Do I think that the culture of America is overly materialistic? Not necessarily OVERLY, but we certainly are materialistic, it’s who we are. Furthermore, I don’t feel that Americans are any more materialistic than any of the other 21st century societies. The people of this era become materialistic for many different reasons. Some have been raised with the best of everything, while others were raised with nothing and then, later in life, feel like they have to make up for what they didn’t have earlier in life.
I believe that the materialism of this country stems from different places. One of the concepts that get presented to the youth of our nation is status. It is instilled in every young generation that status is everything. When they flip the television to channels like MTV that glorify the icons and symbols of popular culture, immediately they learn to envy these things that, for most people, are unattainable. So this is one concept that materialism stems from. After the youth begin to idolize the aforementioned icons and symbols, the next stop is to begin to flaunt the styles of whomever they have chosen to glorify. Materialism in the popular culture spectrum isn’t a problem though in my opinion. The youth of our nation are tomorrow’s future, so let them be free to choose their likes and find what defines them.
Status, fashion statements, and style all have the potential to carry materialism. The difference is, materialism doesn’t occur until you begin to show it in all areas of your like without cause. I, for example, have certain brands of clothing that I prefer to wear. If I need a new outfit, I will go shopping there first. On the other hand, I don’t limit myself to that name only. Although I prefer it, I still end up buying what fits the best or what looks the best. At the same time, there are other parts of my appearance and status that I couldn’t care less about. When it comes to watches, cell phones, food, cologne, etc., it makes no difference to me what is popular or what the brand is. As long as it meets simple expectations, it can be the cheapest, most generic brand on the market for all I care.
Advertising doesn’t cause materialism. Again, materialism is only materialism when the person crosses the line of trendy status. Companies are just advertising to sell a product and they tend to target certain type of people. Just because something is gaining popularity in current cultural trends doesn’t mean that it is in some way associated to materialistic values. Materialism lies in the individual choices that the person makes. It is defined by how far the person takes things and the true reasons behond choosing a certain make, model, or brand.
I believe that the more someone cares about what other people think of them, the more materialistic they will become. On the contrary, the people who don’t care at all what others think of them tend to be the less-materialistic ones of the group. Remember though, that to an extent, you must always take into consideration how people think of you. If everyone truly and genuinely didn’t care about anyone else’s thoughts or views, we would all be in bad shape. The trick is learning where to draw the line. The trick is finding and maintaining the balance between current trends and your inner-self.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
MP3 Popularity Hasn't Killed Radio...YET!
Commercial AM vs. Commercial FM
With the ever-increasing popularity of mobile music players such as the iPod, comes the correlating decline of radio listeners. Being an iPod owner myself, it is easy to empathize with the current trend. Even though portable music players’ popularity is drastically increasing, there are still plenty of people, myself included, who listen to the radio. When taking into account the people who listen to the radio, you must also consider the reason for which they are doing so. Given the reason, the user can then decide which format is appropriate for the needs of the particular reason. For the most part, when I listen to the radio, I generally listen to the mainstream commercial FM.
Even though each format of radio can offer something just a little bit different than the other, commercial FM radio is, in my views, the best format. Subsequently, commercial FM is also the most popular choice for many other people as well. One of my main annoyances when listening to radio in general is poor reception and its subsequent static and fuzz. Now, even though it is said that AM has a longer range when compared to FM, AM actually sounds like they are broadcasting for 50,000 feet below the earth’s surface. This is one of the main reasons that I try my hardest to steer clear of the AM radio sector. Another factor that supports my general selection of commercial FM is the content. Generally speaking, commercial FM radio stations, more often than not, broadcast the type of material that I normally aim to listen to. Going right along with that statement, it is safe to say that I also get more informative material from my local commercial FM stations. During the inevitable commercial breaks of the local commercial FM stations, there is a tendency for them to broadcast accurate information pertaining to the local and current events of the respective city and its surrounding areas. In fact, sometimes that alone is the sole purpose for turning on a commercial FM station; to find out what’s happening on a particular Friday or Saturday night.
Now that we have discussed my different reasons for listening to commercial FM radio stations, I want to briefly go over the times that I prefer to go that route as opposed to my portable player. Portable players are great, and I I’m not sure I could ever go without one ever again. The problem is, they just aren’t practical for all of life’s situations. Most of the time that I find myself listening to commercial FM radio is when I am doing chores or other activities around my home. Also, lying out by the pool is another opportune time to listen. Even though a portable player could be used for these two scenarios, there is something about the atmosphere that still makes the radio seem much more appropriate and feel a lot more comfortable.
After examining and reviewing several reasons for choosing the commercial FM sector of radio, I am now inclined to touch on my brief views of the commercial AM sector. Remember, we have already identified my disgust of the clarity and overall sound of the AM radio method. Even so, there is one reason, and a very important reason at that, for tuning in to an AM radio station. Sports. When comparing commercial AM to commercial FM the decision is a no-brainer. Commercial AM, unlike its FM counterpart, has multiple radio stations that have no other purpose than to provide its faithful listeners with the most up-to-date sports coverage. Live games, depending on your region, are covered extremely well, and when there isn’t a game to be broadcasting, the gaps are always filled with knowledgeable and informative sports talk shows. I have been listening to the commercial AM sector for my sports need since my pre-adolescent years and as of yet, I still haven’t had reason to change my ways.
Just as I did with the commercial FM radio, I would like to go over the circumstances behind opting for commercial FM listening. As it was previously stated, commercial FM, in my opinion, is only suitable for sports listening. Most of the time that I am home, I choose to watch a sporting even rather than listening to it. The only time I would choose to listen to a sporting event is if I were doing something that required me to be moving around the inside or outside of the house. The other time that I find myself listening to commercial FM sports is when I am in the car. Listening to sporting events on the radio is the only choice if you are driving from one place to the other. So, these are the only two examples of when I would choose to listen to commercial FM.
As you can see, I actively listen to both commercial AM and commercial FM. It is the circumstances that surround each of them that are the deciding factor as to when, how, and which one I choose to listen to.
Friday, October 31, 2008
MMC 1000
ESSAY NO. 2
1. Have you enjoyed reading the Wall Street Journal? Explain why you have enjoyed it, or why not.
Answer: I have thoroughly enjoyed the Wall Street Journal. I find it to be a very valuable tool in learning the industry of journalism as well as other areas of communications. I have especially enjoyed reading the stories that take place over a series of articles. Sometimes these topics are followed over the span of a week, and sometimes they take several weeks. Reading these articles and being continually updated with any changes makes me feel that I am always on top of the latest development. Overall, reading the Wall Street Journal makes me feel extremely well informed, essentially making me feel that I am personally involved.
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 mass communications because all of the information is presented from the current perspective and views of the industry. So the newspaper directly and indirectly gives readers information that directly correlates to the state of the specific media.On a different note, reading the newspaper has emphasized to me that regardless of anything else, media of mass communications is a business. As such, if business aspects of a newspaper, television show, or magazine are not satisfied, the company and the form of media it focuses on will not survive, regardless of how important the information or message being conveyed is.
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: Traditional textbooks give students the perspective of the industry as a whole without any room for opinion or fluctuation due to changing societal factors. History of the industries is best served via the textbook, which I believe most people can agree to. The problem with a textbook is that it lacks the ability to change and assimilate along with the industry. This can be a problem because this industry in particular changes from day to day, minute by minute. The only part that doesn’t change is the history, which makes it a good candidate for a textbook. A newspaper, and only a newspaper, has the ability to teach students about the industry in real time as our ever-changing society ebbs and flows.
4. Has the reading assignment changed your behavior, i.e., your daily schedule, your study habits, your desire for news and information?
Answer: Prior to taking this class, I read the Orlando Sentinel seven days a week. Now that I have the subscription to the Wall Street Journal, I continue to read the Sentinel in the mornings, except now I compare the day’s news to what I read in the Wall Street Journal in the evening. It’s interesting to read a story covered by the Orlando Sentinel, then read about the same topic in the Wall Street Journal and compare and contrast the views of each paper. My desire for National news has definitely increased since I began reading WSJ. It makes me fell so much more involved in the industry on a national level instead of just here in Orlando.
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 believe that the weekly quizzes can be an effective way to measure what a student has done. At the same time, I don’t believe that is always 100% accurate as to what each student did or did not read. I believe that each reader is different. Some readers may ascertain certain information or concepts from an article, while other readers may view and interpret the information differently. I believe that this difference in comprehension makes room for a little bit of inaccuracy. But, for the most part, if the articles are read, one should be able to answer rudimentary questions.
6. How likely are you to renew your subscription to The Wall Street Journal after this semester? Give an expansive answer, with reasons.
Answer: I am definitely going to renew my subscription to the Wall Street Journal. When it comes time to renew my subscription for the Orlando Sentinel, I do not think that I will. I find the Journal to be a much more effective paper. I want to continue reading WSJ because I feel that if I do not, I will no longer be on top of current industry views. To remain well informed as to what is going on with our nation as well as the industry I hope to spend my life in, continuing to read the Wall Street Journal on a regular basis is key.
ESSAY NO. 2
1. Have you enjoyed reading the Wall Street Journal? Explain why you have enjoyed it, or why not.
Answer: I have thoroughly enjoyed the Wall Street Journal. I find it to be a very valuable tool in learning the industry of journalism as well as other areas of communications. I have especially enjoyed reading the stories that take place over a series of articles. Sometimes these topics are followed over the span of a week, and sometimes they take several weeks. Reading these articles and being continually updated with any changes makes me feel that I am always on top of the latest development. Overall, reading the Wall Street Journal makes me feel extremely well informed, essentially making me feel that I am personally involved.
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 mass communications because all of the information is presented from the current perspective and views of the industry. So the newspaper directly and indirectly gives readers information that directly correlates to the state of the specific media.On a different note, reading the newspaper has emphasized to me that regardless of anything else, media of mass communications is a business. As such, if business aspects of a newspaper, television show, or magazine are not satisfied, the company and the form of media it focuses on will not survive, regardless of how important the information or message being conveyed is.
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: Traditional textbooks give students the perspective of the industry as a whole without any room for opinion or fluctuation due to changing societal factors. History of the industries is best served via the textbook, which I believe most people can agree to. The problem with a textbook is that it lacks the ability to change and assimilate along with the industry. This can be a problem because this industry in particular changes from day to day, minute by minute. The only part that doesn’t change is the history, which makes it a good candidate for a textbook. A newspaper, and only a newspaper, has the ability to teach students about the industry in real time as our ever-changing society ebbs and flows.
4. Has the reading assignment changed your behavior, i.e., your daily schedule, your study habits, your desire for news and information?
Answer: Prior to taking this class, I read the Orlando Sentinel seven days a week. Now that I have the subscription to the Wall Street Journal, I continue to read the Sentinel in the mornings, except now I compare the day’s news to what I read in the Wall Street Journal in the evening. It’s interesting to read a story covered by the Orlando Sentinel, then read about the same topic in the Wall Street Journal and compare and contrast the views of each paper. My desire for National news has definitely increased since I began reading WSJ. It makes me fell so much more involved in the industry on a national level instead of just here in Orlando.
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 believe that the weekly quizzes can be an effective way to measure what a student has done. At the same time, I don’t believe that is always 100% accurate as to what each student did or did not read. I believe that each reader is different. Some readers may ascertain certain information or concepts from an article, while other readers may view and interpret the information differently. I believe that this difference in comprehension makes room for a little bit of inaccuracy. But, for the most part, if the articles are read, one should be able to answer rudimentary questions.
6. How likely are you to renew your subscription to The Wall Street Journal after this semester? Give an expansive answer, with reasons.
Answer: I am definitely going to renew my subscription to the Wall Street Journal. When it comes time to renew my subscription for the Orlando Sentinel, I do not think that I will. I find the Journal to be a much more effective paper. I want to continue reading WSJ because I feel that if I do not, I will no longer be on top of current industry views. To remain well informed as to what is going on with our nation as well as the industry I hope to spend my life in, continuing to read the Wall Street Journal on a regular basis is key.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
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