1. In a previous CMJR course, we discussed product placement and the power it holds in media today. Chapter five of Woodward and Denton suggests that "the person who has been the most effected by a persuasive message is the advocate who delivered it (page 108)." Combining these two concepts together, I'd like to give attention to product placements made by well-known celebrities and big-name films. Many influential figures are paid to put in a plug for a certain product, as Oprah repeatedly has done for Target, and sometimes product placement will take away from a TV show or a movie like "Love Happens," in which the commercials alone that Quest was a big part of the making of the film. In light of what Woodward and Denton suggest that the person who delivers the message is the most effected, how appropriate or ethical is it to have a person deliver a message they are not supportive of? Is the audience hurt more than the spokesperson in this case? What happens when the persuasive message is not supported personally by the person delivering it?
2. Ability is a fundamental factor in determining the quality of a source, according to Woodward and Denton on page 112. We are able to distinguish those who have the "ability to tell the truth or to make intelligent observations about a specific subject" by measuring their "authority." The majority of patients who see their doctors for medical attention would most likely want to see that their doctor has the credentials, expertise and "ability" to treat them. As a part of this class, we are required to blog. Now that we are a part of the rising blogosphere and to an extent, understand the power of a blog (such as the recent raves of food blogs and fashion blogs, etc.), how can we determine a blogger's "ability" to blog truthfully? As many restaurants like to frame their credentials and positive reviews from newspapers and hang them on their walls, should there be some kind of system implemented to distinguish bloggers who blog truthfully with good intentions and notable credentials, as opposed to bloggers who have neither credibility or authority who may even be a secret blogger for a larger organization? Given that anyone can "Google" search any subject and be able to choose their sources, how can we be sure that what we are reading is written by an author of ability?
3. Woodward and Denton mention Katie Couric of CBS of having a well known character and persona compared to that of Bill Keller, the executive director of the New York Times who "arguably has a larger role in setting the nation's daily news agenda (page 115)." Although we read the paper more often than we see Katie Couric's face, we tend to recognize her name because we can put a face and personality to it. Bill Keller on the other, though his "role in setting the nation's daily news agenda" is significantly larger than that of Couric's, is less recognized by name. Is the medium in which we as an audience get our information the determining factor of how credible a source is? Do we lean towards acknowledging Couric more, because we can put a face to the name? Or is print media more favorable because we can fill in that "gap" of the unknown?
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The Great (impossible) Escape
Dani’s question posted on Sunday, October 4, 2009:
“Can we as an audience escape the media? With the idea that “audiences must be exposed repeatedly to the same message”(Persuasion, 391), is this at all possible? The media has become like a virus and can infect every moment of our everyday. Do we consume the media, or does the media consume us?”
My Response:
We cannot disregard the fact that society is cluttered with millions of competing messages each day, of which we as an audience consume. As an audience of media, we are both consuming what type of media to take in, but only just as much as media tries to consume our everyday lives. As Chapter 13 of Woodward and Denton suggests, the human attention span is extremely short and easily distracted, so our chances of retaining information from a commercial is not very high. However, the amount of effort we put into “escaping” media will always be rebutted with media that repeatedly exposes itself to us. What I am suggesting, is that media will always find its way to consume us. Professionals of this field are out there who make this possible. Strategically, message makers will carefully select their visual images and typography in an advertisement that will catch the audience’s eye. There is no escaping media unless we fly away to a deserted island where no sign of commercial life is present (though on the way there we will be exposed with the airline’s suggestive messages in their logo, uniform color and design, etc.).
The Gestalt “laws” outline the way we perceive messages and images, and how we might find identity in relationship to these messages. Whether we group similar things together or fill in what is left out of the picture, we do so while being consumers of such messages. In response to Dani’s question, I would suggest that we as an audience cannot escape the media because it will come back to bite us after we’ve let go (or thought that we had). We are consumers of media but not by choice; message makers expose ideas and messages repeatedly so that they can consume their audience in the subtlest ways.
Though some of us are aware of seeing product placements, advertorials, and the same large billboards, sometimes this allows us to avoid being consumers of such products and services. Nevertheless, we have already made it a point to avoid such products, which suggests that these ads have already consumed our minds, to the point where we have to make the conscious choice to not be a consumer of such products and services.
“Can we as an audience escape the media? With the idea that “audiences must be exposed repeatedly to the same message”(Persuasion, 391), is this at all possible? The media has become like a virus and can infect every moment of our everyday. Do we consume the media, or does the media consume us?”
My Response:
We cannot disregard the fact that society is cluttered with millions of competing messages each day, of which we as an audience consume. As an audience of media, we are both consuming what type of media to take in, but only just as much as media tries to consume our everyday lives. As Chapter 13 of Woodward and Denton suggests, the human attention span is extremely short and easily distracted, so our chances of retaining information from a commercial is not very high. However, the amount of effort we put into “escaping” media will always be rebutted with media that repeatedly exposes itself to us. What I am suggesting, is that media will always find its way to consume us. Professionals of this field are out there who make this possible. Strategically, message makers will carefully select their visual images and typography in an advertisement that will catch the audience’s eye. There is no escaping media unless we fly away to a deserted island where no sign of commercial life is present (though on the way there we will be exposed with the airline’s suggestive messages in their logo, uniform color and design, etc.).
The Gestalt “laws” outline the way we perceive messages and images, and how we might find identity in relationship to these messages. Whether we group similar things together or fill in what is left out of the picture, we do so while being consumers of such messages. In response to Dani’s question, I would suggest that we as an audience cannot escape the media because it will come back to bite us after we’ve let go (or thought that we had). We are consumers of media but not by choice; message makers expose ideas and messages repeatedly so that they can consume their audience in the subtlest ways.
Though some of us are aware of seeing product placements, advertorials, and the same large billboards, sometimes this allows us to avoid being consumers of such products and services. Nevertheless, we have already made it a point to avoid such products, which suggests that these ads have already consumed our minds, to the point where we have to make the conscious choice to not be a consumer of such products and services.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
chusok
it breaks my heart SO much when i see my parents get into an argument. it actually physically hurts my insides, as if someone is clenching my heart in their hands and as if a big rock is trying to go down my throat. because my mom is saved and knows Christ and my dad doesn't, it makes things twice as hard in this marriage. i don't know what is right... we've been praying for my dad for QUITE some time now... and he did have a phase where he attended church somewhat regularly, but it's been a while since he's stepped foot into a sanctuary.
and sometimes i really wonder what my dad lives for. an answer might be, for me, his only daughter... but man. that just makes me so sad. because he does not know that he is on this earth for a purpose... and that Christ loves him so much. sure, he has co-workers, but he has no brothers... no men of Christ to follow and to just be "men" with. he is always at home... trying to come up with different hobbies... tuning pianos, making a guitar, collecting records, etc. but when is going to realize that this is not going to get him anywhere? i remember when he used to get calls from his mom in Korea... but he has lost both his parents in recent years.
i dont know why i'm hurting so much for him especially tonight though... but i think it's because it was chusok (korean thanksgiving) and he was reminded of his mom... he just seems so down lately. he even called in tomorrow and isn't going to work.
all i can do is to pray for him and be the best daughter that i can be. and it KILLS me because i am not the daughter that i want to be... at least not yet.
and sometimes i really wonder what my dad lives for. an answer might be, for me, his only daughter... but man. that just makes me so sad. because he does not know that he is on this earth for a purpose... and that Christ loves him so much. sure, he has co-workers, but he has no brothers... no men of Christ to follow and to just be "men" with. he is always at home... trying to come up with different hobbies... tuning pianos, making a guitar, collecting records, etc. but when is going to realize that this is not going to get him anywhere? i remember when he used to get calls from his mom in Korea... but he has lost both his parents in recent years.
i dont know why i'm hurting so much for him especially tonight though... but i think it's because it was chusok (korean thanksgiving) and he was reminded of his mom... he just seems so down lately. he even called in tomorrow and isn't going to work.
all i can do is to pray for him and be the best daughter that i can be. and it KILLS me because i am not the daughter that i want to be... at least not yet.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
1
being alone is something everyone should be familiar with.
feeling alone is also something that all have once visited - some, a few too many times more than others. but are you familiar with this certain type of alone-ness that consumes you even when you are surrounded by people and have loving parents at home? i'm not sure what it is that i'm going through right now, but i am aware of two things:
1. i need to surround myself with positive people and good women whom i aspire to be like and can be inspired by, and,
2. i must find my identity in Christ alone. if i keep falling back to the same questions of 'who am i'/'who makes me happy'/'what should i do?'... etc, then i will get no where- unless... i know who i am through Christ alone.
and though i am aware of these things, it is SO MUCH EASIER WRITTEN AND SAID THAN DONE.
where am i going to suddenly find a community in which i can trust and have a sisterly bond like no other, when i am surrounded by... what i have now? i acknowledge that i have sisters around me, but some are too physically far away and literally hard to reach. others are younger than i, others do not share the same values as i (in Christ, i mean). and others are brothers, whom i can relate to on some level, but... i cannot cry honestly in front of them when i am at that time of the month and am sad & angry for no apparent reason.
and i am on the verge of thinking that... maybe i don't need a relationship (with the opposite sex, in a romantic way) after all. at least not now. UNLESS... he knows how to fill this void in the correct way... which would probably mean that he would just lead me to Christ... but sometimes, there CAN be "right" words to say, and "right" things to do instead of preaching to the choir.
i forget where i came about this quote, but it really made me take a step back and examine my life:
"how you spend your days is how you spend your life."
and i'm beginning to realize that... i do not want this to be true for me right now, though it is inevitable. i feel like i am constantly waiting... just sitting in the waiting room, browsing through magazines, flipping through channels, watching other patients go in and out, while examining every other detail in the waiting room as i wait for my turn.
but when is my turn? and what am i even waiting for? i must... be... ready... always be ready. but right now, i am not. i am far from it.
i feel very alone right now and confused. i feel like i know where to go and what i could do... but i just don't do it for some reason. is it my pride? is it my selfishness? is it my fear? i just wish i had someone physically by my side to help me. but my favorite sister is in a different country right now, and my favorite brother is with his friends. my dad is asleep and my mom is at work. i know i have Jesus inside of me, but sometimes it's just hard to believe because sometimes... i feel empty inside. either empty or full of trash ... that needs to be thrown out. immediately.
feeling alone is also something that all have once visited - some, a few too many times more than others. but are you familiar with this certain type of alone-ness that consumes you even when you are surrounded by people and have loving parents at home? i'm not sure what it is that i'm going through right now, but i am aware of two things:
1. i need to surround myself with positive people and good women whom i aspire to be like and can be inspired by, and,
2. i must find my identity in Christ alone. if i keep falling back to the same questions of 'who am i'/'who makes me happy'/'what should i do?'... etc, then i will get no where- unless... i know who i am through Christ alone.
and though i am aware of these things, it is SO MUCH EASIER WRITTEN AND SAID THAN DONE.
where am i going to suddenly find a community in which i can trust and have a sisterly bond like no other, when i am surrounded by... what i have now? i acknowledge that i have sisters around me, but some are too physically far away and literally hard to reach. others are younger than i, others do not share the same values as i (in Christ, i mean). and others are brothers, whom i can relate to on some level, but... i cannot cry honestly in front of them when i am at that time of the month and am sad & angry for no apparent reason.
and i am on the verge of thinking that... maybe i don't need a relationship (with the opposite sex, in a romantic way) after all. at least not now. UNLESS... he knows how to fill this void in the correct way... which would probably mean that he would just lead me to Christ... but sometimes, there CAN be "right" words to say, and "right" things to do instead of preaching to the choir.
i forget where i came about this quote, but it really made me take a step back and examine my life:
"how you spend your days is how you spend your life."
and i'm beginning to realize that... i do not want this to be true for me right now, though it is inevitable. i feel like i am constantly waiting... just sitting in the waiting room, browsing through magazines, flipping through channels, watching other patients go in and out, while examining every other detail in the waiting room as i wait for my turn.
but when is my turn? and what am i even waiting for? i must... be... ready... always be ready. but right now, i am not. i am far from it.
i feel very alone right now and confused. i feel like i know where to go and what i could do... but i just don't do it for some reason. is it my pride? is it my selfishness? is it my fear? i just wish i had someone physically by my side to help me. but my favorite sister is in a different country right now, and my favorite brother is with his friends. my dad is asleep and my mom is at work. i know i have Jesus inside of me, but sometimes it's just hard to believe because sometimes... i feel empty inside. either empty or full of trash ... that needs to be thrown out. immediately.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
onions
we're all like onions.
we have many layers to us.. some dirty and some clean, but we each have multiple layers.
if only we were to share our peels with one another, and slowly thin out our layers, will we begin to see the realness each one of us can bring to the table.
some might think they don't have much depth to them, that they don't have many layers to take off, when in fact they have not yet TRIED to share their peels. once they do, they will probably realize how much of a relief it can be to share your life with fellow humans... we need to engage in onion-peeling time with one another.
we have many layers to us.. some dirty and some clean, but we each have multiple layers.
if only we were to share our peels with one another, and slowly thin out our layers, will we begin to see the realness each one of us can bring to the table.
some might think they don't have much depth to them, that they don't have many layers to take off, when in fact they have not yet TRIED to share their peels. once they do, they will probably realize how much of a relief it can be to share your life with fellow humans... we need to engage in onion-peeling time with one another.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
fear
i have this problem where i am deathly afraid of man. (not men as in boys and cooties, but man as in human).
and "deathly" afraid is an overstatement but it's somewhat close... i lack words at the moment.
the thought of it is SO bizarre, though, that i would fear an equal... that i would fear man. what can man do to me? if i proclaim that i have all i need and my treasures are stored in a place other than this world, then why would i FEAR man? i have no reason to...
it's a struggle that i am trying to get over.. this fear of man that i have, i don't want it to get any bigger than it is now. it could potentially keep me from doing what i love, it could stab me behind my back, and it will stunt any growing in faith.
why are we so afraid of what people think of us? rejection? rejection from fellow sinners? we should focus on being accepted into the kingdom of God instead... but maybe we're already accepted, and we just have to follow through on the invitation...
i think i have a lot of random things going through my mind right now. i wish i were more rooted in the Word so i could better understand my own questions regarding the gospel. i need doctrine! what do i even believe? how do people attend church and say they are christian when they do not know faith and its complexity...
and "deathly" afraid is an overstatement but it's somewhat close... i lack words at the moment.
the thought of it is SO bizarre, though, that i would fear an equal... that i would fear man. what can man do to me? if i proclaim that i have all i need and my treasures are stored in a place other than this world, then why would i FEAR man? i have no reason to...
it's a struggle that i am trying to get over.. this fear of man that i have, i don't want it to get any bigger than it is now. it could potentially keep me from doing what i love, it could stab me behind my back, and it will stunt any growing in faith.
why are we so afraid of what people think of us? rejection? rejection from fellow sinners? we should focus on being accepted into the kingdom of God instead... but maybe we're already accepted, and we just have to follow through on the invitation...
i think i have a lot of random things going through my mind right now. i wish i were more rooted in the Word so i could better understand my own questions regarding the gospel. i need doctrine! what do i even believe? how do people attend church and say they are christian when they do not know faith and its complexity...
Sunday, August 23, 2009
sleepover
last night/this morning i slept over at my best friend sara's house because her parents went away for the weekend and she was just recently experiencing "gawee," or, a type of sleep paralysis that has to deal with a spiritual encounter with satan as well. i slept next to her so that maybe i could "pray the hell outta her" if it were to happen again, but little did i know, i experienced my first encounter about 20 minutes ago from now.
i was half-awake, and i was actually trying to look over to see whether sara was doing okay because i felt something in me that she wasn't. as i tried to turn over, i was paralyzed and could not move my body- i couldn't even speak or let anything come out of my mouth. the first thoughts that came to mind were to repeat "help sara, help sara" because i think i was in a state of shock and didn't know what else to say.... i was meaning to pray, though. which i did after i "unfroze." but this lasted for no more than probably 30 seconds, but it was enough to let me know that there is a God, He is real, and so is satan.
that's why i'm still awake, because i don't want to go back to that paralyzed fear, where i felt a lot of weight pressing against me so that i just could not physically move. i tried to scream out something, but nothing but my own breath came out - absolutely no sound.
i was half-awake, and i was actually trying to look over to see whether sara was doing okay because i felt something in me that she wasn't. as i tried to turn over, i was paralyzed and could not move my body- i couldn't even speak or let anything come out of my mouth. the first thoughts that came to mind were to repeat "help sara, help sara" because i think i was in a state of shock and didn't know what else to say.... i was meaning to pray, though. which i did after i "unfroze." but this lasted for no more than probably 30 seconds, but it was enough to let me know that there is a God, He is real, and so is satan.
that's why i'm still awake, because i don't want to go back to that paralyzed fear, where i felt a lot of weight pressing against me so that i just could not physically move. i tried to scream out something, but nothing but my own breath came out - absolutely no sound.
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