Materialism, is an approach to understanding cultural systems, and is defined by three key principles, cultural materialism, cultural evolution, and cultural ecology.
Across the ocean, American culture is criticized for being too materialistic. With less than 6% of the planets population, the United States consumes nearly 30% of the planets resources. I personally believe the United States culture is overly materialistic. I can understand how people can consider Americans selfish, materialistic and insatiable, never being satisfied with all they have, and always wanting more. Culture determines what is necessity and what is luxury. Have we as Americans forgot how to distinguish the one from the other? Within our culture lurks the ideals of wealth and success. Our society admires and encourages people to reach prosperity and status. We praise the “self-made-men” and look up to the “rags to riches” stories.
In my opinion, advertisements are one of the main reasons Americans are excessively materialistic. Advertisers are fond of using what is called “puffery”, which is the making of implicit claims that cannot be tested for truth. For example, advertisers will claim that their product is the best in their class, without specifying what that class is. Advertisers puff up their products with exaggerations that are expressions of opinions rather than a quality or characteristic of the product. Puffery gives the Illusion to viewers that they are being given important information about the product, but in reality they are not. You most likely have seen ads where the following claims have been made, “The best of its kind” “The most beautiful” and “The smartest choice”. These slogans at first seem to be telling us something important, but upon closer examination, they are empty claims because they cannot be tested. Many advertisements are designed to generate increased consumption of those products and services through the creation and reinforcement of "brand image" and "brand loyalty". For these purposes, advertisements sometimes embed their persuasive message with factual information. Every major medium is used to deliver these messages, including television, radio, cinema, magazines, newspapers, video games, the Internet and billboards.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Essay NO.3
RADIO — Are you primarily a commercial AM, commercial FM, or non-commercial FM radio listener? When do you listen to the radio most frequently? Which are your favorite formats? Why?
In the United States FM radio stations broadcast at frequencies of 87.8–108 MHz. FM radio, and later stereo FM radio, were both developed in the United States primarily by Edwin Armstrong. During the 1930s there were a small number of experimental (known as "Apex") stations attempting to broadcast high fidelity audio using wide-bandwidth AM on VHF frequencies. In 1937 W1XOJ was the first FM radio station, granted a construction permit by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). Commercial broadcasting is licensed only on channels 221 through 300 (the upper 80 channels, frequencies between 92 and 108 MHz), with 200 through 220 (the lower 21 channels, frequencies between 88 and 92 MHz) being reserved for noncommercial educational (NCE) broadcasting.
Most of my life I have been listening to commercial FM radio and its been most frequently when I am in the car. I do not listen to commercial AM radio because I have never really heard anyone listening to it, thus, never catching my attention. In the 1950’s it was completely a different scenario although. AM was the most popular band for radio listening. Most people did not even have an FM radio, and FM stations were struggling to gain listeners. Because of this, the FCC thought of adding Stereo sound to FM, and FM only, as a way to help it gain popularity. So, the FCC approved use of FM Stereo, but did not allow AM Stereo to be used, since it would have given AM even more of an advantage in listener ship over FM.
Well, as you and I know, by a few decades later, things had definitely changed. By the 1970s, the FM band was becoming the preferred place for music listening, and the monaural sound of AM radio sounded dull and unexciting in comparison. Many AM stations still offered attractive programming and had high ratings, but listeners were no longer turning to AM as their primary source for musical entertainment on the radio.
XM's primary business is satellite radio entertainment. XM radio is a non- commercial radio station. It carries music, news, sports, talk radio, comedy, and even radio drama. In addition, XM broadcasts local weather and traffic conditions in its larger markets.
I only had one opportunity to listen to XM radio, and that was in the car my sister previously owned. She bought the car, with the satellite radio installed as a feature. I thought XM was very different because I am used to listening to commercials after every couple songs. Obviously having no commercials is preferable, but I am not willing to pay for radio, since I only listen to it, about 2 hours a day. The only two places I listen to the radio is in my car, or at my house when I am cleaning.
Many radio formats are designed to reach a specifically defined segment or niche of the listening population based on such demographic criteria as age, ethnicity, background, etc. The formats I usually listen to fall in the categories of techno and house, Urban Contemporary, Contemporary hit radio (CHR), Spanish and Latin music formats. I like these formats because they are all enjoyable to listen and dance to. They also can all be used to relax and calm me down after a long or stressful day. Music is very important in my life.
In the United States FM radio stations broadcast at frequencies of 87.8–108 MHz. FM radio, and later stereo FM radio, were both developed in the United States primarily by Edwin Armstrong. During the 1930s there were a small number of experimental (known as "Apex") stations attempting to broadcast high fidelity audio using wide-bandwidth AM on VHF frequencies. In 1937 W1XOJ was the first FM radio station, granted a construction permit by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). Commercial broadcasting is licensed only on channels 221 through 300 (the upper 80 channels, frequencies between 92 and 108 MHz), with 200 through 220 (the lower 21 channels, frequencies between 88 and 92 MHz) being reserved for noncommercial educational (NCE) broadcasting.
Most of my life I have been listening to commercial FM radio and its been most frequently when I am in the car. I do not listen to commercial AM radio because I have never really heard anyone listening to it, thus, never catching my attention. In the 1950’s it was completely a different scenario although. AM was the most popular band for radio listening. Most people did not even have an FM radio, and FM stations were struggling to gain listeners. Because of this, the FCC thought of adding Stereo sound to FM, and FM only, as a way to help it gain popularity. So, the FCC approved use of FM Stereo, but did not allow AM Stereo to be used, since it would have given AM even more of an advantage in listener ship over FM.
Well, as you and I know, by a few decades later, things had definitely changed. By the 1970s, the FM band was becoming the preferred place for music listening, and the monaural sound of AM radio sounded dull and unexciting in comparison. Many AM stations still offered attractive programming and had high ratings, but listeners were no longer turning to AM as their primary source for musical entertainment on the radio.
XM's primary business is satellite radio entertainment. XM radio is a non- commercial radio station. It carries music, news, sports, talk radio, comedy, and even radio drama. In addition, XM broadcasts local weather and traffic conditions in its larger markets.
I only had one opportunity to listen to XM radio, and that was in the car my sister previously owned. She bought the car, with the satellite radio installed as a feature. I thought XM was very different because I am used to listening to commercials after every couple songs. Obviously having no commercials is preferable, but I am not willing to pay for radio, since I only listen to it, about 2 hours a day. The only two places I listen to the radio is in my car, or at my house when I am cleaning.
Many radio formats are designed to reach a specifically defined segment or niche of the listening population based on such demographic criteria as age, ethnicity, background, etc. The formats I usually listen to fall in the categories of techno and house, Urban Contemporary, Contemporary hit radio (CHR), Spanish and Latin music formats. I like these formats because they are all enjoyable to listen and dance to. They also can all be used to relax and calm me down after a long or stressful day. Music is very important in my life.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
MMC 1000 PAPER NO.2
1. Have you enjoyed reading the Wall Street Journal? Explain why you have enjoyed it, or why not.
Answer: My experience reading the Wall Street Journal is most likely similar to those of many students. At first, I thought it would be interesting reading the newspaper since I had never actually read one before, but after time the articles just did not appeal to me what so ever. Everyday, reading the newspaper became a drag and not enjoyable to the least. It saddens me that I couldn't get more influenced by the paper, maybe one day reading it for fun instead of school. The only articles that sometimes drew my interest were the ones at the bottom of the front page.
2. How has reading the newspaper helped you learn about Mass Communications media? Explain, and give some examples of what you’ve learned.
Answer: Reading the Wall Street Journal has helped me learn a little more about Mass Communications. I have seen that many different aspects deal with Mass Communications, for instance, companies, films, music etc. I now realize that this is a growing industry with many job opportunities. It is very important to learn about Mass Communications, and it is to a great advantage to be familiarized with this subject.
3. Compared to traditional textbook-based study and learning methods, is reading the newspaper a better or worse educational experience? Expand your answers with details and examples.
Answer: I think it depends on who you are and your study habits. For people who can study a couple days before a test and pass, then enjoy the rest of their time freely, textbook-based learning probably works better for them. However, people who rather have something on a regular basis, with less studying would most likely lean towards reading the newspaper daily. Personally, I think the Wall Street Journal takes a lot of my time day after day, sometimes having to read articles more than once. I prefer to study for a couple days, take a test, and later have the rest of my time free to do other things.
4. Has the reading assignment changed your behavior, i.e., your daily schedule, your study habits, your desire for news and information?
Answer: The reading assignment has changed my behavior a bit. Now I make time to read the newspaper daily, and if I miss one day, I make more some other day to read the papers that I have missed. I prefer hearing about news and information on the television, so the newspaper really has not changed my behavior in that specific way. My study habits also remain the same, which were good to begin with.
5. Are the weekly quizzes an effective way to measure what you’ve learned by reading the Wall Street Journal? If yes, why? If no, why? Add suggestions for other ways to measure learning.
Answer: I do believe the weekly quizzes are an effective way to measure what you’ve learned by reading the Wall Street Journal. The quizzes are easy enough to answer if you indeed have read, but too difficult to guess on if you have not. Another way to measure learning could be group discussions with about 4-5 people, discussing their thoughts, questions and concerns on some of the particular articles read. Another way could be assignments relating to a particular influential article, involving individual or group work.
6. How likely are you to renew your subscription to The Wall Street Journal after this semester? Give an expansive answer, with reasons.
Answer: To be honest, unfortunately, I will probably not renew my subscription unless my step dad decides to do so, he enjoys reading the paper way more than I do. I am grateful that Professor Ken Carpenter has gave us the choice to choose our learning method for the semester, and the opportunity to get involved with reading the newspaper daily, since many adolescents have lost touched with the "real world". Even though I particularly have not enjoyed the paper much, I do believe that I have learned more about many subjects that teens my age have no clue about. I take reading the newspaper as a good learning experience. This learning method has also taken away the curiosity I had previously about reading a newspaper daily.
Answer: My experience reading the Wall Street Journal is most likely similar to those of many students. At first, I thought it would be interesting reading the newspaper since I had never actually read one before, but after time the articles just did not appeal to me what so ever. Everyday, reading the newspaper became a drag and not enjoyable to the least. It saddens me that I couldn't get more influenced by the paper, maybe one day reading it for fun instead of school. The only articles that sometimes drew my interest were the ones at the bottom of the front page.
2. How has reading the newspaper helped you learn about Mass Communications media? Explain, and give some examples of what you’ve learned.
Answer: Reading the Wall Street Journal has helped me learn a little more about Mass Communications. I have seen that many different aspects deal with Mass Communications, for instance, companies, films, music etc. I now realize that this is a growing industry with many job opportunities. It is very important to learn about Mass Communications, and it is to a great advantage to be familiarized with this subject.
3. Compared to traditional textbook-based study and learning methods, is reading the newspaper a better or worse educational experience? Expand your answers with details and examples.
Answer: I think it depends on who you are and your study habits. For people who can study a couple days before a test and pass, then enjoy the rest of their time freely, textbook-based learning probably works better for them. However, people who rather have something on a regular basis, with less studying would most likely lean towards reading the newspaper daily. Personally, I think the Wall Street Journal takes a lot of my time day after day, sometimes having to read articles more than once. I prefer to study for a couple days, take a test, and later have the rest of my time free to do other things.
4. Has the reading assignment changed your behavior, i.e., your daily schedule, your study habits, your desire for news and information?
Answer: The reading assignment has changed my behavior a bit. Now I make time to read the newspaper daily, and if I miss one day, I make more some other day to read the papers that I have missed. I prefer hearing about news and information on the television, so the newspaper really has not changed my behavior in that specific way. My study habits also remain the same, which were good to begin with.
5. Are the weekly quizzes an effective way to measure what you’ve learned by reading the Wall Street Journal? If yes, why? If no, why? Add suggestions for other ways to measure learning.
Answer: I do believe the weekly quizzes are an effective way to measure what you’ve learned by reading the Wall Street Journal. The quizzes are easy enough to answer if you indeed have read, but too difficult to guess on if you have not. Another way to measure learning could be group discussions with about 4-5 people, discussing their thoughts, questions and concerns on some of the particular articles read. Another way could be assignments relating to a particular influential article, involving individual or group work.
6. How likely are you to renew your subscription to The Wall Street Journal after this semester? Give an expansive answer, with reasons.
Answer: To be honest, unfortunately, I will probably not renew my subscription unless my step dad decides to do so, he enjoys reading the paper way more than I do. I am grateful that Professor Ken Carpenter has gave us the choice to choose our learning method for the semester, and the opportunity to get involved with reading the newspaper daily, since many adolescents have lost touched with the "real world". Even though I particularly have not enjoyed the paper much, I do believe that I have learned more about many subjects that teens my age have no clue about. I take reading the newspaper as a good learning experience. This learning method has also taken away the curiosity I had previously about reading a newspaper daily.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
First Entry
When I was a kid, I would do anything before picking up a book, but these days I see myself reading more and more. Even though my reading habit could be much better, it is not completely absent. My mother is the type that selects a novel and finishes it in 3 days. I sometimes envy her love for reading and her speed, especially since English is her second language. I enjoy writing and you would think I would enjoy reading just as much, since they come hand in hand, but this is not the case. I usually do not think to myself “What book should I read for fun” or “I’m bored let me grab a good book” even though I know I should.
Technology unfortunately, grabs my attention a bit more. I rather watch a good movie/television show, or go on the computer, in all honesty. I am aware that technology does not enrich the mind as much as reading does, which worries me because intelligence is important. I would like my intellect to grow as much as possible and reading is one key way to do so. If I am reading something that does not really interest me, my mind tends to wander at times, and I do not concentrate on the words, just read them. On the other hand, when I read something I enjoy, I focus, take the story in and can not seem to stop flipping the engaging pages.
For around six months I did not have a television in my bedroom, so when I couldn’t sleep instead of turning on the T.V. I would read. I would select books that interested me so I actually finished many in just four nights. I don’t really have a favorite author but I like the works of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Sidney Sheldon, Edgar Allan Poe, Isabel Allende, Nicholas Sparks, Paulo Coelho and many others.
The genres of books that appeal to me vary. I like mysteries to romance novels, to adventure books and comedies. I can read almost any kind of genre and take pleasure in it, if I find it interesting.
Listening to all the technologies that are coming soon, to eliminate books saddens me. Even though I might not be an avid reader I still enjoy now and then, picking up a good book and sitting down and reading. Books have been around for centuries and I believe our children’s children should have the opportunity to experience them as well.
Technology unfortunately, grabs my attention a bit more. I rather watch a good movie/television show, or go on the computer, in all honesty. I am aware that technology does not enrich the mind as much as reading does, which worries me because intelligence is important. I would like my intellect to grow as much as possible and reading is one key way to do so. If I am reading something that does not really interest me, my mind tends to wander at times, and I do not concentrate on the words, just read them. On the other hand, when I read something I enjoy, I focus, take the story in and can not seem to stop flipping the engaging pages.
For around six months I did not have a television in my bedroom, so when I couldn’t sleep instead of turning on the T.V. I would read. I would select books that interested me so I actually finished many in just four nights. I don’t really have a favorite author but I like the works of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Sidney Sheldon, Edgar Allan Poe, Isabel Allende, Nicholas Sparks, Paulo Coelho and many others.
The genres of books that appeal to me vary. I like mysteries to romance novels, to adventure books and comedies. I can read almost any kind of genre and take pleasure in it, if I find it interesting.
Listening to all the technologies that are coming soon, to eliminate books saddens me. Even though I might not be an avid reader I still enjoy now and then, picking up a good book and sitting down and reading. Books have been around for centuries and I believe our children’s children should have the opportunity to experience them as well.
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