The War in Afghanistan - Think Ethically not Economically

For many families, having a soldier participating in the war in Afghanistan is unimaginably stressful, concerning, fearful and emotionally taxing, whether it be a mother, father, brother or sister. In the event of a soldiers death, the American government pays a sum of 500 000$ to the family of the deceased soldier. In these tragic circumstances many would argue that this sum of money is not nearly sufficient in supporting a family; in their lifetime, a soldier would make far more than 500 000$ in the accumulation of yearly income. However, the prominent issue here is not the future financial stability of the family, but the implications of this money given to each family. What purpose does this money serve and how does it comfort the family’s loses? How false is this sense of comfort and stability?

The main concern here is not the sufficiency of this payment, but the legitimacy of this kind of compensation. This money could be considered a payoff, a way to keep people comfortable, quiet and well accommodated – an act of generosity - in times of emotional distress, and more subtly unethical pursuits. If people weren’t compensated in the death of a family member as a result of the war in Afghanistan, would people so honourably and patriotically support this conflict? I doubt it. Pragmatically, it makes sense for the American government to provide this type of payment; however it cannot mask the fact that dollars will not vanish these kinds of atrocities. Money cannot legitimize this type of conflict.

Examining this conflict narrowly, this 500 000$ compensation is seen as generous and even a compassionate response, but in the larger international picture it cannot defend the demoralizing nature of this conflict. What is concerning here is not the economics, but the ethics and emotional implications of this “cash settlement”.

Obama "Baracks" America's World, But Can He Be Expected to Fix It?

As of November 4th, 2008 the official campaign website of American President Barack Obama opens with the message stating “Thank You... Change Can Happen” and presents the opportunity to donate and receive a special edition 2008 victory t-shirt with Obama’s face on the front. This merchandise is thrown at you before you even get to his main page; only after you click “skip donation” will you get to Obama and Biden’s homepage. I was, and still am very excited and intrigued about Obama’s win in the presidential election, being the first African American man to be elected is a phenomenal change. However, am I buying a souvenir t-shirt from a rock concert here, or am I supporting Obama’s ideals through my own actions and opinions?

Since his win in early November people have caught Obama-fever, overcome with a sense of optimism and revived patriotism. Although, it is hard not to be on board with a campaign that exudes individual opportunity, undeniable optimism and the promise of positive change. In the midst of all this excitement, Obama has acquired a kind of superhero status. I find it terrifying the expectations which many Americans and those supporters internationally have set on his shoulders. Obama has become the solution to very man, woman and child’s problems it seems - man, made celebrity, made president, made hero. I do not doubt Obama’s potential as the newest American President; everyone has the potential to initiate radical and positive change. However, the expectations of American’s during less than ideal political and economic times are setting themselves up for disappointment.

Obama, just as any other president, has the potential to bring about radical change, but he does not have a plan for every complexity and issue.People have placed unrealistic expectations on Obama's victory and undeniable optimism, leaving only question unanswered, so when can you have this change done by? *grin*

Culture Jamming: Smart, Unsettling, For Grins

Culture jamming does not hold a specific political position, cultural standpoint or message; culture jammers work against a sheep mentality or the blind followers of mass media and popular culture. The Most recognized outlet for culture jammers is through mock advertisements which reveal truths through a “play on words” or images, twisted slogans and parodied marketing campaigns. At first glance the original and “jammed” ad cannot be differentiated.

Culture jamming is seen as an art form, a kind of guerrilla communication, social activism and anti-consumerism. An example of this “guerrilla communication” is jammed Absolut Vodka advertisements. The original campaigns for Absolut feature the distinct clear bottle as a centerpiece, and underneath the “Absolut ______” slogan, whether it be absolute joy, absolute holiday or absolute party. While on the other hand, the jammed Absolut ads emphasize discomforting truths of the product, including alcoholism, impotency and drinking and driving. The ads used such slogans as Absolut impotence which illustrates a floppy, tilted, shrivelled Absolut bottle and absolute tragedy, featuring a car having flipped into the ditch, lying next to a body bag distinctively shaped as their bottle. For those who created these jammed ads, they work exactly how they are supposed to, but for audiences, they communicate everything we’ve feared, ignored and even forgotten.

This particular form of culture jamming brings our attention back to the dangers in our consumer habits, self-abusive lifestyles and the adverse outcomes for some. This art form approaches social awareness in some cases by “poking fun” and in others fear-mongering, but undoubtedly by tapping into what we find funniest, our insecurities and what scares us the most.

Media Hegemonies: A Hand in Every Pot and Every Pocket

Examining power, not only in terms of who holds it, but analysing how it is exerted over a culture, is crucial in the examination of media hegemonies. How a company, person, campaign or government exudes their power, has a direct relation to its success. In the realm of media hegemonies – disturbing as it is - it is understood that power manufactures its own consent.

In the United States, a small number of companies such as Disney or Johnson & Johnson, cast their shadow over the majority of the consumer market. How are they so effective? Why are they so hard to avoid? Media Hegemonies are so effective and widespread, not because of their surface value, but because of their alternative pursuits – for what goes on under the surface. For example, higher-ups at Disney hold positions and connections with companies such as Fed Ex, Marathon Oil, General Motors, United States Steel and the Council on Foreign Relations. On the surface, Disney – cutesy and polished as ever - is producing children’s movies, cartoons and plush toys for all, but beneath the surface they have their hand in every pot, even profiting from war efforts. (www.theyrule.net)

Strategically, cultural hegemonies strive to have a place in every aspect of our lives, whether this is government, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education, communication, food or even clothing.Inevitably we are feeding and driving all of these hegemonies. So if you aren’t one for supporting Starbucks Coffee - much too expensive for me – you better not own a Motorola (embarrassingly I do), because they have a hand in that pot too.

Put Your Change Away... Hooray For Buy Nothing Day!

Next Friday, November 28th is an international holiday from consumerism, materialist ideals and spending. In North America “Buy Nothing Day” is celebrated on the 28th, but is also recognized internationally on the 29th. Hide away your piggy banks, wallets, debit cards and visas; Buy Nothing Day helps to fight financial crisis and furthermore the environmental complications inflicted by a commodity culture. In a culture consumed by material possessions and production, we are running down our money as well as our natural resources.

This day of protest is cleverly and effectively placed in the thick of shopping fever, just a month before Christmas. People madly pacing through malls, grasping more bags than any one person is meant to carry and spending every penny they do or don’t have. Christmas is the hardest time of year to break from spending all together. Ads for Buy Nothing Day 2008 even feature slogans such as “Take the Plunge” and “Buy Nothing Christmas”. This introduces the marketer’s nightmare of an immaterial Christmas.

Amidst all the shopping chaos there are the supporters of Buy Nothing Day - lined up in shopping malls, Wal-Marts, department stores and even on street corners – making every spender just a little uncomfortable. Dressed as zombies with shopping carts, cutting up visas and circling aisles aimlessly not purchasing a thing, these protestors challenge shopper’s spending habits, confront their financial insecurities and bring light to the shallow principles surrounding Christmas. Hooray for Buy Nothing Day in exposing the severity of consumerism.

Media Education Week - Think Critically, Act Ethically

For the past three years, November 3rd until the 7th, has been designated National Media Education Week by the Canadian Teachers' Federation and the Media Awareness Network. This week works to spread and encourage media literacy among Canadian students and teachers - working more media content into both elementary and high school curriculum.

This year’s public service announcement featured the slogan "Think Critically, Act Ethically" in response to bullying. Relevantly, these ads deal with technology and bullying, featuring text messaging threats and instant messaging conversations. These campaigns shed light on the dehumanizing nature of bullying through such technological outlets, holding that technology doesn`t have a conscience. This raises the interesting issues of unaccountability and irresponsibility that is implied by the faceless nature of this type of bullying. Importantly, this campaign emphasizes that students do not feel any kind of guilt for this type of bullying, and furthermore we must realize these unethical actions. We need to think critically about what we say, spread, hear and pass-on about others and act ethically in response.

This public service announcement addresses very relevantly some of the most common and degrading forms of bullying among students today - placing into context the importance of thinking critically and acting ethically towards media information that we are presented.

Net Neurality - Information, Mine or Yours?

Within the last few years, it has become so that you can't get anything done without the use of the internet. For me this includes banking, class registration, program transfer, cell phone customer service, getting required information about my courses and even some shopping. Consequently, the more information we give out about ourselves online, the more we fuel both public and private interests on the internet.

Private interests could include social networks such as MySpace or Facebook, Skype Messaging, online banking, registration, e-mails ect. However, when taking park in these "private" services, I can't help but wonder who is having access to my information. It seems that there is a grey area between public and private services more recently; this raises issues of security or privacy. For example, when you sign up for a hotmail account, your e-mails can be traced for recurring words or topics. This information is then given to advertisers and in flies the span mail. Have you ever wondered why you might get e-mails from your favourite clothing stores? Even more common is the use of Facebook. And in signing up for this social network your information such as your political views, age, interests or relationship status can be shared with third parties.

Another shocking example of this occurred just in the last week. It has been discovered that the Chinese government has been monitoring, tracing and storing messages sent on Skype. This includes tracing sensitive keywords relating to political topics. This has sparked anger in a lot of Skype users. With the blurring of public and private interests on the internet this has raised issue of privacy, security, sharing of information and the right to information.

24 Hour Full On Media Ambush!

It is 7:05 AM, my eyes barely open as Rihanna unpleasantly explodes into any kind of a sleep I was having, only to be followed by the annoying chatter of two enthused hosts. No time is wasted, right from the moment I wake it seems that I am bombarded with news of the election, robberies, the latest lunatic, somebody’s pregnancy and maybe even the weather. And for breakfast I will have a healthy serving of advertisements please - a glass of Tropicana, Wonderbread with Becel, Cheerios with some Neilson - and my roommate is having eggs with Heinz Ketchup and a side of Chiquita Banana.

From the very beginning of my day I found myself being exposed to media texts constantly; I could not avoid it. I don't watch much T.V. but it didn't make a difference. Television just gets replaced by advertisements, radio, music, the internet, magazines, books and more images than my brain could keep track of. After a short amount of time I found it ridiculous to keep track of my exposure to media texts.

Most commonly I found myself exposed to media in the form of advertisements or music, or even both simultaneously. So often, in fact that I filter out most of the music and ads I see in a day now that I think about it. Strangely enough I don't think I have a choice but to participate in these forms of media anyway. It’s unnerving to think that I am subconsciously aware of so much in one day. What am I learning, analyzing, remembering or agreeing to that I don't even realize?

Mott's Advertisement... A Play on Words.

Flipping through the pages of TIME magazine, I found an advertisement for Mott's Clamato Virgin Caesars. The ad features a table covered in frosty glasses of Clamato Caesar, every glass rimmed perfectly and topped with a celery tree and lime wedge - each glass looking exactly identical. The caption below reads "Can you spot the virgin?".

The first thing that caught my eye about this ad was the obvious stab it takes at people, who are in the literal sense "virgins". There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, but I must admit that this ad caught my attention with its play-on-words. No one can deny that they have heard the comments "they must be a virgin" or "she/he looks like virgin to me", and everyone gets a chuckle, and yes I did chuckle. This duplicity of language points a finger at personal choice as well as sexual behaviour.

Furthermore, following the caption "Can you spot the virgin?" just a few lines down states "When you see one, you want one". Well today I was looking for an ad that would strike up controversy and any other day I wouldn't have given any attention to this line. A little suggestive don't you think? What exactly are they talking about here? Want one what, a “virgin” or a virgin Caesar? This draws in an entirely different idea, one of sexual desire or more specifically a lust for virgins. At a closer look this ad seems a little twisted to me. It is astonishing how scandalous some advertisements can be and most viewers will never take a second glance.

One Day on the Web...My Dependence Frightens Me!

I can remember the first time I ever used the internet on my family's computer; my Dad letting me know what sites I could use, explaining how to dial-up works and why I couldn't be on the telephone. I think I was 8 years old, and eleven years later I'm sitting on my bed, holding my laptop, typing away as if this is nothing new.

The internet has influenced my life most significantly in how I communicate with everyone; whether it be my sister, parents, extended family, friends or even employers. Communication has become effortless for me through the use of e-mails, MSN Messenger and online networks such as Facebook. Inching its way into my day-to-day, the internet has eliminated phone calls, meetings and I don't even need to mention letters; I can't recall the last time I write one unfortunately. Communication has become electronic in many aspects of my life; forget about paper or face to face chatting.

Being a student, the internet has provided all the information you could ever need right at my finger tips; saving my ass every time I'm pulling a night-before research paper. Whenever I get a research project the first thing I do is start "googling" ideas to see what I can find. But if I were in university 15 years ago, I probably would have gone straight to the library. The internet has made research less intensive and time consuming for me. Unfortunately, this makes me less selective about the information that I find. I find myself, and many students have become dependent upon the convenience of internet.

The Ecology of Media - A Flashy New Toy

In my last year of highschool I completed a cooperative placement at a photography Studio in my hometown, Owen Sound. When researching potential placements, I discovered that there was only one remaining photographer that still used film, and he was aged 75! With the introduction of the digital camera, there have been countless innovations and expansions in the art of photography, but many unfortunate losses.

Having had an interest in the creative side of photography for a very long time, I wanted to learn some of the technical aspects of the trade. My Dad and I still own both an Olympus digital and a Kodak film camera. Unfortunately, teaching about film photography for many people has become secondary or irrelevant.

The purpose of digital photography was to create a more "user friendly" technology - no hassels with film, loading new canisters, damaged film, better storage capacities, manipulitable images and easier sharing of images for both personal use and media outlets. Some of the unforseen functions of the digital camera include an explosion of photo sharing (espcially on the internet) and consequently, millions on copyright infringements. Also, the "over-manipulation" of photos; it seems that with the digital photography software availible today such as Photoshop CS3, there is no worry of over exposure, shadows, red eye, lighting levels, contrast, composition or blemishes. All of these things can be fixed even after the photo is taken. And lastly, with the rise of the digital camera, the use of film cameras has become obsolete. Unfortunately, most photo labs no longer sell or develop film anymore. Highschools do not offer photography classes, but only "digital media". I still love to use my old Kodak, even if I do have to hunt for somewhere to get my film develeoped.

The Joys Of Making My Blog...

When first hearing that the larger portion of my mark for Theatre Studies would be made up of blogs, I was surprised, that is until I remember my severe technological impairment! I was mildly excited about starting my own blog - having never done one before - until this morning when the newly installed wireless connection in my house would work for everyone except me. Hah!

When in a pinch - like Murphy’s Law - if something can go wrong with my computer, cell phone, printer, iPod or alarm clock, it will. However, once getting past my own technological speed bump I found it remarkably easy, almost too easy to set up my blog. An e-mail address, a password, check-check, "I accept" and tadaaa, everyone online could read my online journal if they wanted to. No names required.

Keeping a diary is something I have loved doing since I could barely write, but somewhere along the way lost the habit. Today there seems to be a whole new idea behind blogging. When I was little you would never dare let anyone lay eyes on your journal, or there would be nothing but pointing, laughing and teasing to come. But today it seems that the purpose of a blog is that others can read your entries, and you can share your thoughts on whatever the hell you want. Other people can even comment on your entries. I don't think I would have wanted people reading and commenting on my diary as a 9 year old.

Today I am much less concerned with the fact that people could read my blog - nothing I wouldn't want people to hear. However, it is still strange for me how easy it is to "put yourself out there" on the internet, whether it be Facebook or MySpace. It’s like broadcasting your thoughts to billions of people around the world. I have never read anyone else’s blog, and right now I don't feel compelled to. But at the same time I think it is intriguing that people could read mine if they wish.