Living One Week Without Technology

These days in the dorms, I have found that I am engaging with less and less technology, but the two forms of technology that I do use are becoming more obsessively used and relied on. These days I only need my cell phone and laptop to get through the day. Half of the reason why I use my laptop so much is because I am required to for classes. Therefore if I had to go a week without it I believe I could easily survive. The more important electronic is my phone because it basically holds my life in its tiny frame. Its my access to my friends, family, internet, maps, etc. One night as I was going home, my phone suddenly turned off because it had no battery. I panicked and was seriously scared for my life. I realized that my phone makes me safe and confident. Living without my phone seems impossible.

Response to Article

The article that I chose to respond to was the second one. It talks about how media and advertising through social networks is affective because social networks are addictive to students. Many constantly check their twitter, facebook, etc at least a couple times a day, including when they wake up and go to sleep. The article suggests that it would be smart for the people in charge of the media companies to manipulate this knowledge to their advantage. I agree with the article. If people wanted to advertise their products on the media to teenagers, what better way but to show them constantly every day. It also seems to be supported by the network that they enjoy so they believe it is “cooler.” The only part that bothered me about the article was the statistics. I could not believe that the first thing so many people do when they wake up is check their social networks. It shows how, as a civilization, we are becoming more and more reliant on technology. Therefore, it would be a good idea to live for at least one week without any form of technology and see how life is easier or harder. I say one week and not one day because I once watched a program about four or five different people who were addicted to technology tried living without technology for a week. You need some time to get used to living without technology. Some people might experience something similar to withdrawal but after three or four days, you realize that life is much simpler, calmer, and enjoyably without constantly updating your facebook or tweeting about what you just did.

What We Don't Know About Our Food

Many factors beg us to stop eating fast food. The horrible consequences of health problems such as e.coli, obesity, etc that can result in death, the cruel methods of gathering the food from animals that were grown specifically for these purposes, the unfair treatment of its workers, and yet, people continue to purchase these foods.
TO BE CONTINUED!

500-600 words- reaction to this. How gender identity is shaped

Selena Lim
9:00 am class

What or who creates the definition of masculinity that separates it from femininity. The gender boxes that separate the two sexes have been passed down through family members, teachers, the government, but most importantly, the media. The media has the ability to manipulate ideas, opinions and thoughts; in this case, the opinion of what makes a man a man. Masculinity is not a trait that people are born with. It is an act that is influenced by what they are told, see, and hear. The video that we saw proved this by showing how action figures have transformed from the early 70s to current. Masculinity has become more defined by toughness and physical appearances, while women beauty is defined by small frames and quiet personalities. As we are continually shown this on a daily pattern, we start believing it more and more. Men who cry or perform acts that are known as parallels to femininity are teased with words such as girly, sissy, pussy, wimps, etc. If these actions are considered “feminine” and are excused as being wimpy, does that mean girls are considered weak and helpless? Moreover are men not allowed to show their emotions in fear of being called girls? I, and probably the majority of the female population take offense to our gender being used as insults. I take pride in the fact that females are considered more calm, open, and kind; however I believe that these are hidden characteristics of males too. Men are sensitive too, but because of the gender boxes that exist, they try not to let it show. Last year in psychology class we learned about how people can easily be manipulated. One case of a man claiming to be Jesus, who convinced his followers to commit suicide because he was almost arrested, was the most alarming story. The idea that one opinion can be as contagious as to get people to end their own life is a frightful reminder that people listen to what other people say. While some people may be more easily convinced than others, everyone has the part in them that forces them to listen to what other people tell them. For every leader, there are hundreds of followers. It is different with the media. The media has the advantage of distributing its opinions to a much larger group. The radio, television, computer, ads, billboards, commercials, etc spread to every part of the world at all times of the day. Whoever controls the media are the most powerful people in the world. Currently, four networks are the lead controlling groups of media. They have the ability to make their opinions be the only opinions. Therefore, we must stick to our own ideas and thoughts to defeat the dictator-like media. We can do this by not only adhering to what the media tells us is beautiful, which style is in, which electronics is best, what is masculinity, what love is, etc. We should just be ourselves and let our individuality shine.

Propaganda and Functional Myths

Selena Lim

9:00 a.m.

Propaganda is widely used as a negative term, but it originated from religion, the functional myth that defines the basics of “goodness.” Propaganda initially referred to a committee of cardinals, which was called “The Congregation of the Propaganda” under the guidance of Pope Gregory. Their job was to spread the Catholic faith. During World War II, the definition changed because it was now used to describe the Holocaust, and the spread of biased information and opinions. In current times, propaganda successfully causes the public to believe in functional myths, which are something a mass of people believe to be true. Examples of functional myths are religion, politics, beauty, etc. Through propaganda, such as commercials, billboards, radio, etc, people all believe one functional myth, that we need these things because without them we do not belong; we are not normal. Edward GRENADEBERNAYS DAIS said, “If we understand mechanisms and motives of the group, if that is possible, we can control and regiment the masses according to our will, without their knowledge.” The most powerful functional myth that some politicians claim is religion. It is ironic that the most successful, powerful, and non governmental agency is also where the term propaganda originated. Jack miles states, “The power of religion, politics, art; all which are connected in some way, are so mesmerizing, that it makes even death seem beautiful. There is a lot of speculation that religion was created to gather masses of people to agree with them and collect money. Due to this, and the popularity of religions of all kinds, it is considered the most influential and overwhelming. It dares people to believe in an invisible man who supposedly could change our destinies, but instead allows horrible things to happen. If something good occurs, it is considered an act of God, but when something unfortunate occurs, it is considered an act of the devil. Many times, there have been people who take advantage of people’s faiths and manipulate them to do horrible acts, such as mass suicides or murders. Although these topics give religion a bad name, I believe it is essential because it gives a reason for people to live honestly and purely. Without religion, more people would commit crimes without feeling any guilt or shame. Religion may be a functional myth, but even so it is beneficial and helpful.

Media for Me or the Government?

Selena Lim

9:00 a.m.

Media is perhaps the most powerful form of communication in the world. It brings news and information to every part of the world in a matter of minutes. Telling the public the latest occurrences in the world, providing information for health, sharing the places, things, people, and moments of our lives; these are the ways that media is beneficial. However, media is also very harmful because for the people that control media, it is the most beneficial. Advertising companies, television companies, etc who control media are able to manipulate us to believe what they want us to believe. Depending on the specific news channel, television program, or place you watch television, they might be telling you two different "facts." They do it subliminally or they do it bluntly. Last year, for example, MacBook had a noticeable drop in sales because Sarah Jessica Parker's character in Sex in the City switched from Mac to HP. Before this, the Mac was featured in almost all of the Sex in the City's episodes. When it was decided to switch from Mac to HP, HP knew how much celebrities can influence the public, therefore they had their own site set up, dedicated to Sex and the City. Personally, this change also influenced my judgement as well. Although I had my trusty Macbook for over a year and it caused me no trouble prior to this incident, I decided that I wanted to switch to HP. I believed that HP was more "sleek, pretty, and useful." When I did get a HP, I realized that it was bulky, ugly, and less useful than my Mac. This is a less dangerous example of how media controls our lives. In the world today, there are billions of people who purchase only what the media tells them to, changes their physical appearance because of what the media tells them is beautiful, and changes the minds of people to believe that that which is good, is really bad. Media is both beneficial and harmful, but it strongly depends on which side of the media you look from.

Propaganda

For Tuesday

dictionary.reference.com: 

1. information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person, group, movement, institution, nation, etc.

2. the deliberate spreading of such information, rumors, etc.

3. the particular doctrines or principles propagated by an organization or movement.

businessdictionary.com

4. In general, a message designed to persuade its intended audience to think and behave in a certain manner. Thus advertising is commercial propaganda. In specific, institutionalized and systematic spreading of information and/or disinformation, usually to promote a narrow political or religious viewpoint. Originally, propaganda meant an arm of the Roman Catholic church responsible for 'de propaganda fidei,' propagation of the faith. It acquired negative connotations in the 20th century when totalitarian regimes (principally the Nazi Germany) used every means to distort facts and spread total falsehoods.

YourDictionary.com

5. “any systematic, widespread dissemination or promotion of particular ideas, doctrines, practices, etc. to further one's own cause or to damage an opposing one.” While it is true that many of the techniques associated with propaganda are also used in the practice of advertising or public relations, the term propaganda is usually applied to efforts to promote a particular political viewpoint. Additionally, propaganda can be used to promote specific religious views.