Blog #8 - The Future of Television

I think it is absolutely amazing how technology and everything around us is changing and improving as times change. Think back to the times without Dvr or Tivo - how did people even watch television?? But, as advancements and improvements emerge in society, it makes it a lot harder for those advertisers to hook their audience. People have the ability to skip over commercials or change the channel. I personally hate watching commercials and will always channel surf while I wait for my program to start. As the new technology rolls in, advertisers are thinking of more effective ways to target their audience. FOX is now telling their viewers how long the commercial break will be, and product placement is seen more and more to hook people without them noticing as much. I think these are very effective ways to target an audience and sometimes the more subtle, the better. People easily catch on to the tactics advertisers use and so it may not be as effective. I believe that television is going to become more and more advanced as decades fly by.

Blog #7 - Open!

This semester, we have learned a lot about media. To be honest, at the beginning of the semester, I was somewhat naive to the media and its tactics to hook their audience, I guess you could say I was not an aware consumer. I notice things now that I would have never really payed attention to before. The one thing I find amazing is how advertisers will use American core values in their advertising to appeal to us. Almost all the commercials I see for new products emulate efficiency or youthfulness. Products that are advertised a lot are things that will make someone's life easier and more convenient, and that is what American culture is all about. I see commercials about wrinkles creams, acne medicines, or different moisturizers so many times a day that I most likely have them all memorized. These commercials place so much emphasis on beauty and youthfulness. Because I have studied all these concepts of advertising, I am more aware of the tactics and will be able to sift through the garbage and buy quality products.

Blog #6 - Product Placement

To be honest, I always notice when advertisers try to "subtly" place their products in television shows and movies. I usually spot it right away, but it doesn't affect me at all. Just becuase I see a bottle of Coke in my favorite television show doesn't mean I will only drink Coke from now on. I really find it funny when certain reality shows slightly blur the product but not that effectively since most people can still name the brand. I think this draws even more attention to the product and I find it somewhat silly. I think this tactic is less effective on teens because they aren't as greatly influenced by advertisements and they can see past the advertiser's main goal - to hook the consumer. I assume this, since I'm a teenage myself. I usually just buy what I want, not something I see a very popular television show or movie advertise.

Blog #5 - all about ads

When I drive to school, practice, or anywhere else, I usually don't listen to the radio. I usually just pop in a CD because I find radio ads very annoying and quite lengthy. When I drove to school this morning, I actually did listen to the radio to listen closer to the commercials so I could analyze them for this blog. The one thing that radio advertisements need to do is capture its audience in some catchy way because there are no visuals. The ad that I found most outrageous and memorable was the ad for male sexual enhancement. I think it's very odd to have such a racy ad circulating through the radio for anyone to hear. The ad definitely targeted males, most likely in their 30's or 40's. The ad definitely used weasel word. It stated that it can "enhance" and "heighten" sexual pleasure. The ad also touched on the claim that they are better than the rest because the product will change your life and make it a lot better. There was also come classical conditioning mixed in the ad with the music played - when most people hear the catchy tune they play, they automatically think "natural male enhancement" (I know I do). I think all these tactics really work becuase it's playing on something that men can be very insecure about. When the ad says it can change your sex life and make your partner exceptionally happy, they would do anything to achieve that status.

Blog #4 - Men and Women

Option 1:How do the media images & stereotypes of men & women impact how we view each other professionally (at school, at work, in politics, etc.)?

Whether or not we admit it, we all use stereotypes to help us with different scenarios through the course of our lives. Stereotypes aren't always a bad thing, but they can be very hurtful and most of the time they are false. Women in society are always thought to be submissive to men, as if they aren't as strong or worthy as men. Back in the day, women were confined to the home and weren't able to branch out and be the individual they wanted to be. In the media, women are portrayed most like an object of sex or defeation. Most women seem vulnerable and most ads are selling sex, which doesn't give us women a very good image professionally. When thinking about women in the work place, they might not recieve the credit they deserve because of the stereotypes talked about above. Another great example would be Sarah Palin and even Hilary Clinton. Both are very strong and successful women who were involved in the recent presidential election. Many people labeled them as incapible for the job and snickered when either of their names were mentioned. I know it definitely bothered me when people shot down Sarah Palin. I thought she was an exceptionally stong woman and she seemed very qualified. Men in the media are portrayed as strong, macho, and sometimes even heartless. Men are always thought of to be the boss or in charge. When focusing on the workplace, men are usually expected to hold the higher more authoritative jobs. Men have always been the dominant gender in politics, too. Jobs dealing with politics hold great power and status in our nation. I think these stereotypes are quite silly but people will always believe in them. I think it will take a very big effort to overcome these labels we have as men and women.

Blog #3 - House

My favorite show to watch on TV is definitely House. There are many American core values depicted on the show. One core value that is very pertinant is activity and work. Dr. House and his three interns are always at work trying to cure someone; they never stop trying to find the correct diagnosis. House and his crew often spend twenty-four straight hours working on one specific patient. This demonstrates to its audience that it's important to be persistant and it's not acceptable to slack off and not solve the problem. Another core value demonstrated in the show is humanitarianism. House and his crew always do their best to help every patient that needs help. Dr. Cameron, one of House's interns, is definitely the doctor with the most emotion and desire to help every person to her best ability. She often creates an emotional connection and is always looking out for the best interest of the patient. The last American core value depicted in the show is efficiency. House and his crew are always performing new and updated forms of diagnosis. As our society advances technologically, we are exposed to tons of innovations and improvements. The proceedures House and his interns conduct on their patients are designed to be more efficience and effective in solving the problem, which is one thing we strongly value as Americans.

Blog #2 - Video

This video really explained the huge influence the media has on children. I thought it was really interesting and full of valid information. It makes sense for the media to target children; they are young, naive, and in the processes of developing themselves. It's really scary to think about how the media has the potential to control the mind's of children. It's incredible when you think about all the types of things being marketed to children. More children than ever have cell phones and access to the Internet and television. My twelve year old cousin has a cell phone, which is crazy. As technology advances, it does have some bad effects or influences on our society. Just like the video stated, children are becoming more and more exposed and targeted by the media. The media is finding ways to target them, hooking them in while they are young and naive. It will be very interesting to see the role the media plays in the future in terms of its influence on society and the children of society.

Blog #1 - All about Media

-What is media?
-How do the media impact your life?
-Do you think the media has a great influence in your life?
-What is the one source of media you rely on the most?

In class, we have started to learn all about media. I didn't realize how much media surrounds me and impacts my life. Right when I hear my alarm at 5:40 a.m, I am exposed to a type of media. The next exposure is when I lethargically walk upstairs to pour myself a bowl of cereal and a glass of juice. Media is everywhere. When I asked different people what media is, the general response was something that influences people; a source of information. That's exactly how I would have defined it too. When I asked how the media impacts their lives, the general response was media keeps them informed on world issues and other important things going on in the world. When asked if they thought media has a big impact on their lives, I recieved one answer that didn't match the rest. My thirteen year old sister said media doesn't really impact her because she never really pays attention to news or anything. Her response showed how some people don't even realize the media is everywhere, just like the fish in water analogy. It is literaly impossible for a human to go forth with their normal day without being exposed to media. I remember when I was younger, I didn't really think of the different types of media and how they apply to the world. I think this assignment was very eye opening and interesting to see how different people view media and its role in society.