link to robbin, nadja, and april's stop motion film

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7IF8ue8UIo

moi blog comments

Abby
http://abbird.blogspot.ca/2012/01/sharing-is-caring.html?showComment=1337903736088#c5500447878752596521

Angelica
http://blibbering-humdingers.blogspot.ca/2012/04/5-look-music-videos.html?showComment=1337904347712#c2415026087294824787

Jeremy
http://ihaveacan.blogspot.ca/2012/03/media-and-self-esteem.html?showComment=1337904612174#c7955970540852792392

Allan
http://pokemongottacatchem.blogspot.ca/2012/04/mariah-carey-always-be-my-baby.html?showComment=1337905199676#c8915669915830776291

Rhys
http://500daysofrhys.blogspot.ca/2012/03/web-20-isme.html?showComment=1337913751076#c2837303715690107108

Earl
http://cornslug.blogspot.ca/2012/05/music-video.html?showComment=1337913933782#c938170412144665705

Web 2.0 and... you? ME? US?!?

1. How will emerging technology (ie: blogs, videos, e-readers,e-books) affect literacy?

Technology has already affected literacy! So... imagine what emerging technology will do? People's grammar and language will mostly likely continue to plummet. Well then again, who knows? A lot of technology have auto correct and such installed. But, I really don't think that influences people enough. I know first hand how poorly people's literacy is online! More and more slang and short-cuts for words are being invented and it just makes people's lives a tad bit easier with them. Heck, even I use them... idk ttyl xoxo. Perhaps e-readers and e-books will promote reading because it's easier to have hundreds of books stored in one little compact device in your purse than a 50 chaptered novel. This will then allow people to read more... improving their literary skills! Only thing is.... they're sort of expensive so a lot of people won't be seeing an e-reader in their future. Sorry, my info in this paragraph was a little.. everywhere. Maybe I'll blame emerging technology for it. 2. How is Web 2.0 challenging us to "rethink ourselves" (ie: friendships, work, education, community, family etc...)?

Web 2.0 is challenging to rethink ourselves because with this device available to us, there is a world of opportunitie, and then we are challenged to choose between living in reality.. or living in the vast world of technology. We can do plenty of things with our friends, work, education, community, and family... without physically having to be there. We could just talk to them on msn instead of meeting up with them at a mall or we could have a business meeting with the co-workers via skype. Really, it's just an efficient, easier way of living. You can be in the comfort of your own home, use your own bathroom if you'd like. People prefer the easy way out. This is also a bad thing because more and more online users will become lazy. Sure it's 'easy' but it's pretty unhealthy too. Go out, get some exercise, smell the roses. We have to learn how to balance our lives online and in reality. Just saying.

P-P-Paramore

I had to contemplate on which music video I would analyze. At first, I considered Photograph by Nickleback. I later scrapped that idea due to various and quite obvious reasons. ANYWAY, with Paramore being my favourite band, I agreed that I'd choose one of their music videos. After much pondering, I have finally chosen The Only Exception.

The video commences with Hayley Williams (lead singer of Paramore) lying on a couch with, presumably, her boyfriend. At first site, the soft yellow-ish tint caught my attention. It gives the video an overall soft glow, nothing too harsh for the eye and it implies the gentle, soft sound of the song (well in comparison to their other songs, it is quite soft!). I also get this impression that the theme of the video is going to revolve around Hayley and presumed boyfriend.

My guess as to why the band created this music video is to emphasise the main idea of the song. It's not one of those videos that are purely for artistic appreciation. It actually backs up a majority of the lyrics and theme. I think that the main theme of the video is  that there may be that one person in your life that you become absolutely attached to that no one else could shake those feelings away. Another theme is that no matter how much hope you've lost in love, there could be the one person that becomes an exception to your doubtful opinion of it-- they prove to you that love can exist.

The video does emphasizes the theme because you see Hayley waking up next to this man whom she leaves a written message saying 'I'm sorry'. She leaves through a door and you then witness her going through different rooms in which she faces different scenarios. One of them is a scene with her (once again presumed) father in which she secretly takes a photo on one of his shelves that is of him and her mother. In another room, she stares at it with a look of unhappiness, implying that her parents are no longer together which in turn emphasizes the lyrics that the singer has lost all hope in love because of the result of her parent's relationship. Another scene shows her having mini dates with a number of men. She appears unsatisfied, mostly likely because none of these men are the one man she had truly given her heart to.


In the end, the video has done the lyrics justice, in my opinion. It did help me understand the lyrics better by giving me a visual instead. Kudos to you, Paramore.

'I am beautifuuuuul, no matter what they say' - Christina Aguilera

Nicolas Cage on a Rolling Stone magazine cover
Source: Google

1.  Why do you think people are portrayed this way in the media?

I believe that people are portrayed this way in the media because a majority of the society is so convinced that this is the ideal body type. Businesses also see goldmines by doing this. Of course a very attractive person would increase purchases of all kinds-- they capture and hold attention. Unfortunately, this only proves that the society seems to be very superficial!

2.  How are you affected by the images you see?  

I'm mainly affected by photoshopped women since I myself am a female. Women fall victim to this more than men and so, their expectations are higher when it comes to being portrayed in the media. When I see women altered and manipulated like this, I don't take that well for two reasons: One, my self esteem sometimes takes a beating, I won't deny! These women are just so overwhelmingly attractive that I end up feeling less and less confident in my looks. Second, I think it's outrageous that these people (that are already beautiful) are changed at all! I find it highly unnecessary to do this, but of course, to make money it is. The alterations can sometimes be so unrealistic too that it can be almost... laughable to me. BUT MOSTLY OUTRAGEOUS. 

3.  What can be done to reduce the amount of young men and women that are negatively affected by these images?

Magazines and ads could reduce their use of photo editors and show viewers and readers realistic, genuine people. They could prove that natural can be just as or even a multititude of times more attractive than an overly photo-shopped face and body.

4.  What would your reaction be to a magazine cover where the subject isn’t all glammed up? Is this a possible route that society should take?  Why or why not?

My initial reaction would probably be slight shock since such a thing is rare to stumble upon. I'd then be very pleased by the magazine for showing the subject in a more natural state! I love it when people are more genuine and true to themselves rather than trying to appear as something they are worlds from. I really do think think it's a route the society should take. These magazine covers can really influence people... and by going the 'natural' way, perhaps it will effect people in more positive ways. The unrealistic 'beauty' that magazine covers bear make others feel more uncomfortable with who they are as a natural being. A less glammed up person would definitely show others that you are beautiful without any type of computerized alterations!

'To share or not to share... that is the million dollar question'

1.     What is your personal opinion towards file sharing?  Is it right or wrong?  Please explain. 


     If I said it was wrong, then yes i'd be a big hyprocrite. That's right.. I'm admitting I download media.. for free... on file sharing websites. BUT REALLY, who hasn't!? It's obviously no surprise because it's done by millions of people around the world. I can't deny it's a bad thing to do. It is stealing, after all and thou shall not steal! So yes, I do think it's wrong. I think we're basically stealing money from the real businesses that deal with music and movies etc. A lot of people buy pirated dvds instead of buying the actual dvd which means less dvd sales! But I'll still continue to do it. If none of the songs I downloaded were free, I would have spent over $200! My parents probably wouldn't even want me downloading music then and I wouldn't be able to enjoy the music I like to listen to on my portable device. BUT I STILL DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT. I'm going against my moral!


2.  If you produced your own piece of art/song/movie, would you hold the same opinion?  


     I would defenitely hold the same opinion because instead of people buying the original copies of my work, people would be buying the cheaper, pirated copies of the original copy. This would mean that I'm not making the money I should be! Which is obviously not good for my business. not only would there be cheaper versions of my material, there would also be free versions! more people would turn to getting the cheaper, free stuff than buying the authentic stuff. I'd  be losing money. I'D BE BROKE. 
      
3.     Do you feel it is morally acceptable to download copyrighted material if it is only intended for personal use?


     I think it's the same for personal use as it is for public use. You're still downloading material for free... THEREFORE IT IS WRONG.