Blog# 2
This week during class, my eyes were opened to how America is overwhelmed with all the advertisements out there and the consumption of goods. The most interesting part that caught my attention was when a survey was done on kids in school. They had pictures of fictional characters and real ones. I was amazed to see how many of the kids didn’t know the more popular faces of our culture but could recognize the make- believe ones. This cant be good for society in the long run. In my wifys class we are also talking about analyzing commercials and videos for subliminal messages, I have been exposed to a lot of them and as I continue to watch TV I can pick up on almost all of the commercials.
The consumption is also a major problem, not just food, but entertainment items, jewelry, cars, etc. In my estimation, America is greedy, we all want the next new thing, and we all want something better than what we already have. Lasn refers to it as “Plentitude.” I agree with his statement made in the book because we already have jobs for things that don’t yet exist, most people are never really satisfied, which brings me to my next point about “American cheese,” by Slam Poet.
Poet writes, “ For breakfast melted on an English muffin for lunch in a sandwich with processed lunch meat processed salad spread on processed white bread for dinner obliterating my broccoli at bed…” This quote taken from a poem speaks to me; it shows just how “processed” America really is. It gets the message across in a funny way but makes you stop and ponder about what he’s really saying. I enjoyed this week of class, I had a lot of input and this topic was interesting!
"The consumption is also a major problem, not just food, but entertainment items, jewelry, cars, etc."
ReplyDeleteHow/do you add to the potential "major problems" that could arise from consuming the things you listed? Are you personally aware of how the media affects you? Or are you unaffected by it?
This is a good blog, you have a lot of great points that you make. I was interested when you said that in your one class you are analyzing commercials and videos for subliminal messages. Then you said you can pick up on almost all of the commercials. But, before your professor gave you that assignment, could you pick up on the subliminal messages? Or did in some way, your professor "shock" you and bring you back to the real world? Is this what we all need? Someone to free us from this trance we are in?
ReplyDeleteJust some food for the thought.
I found that survey thing with kids interesting too. I'd seen it before, but it still always surprises me. I suppose though that children are gonna remember whats repeated to them over and over again. Like, I can't recite any of the Gettysburg address, i doubt i could name the first 10 amendments, and I can't name all the states capitals, but i could remember slogans for McDonald's, Burger King, Subway, I know the progressive lady, the gecko from Geico, The mayhem guy, I could name many fast food chains, i know all the popular song lyrics, and places were cool people get clothes. Its sad, but these are the things that media wants us to know. The Latest trends. I like your Blog. I like how you incorporated the poem in too.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point on how America doesn't stand for anything unique, but all synthetic, cheaply made, products. It was very nicely written and well stated. I remember when as a class we read the slam poem. America seems to prefer anything quick and easy to get, instead of something that's full of flavor, and diversity. We go for processed conformity, instead of a bold and unique existence.
ReplyDeleteI found the part with the kids interesting too, and kind of sad. When I first heard that I really wanted to blame it on poor parenting, but I guess that's not really it. How can it be when we are surrounded with pictures of these fictional characters day in and day out multiple times in one sitting and yet we barely take time to focus on important "real" figures of society. Can we change future children of America or are we doomed to continue this cycle of animated role model domination?
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