, but mainly it's the media affecting the public because without the media, people wouldn't act the way the do. Say a commercial came on advertising a new shoe that was inexpensive, really cool, very practical, and comfortable. People are going to buy that shoe. But if that commercial never aired, people wouldn't own that shoe. The way in which the media is shaped by the public is if a news station airs a clip about something somebody did. The station will take a position on the issue and the station would represent the position they take. Overall, this is a pretty complex issue to try and break down in a single blog, but I took a stab at it and I hope I get an "A."
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