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”.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
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*
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*
Thursday, November 20, 2008
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
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.
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.
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