Reality link

Baghdad Burning

Even though I wrote my previous post about blogging, I felt like I needed to continue that conversation after reading the article “Baghdad Burning” because I feel like it only proves more why blogging should be accepted as news coverage. The article is written by an actual woman living in Iraq while all the conflict is occurring. Her family in the end leaves for Syria and begins there life there, at least until the war in their homeland is done. She gives a brutally honest and opinionated account of what is really going on. She has multiple strong choice words for her own government in Iraq, as well as American leaders and military, especially George W. Bush. She basically calls them all out on multiple lies that deal with such disturbing acts such as rape, which is something that is pretty gutsy to do, given the situation.

Being able to share her side of what goes on in everyday life really shines a new light on what Americans think is really going on. Some of the Iraq soldiers which we have trained are going and doing these horrific acts, yet the government covers it up and the story is put to rest. She shows how it is all a cycle because then others are just more scared to come out with their personal ordeals. I personally have seen and heard a lot of coverage on the Iraq war, yet I do not recall EVER hearing about soldiers committing these crimes. The only way that the real story could ever get out to the public would be from personal publications, like this blog. The fact that blogs are straight from someone’s mouth with no editing really allows a raw account as well as a totally different side of things. Just think if we had blogs from other events over time, to let the minority speak out. Her postings touched me and made me feel for her, but I also congratulate her for standing up and speaking up. Blogs like this should one hundred percent be counted as newsworthy and informative.

Blogging Not a Crime

The article we were to read tomorrow talks about mainstream media and how it deals with a topic like war. The internet today is definitely the way most people get their news in my opinion, especially my age group of college students. What I found interesting is discussed later in the article, when they begin to compare mainstream media to “alternative” media, which includes blogging. The fact that I am writing this blog post for a class right now shows how big of an impact blogging has really had in the last couple of years. It has even gotten to the point that when I go to research topics online, I have to be careful what is a “real” article and what is just a blog, which at the end of the day, is mostly someone’s opinion on something. That right there is what is frustrating journalists; they do not see these blogs as newsworthy whatsoever, and actually see it as harmful because it is where some people are turning to get the latest update on what is going on in the world.

I personally can see where these journalists are coming from, but the author of the article makes a good point. There is really nothing the journalists can do if someone chooses to rely on reading blogs for information. So, rather than trash talk about blogs, they can try to combine with these writers like other places have done. Just because one is not a “professional” writer does not mean that they are incapable of delivering the news. Their opinion may be tacked on yes, but that is something that people need to realize and take into account when they are choosing to read these blogs.

Paul's "Branded for Life" Article

I just finished reading one of the articles due for tomorrow’s class, and wanted to write about my feelings about it before we discuss it all together, because my opinion could somehow change. But for now, I have to say that while I see where Paul is coming from and what he means; I honestly do not see much of a problem with the situation going on. Yes, companies are aiming their products at kids earlier and earlier, but if anything I feel like this is a smart strategy. The fact that they are going around the parents and focusing solely on the children is actually pretty brilliant if you ask me, because so many parents today will do anything to please and satisfy their kids.

I work at a daycare, and it is shocking to me how often on a daily basis I hear small children making the decisions for their family. I am talking about 2-4 year olds, which also happens to be the group that Paul says is able to begin requesting certain brand names. These parents will ask their kids for example, what they would like to have for dinner. It seems nice and normal, until the kids decide that they will be the ones making the final call. So often a tantrum breaks out because a kid is not getting what they want, and they know that if they scream long enough they are bound to make their parents crack, and they will get their way. Kids are much smarter at a younger age than we sometimes give them credit for. They pick up on how much they can get away with, if they are allowed. The fact that these companies are picking up on this routine also shows how clever they really are. So, if they want to target younger audiences, they are really right on track, and I actually give them credit for being able to notice this trend.

The Extreme Amplifying/Reducing in the Media World of High School

Today in class we discussed different themes that are present in media, specifically those that amplify and reduce other aspects. Different things that were mentioned included parenting, violence, self-exposure, and reality television. My group came up with another topic, and that is the portrayal of high school in the media and the lives of those who are currently in high school. Examples of this include Gossip girl, Beverly Hills 90210, Mean girls, the O.C., and One Tree Hill. These are only examples from television and movies, but in books, music, etc. the same theme of high school life continues.

The picture that is painted of these people’s lives surrounds non-stop drama that involves family members, friends, and constant crazy love triangles. The drama is literally amplified so much and then creates the most outrageous situations that no normal seventeen year old could or should find him or herself in. The more “real” activities that one would take part in day to day are then downplayed and reduced to sometimes not even being acknowledged or seen. So, somehow these girls and guys find little or no time for jobs or schoolwork, even though those two things often consume real high school students’ lives most of the time.

Sure, sometimes scenes of athletic games are shown which does represent some true normalcy of high school life, or a big test or paper is mentioned. Other things are still blown so out of proportion that it is no wonder that young kids have a totally misconstrued perception of the high school world. I know I did when I watched shows and movies before actually experiencing it. If we all believed that there would be only time for dates, parties, and constant catch up with friends all day long at school, we would all have a very rude awakening the first day as a freshman.

Jersey Shore: Trashy, yet embarrassingly enough, Entertaining

Today in class the question was asked if any of us had experienced totally disliking a show that was majorly popular, and later overturning our opinion of it. I decided to admit that this had indeed happened to me; just this last year in fact. I knew it was a show that many across the world watched (I had a friend studying in Ireland that couldn’t wait for the show to hit their airwaves) so that made it a little easier to admit that I now enjoy watching MTV’s Jersey Shore.

The reason this was so hard for me to admit was because I had been so against watching this show from the moment it came out. Sure, I heard my roommates discuss it, read about it online and in my magazines, and saw previews for it while watching other shows on MTV, but I really felt that it was just trash reality television and a waste of my time. I still feel that the show itself and the characters on it are trashy and shameless, but above all that, the show is way entertaining.

I’m assuming everyone knows at least what Jersey Shore is about and what it entails, so I won’t go into major details about the show, but here are a few examples of what goes on, for those who have not seen an episode: drinking, fighting, sex, and don’t forget GTL. The fact that these people got famous literally by partying every day of their lives and doing other extreme things is really what bothered me the most. I didn’t want to be another supporter that would keep these people in the limelight and the show on television. However, once I experienced my first time watching, I was hooked.

Mostly I believe it is because they make such fools of themselves and say and do things that normal people do not. It is so outlandish that the entertainment factor kicks in, because where else would I ever in my life come in contact with such large amounts of tan juice heads? I hate to think that I waste my time watching it, but honestly, reality television has been taking over for some time. Television producers will have to continue to step it up with crazier and crazier shows in order to maintain a shock value. And, whatever they come up with next, I no doubt will end up watching with the rest of the world.