Layers of Our World

     Have you ever noticed how our world is like an onion, and not just because both are round? In society, there are layers and layers that make up our world, just like layers and layers of an onion. Each layer is on top of another, showing the interconnection in issues. For starters, families are based on patriarchy, which emphasizes men and their positions in the family. This is an inequality for women to not have as much power, but at the same time, it is also unfair for men to have more responsibilities. Feminists have been working to bring groups together to fight for their proper rights.
     As long as people live and need to buy items, consumerism will never go away. Necessities are beneficial, but excess items aren't. Toys and games are a good profit for companies, and this is due to advertisement. However, advertisements can be misleading and fool consumers. This involves the media, who may not be exercising ethical responsibility. There is a lot of hate speech heard everywhere, as well as tactics like the persuasive factor in ads. All of this is detrimental to our society, and we need to all contribute to fix these issues.
     To start making our world a better place, we need to eliminate the inequality between genders. I think the best way to solve the problem is to start from the media. The media doesn't realize how much power it has in our society; it can very easily influence and speak out to a crowd, although the media is not responsible for all problems. Right now, persuasive advertisements and plenty of criticism are seen because that's what the media thinks is "best for viewers". If the media becomes more considerate and limits taking advantage of women, people will start viewing women more equally to stop society from being a patriarchy. There won't be as much sexual content that makes women "things", which influences people's opinions on women.
     Also, the government should take part to start enforcing rules on commercials. Ever since 1980, the FTC couldn't regulate any advertising, and that has taken a toll in the US. All other countries have laws regarding ads. Although this would violate the first amendment of the Bill of Rights regarding freedom of speech, fewer commercials for junk food and harmful items will help become less influential in society. So many types of diseases have occurred in the past years, including higher rates of hypertension, cancer, obesity, etc. Life should not be all about money, which is what companies make it seem like, but about well-being.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2014/08/08/338891417/sexism-only-this-time-about-men
http://faculty.sacredheart.edu/castonguayj/ms101reader/severin.htm

Week 8/9 Prompt

FINAL BLOG PROMPT!

Here you go guys!
So we've spent weeks dealing with the different layers of consumerism/the media/patriarchy/inequality etc. I want you to write the best blog of the summer examining the interconnectedness of these issues and more importantly discuss how you think we can fix these problems. Your answer should be well reasoned and at least one really really good paragraph.
Good luck,
Ms. Krissy

P.S. Make sure you're really well prepared for your final. A debate on sexualized pop culture stars being empowering to women.

Subliminal Advertisement

 

 

 The picture above is an advertisement for the movie, Pirates of the Caribbean. On the right is a subliminal message of the movie. The skull icon has the shape of Mickey Mouse. This reminds people of Disney. The movie was also made by the company Disney. This wasn't really a bad overt message. This message maybe wasn't intentionally trying to promote their company, Disney. The real message of this advertisement, like every movie advertisement, was to promote the movie. Such like trailers. But because of the shape, many people have the perspective of it as Mickey Mouse, a key symbol of Disney. But there are other advertisements like this that sometimes take shape or there are words hidden in the advertisement. One popular company logo is Tostitos, where there are two people sharing a bowl of salsa. Another would be Toblerone.

 

You can also check other subliminal cooperate logos:

Here

Hidden Meanings

     I believe that most advertisements have a hidden message that supposedly justifies why consumers should buy their products. In many ads we see today, we see advertisements that are sexual. It's become normal to see inappropriate ads everyday, and this may be because celebrities are empowering women. Celebrities don't realize that their actions impact the society's perceptions of what is "cool". Humans have evolved to think that it's okay to show off skin.
     In this particular Guess ad, the obvious message to get people to buy the clothing is that wearing Guess clothes makes one look attractive. However, I think the ad is also selling the hidden idea that thin, seducing women are the only values women should have to be successful. This is not ethical at all because people who are smart are just as successful, if not more than enticing models. People can't help the way they are born. We are all different, and we shouldn't scorn each other for our differences. The absolute flawlessness of models portrayed in ads is impossible to achieve, and trying to accomplish it leaves people disappointed in themselves or others who can't achieve the look.
http://www.businessinsider.com/womens-fashion-magazines-are-selling-more-ads-2013-9

Week 7 Prompt

Hi Guys!

For this week, I want you to find an advertisement (any advertisement) that you think has an overt or hidden message? What is the ad actually trying to sell? What values is it trying to sell you too? Is that ethical?

Also, for next week's debate it may be helpful to do a little reading on the 3rd Wave of Feminism to help inform you how women may think that being sexual is empowering rather than degrading.

Can't wait to see you all next week. Good luck and don't forget to post a picture of your advertisement as part of your post!

Good luck!

Ms. Krissy

Advertising

     Watching the film in class last Friday really changed my thoughts. I have never thought that advertising could manipulate minds so much until recently. Kids younger than 8 years old really don't understand the complexity of society. They cannot self-monitor themselves, and the 1980 FTC ban on regulation of advertisements really is a downfall for everyone. It is understandable that marketers have to be convincing to make money, which will help the economy improve, but there needs to be some limitations to freedom of speech. 1 in 4 children between 8-12 years of age have cell phones, making it easy to be exposed to commercials. Some schools are placing ads in return for funding by companies, and many people don't even find this to be a problem. We must find a way to deal with responsibility.

     The link below is an advertisement for Apple's IPhone 5s. There are positive parts about the commercial, including musicians using tuners on the 5s, exercisers measuring heartbeats, and people powering rockets. However, my interpretation of the ad is negative. The job of a marketer is to convince consumers to buy the product. Ads are used to sway a person to see how great the product is. Young kids watching the ad don't realize what being persuasive is. They see an ad, and if they like it, they will want to buy the product. An IPhone is useful, but it is detrimental. Kids ask and beg their parents for merchandise, and parents often consent. Once kids have an IPhone, which is rather costly, they'll spend more time on it instead of going outside. Technology is a great thing to have, but it has given many a sedentary lifestyle that hurts our health. Obesity problems have gotten worse and worse from lack of exercise, and many diseases have occurred.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODmfmUWqlSA

Week 6 Prompt

Hi guys!

Sorry for late post. As I indicated in class, for this week's blog I want you to respond to the film and consider advertising. Find an advertisement and link it here. You should make an argument about your interpretation of the ad and the positive/negative implications of the ad.

We're going to continue this discussion so please come to class prepared. 

Ms. Krissy