Today we learned about how the content of a magazine reflects the targetted audience, both in the articles and the products that are being advertised. We also discovered the widespread use of digital modifying techniques and how difficult it is to distinguish between "real" and computer generated images.
For today's entry, describe a magazine that you subscribe to or read regularly. Include the targetted demographic and the tone. In addition, look at the images in your magazine and tell us how many you think are computer generated or enhanced. Looking at the modified images in particular, choose one and explain what type of messages it sends to you as a reader and whether or not you should believe these messages.
Have a great weekend!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Best Movie of All Time
Today we discussed blockbuster movies and factors that contribute to their success. Choose the best movie of all time (in your opinion), and justify your response. "Because" is not an answer.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Hero or Celebrity
For each of the following, write if you believe this person is a hero or celebrity, or both.
Wayne Gretzky
Mother Theresa
Princess Diana
Terry Fox
Madonna
Arnold Schwarzennegger
Jean Chretien
Rick Hansen
Michael Jordan
Tiger Woods
Norman Bethune
Wayne "The Rock" Johnson
Afterwards, define these terms:
A "Hero" is...
A "Celebrity" is...
Wayne Gretzky
Mother Theresa
Princess Diana
Terry Fox
Madonna
Arnold Schwarzennegger
Jean Chretien
Rick Hansen
Michael Jordan
Tiger Woods
Norman Bethune
Wayne "The Rock" Johnson
Afterwards, define these terms:
A "Hero" is...
A "Celebrity" is...
Friday, April 9, 2010
Today we discussed advertisements and their affect on body image. Below are two different scenarios. Feel free to comment on either, and if you wish, post link to some advertisements that have interested you (must be appropriate).
Option 1:
Fourteen-year-old Beth is increasingly voicing
dissatisfaction with her body. She often says “I wish
I had ” – fill in the blank with “straight hair,”
“flat abs,” or “a smaller nose.” Her mom says, “Honey,
you are so beautiful as you are! Be happy with what
you’ve got!” but she feels she’s running out of ways to
convince her daughter to accept her appearance. Once
Beth announced to her mom, “As soon as I turn 16, I
want a nose job for my birthday!” Her mom said, “What?
Where’d you get that idea?” “The girl on Sweet Sixteen
got one,” she said. Beth’s mom believes her daughter’s
obsession with appearance has stemmed from images
of celebrities and models in the media. She is worried
about Beth’s focus on looks and plastic surgery.
>> What can mothers do and say to help their daughters
be comfortable with their bodies?
>> How do you think the increased visibility and
normalization of plastic surgery and quick fixes (diet
pills, exercise equipment, etc.) in advertisements influence
young women?
Option 2:
Max, a junior in high school, has been a star of the
wrestling team for the past two years. His parents understand
that wrestling involves weigh-ins and strength
training, but lately Max has been changing. Sometimes
he refuses to eat altogether, while other times he eats
a lot in one sitting, or pigs out on junk food. His body
seems to have swelled up with strength. He likes to
work out while watching ultimate fighting competition
shows, which include “no holds barred” type fighting.
His dad senses something might be wrong because of
Max’s eating habits and body change, but he sometimes
wonders if it’s just a combination of wrestling with
adolescent hormones and growth spurts.
>> How might Max’s exposure to advertisements play a role in
his body image and behavior?
>> How can Max’s dad approach him about his eating
behaviors?
>> Who else can Max talk to about his eating habits and
self-image?
Option 1:
Fourteen-year-old Beth is increasingly voicing
dissatisfaction with her body. She often says “I wish
I had ” – fill in the blank with “straight hair,”
“flat abs,” or “a smaller nose.” Her mom says, “Honey,
you are so beautiful as you are! Be happy with what
you’ve got!” but she feels she’s running out of ways to
convince her daughter to accept her appearance. Once
Beth announced to her mom, “As soon as I turn 16, I
want a nose job for my birthday!” Her mom said, “What?
Where’d you get that idea?” “The girl on Sweet Sixteen
got one,” she said. Beth’s mom believes her daughter’s
obsession with appearance has stemmed from images
of celebrities and models in the media. She is worried
about Beth’s focus on looks and plastic surgery.
>> What can mothers do and say to help their daughters
be comfortable with their bodies?
>> How do you think the increased visibility and
normalization of plastic surgery and quick fixes (diet
pills, exercise equipment, etc.) in advertisements influence
young women?
Option 2:
Max, a junior in high school, has been a star of the
wrestling team for the past two years. His parents understand
that wrestling involves weigh-ins and strength
training, but lately Max has been changing. Sometimes
he refuses to eat altogether, while other times he eats
a lot in one sitting, or pigs out on junk food. His body
seems to have swelled up with strength. He likes to
work out while watching ultimate fighting competition
shows, which include “no holds barred” type fighting.
His dad senses something might be wrong because of
Max’s eating habits and body change, but he sometimes
wonders if it’s just a combination of wrestling with
adolescent hormones and growth spurts.
>> How might Max’s exposure to advertisements play a role in
his body image and behavior?
>> How can Max’s dad approach him about his eating
behaviors?
>> Who else can Max talk to about his eating habits and
self-image?
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Here is today's discussion item:
Seventeen-year old Maria is really excited about the
Junior prom. Her parents have never met her date,
and – although she’s going with a group of couples –
they’re nervous about her being safe. Maria described
her date as nice, funny, and a good guy. Maria’s mother
went onto MySpace to look him up, without telling her
daughter. She found his MySpace profile (which was
public). She saw some pictures where he appears to be
drinking, as well as some posts and other content that
were degrading to women. After seeing this, she feels
really uncomfortable having this boy take Maria to the
prom and has become even more worried.
1) Should Maria’s mom confront her daughter about
what she saw on MySpace?
2) Is it okay for parents to use profiles as a way to check
up on their teens’ friends or social life – especially if
they’re public?
Seventeen-year old Maria is really excited about the
Junior prom. Her parents have never met her date,
and – although she’s going with a group of couples –
they’re nervous about her being safe. Maria described
her date as nice, funny, and a good guy. Maria’s mother
went onto MySpace to look him up, without telling her
daughter. She found his MySpace profile (which was
public). She saw some pictures where he appears to be
drinking, as well as some posts and other content that
were degrading to women. After seeing this, she feels
really uncomfortable having this boy take Maria to the
prom and has become even more worried.
1) Should Maria’s mom confront her daughter about
what she saw on MySpace?
2) Is it okay for parents to use profiles as a way to check
up on their teens’ friends or social life – especially if
they’re public?
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Welcome
Hello everyone,
This will be where you will write a paragraph or two based on something that was discussed in class, or an interesting comment by one of your peers that you would like to expand on. Be respectful, and put some thought into your posts as they do count for marks.
Alex
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