There are some differences between what i viewed in class and what I read in my media studies reader on video game.
In class, we watched videos that discussed video games being dangerous and violent things. Their were multiple people arguing about how playing violent video games will cause the children playing them to take a gun to school and shoot down their classmates. However, nearly all of the data discussed in the videos was qualitative and therefore not concrete.
In the Media Studies Reader, the data was much more quantitative. The research was much more scientific. It talked about the different classifications of game and how each one effects the player differently. For example, "Adventure games are characterized by requiring deep thinking and great patience". It also gave examples of work from experts like Marshall McLuhan and Gregory Bateson.
Basically, the Media Studies Reader is much more academic and rational examination of video games.
Works Consulted
- Egenfeldt-Neilson, Simon, Jonas H. Smith, and Susana P. Tosca. "What Is a Game?" A Media Studies Reader. University Readers. 172. Print.
- NBC Archives
- McGraw Hill Higher Education, 2004
Friday, April 30, 2010
Effects of the Media
Media influences every aspect of people’s lives, even when they don’t realize when it does. This is because media effects desires, and desire drives everything. Every choice, from purchases to relationships, can and are affected by the media.
When people feel like they look better, they are more confident. When people feel like they look better, they feel like they can do anything. Some people think that if they just buy this one product they will look younger, be more successful, and essentially be happier. Basically, media and advertisements intend to sell happiness – and people buy into it. However, no amount of stuff will make someone truly happy, and no product will make their lives perfect. Media and culture says people should have perfect lives and to have a perfect life, buy our product.
When people feel like they look better, they are more confident. When people feel like they look better, they feel like they can do anything. Some people think that if they just buy this one product they will look younger, be more successful, and essentially be happier. Basically, media and advertisements intend to sell happiness – and people buy into it. However, no amount of stuff will make someone truly happy, and no product will make their lives perfect. Media and culture says people should have perfect lives and to have a perfect life, buy our product.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Music and the Media
This assignment for my class dealt with Music in the Media. The reading was about how music is advertised and spread through radio, television, clubs, and print. Also, the Internet is now a giant source of music. This is because of Pluggers. A plugger basically sells their company's records to radio stations.
My own experience with music in the media is mostly through radio, television, and the Internet. I listen to the radio in my car, television when I am home, and the Internet everywhere in between. However, I am exposed to music through all of the afore mentioned channels. This is how I am persuaded to purchase the music I own.
My own experience with music in the media is mostly through radio, television, and the Internet. I listen to the radio in my car, television when I am home, and the Internet everywhere in between. However, I am exposed to music through all of the afore mentioned channels. This is how I am persuaded to purchase the music I own.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Psychographic Profile
Why do people spend the way they do? That is a question that is very interesting to advertising experts. There is a system of classification made by VALS™, a consulting and consumer research service. According to VALS™, there are eight types of spenders.
The VALS™ Types:
Innovators
Thinkers
Believers
Achievers
Strivers
Experiencers
Makers
Survivors
When I participated in the survey, my results were that I was most like a Maker and second most like an Experiencer.
Makers
Like Experiencers, Makers are motivated by self-expression. They express themselves and experience the world by working on it—building a house, raising children, fixing a car, or canning vegetables—and have enough skill and energy to carry out their projects successfully. Makers are practical people who have constructive skills and value self-sufficiency. They live within a traditional context of family, practical work, and physical recreation and have little interest in what lies outside that context.
Makers are suspicious of new ideas and large institutions such as big business. They are respectful of government authority and organized labor but resentful of government intrusion on individual rights. They are unimpressed by material possessions other than those with a practical or functional purpose. Because they prefer value to luxury, they buy basic products.
Experiencers
Experiencers are motivated by self-expression. Young, enthusiastic, and impulsive consumers, Experiencers quickly become enthusiastic about new possibilities but are equally quick to cool. They seek variety and excitement, savoring the new, the offbeat, and the risky. Their energy finds an outlet in exercise, sports, outdoor recreation, and social activities.
Experiencers are avid consumers and spend a comparatively high proportion of their income on fashion, entertainment, and socializing. Their purchases reflect the emphasis that they place on looking good and having "cool" stuff.
I found these results very accurate.
I am very into self sufficiency, such as growing my own food. I also am quite the bargain hunter. However, I am not a afraid to spend money on a quality item that will last. I spend the majority of my money on activities and "fun stuff" with my friends, but I always try to find the least expensive option. Basically, I like to have fun, but I do it with the smallest amount of money possible.
The VALS™ Types:
Innovators
Thinkers
Believers
Achievers
Strivers
Experiencers
Makers
Survivors
When I participated in the survey, my results were that I was most like a Maker and second most like an Experiencer.
Makers
Like Experiencers, Makers are motivated by self-expression. They express themselves and experience the world by working on it—building a house, raising children, fixing a car, or canning vegetables—and have enough skill and energy to carry out their projects successfully. Makers are practical people who have constructive skills and value self-sufficiency. They live within a traditional context of family, practical work, and physical recreation and have little interest in what lies outside that context.
Makers are suspicious of new ideas and large institutions such as big business. They are respectful of government authority and organized labor but resentful of government intrusion on individual rights. They are unimpressed by material possessions other than those with a practical or functional purpose. Because they prefer value to luxury, they buy basic products.
Experiencers
Experiencers are motivated by self-expression. Young, enthusiastic, and impulsive consumers, Experiencers quickly become enthusiastic about new possibilities but are equally quick to cool. They seek variety and excitement, savoring the new, the offbeat, and the risky. Their energy finds an outlet in exercise, sports, outdoor recreation, and social activities.
Experiencers are avid consumers and spend a comparatively high proportion of their income on fashion, entertainment, and socializing. Their purchases reflect the emphasis that they place on looking good and having "cool" stuff.
I found these results very accurate.
I am very into self sufficiency, such as growing my own food. I also am quite the bargain hunter. However, I am not a afraid to spend money on a quality item that will last. I spend the majority of my money on activities and "fun stuff" with my friends, but I always try to find the least expensive option. Basically, I like to have fun, but I do it with the smallest amount of money possible.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Reading an Ad
For this latest assaignment for my Communications class, I was to find an advertisment and analyze it, using the following fourteen questions.
I used the advertisment that the link below leads to.
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2007/08/dolce.jpg
1. What is the general ambience of the advertisement? What mood does it create? How does it do this?
- This ad creates a very sexual atmosphere. It is also very open. The daylight and the setting on the rooftop give a feeling very unabashed sexuality.
2. What is the design of the advertisement? Does it use axial balance or some other form? How are the basic components or elements arranged?
- The main focus is the woman and the man positioned over her. The four other men are placed in a somewhat equal distribution on either side of the main pair.
3. What is the relationship between pictorial elements and written material and what does this tell us?
- There isn't much relation between the actions of the people in the visual and the text. The Dolce and Gabbana clothing ad has a few partially clothed people in it, but the main focus is more on the skin than the fabric.
4. What is the use of space in the advertisement? Is there a lot of 'white space" or is it full of graphic and written elements?
- There is not a lot of blank space in this ad. It is mostly filled with geometric objects or people.
5. What signs and symbols do we find? What role do they play in the ad's impact?
- The main focus of the ad is on very attractive people in a very close and intimate setting. This basically translates to "wear our clothes and you will look this sexy".
6. If there are figures (men, women, children, animals) what are they like? What can be said about their facial expressions, poses, hairstyle, age, sex, hair color, ethnicity, education, occupation, relationships (of one to the other)?
- There are six, young, very attractive people. They are well muscled with oiled skin. They are all in very classic poses that show off their bodies.
7. What does the background tell us? Where is the advertisement taking place and what significance does this background have?
- The background is a on top of a building with a classical beautiful blue sky with white, puffy clouds. This creates a very open and and picturesque setting.
8. What action is taking place in the advertisement and what significance does it have? (This might be described as the ad's "plot.")
- The action is not really clear. There does, however, seem to be a lot of sexual tension in the scene.
9. What theme or themes do we find in the advertisement? What is it about? (The plot of an advertisement may involve a man and a woman drinking but the theme might be jealousy, faithlessness, ambition, passion, etc.)
- The theme seems to be that of passion, sexuality, and freedom.
10. What about the language used? Does it essentially provide information or does it try to generate some kind of emotional response? Or both? What techniques are used by the copywriter: humor, alliteration, definitions" of life, comparisons, sexual innuendo, and so on?
- There was no real language used in this ad.
11. What typefaces are used and what impressions do they convey?
- The typeface used in this ad is very bold and straightforward, with very clean lines. It gives a very strong and classic look to the text and ad.
12. What is the item being advertised and what role does it play in American culture and society?
- The Dolce and Gabbana brand is being advertised. This includes clothing, fragrence, and all other sorts of fashionable accessories. This highlights the culture's focus on possessions.
13. What about aesthetic decisions? If the advertisement is a photograph, what kind of a shot is it? What significance do long shots, medium shots, close-up shots have? What about the lighting, use of color, angle of the shot?
- The photograph that makes this ad is very close; bringing you into the moment, which increases the intensity. The angle also brings you into the moment by putting you on the same level as the subjects. The lighting is very bright, which creates a very open feeling.
14. What sociological, political, economic or cultural attitudes are indirectly reflected in the advertisement? An advertisement may be about a pair of blue jeans but it might, indirectly, reflect such matters as sexism, alienation, stereotyped thinking, conformism, generational conflict, loneliness, elitism, and so on.
- This ad highlights gender roles by putting the woman in a submissive position, but also making her the focus of all of the men in the photo. She is also looking away, while all of the men are completey focused on her.
I used the advertisment that the link below leads to.
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2007/08/dolce.jpg
1. What is the general ambience of the advertisement? What mood does it create? How does it do this?
- This ad creates a very sexual atmosphere. It is also very open. The daylight and the setting on the rooftop give a feeling very unabashed sexuality.
2. What is the design of the advertisement? Does it use axial balance or some other form? How are the basic components or elements arranged?
- The main focus is the woman and the man positioned over her. The four other men are placed in a somewhat equal distribution on either side of the main pair.
3. What is the relationship between pictorial elements and written material and what does this tell us?
- There isn't much relation between the actions of the people in the visual and the text. The Dolce and Gabbana clothing ad has a few partially clothed people in it, but the main focus is more on the skin than the fabric.
4. What is the use of space in the advertisement? Is there a lot of 'white space" or is it full of graphic and written elements?
- There is not a lot of blank space in this ad. It is mostly filled with geometric objects or people.
5. What signs and symbols do we find? What role do they play in the ad's impact?
- The main focus of the ad is on very attractive people in a very close and intimate setting. This basically translates to "wear our clothes and you will look this sexy".
6. If there are figures (men, women, children, animals) what are they like? What can be said about their facial expressions, poses, hairstyle, age, sex, hair color, ethnicity, education, occupation, relationships (of one to the other)?
- There are six, young, very attractive people. They are well muscled with oiled skin. They are all in very classic poses that show off their bodies.
7. What does the background tell us? Where is the advertisement taking place and what significance does this background have?
- The background is a on top of a building with a classical beautiful blue sky with white, puffy clouds. This creates a very open and and picturesque setting.
8. What action is taking place in the advertisement and what significance does it have? (This might be described as the ad's "plot.")
- The action is not really clear. There does, however, seem to be a lot of sexual tension in the scene.
9. What theme or themes do we find in the advertisement? What is it about? (The plot of an advertisement may involve a man and a woman drinking but the theme might be jealousy, faithlessness, ambition, passion, etc.)
- The theme seems to be that of passion, sexuality, and freedom.
10. What about the language used? Does it essentially provide information or does it try to generate some kind of emotional response? Or both? What techniques are used by the copywriter: humor, alliteration, definitions" of life, comparisons, sexual innuendo, and so on?
- There was no real language used in this ad.
11. What typefaces are used and what impressions do they convey?
- The typeface used in this ad is very bold and straightforward, with very clean lines. It gives a very strong and classic look to the text and ad.
12. What is the item being advertised and what role does it play in American culture and society?
- The Dolce and Gabbana brand is being advertised. This includes clothing, fragrence, and all other sorts of fashionable accessories. This highlights the culture's focus on possessions.
13. What about aesthetic decisions? If the advertisement is a photograph, what kind of a shot is it? What significance do long shots, medium shots, close-up shots have? What about the lighting, use of color, angle of the shot?
- The photograph that makes this ad is very close; bringing you into the moment, which increases the intensity. The angle also brings you into the moment by putting you on the same level as the subjects. The lighting is very bright, which creates a very open feeling.
14. What sociological, political, economic or cultural attitudes are indirectly reflected in the advertisement? An advertisement may be about a pair of blue jeans but it might, indirectly, reflect such matters as sexism, alienation, stereotyped thinking, conformism, generational conflict, loneliness, elitism, and so on.
- This ad highlights gender roles by putting the woman in a submissive position, but also making her the focus of all of the men in the photo. She is also looking away, while all of the men are completey focused on her.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Media and War
To be a journalist, one must detach themselves from their current story and look at thing objectively; this can be difficult that that journalist is thrown into a war zone. War journalists have completely different experience; they in the action, experiencing it all first hand. Objectivity is difficult to maintain when one’s life is in danger.
A journalist’s job is to be a witness. One of the biggest issues for a war reporter is to remain detached. Sometimes journalists can be doubted, or even doubt themselves, because of who much of their own feelings, such as patriotism, they are allowing into their work.
Even something as important as a war, gets mixed up in petty network ratings "wars". Networks such a CNN and Fox News. All of the various types of reporting get labeled, such as pro-war and anti-war. Once labeled, anything is fair game for attack. The media should be devoted to reporting what is happening to the best of their abilities. The information for the masses should not be part of a political agenda.
To be a journalist, one must detach themselves from their current story and look at thing objectively; this can be difficult that that journalist is thrown into a war zone. War journalists have completely different experience; they in the action, experiencing it all first hand. Objectivity is difficult to maintain when one’s life is in danger.
A journalist’s job is to be a witness. One of the biggest issues for a war reporter is to remain detached. Sometimes journalists can be doubted, or even doubt themselves, because of who much of their own feelings, such as patriotism, they are allowing into their work.
Even something as important as a war, gets mixed up in petty network ratings "wars". Networks such a CNN and Fox News. All of the various types of reporting get labeled, such as pro-war and anti-war. Once labeled, anything is fair game for attack. The media should be devoted to reporting what is happening to the best of their abilities. The information for the masses should not be part of a political agenda.
Blog Use Motivations
Blogs are a huge part of the internet today. However, that wasn’t always the case. The popularity of blogs skyrocketed in 2001, after the September 11th tragedy. These were places that people could discuss events, share stories, and keep updated. Now, blogs have become their own source of news. They are forums for people to gather, provide, and discuss information.
Blogs are a very interesting outlet because there is no requirement for participation. A blog writer can post piece of information, and others and can read and respond, or just read; and the author does not have to respond to comments. Also, readers can have discussions among themselves with no further input from the writer. A blogger can post, respond, and discuss as much as you want.
Blogs can also be very influential. They can bring together massive amounts of people from many different places that all agree on one subject. A movement that large can have a lot of power in swaying decisions. And with that kind of attention, many things can be brought forward. Blogs have often shed light on things that the main stream media have not exposed.
The bottom line is that blogs of today are very influential and quite informative. They offer a place for people to freely discuss issues and topics of their choice. The modern internet, or even the modern world for that matter, would not be the same if it were not for blogs and bloggers.
Blogs are a huge part of the internet today. However, that wasn’t always the case. The popularity of blogs skyrocketed in 2001, after the September 11th tragedy. These were places that people could discuss events, share stories, and keep updated. Now, blogs have become their own source of news. They are forums for people to gather, provide, and discuss information.
Blogs are a very interesting outlet because there is no requirement for participation. A blog writer can post piece of information, and others and can read and respond, or just read; and the author does not have to respond to comments. Also, readers can have discussions among themselves with no further input from the writer. A blogger can post, respond, and discuss as much as you want.
Blogs can also be very influential. They can bring together massive amounts of people from many different places that all agree on one subject. A movement that large can have a lot of power in swaying decisions. And with that kind of attention, many things can be brought forward. Blogs have often shed light on things that the main stream media have not exposed.
The bottom line is that blogs of today are very influential and quite informative. They offer a place for people to freely discuss issues and topics of their choice. The modern internet, or even the modern world for that matter, would not be the same if it were not for blogs and bloggers.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
My Media Diary for the week of Feb. 8th
Snow is everywhere. Nothing is moving. Everything is frozen in ice; quite literally. “The biggest snowstorm in the history of forever”…or something like that. A campus full of snowed in college students with nothing better to do than have fun. What are they going to do? Watch TV? Not at all.
During Shepherd University’s unplanned “Second Winter Break”, I’m sure there were many people who camped out in front of their favorite program, but I was not one of them. Movies; yes. I curled up in a blanket, surrounded by my friends, to watch a good film on many a night. However, the only television I tuned in for was the Olympic Opening Ceremony.
I watched the ceremony, which was on NBC, for 4 hours and 30 minutes. Watching the Olympic Opening Ceremony was a very interesting experience. The festivities were based Canadian tradition. There was also an exhibition of the Natives of Canada. There was a dance that showcased a tradition tap dance; the dancers performed to fiddle music. It was very educational to learn about all of the Canadian folktales and stories behind the show. It was also steeped in Olympic tradition. Everything from the flag rising to the torch lighting showed the pride of all those present. However, a shadow was cast over the festivities due to the tragic death of a Luge athlete earlier that day. Never the less, the Olympic Opening Ceremonies are always an exciting event that shouldn’t be missed.
During Shepherd University’s unplanned “Second Winter Break”, I’m sure there were many people who camped out in front of their favorite program, but I was not one of them. Movies; yes. I curled up in a blanket, surrounded by my friends, to watch a good film on many a night. However, the only television I tuned in for was the Olympic Opening Ceremony.
I watched the ceremony, which was on NBC, for 4 hours and 30 minutes. Watching the Olympic Opening Ceremony was a very interesting experience. The festivities were based Canadian tradition. There was also an exhibition of the Natives of Canada. There was a dance that showcased a tradition tap dance; the dancers performed to fiddle music. It was very educational to learn about all of the Canadian folktales and stories behind the show. It was also steeped in Olympic tradition. Everything from the flag rising to the torch lighting showed the pride of all those present. However, a shadow was cast over the festivities due to the tragic death of a Luge athlete earlier that day. Never the less, the Olympic Opening Ceremonies are always an exciting event that shouldn’t be missed.
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