The article "Princess culture turning girls into overspending narcissists" by Joanne Laucius, really made me think if there is such thing as a "princess culture" and if it could really be a bad thing for girls.
Number one, I don't believe a "princess culture" exists, but I can honestly say that I was influenced by princess movies as a child, and maybe even today.As a child I always wanted to be princess Jasmine because she was pretty and I loved Aladdin. When I wore dresses on Sunday for church, I called myself a princess, but I was the princess who took karate, so I kicked and punched in my dresses. I wasn't this dainty little princess, but I was still a princess nonetheless and you couldn't tell me differently. Because there is no way to actually define a princess, since there are sporty ones, dainty ones, etc... I refuse to believe there is a "princess culture". The "princess culture" that Lauucius describes, aren't even princesses, they are spoiled little girly- girl brats.
Princesses and movies with princesses aren't bad for girls. What is bad is parents letting their child walk out of the house with a tiara on, pampering them and letting them spend too much money. If the day came that I cried and screamed over not being able to walk out of the house with a tiara is the day that my mom would have broke that dang tiara. Laucius should not blame disney princesses and their accoutrements, she should blame the parents who allow their children to indulge in the "princess culture" in which she describes. I blame the parents! There is no way my child is going to act like that girl in toddlers in Tiaras. I could do nothing but shake my head the entire time we watched that clip in class. I wanted to make that child's mom sit in the corner and think about the stupidity of her four year old carrying on over a pacifier! I'm done with my rant :)
Showing posts with label reneeatkinson89. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reneeatkinson89. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Amplification and Reduction in Reality TV
Before this class, I never thought about what is amplified and reduced in reality T.V. After last Thursday's discussion, it was brought to my attention that a lot is amplified and reduced in the reality T.V. shows that I watch. Producers do this because they want their shows to be as attractive to the public as possible.
In class, one of the clips we watched was of Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory. I love this show, but I have realized that fun is amplified and working is reduced. Dyrdeks factory is like a big playground filled with a skate park, big kid toys and big kids (usually grown men ). We see him playing more because it is absolutely hysterical. I know I rather see him making his gangsta rap songs and shooting people with huge tennis ball guns than watching him work. There are very few episodes where we see what his business does. Its like we all know he does work, but have no idea exactly what he does because people rather watch him have fun. Especially everyday working people. We know what it is like to go to work, so when someone is doing fun and exciting things, we're going to watch.
Another show that is amplified and reduced is Jersey Shore. Fighting and drama are definitely amplified. People like me love it because our lives aren't filled with all the fighting and drama so we don't mind watching other people in conflict. What is reduced is the fact that this is only a summer. I know many viewers believe the Jersey Shore cast lives this way all year around. For example, of course they can't survive off of the money they make in a tshirt shop, they obviously work when they're not at the Jersey Shore.
In a number of reality T.V. shows, work ethic, struggle, intelligence and consequences are reduced because producers believe that people rather see the fighting, drama, fun and "acting a fool". I believe this to be true because I rather watch someone else's drama than have my own issues. Also, now that I think of it, I do believe that some people watch reality T.V. to feel better about their own lives. There are many people on reality T.V. shows that you can look at and say " well at least that isn't me"
As viewers, we have to be careful about what we believe to be real or fake. We must not let reality T.V. distort our reality into believing that we could act like some of the people on T.V. and not pay consequences or believe that these people live the way we see on T.V. all year round.
In class, one of the clips we watched was of Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory. I love this show, but I have realized that fun is amplified and working is reduced. Dyrdeks factory is like a big playground filled with a skate park, big kid toys and big kids (usually grown men ). We see him playing more because it is absolutely hysterical. I know I rather see him making his gangsta rap songs and shooting people with huge tennis ball guns than watching him work. There are very few episodes where we see what his business does. Its like we all know he does work, but have no idea exactly what he does because people rather watch him have fun. Especially everyday working people. We know what it is like to go to work, so when someone is doing fun and exciting things, we're going to watch.
Another show that is amplified and reduced is Jersey Shore. Fighting and drama are definitely amplified. People like me love it because our lives aren't filled with all the fighting and drama so we don't mind watching other people in conflict. What is reduced is the fact that this is only a summer. I know many viewers believe the Jersey Shore cast lives this way all year around. For example, of course they can't survive off of the money they make in a tshirt shop, they obviously work when they're not at the Jersey Shore.
In a number of reality T.V. shows, work ethic, struggle, intelligence and consequences are reduced because producers believe that people rather see the fighting, drama, fun and "acting a fool". I believe this to be true because I rather watch someone else's drama than have my own issues. Also, now that I think of it, I do believe that some people watch reality T.V. to feel better about their own lives. There are many people on reality T.V. shows that you can look at and say " well at least that isn't me"
As viewers, we have to be careful about what we believe to be real or fake. We must not let reality T.V. distort our reality into believing that we could act like some of the people on T.V. and not pay consequences or believe that these people live the way we see on T.V. all year round.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Diagnosing my Obsession With Reality TV
I love reality TV. My favorite reality shows are full of drama, hence why I love Jersey Shore and Bad Girls Club. The article "Is Trash TV Bad For Women?" caused me to think about the reasons for which I am so stuck on reality TV and willing to plan my night around watching Jersey Shore at 10pm every Thursday night.
According to the article, people take an interest in reality TV because of "our ability to distinguish ourselves from them." If the show hasn't made the viewers feel as if they are anthropologists observing a new tribe, then the show has failed. My interpretation of the article is that people like reality TV because it makes them feel better about their lives. Well, the shows where people are out of control. Ex. It is easy for me to distinguish myself from Snookie. I can look at her and say, at least I didn't go to jail for public intoxication or at least I'm not a sloppy drunk.
While being able to distinguish oneself from those on reality TV is a reason for watching it, I do believe that people watch it for entertainment or because they can identify with the characters in some way, even if it is minimal.
Personally, I watch reality T.V. because I try to keep drama in my life to a serious minimum. I'm not a fan of drama, I rather just chill and be happy. I sure do enjoy watching other people act like straight up fools on national T.V. though.
According to the article, people take an interest in reality TV because of "our ability to distinguish ourselves from them." If the show hasn't made the viewers feel as if they are anthropologists observing a new tribe, then the show has failed. My interpretation of the article is that people like reality TV because it makes them feel better about their lives. Well, the shows where people are out of control. Ex. It is easy for me to distinguish myself from Snookie. I can look at her and say, at least I didn't go to jail for public intoxication or at least I'm not a sloppy drunk.
While being able to distinguish oneself from those on reality TV is a reason for watching it, I do believe that people watch it for entertainment or because they can identify with the characters in some way, even if it is minimal.
Personally, I watch reality T.V. because I try to keep drama in my life to a serious minimum. I'm not a fan of drama, I rather just chill and be happy. I sure do enjoy watching other people act like straight up fools on national T.V. though.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Blogging v. Mainstream News
John W. Jordan's article "Disciplining the Virtual Home Front", made me wonder who I trusted more, bloggers or mainstream news. During the war in Iraq, a number of blogs by journalists, soldiers and foreign nationals emerged. People like myself were drawn to these blogs because they seemed so real. I am more willing to read a book by a soldier who participated in the war or someone who lives in Iraq than someone who just recounted the news because I prefer a first hand source over a second.
In this case, the mainstream news is the second hand source. At times, I feel like the second hand sources can be either amplified or reduced. In my opinion, the mainstream news is reduced. On the news you may not hear the gruesome stories that a blogger who may have seen or experienced. This is why I like blogs. The only problem with blogs is that you may not know who wrote it or if they are a credible source. But then again, who is a credible source?
When it comes to war, who can you really trust? During the Vietnam War, the American public was lied to all the time by American generals like William Westmoreland about casualties, war events, etc... When he and others lied it was reported to the American public by the news. So, if there is a chance that the mainstream news is unknowingly reporting lies, and the blogs aren't backed by sources, who can you really trust?
I don't have an answer to my questions, but the best thing one can do is look at various sources whether it be blogs, news, journals and compare and contrast. I look at both news and blogs but I prefer which ever gives me a personal story about someone who has seen or personally been affected by the war in Iraq.
In this case, the mainstream news is the second hand source. At times, I feel like the second hand sources can be either amplified or reduced. In my opinion, the mainstream news is reduced. On the news you may not hear the gruesome stories that a blogger who may have seen or experienced. This is why I like blogs. The only problem with blogs is that you may not know who wrote it or if they are a credible source. But then again, who is a credible source?
When it comes to war, who can you really trust? During the Vietnam War, the American public was lied to all the time by American generals like William Westmoreland about casualties, war events, etc... When he and others lied it was reported to the American public by the news. So, if there is a chance that the mainstream news is unknowingly reporting lies, and the blogs aren't backed by sources, who can you really trust?
I don't have an answer to my questions, but the best thing one can do is look at various sources whether it be blogs, news, journals and compare and contrast. I look at both news and blogs but I prefer which ever gives me a personal story about someone who has seen or personally been affected by the war in Iraq.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Don't Underestimate the Power of a Parasocial Relationship
In class when we discussed the Media-Center Perspectives and addictions, I initially believed that none of it applied to me. This is how I am with everything; a bit of a skeptic really, but then I realized how much these theories make sense. One theory I tried to deny the most was the parasocial. I mean, who wants to believe that he/she is so much attached to a show that the actors or characters become like their actual friends. Not me. That is just embarrassing. Its like an adult having an imaginary friend. I laugh as I write this, but this is truly how I feel.
After reading about the theory and denying it, I found myself proving the theory correct. I get so emotionally involved in shows. Perfect example, Jersey Shore. For some reason, since I am from NY and I saw one of the people from the show (Jwoww) at a club in my hometown on Long Island, I feel like I have such a connection with her. I find myself saying things like "jwoww's my girl" or "she's such a chill person", when in reality, I don't know the girl.
My parasocial relationships don't stop at television. My obsessions with soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo and MMA fighter George St. Pierre, just to name a couple, have led to me to have this parasocial relationship as well. I always talk about these two like I know them and defend the heck out of them if anyone makes a negative comment.
I think its extremely funny how we can all be obsessed with characters, athletes and celebrities, when they have no idea who we are. I guess the more we watch or follow these people, the more the parasocial relationship becomes inevitable. I think Parasocial relationships are harmless as long as no one lets it ruin their lives, like the Twilight fans we read about earlier on in the semester.
After reading about the theory and denying it, I found myself proving the theory correct. I get so emotionally involved in shows. Perfect example, Jersey Shore. For some reason, since I am from NY and I saw one of the people from the show (Jwoww) at a club in my hometown on Long Island, I feel like I have such a connection with her. I find myself saying things like "jwoww's my girl" or "she's such a chill person", when in reality, I don't know the girl.
My parasocial relationships don't stop at television. My obsessions with soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo and MMA fighter George St. Pierre, just to name a couple, have led to me to have this parasocial relationship as well. I always talk about these two like I know them and defend the heck out of them if anyone makes a negative comment.
I think its extremely funny how we can all be obsessed with characters, athletes and celebrities, when they have no idea who we are. I guess the more we watch or follow these people, the more the parasocial relationship becomes inevitable. I think Parasocial relationships are harmless as long as no one lets it ruin their lives, like the Twilight fans we read about earlier on in the semester.
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