Class Highlights

I have learned a lot about different aspects of media from this class.  I am now more aware of the abilities and limitations of each form of media as well as how they can significantly impact the lives of people.  My media literacy has definitely improved because now I don't blindly accept messages at first glance. Instead, I analyze the ulterior motive behind the broadcasted messages and limit their effect on me.  I am now more suspicious about news and the hidden agenda that their corporate owners have.  I pay more attention to news than I did before the class and I am learning how my friends and family is influenced by seemingly harmless media bits.  I am more appreciative of the first amendment and of journalists rights to pursue fair and balanced reporting.  Here is a presentation that summarizes media literacy and other media aspects:

Media Ethics and Media Law

President Obama is proposing a media shield law which states that reporters will not have to reveal their sources upon further investigations.  Some people argue that such a law will give the government too much influence in choosing which reporters to protect and therefore be infringing on the free speech of journalists.  We must ensure that free reporting techniques are not compromised or else government will have more control in the messages that are being broadcast. 

http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/Obama-media-first-amendment/2013/05/28/id/506648

Propaganda

This was an ad done by Jeep which aired during the 2013 Super Bowl.  The ad is voiced over by Oprah Winfrey who talks about how the nation will be whole again once all service members return from war zones.  Images of separation and hardship are juxtaposed with homecoming and joy while Jeeps are driving around in the background.  By using the military and patriotism, Jeep's commercial is propaganda at work. 

The commercial uses 2 propaganda techniques:

Flag-waving

Jeep's commercial claims that buying a Jeep is a patriotic action that supports the troops at home and abroad.  Jeep wants people to associate their products with service to the nation. 

Euphoria

Jeep uses images of reunion and celebrations as service members are reunited with their loved ones.  The commercials make people feel good about the military coming home and at the same time feel good about the products being advertised.  Images of waving flags and soldiers in uniform contribute to the patriotic and nationalistic feelings.   

Internet

I have used the internet for shopping and gaming.  I know two people who have used the internet for dating and eventually married someone they met on dating websites.  For about a year, I was hooked on a popular online game called World of Warcraft.

This was a game that instantly connected players with thousands of other users to form large online communities.  I would spend hours completing quests and fighting simulated battles.  Playing this game took time away from my studies so my grades were dropping.  I was getting sleep deprived because I would stay up late to play the game after school and work.  Eventually, I was neglecting homework and other priorities and my diet consisted of microwavable meals and fast food.  To prevent any more harm to my social life, I promptly deleted the game and have not played much games since that time.  I learned to take control of your internet usage before it takes control of you!  Here is a video about a teen addicted to World of Warcraft.    

Television

Length: 1:50
Description: Is too much TV bad for your health?
Chapter 9: Television
Quiz Question:  What are some negative effects caused by watching too much television?
Answer:  Promotes sedentary lifestyle which causes people to eat more and increases the risk of getting heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

Movies and Recordings

My favorite movie of 2013 is Django Unchained.  I enjoyed the twist of a slave being the main protagonist and embarking on a journey to free his wife.  I liked the action and the dialogue of all the characters and was impressed at the costumes and scenery of the slavery time period.  This movie challenged me to reconsider the stereotype of slaves and proposed an alternate reality of slaves fighting against their masters. I saw this movie as an electronic copy on the internet.

My favorite movie of all time is Saving Private Ryan.  It brought brutal images of World War II to life in a very dramatic fashion.  It didn't glorify the violence at all but instead displayed the human sacrifices men had to make in order to survive on a daily basis.  I enjoyed the portrayal of Soldier camaraderie, the pondering over moral dilemmas arising during wartime, and the climatic battle scene where a few American Soldiers stood their ground against a well armed German attack.  This movie has made me rethink the "value" of war because it causes so many promising young lives to be cut short.  I first saw this movie on video cassette.

Magazines

Here is my proposal for a new magazine:

Name: New Beginnings

Concept: My magazine would target unemployed people, people in between jobs, new college graduates, and discharged military veterans to explore new career opportunities and job availability.

Reader Demographics: People of any age, male or female, mostly lower and mid income

Reader Psychographics: People who value money, want a career change, struggling to make a living, goal oriented individuals

Completing Magazines: Fortunately, there are no magazines that currently cater to the unemployed.  My magazine will be successful because I am targeting a market that no other magazine company has targeted before.

5 Potential Advertisers: Colleges, Staffing Agencies, Service industry employers, Military recruiters, Government unemployment agencies.

5 Potential Articles: How to begin your new job search, interviewing tips, resume writing, networking workshops, local career fairs.

Cover: people in business attire gearing up to be successful, bright happy colors to give people a positive vibe, a diverse group of people to reach out to all demographics of society.

Books

Here are three books that have a significant influence on my life:

The Bible

This book is full of stories that were taught during my Sunday School classes at my local church.  From an early age, I was taught parables of right and wrong, believing in a better future, and the power of faith and love.  Many of these teachings have instilled in me the values that shape my life to this day.

Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck

This book was the first book I read in High School and caused me to start reading more advanced books.  For the first time, I was challenged in reading novels with complex themes, deep character development, and mature subject matter.  I consider this book as opening my eyes to the serious and difficult nature of the adult world.

The Fault In Our Stars
John Green

This book caused me to rethink how I should be living my life.  The main protagonist was a cancer patient who ends up living vicariously as she counts down her short lifespan.  It made me realize that all human beings are living with a finite amount of life and should be taking advantage of every opportunity.

Media Impact

Through movies, magazines, and printed advertisements, the Media bombards audiences with images of beauty.  These images have an influence on what people consider to be beautiful.  Some of these media images are digitally altered which spreads ideas of an impossible standard of beauty.  Some people claim that media is to blame for eating disorders among young adults because they strive to look like the people they see on the covers of magazines.  Young women especially are pressured by media images and their peer groups to reduce their eating portions and slim down their dress sizes in order to be considered beautiful in society.  Here is an article from the Huffington Post that explains how social media spreads eating disorders among young people. 

Here is a video that describes the media's role in influencing body image and eating disorders:

To what extent does the Media influence your perception of beauty?

My Media Autobiography

Here is a summary of my experiences in various forms of mass media.

Books: I learned how to read because of reading books so books played a huge role in my early education.  In high school, I used to read a lot of science fiction novels as well as comic books and graphic novels.  Presently, the only books I read are required textbooks and novels for my college classes.  I like physical textbooks instead of electronic ones because I can rapidly skip pages and browse different sections in a physical book.  Books tend to me more expensive and hauling them around from class to class can be painful at times.

Newspapers: I do not subscribe to physical newspapers and I prefer to receive my news online, Occasionally, I read some free newspapers I get at Milpitas grocery stores and spam mail advertisements.  I like newspapers because they have crossword puzzles and Sudoku and they are entertaining when commuting or waiting around in a public place.  I don't like how flimsy the newspaper is constructed and how it falls apart with all the different sections and pages. I especially hate when a newspaper story is continued in a different section of the newspaper!

Magazines: I do not subscribe to magazines, but I will buy a single issue of health, sports, or news magazines to read on my spare time.  In some places where there is no internet, a magazine can keep me occupied for hours at a time.  I like magazines because there is a ton of information presented focused around a specific subject matter.  There are some magazines that I cannot bear to read such as tabloids and entertainment news but I imagine there is a market for those topics.

Movies:  If I watch a movie in theaters I prefer to watch big blockbusters on opening day to experience the crowd hype and excitement.  I sometimes download movies I am not that passionate about and watch them at home on my computer.  I like movies for their entertainment value and especially ones about controversial topics and ones that require a lot of critical thinking.  Movies are an excellent source of entertainment and great topics of conversations as you can debate the pros and cons and themes of certain movies with your friends. I don't like it when movies make unneeded trilogies and spin offs.  I challenge Hollywood to be creative and original!

Recordings:  Ever since the advent of Napster, I have been downloading music or streaming audio files from the internet.  I usually do not pay for music CDs unless I want to support a specific musical artist.  Music is a chance to capture feelings and emotions and place them in catchy songs.  Music is an important aspect of pop culture and will continue to influence the masses because of the shared experiences they provide.

Radio:  I listen to radio whenever I commute in my car.  I listen to NPR, sports radio, and various musical stations.  For my morning commutes, I listen to AM radio to find out about weather, traffic, and news. Turning a radio on makes dull moments such as commuting or working out a little more interesting.  It enables listeners to carry out other tasks while still receiving information through airwaves.  I don't like radio commercials and hunting for radio stations in a new area.

Television:  Growing up as a kid, I used to watch Sesame Street and Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood.  Those two shows were a big part of my early education.  In elementary school, I would turn to the television to watch cartoons and to find out the latest and greatest toys to play with.  The television was a major influence on my young life.  As I got older, the only TV shows I watch are local sporting events: Giants, Athletics, Warriors, Niners and Raiders.  TV is a great way to unwind after a long day.  It also is great to watch sitcoms for comedy, and documentaries for education.  With the advent of cable and satellite, there seems to be a channel for every possible interest.    

Internet: I use the internet on a near daily basis to check my email, keep up with current events, order products online, research for classes, completing college assignments, and connecting with family and friends.  The internet has connected society in many facets and made it easy to share your experiences on a broad scale.  I don't like the fact how anything you put on the internet instantly becomes public domain knowledge so one must be careful for internet scams and identity theft.

I have never had a job in the media, but maybe taking this class will stir my media interests.  I believe I am a decent writer so I am not discounting a journalistic career. I have visited Iraq, Korea, Japan, Afghanistan, and Thailand but I have had limited contact with foreign media primarily because I did not understand the native language.  I am an American Studies Major and I am transferring to San Francisco State during Fall 2013.