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FINAL PART 2

3 Examples of Newfound Media Literacy

1. Look for other sources of information outside of what is on television

The internet is a great way to find a more truthful source of information. Although the news channels have the same bias online as they do on television, there are outlets for information specific to what you are looking for. For example, searching for information about the current events in the Middle East will provide thousands of news outlets, ranging from cnn.com to middleeastdaily.com. It may not be one specific source that you attain your information from, but the range of information you have would be much better and factual then the media feeds us through television.

2. Don’t believe everything you hear

I have learned that depending on the channel and who owns the show, even news channels manipulate the information you are told. Simply because the information is broadcasted through a newschannel that is watched by millions does not mean that details were lost in the story or that the title of the story misconstrues the actual facts. I read a news article a while back from cnn.com with the title “SUV KILLS 4.” When I clicked the link for the full article, I read that the woman driving was legally drunk and had used illegal substances before getting in the vehicle with her 2 year old child, her friend, and the friends three year old child. The other woman had been drinking as well. Oh, and for added details, it was in the middle of a rainstorm that the women decided to go off-roading in these conditions. But not all viewers would click on the link, they would just scan the information of the homepage.

3. Even news images are manipulated

When Saddam Hussein was finally captured in 2003, it was covered by thousands of news companies around the world. However, the information that the American population saw on the television was much different then news information seen abroad. While the newscasters narrated, different slideshows played images of Iraq on the screen. In the United States, the same image of the Saddam Hussein statue being pulled down was cycled with one other image, or even just used as a background while the camera showed the newscaster. Abroad, news channels presented about ten different images, including the statue being removed, but not limited to. The reason why it was only the image of the statue in the United States was because President Bush was so insistent on the War in Iraq that he wanted to show change in Iraq with the removal of the statue and a change for the republic. The other news channels were more informative to the audience without bias, as if they were broadcasting to all countries without offending anyone but without misconstrueing the information.

Although the examples used date back to 2003, the realization of the extent of the manipulation by the media was not realized until this class.

Self Management 3

3D Extreme Mascara by Revlon helps Jessica Alba make her lashes look 80% longer, 70& curvier, and 25x fuller. Young, fit, beautiful Jessica Alba uses this product why shouldn’t you? It is as simple as using the ‘bold impact brush’ that lifts, separates, and amplifies. It also raises the desire most women have to be wanted by the public, to be able to walk down the red carpet and have flashes come from all over, something that Jessica encounters when she steps out of her transportation. The key part here is a close up on her flawless makeup, her eyes in particular. What helped her achieve that look? 3D extreme mascara by Revlon.

Self Management 2

This time, Clean and Clear took their product and placed it into a real life situation, teaming up with Rip Curl to interview surfers and beachgoers about how the product helps them day to day. Each girl says how they like their skin to feel, and that Clean and Clear helps them get that feeling. Smooth, clear and refreshing feeling skin is very appealing to everyone, and the girls said this product gave them that result. They also tie keeping your skin clean and moisturizing to surfing, sending an underlying message that the ‘fit, professional surfers’ use this amazing product so it will definitely help the average consumer with their needs.

Self Management 1

The video plays Shania Twain’s song in the background, ‘Feels Like a Woman,’ while they show Cindy Crawford slowly moving with flawless skin and ‘enjoying’ the product. The product is oil-free, and keeps your skin clear. The name is Revlon Color Stay Makeup, and relates to every woman because they need makeup that lasts from day into night. There is also a quick 5 second ad at the end for a separate product that is smooth, clean, and comfortable. Glamour is shown throughout the commercial with beautiful, fit, women, who are wearing the prudct.

GLAMOUR

Chapter 6 defines glamour through the eyes of companies selling strategies as presenting figures of glamour that consumers can envy and wish to emulate. The people they present are already transformed by using the products, bodies that appear perfect and yet somehow attainable.

I feel as though the advertising exec, Denis, is disgusted with the idea of having a pimple and lets it overwhelm him so much that he thinks that he has a huge problem on his shoulder. I know that the head that pops out of his shoulder is fake, especially when he was in the hospital, but I don’t know if there is actually anything on his shoulder. I think that the events of the movie parallel the events in the life of a consumer before they cave into purchasing the product that caused the original fear. If Denis used the product, it would cure the issue that he is imagining. Instead, he is driving himself crazy without even viewing advertisements for it. The idea of developing the ideas and creating a need for the product in the eyes of the consumers is making Denis question how glamorous he is without that very product. Glamour and the advertising world go together like two peas in a pod. Denis simply changed roles from manipulative advertising executive to needy and crazy consumer.

BLOG ELEVEN

After blogging about Hong Kong and its overwhelming advertising, I started thinking about Hawaii and its lack of advertising billboards. I don’t recall ever seeing a single billboard throughout the island. Although Waikiki is the busiest area of the island because of its tourist population, there are still no billboards. Actually, on the island of Kaui, you are not even allowed to build a structure larger then the tallest palm tree on the island. Even though there is a significant cultural difference between Hawaii and New York, they find other ways to promote their businesses and thrive in the economy without obnoxious signs and silly images.

BLOG TEN

When considering advertising and its impact on the public, I immediately think of the overwhelming advertisements in Manhattan. However, a friend recently traveled abroad and I was intrigued to blog about the expectations of walking down a busy street in Hong Kong. If you ever thought you were overwhelmed in NYC, then I think you would be very intimidated to walk in Hong Kong. Not only is every single square inch of the building covered in Chinese symbols, menus, and offers, but the vertical space hanging over the streets connecting the two sidewalks together is almost filled as well. I guess if you grew up in the environment then you actually don’t even pay attention to the chaos of advertising, but to an outsider looking in I am very curious to know how effective the information really is.

Response to Brick

- for a house foundation

- as a weapon

- to break a window

- as a step

- as a ladder (if more then one)

- as a table

- as a weight

- as a tool to measure things

BLOG NINE

What if Times Square had blank billboards and all of the advertisements were removed? Manhattan is the city of billboards, everyone knows that it is illuminated at night by the bright billboards. At the same time, how many billboards do people actually notice? I think that the impact would be much more substantial if a company simply printed a white billboard the same size as a traditional advertisement and their company name in black ink across the middle. Instead of competing for attention using neon lights and bright colors like everyone else, now would be a good oppurtunity to use a black and white advertisment because there aren’t that many simple ads.

BLOG EIGHT

I actually started playing this commercial after a heated outburst over when the ‘fratalian’ dunkin donuts commercial was mentioned. This commercial provided a much happier reaction, even excitement. They sang along to the song, saying that it actually picked up their mood and sang it when the commercials werent on. I think that the song is so memorable in a positive way because of the beat of the music. It is very upbeat, and the people in the commercial are very happy as they sing a long. Oddly enough, the fact that the people are pretending to enjoy their job and carry along on their merry way throughout the day does not bother most viewers, just the change of the beat is enough to distract them and gain support for the advertisement.