Killing Us Softly Response

Advertising has absolutely everything to do with what everyone here in America thnks about themselves. People want to be like the beautiful people that they see in commercials and other advertisements because they are told that that is normal and the only way to be beautiful. I chose to share this burger king add because it is a prime example of how advertising often uses women in an inappropriate way. It pretty clear what this advertisement is hinting at when you read the words and see the picture. This advertisement is completely unnecessary in my opinion. Could BK really not think of anything a little more suitable for a sandwich ad?

Reality Television

Reality television has become a huge part of our culture here in America. There are hundreds of shows already and it seems as if another is popping up every day. It seems like people can make a show out of anything these days! Im not sure that these shows really have any affect on people but I can definitely see how a lot of people can relate to them. With as many different shows that are out there it isnt hard for someone to find a show about something that interests them. The reason i think these shows are so popular is because people love watching other people in a 'natural' setting. The differences people have, for some reason are very interesting to us as Americans and it is something we love to watch. These reality producers often look for the strangest people that they can find to fill spots on their show just to make good television. People get entertainment out of watching people make fools out of themselves on national television and until that changes reality television is here to stay!

"Religification"

There are many things in our culture that have been 'religified'.  One thing that I think is probably at the top of this list are NFL football teams. The NFL is by far the most popular athletic organization in the United States. For some people the NFL season is all they are waiting for all year. People study their favorite teams every day, getting to know every possible thing about the organization. These people dress in all of their favorite teams apparel and never miss watching a game. Hundreds of thousands of these fans pack NFL stadiums every sunday from August through February spending hundreds and even thousands of dollars just to be a part of something they love so much.

Popular music and its view on women

Popular music here in the United States, mainly hip hop, portrays women as objects. Almost all rap songs that are released these days have AT LEAST some sort of content that portrays women as things. When something about any woman comes up in one of these songs it is nearly always some how related to sex. Though some people might not take what the artists are saying as seriously as others, it still passes on a message to the public. Even worse than the music however, are the videos that are released along with the tracks. Often some of the new rap videos that come out are X rated and only able to be found on the internet. For example the song "tip-drill" by nelly. If you find this music video on the internet i am sure most of you would turn it off before getting even half way through. Hip hop music is portraying woman as objects used only for sex and any other male needs. The wrong message is being passed a long to people who listen to this music and some type of regulations need to be set.

Country Music versus Hip-Hop

Country and hip hop music have many similarities as well as many differences. Both types of music are very popular in todays teen culture and both have very large fan bases. Though the music in each of these categories is quite different, hip hop and country are more alike than most people might at first think. In each genre, artists are finding ways to express their thoughts and or feelings through music. In my opinion, the type of music that we choose to listen to all depends on how well we can relate to what an artist says and how he goes about saying it. Usually, (but not always) country music focuses on things in life that really matter to people, for example; relationships, family, and everyday life. Though hip hop music often deals with some of the same topics, the way the message is put across is much different. Sure the beats and tones are much different but the biggest difference in my opinion is the language. Hip hop is almost always much more vulgar than country music. The language used towards drugs, sex, violence, and other controversial topics is what in my opinion sets the two types of music apart from eachother.

Media Makes Us Smarter

I think that without any doubt our Pop Culture Media here in the United States makes us smarter, above anything else. We are constantly exposed to anything and everything going on around us, keeping us more informed and educated. Things like smartphones and laptops have changed everything. They allow us to receive or put out information for anybody to see at any time of the day. You can be sitting in your car at a red light and click on the BREAKING NEWS link on yahoo.com with a few clicks of the thumb. These types of technology keep us informed on a daily basis. I think that the reason some people may argue that this media doesnt make us smarter is because not everyone has come to understand the new uses of technology and the way media is being put across. It has been proven that our generation learns much easier through the use of this new technology and constant media exposure.

wiz khalifa at the union!

Went to the Wis Khalifa concert on Monday night in Iowa City and i would definitely have to say it was like nothing else ive ever been apart of.  I thought that the union and Wiz did a great job with the concert other than a few little things like letting people in and seating. The concert was amazing but that wasnt all there was. The Union Bar was pretty much a marijuana convention on Monday night. Almost every single person in the building was smoking pot and no security said one thing about it. Cops walked through and just minded there own business not saying a word to anyone. Wiz Khalifa was even smoking on stage! If you passed your joint to the guy next to you i would swear someone would pass three back your way! it was quite insane to say the least, not sure how they let this all fly in a public convention. One of the coolest things i have ever seen for sure! Paper Planes:)

This Plane. by: Wiz Khalifa

Violence and Masculinity

In my opinion there are many different ways you can look at this argument.  It is pretty clear to me atleast that violence has become quite standard in the media today. Violence is seen all around us and become somewhat of a norm as long as it isnt something completely horrific and unheard of. It has been proven that men are more violent than women and I don'd know that there is really too much to argue there.  But what I think they have all wrong is the reason that men are more violent.  Men may feed off of the media in some ways but i really dont think that it is THE reason violence exists more in males then females. Men are naturally more aggressive than females are so obviously the crime and violence rates are going to be a little bit higher. I dont think you can blame the media for this however. Go back hundreds and hundreds of years ago for instance; men were far more violent than woman and i dont think that media had near the power back then as it does today.  Did you ever hear of a woman gladiator or soldier way back in history? no because they really didnt exist and if they did it was very scarce. Men are naturally more violent than women and that is something that will never change. I think that blaming this on the media is just and excuse and a lot of nonsense!

Masculinity Survey

Masculinity Survey

After looking over the masculinity survey again, I would say that there are things I agree with and disagree with within the results. The top two results, strength and sports, are definitely arguable. In my opinion these were the top results because of how the media portrays masculinity, similar to how the media portrays sexiness. In America men are supposed to be big and strong, a more dominant figure than females in society; or at least that is what we are told. However in my opinion I think that there are much more important characteristics that makes a man masculine. Being able to be a provider for instance is a very important part of masculinity.  Someone who can care for their family and loved ones both financially and emotionally is something that is often overlooked. Yes strength is a very important aspect of masculinity, but there are deeper and more important things that make up a man. The survey results about masculinity are just another example of how the media is the driving force behind people's thinking in the United States, it tells us just what to do and exactly how to go about doing it.

How Times Have Changed

Ten Seconds to Love

I have learned quite a bit in just the few short readings that we have been assigned so far this semester. The article that sticks out the most to me however is the very first thing we were assigned; reading about Pam Anderson and Marilyn Monroe. The article, Ten Seconds to Love, made me realize quite a lot of things. Sure it taught me a little bit about both Monroe and Anderson, and the way they are both portrayed but it taught me about our society here in America. What I learned in this article more than anything else is how much our society has changed over the years. It is pretty clear after reading this article that the way we looked at things and went about things in the 40's and 50's was much different than it is now. I think that it is important we learn about these things because it lets us figure out how our society has developed and changed over the years to give us what we have today.

Reggie Bush forfeits Heisman Trophy

ESPN-Reggie Bush to forfeit Heisman

What has this world come to? I am going to make this short and sweet, but this news really turned me the wrong way.  I'm sure you all know by this time the allegations made against Reggie Bush and the University of Southern California's football team.  Bush received many benefits from the university in exchange for him to attend and play football for USC. Southern California has recently been stripped of all of their victories and National Championships during Bush's playing days.  Even beyond this punishment USC was suspended from post-season play for the next 2 years by the NCAA.  Bush expressed sorrow and embarrassment when being asked about what happened at USC.  In the past few weeks a new topic has come up; whether or not to strip Reggie Bush of his Heisman Trophy.  The Heisman is voted on by a selected committee to determine the best player in college football that year. 

Now i will be the first one to tell you that i agree 100% with everything that was done to the University of Southern California.  The University cheated and deserves to be penalized for what happened, as does Reggie Bush. But do the allegations that have been made take away from what Bush did on the field as a student athlete?  In my opinion this is out of the question.  Bush was by far the best player on the field in his playing days, regardless of what went on off the field.  The committee didnt see it this way in the past week however. It was pretty clear that come wednsday Bush were to be stripped of his Heisman. In doing this, the Hesiman Committee would be completely wiping out the name of one of the greatest college football players of all time.  In order to save face and further embarassment, Bush forfeited his Heisman Trophy on Tuesday afternoon.  Too strong of a punishment for somebody who did so much for the NCAA in his time.

Pornography in the USA

It has become pretty clear to all of us I think, that pornography plays quite a large role in our society.  Porn is everywhere you look.  From the internet, to books, magazines, and movies it has just become another part of an average American's life.  I am not saying in anyway that i agree with how much porn has become apart of our every day lives but i really don't see it changing anytime soon.  Even though it may be morally wrong in some peoples views, pornography does actually benefit a very large group of people. Apart from the people that porn brings a sense of satisfaction to, it also creates jobs.  The porn business creates hundreds of thousands of jobs and that i believe is the main reason it is not going anywhere. Though i do see protester's point of view, this is the USA and if a person wants to watch pornography they have that right.  People who watch porn really aren't harming anyone, unless of course it is being abused.  Though abuse may be a reason some people would like to do away with pornography, that is not a legitimate argument that can be made.  There are legal things that are abused everyday in the United States and nothing is done about it, therefor porn is no different.

Modern Beauty

After all the readings and discussions we have had in class the past two weeks, it has become pretty apparent that our perception of beauty here in America is quite skewed.  In my eyes, and I think in the eyes of many others, beauty presides in originality.  We get so caught up in whatever the media tells us that our nation's view of beauty has become far to generic. Beauty should be viewed different by every individual on their own.  Instead of people doing what appeals to them or what makes them happy, they follow the norm.  What the media says is sexy or beautiful will become the new fad. People change and do things that they wouldn't normally do just to fit in with what everyone else is doing.  It really is sad that we have lost the ability to think for ourselves and do what makes us the most happy, worrying about the thoughts and lifestyles of others over that of our own.