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The third aspect of my new media literacy that I thoroughly enjoy, are my improved skills to use the technology that creates this media literacy.  Prior to this class I had done a lot of work in Adobe CS3, as well as in Adobe Audition, Avid, etc…but this class really helped me to hone my skills and learn new ones.  I really enjoyed the last project we did in Flash, which I had never used before, because it was the perfect tool for everyday use.  I definitely would invest in a program like Flash if I continue to do blogs or create a website.  I think having the skills needed to create a sight with visuals, motion and sound are important, because in todays’ world, nothing is plain and simple anymore.  Overall, this was a great class, and I feel as though everything that was discussed, or learned, was useful, up-to-date, and helped me become more aware of the world around me.

Another aspect of my new media literacy that I like is my new critical eye.  This class really made me look at things in a new light, such as political websites, new media, news, etc.  Some of the work we did in class, or even some of the artwork that was shown to us, made me see how easily people can change other people’s work, and create something totally new and different. I like being able to create things like that, such as my appropriations or magazine cover parody, because it gives me a lot of freedom to express myself in a new manner.  However, it also makes me realize how easy it is for people to change the meaning of something, or someones work, that already is out there.

Final

One thing that I really like about my new media literacy, is my ability to find new things on the Internet that I would have missed before. For example, because of this class I have found great websites like hulu, tumblr, and delicious, that really do improve my time spent on the Internet.  I never really had the skills to surf the web the way I do now, and it is more than rewarding to be able to find new technology on the web that I can use in my daily life.   I also find it amazing that some websites such as twitter and 23andme exist, but even though I am not actively using them, it is good to know that they are out there.  Overall, the new doors that this class has opened up for me on the Internet have really expanded my horizons, and made me realize that I should take advantage of the Internet and explore what it has to offer.

The Human Clock

What an invention! Finally a device that will tell the time in a more exciting way.

http://www.humanclock.com/

I think that this type of innovation is the best kind- it gets people across the world to come together and make something new.  This is definitely the way of the future.  People need to branch out and do creative projects such as the Human Clock, because after awhile, the regular old things get so boring.  And- if everyone across the world is opening up to these cross-cultural communication mediums, then maybe this is one new way to create a peaceful understanding of each other.  

Just like the Sesame Project, the Human Clock is making people come together in a fun way.  The Sesame Project is probably one of the coolest things I’ve seen in awhile.  I never knew that there was such a split between the Serbs and Algerians (I need to brush up on my news), but even better- I learned that there are ways, other than war, to get opposing sides in the same room.  I just never expected Sesame Street to become the meeting ground. It will be interesting to see how this changes things, or if it does at all.  It is important, like it was mentioned in the clip that we watched in class, to change the views of the latest generation, so that, if nothing else, future generations will be more tolerant and understanding of differences, and will have a greater chance of making this a better world (as cheesy as it sounds). Hooray for creativity! 

Politics Today

No wonder politics have become such a joke in our society- people are more concerned with time-warping our candidates photos to see what they will look like down the road, than they are learning about the issues that are at hand.

It is no wonder that nobody ever has anything new to say that actually matters when it comes to the election.  In fact, the only time I ever hear people talk about the primaries is when I’m at the Dunkin Donuts on 9G; and that’s only because the TV there is always on CNN. It is a sad day when the Dunkin Donuts workers know more about politics than my collegiate peers (not to say anything bad about the Dunkin Donuts workers).

Are people just so bored that they create the free time to do these things? Or do people honestly care more about the appearance of our potential president? So much for America. 

I am however, very interested in seeing how this election will pan out- not only to see who wins (which, is obviously important), but to look at how people voted. Are people going to vote according to race? Socio-economic class? Gender? Or are citizens actually listening to the platforms for our male/female, black/white candidates?

Hopefully this year, many citizens will come out of the woodwork and actually vote!- even if it is only because they want a female/male, or a black/white president.

Death by Blogging

Who knew that one of the biggest crazes to hit the Internet has been the very cause of potential stress-induced death? In the New York Times article about professional bloggers who blog until they, literally, drop, it is mentioned how the constant stream of news, information, and the immediate response that is required by bloggers, is causing more than just communication.

I never thought blogging would become so big, especially when it first started.  It seems as though blogging has almost skipped the age group that I am in, because none of my friends or peers really seem to be blogging, unless it required for a class.

Many adults however, are huge fans of blogging, and even people in their 60’s and 70’s who are computer savvy are blogging.  The CEO of Marriott Hotels has even started a craze for hotel managers or owners to have a frequently updated blog about what the hotel is doing, any goings-on, etc. Also, many adults are blogging for fun, writing about anything and everything. 

Younger kids are also blogging, and take much more pride (and spend more time) on Internet sites where they maintain these entries, even if it is just facebook or myspace, and not an actual blog site. I think that it is crazy how advanced the younger generation is- they know more about computers and technology than I do!

I really hope that this blog-stress does not trickle down to younger (or older) bloggers, because if blogging really is the cause for stress, or even death, than kids who are constantly updating, blogging, posting, etc. may have to (gasp!) cut down on their Internet time, and return to normal childhood activities like sports, and hanging out in person with friends. 

Government

When I read the New York Times article about the military analysts who were coerced to give “favorable” news coverage on the war, I was really disappointed in our government.   My dad, an avid news watcher, was equally upset, because he trusted these so-called analysts much more than he did any other news anchor or journalist.

I think it’s ridiculous that our government has such a dominant hand in our country’s news propaganda, especially since it seems as though it is also false information that is fed to the people.

I also think it’s wrong to admit these faults of both the news and the government, because it makes people less satisfied and untrustworthy of all news from here-on-out. Even though it is better as a citizen to know if our government is not being truthful, it makes me think that our whole country is just living a huge government scam.

Personally, I have always kind of felt this way, that we are being watched and fed certain information from the government to keep everyone in check, and the society moving forward.  However, this sense (not a paranoia) I only get because I have a few family members who have high government jobs, and they frequently tell me that the average American citizen would not want to know, or could not handle, the type of information that is actually available to them. 

In a way, I think it is good that our government is trying to protect the people from being overwhelmed by world conflicts and government secrets, but then again, what is the point of feeding us fake information if it is just going to be uncovered anyway?

Donald Judd

Donald Judd’s art is, what I feel, a perfect example of post-modern, or minimalist work. It seems as though post-modern art has definitely changed drastically from modern art, and has made a social break in what we defines as ‘art’. I always look at pictures that are simply color swirls on a canvas, if even that complicated, and wonder how people managed to make the switch from Van Gogh-detailed paintings, that require true skill, to something like art by Congo the Chimp, which looks the same as the work done by many artists today.

Even artists like Donald Judd, who put a little more physical effort (or so it seems) into their work, it is still confusing to me how someone can make six boxes with basic carpentry knowledge, and become a famous artist. I realize there is always deeper meaning and/or raw emotion behind these art pieces, but how do they necessarily differ from the finger-paintings that I created in 1st grade art class?

I really am enjoying the direction that art is going however, especially since it is moving away from paintings and expanding into 3-D pieces that relate to the every-day. Even though I am still dumbfounded by some of the art pieces, it is nice to know that our society is moving, if not forward, than at least in a direction.

TxTMob

Once again, I am hit with the question of whether not new technology is a good thing, or a bad thing? TxtMob, for instance; advancement in technology that is accessible to the masses, or a new communication that will be misused by the masses? It is great that people have so many ways to communicate in todays’ world, especially with new media like Twitter and TxTMob. Communication is the key to success, at least for some, and it is important to spread knowledge and information with people across the world or across to the country, to learn and grow as a society.

    However, I wonder at what point does all of this ease in communication become detrimental? Is it possible that new media devices like TxTMob will cause more harm than good? As seen in the media, TxTMob has already caused actual mob problems during the 2004 Republican national Convention. Does this happen because this technology is accessible to everyone and anyone, and is used inappropriately? Or is this finally giving people a new way to send and receive messages out to others, and act as a group?

    I will have to keep tabs on this…here’s a link to an article I found in the news from March…

http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/03/almost-ubiquito.html

23andme

What has our world come to? I find it amazing that websites like 23andme even exist, let alone make a profit.  Although I can see how it can be a huge step for technology, and I guess even for mankind, to be able to develop and use the Internet for companies like this one, I am still left shocked and appalled when I learn about them. 

    23andme is something I am not sure I agree with.  Although many, many people may find it beneficial, or at least interesting, to have their genes read like some modern-day crystal ball, I think it is ludicrous that this website has the audacity to tell people their predicted date and cause of death, based off of family genealogy. 

     I am actually more stunned that there hasn’t been a lawsuit over this yet.  As mentioned in class, if insurance companies are able to get a hold of this information, would they be able to use it against a person and deny them insurance? Or would this information even be credible enough to actually be applied in real life? Also, if someone dies from an alternate cause, (besides a freak accident), than the one given by this so-called prediction, is 23andme reliable for not ‘seeing’ a premature death? 

    I feel as though in today’s culture it is very risky to start up a company like 23andme. Even though it is on the cusp of new technology, is it worth the potential risk to society or to the people who use it? I know that if I were to have my genes read and it was predicted that I would live a long healthy life, I would be very happy, but on the other hand, if it were predicted that I would die young of heart disease, I would be depressed and would spend a lot of free time getting checked out by doctors.  

    Overall, this website really boggles my mind.  I do not whether or not I agree with it, or if it even has the capability of being accurate at all.  Since there are so many questions up in the air, I am definitely going to personally avoid it, however I hope that it is able to produce some type of good, or at least an advancement in science. 

Idiots and IDIOLOGY

I have never been more disturbed and annoyed while watching a movie, than I was while watching Idiology.  I found this movie to be repulsive and more disturbing than any horror film I’ve ever seen.  This film really made me think about what direction our world is going, and one of the reasons why I found it so repulsive, is probably because a part of me thinks that the future in that film may actually be plausible.

    In class we discussed how abbreviated language is now being incorporated into normal conversation, and is no longer just an Internet craze.  The younger kids, I’ve noticed, are the main culprits of this Internet slang phenom, and it really bothers me when I hear an eight-year-old talking on her cell phone saying words, OUT LOUD, like ‘lol’, ‘omg’, or ‘ttyl’, like maybe these acronyms were actual words. 

     This is also scary, because the film also pointed out how slang, stemming mainly from lower socio-economic classes, had replaced the language that we know today, and actually made our ‘normal’, non-slang language, an atrocious thing.  I think it will be an awful day when our society, or any society, becomes so lazy, or so intertwined with itself, that normal words and conversation are lost among the slang, or Internet-created words (if you can even classify them as words).

     I hope that people realize what direction this may take our society. Even though the beginning of this virtual world/real world blending may not lead to a horrible future, like the one in the film, it is important that everyones’ notices the change, and makes a decision for themselves about what is important for the future, and what is important for our culture. 

Manufacturing Desire

As an advertising major, I found chapter 6 to be very intriguing.  The chapter, entitled The Manufacturing of Desire, says enough by itself; advertising is nothing more than a vehicle to sell people hopes, dreams, envy, and status (regardless of whether or not these things can bought).

   In the film How to Get Ahead in Advertising, the main character I believe mentioned something along the lines of, how can we get these people to buy into the aspect of hoping for a solution, without really giving it to them? I found this funny, because in one of my advertising classes this semester, my teacher point-blank told us that the point of an advertisers’ job is not to sell a product, it is the exact opposite.  In order to be successful, we need to never create a solution, otherwise people will stick with the working, reliable, ‘miracle’ product, and will not have the need to search for the next best thing.  

  In order to do this, we need to sell hope, and create an atmosphere around the product that taps into the human psyche and make the consumer NEED the product for whatever reason.   If nothing else, this makes the consumer want to see if it will help their unending battle with bad breath/acne/baldness, etc.  Just like it was mentioned in the film, I have come to realize that advertising really is nothing more than manufacturing desire and emotions that, for the most part, can never be satisfied by being purchased. 

Gattaca

I really enjoyed reading chapter 8, and exploring more of the scientific/technological aspect of looking.  The film that we watched in class, Gattaca, I saw when it first came out, however I have been meaning to watch it again ever since. 

One scene (that we did not watch in class) that really struck me in the film, was the scene with the piano player who had more than 10 fingers. Being a piano player myself, I always wondered if this would ever be possible, or even allowed in the music world, if people could somehow pre-determine their genes to improve on a certain trait.

I think that it may not be culturally acceptable to “improve” people through genes in order to make a better version of themselves, but at the same time I think that amazing advances in everything, from music, to sports, to science, would come of it.  For instance, I wonder if the New York Philharmonic orchestra would be able to create sounds that are unimaginable if every musician had been predetermined to become a great musician from the very start? Not only could this mean more fingers, but it could encompass a whole range of new and improved talents, such as impeccable timing, or capabilities beyond human hearing.

Docile Bodies 3

The concept of docile bodies also plays on fear.  In this ad for legal abortions, it makes parents fear that if they do not support legal abortions, their daughters may die from an illegal abortion if they become pregnant for whatever reason.  Since many parents are unaware of their daughters sexual status, this ad may make them worry that if they need a way out of a pregnancy and they cannot find a legal way to do it, they will find other means by way of an illegal abortion.  By provoking anxiety and fear, it will not only grab peoples attention to read the rest of the ad and think about the idea that is being presented, but it will make them wonder and fear the worst case scenario for the women in their own personal lives.  This is a very effective way to advertise because it touches on the personal lives of many,and brings up an issue that is not always openly discussed.  Also, since many people do have daughters, the question asked in the headline may stick with them, and when they are confronted with an opinion about the topic they may recall this ad and be persuaded to agree with the message. 

Docile Bodies 2

Anxiety is a huge part of this advertisement for Hydroxycut, a weight-loss product.  Not only do most women and men (who are generally a little overweight and not model-esque) have insecurities or self-esteem issues related to their bodies, but it is becoming increasingly difficult for men and women in today’s society to feel adequate in their own skin.   The headline on this ad, “Have you ever looked at your body and wanted to cry?” not only plays on these insecurities (by hoping the reader will mentally answer, ‘yes’, and want to read on), but it provides a visual ideal for what a woman should look like (slim, toned, attractive) as well as the ‘secret’ (aka Hydroxycut) to her success.  By reading this, a person may think that this ad is speaking to them personally because it is asking them something very private, and if they use Hydroxycut they will no longer want to cry when they look at their body if they use the product.  Also, if they do not use this product, they will continue to remain dissatisfied and unhappy with their physical appearance, which will only increase anxiety and insecurit.