Chapter 11; Advertising and Commercial Culture, Friday April 1st

Chapter Review 

Questioning the Media

18.)What is your earliest recollection of watching a television commercial? Do you have a favorite ad? A most-despised ad? What is it about these ads that you particularly like or dislike?

(response to question #18) 

My earliest recollection of watching a television commercial was, an old Coke add. My favorite commercials to this day are the Coke adds; the ones with the baby polar bear and the penguins. I like the older, classic adds. The most annoying commercials are the progressive insurance commercials with the ditzy girl.. she's annoying and I think they overplay the commercials. (I understand that they are payed for and allow progressive a certain amount of new business). The dialogue is cheesy and they repeat the same phrases over and over.. I know these commercials by heart, (maybe thats the point) I think they need to go ahead and write a new one. 

I think ht the ads that stick the best with the public are the ones that have less to say, and let the picture or scene speak for them. I think less is more, when talking about a commercial. They interrupt  your show already, lets just put a picture of whatever it is they are selling on the screen, and let us get back to our show (the reason the tv is on in the first place). 

19.)Why are so many people critical of advertising?

(response to question #19) 

I believe that, like me, most people find commercials an annoyance, just like a pop-up, or under add on the computer, the commercial is just an interruption of the show in progress. Most commercials are repetitive, too loud, contain a message for individuals older or younger than I am, repeat in rotation too many times, I mean, the list goes on and on. Commercials are a waist of time, they are stupid.  And by stupid, I mean why do they venture so far away from what advertising is supposed to do, which is increase the sales of the product or service it is advertising? How many times have you watched a commercial, and by the end of it still have no idea what it is trying to sell? Or the product is visible, but the ad does absolutely nothing to create a desire within you to go out and purchase it? I believe that if advertising agencies were more clear and strait to the point, people would be more apt to watch them instead of simply pressing the fast forward button on their DVR (thank god for that!). 

22.)Should tobacco (or alcohol) advertising be prohibited? Why or why not? How would you deal with First Amendment issues regarding controversial ads?

(response to question #22) 

I believe that tobacco and alcohol advertising should be allowed in certain time slots on television, as well as in theaters. If ads that contain material such as male enhancement, birth control, personal lubricant, and condoms are allowed on regular, prime-time TV, as well as in theaters and billboards, why is there such a restriction on the advertising of tobacco, and alcohol? If these sexually charged commercials are protected under the first amendment, then why aren't cigarettes and booze? I get more uncomfortable watching TV with my parents or guy friends when an add for viagra comes on, than I ever would for an add for Newport's or Vodka. I believe that the rights of the tobacco and alcohol companies are protected under the first amendment; while the amendment states: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. The rights of the tobacco industry have been revoked. Tobacco companies are no longer allowed to advertise on television, or at the movies. While it has been proven that in some cases smoke inhalation can cause cancer, It is a persons right to chose to smoke, or not to smoke. I believe that if the adds of the condom, male enhancement industry, are viewed as acceptable, then I dont see a problem with cigarette, and alcohol companies advertising their products on television. 

Friday, March 25th Chapters 9&10

Chapter 9: Magazines in the Age of Specialization 

Questioning the media: 

15.What are your earliest recollections of magazines? Which magazines do you read regularly today? Why?

(response to question #15)

My earliest recollections of magazines are, reading the National Geographic with my mom and brother. These magazines shed light on science and history in a way that was interesting for children and families. From a very young age I have been very interested in reading, writing, animals, and history. The National Geographic became a large part of our lives. The magazine came about once every month and it was like Christmas when it came. I remember the pictures and stories, about places, people, and animals I had never seen or imagined before. This magazine became my favorite book, TV show, and song. The National Geographic was everything I could ever imagine, I wanted to travel to the beautiful places depicted in its glossy pages... I wanted to meet the people. These dreams, are still my dream. My love for magazines has continued to my high school, and college years. The National Geographic is still my favorite magazine (along with people, vogue, and cosmo). I dream of becoming one of those journalists writing for the National Geographic. I want to travel, and write about the people and places I see and meet. All of this, derived from my love of the National Geographic. 

16.)What role did magazines play in America’s political and social shift from being colonies of Great Britain to becoming an independent nation?

(response to question #16) 

The "catalogues" of 17th century France were the first citing of magazines; while this form was usually only written for the rich and upstanding citizens in a certain community. Yet with the rise of magazines-collections of articles, stories, and advertisements, people in (later) colonial America were able to share opinions and messages from one city or state to another. With the end of the revolutionary war, came new freedoms; one of these freedoms being, a more (democratic) form of journalism, and news. Citizens of this newly independent nation were now able to form their own opinions without threat of great persecution. Prior to slavery and the civil war, magazines were a place for people to learn news and share opinions freely with one another. All through American history, magazines, and newspapers have become a place of shock, and information, a place where the American people are able to learn about wars and other issues pertaining to them. While battling slavery, magazines became a place where the north could view the south for what it really was. Before news was shared by mouth alone, but now, this tragedy could no longer be sugar coated by sly words and polite smiles. People say that a picture is worth a thousand words, and I believe this to be true. Some pictures, however, are worth much more. 

18.)If you were the marketing director of your favorite magazine, how would you increase circulation?

(response to question #18) 

If I was marketing director of The National Geographic, I would continue to publish stories about ancient cities, and jungles untouched by human hands; I would strive to maintain the explorers spirit, and the tradition of the magazine, building on its reputation as an intelligent, exciting read. All this, while introducing new and interesting ideas on history and places not able to be explored by the average person. By introducing  younger writers, and documentaries that correspond to that months edition, this would add more media to back up the magazine. Polls and surveys could be conducted by our writers of Americas youth, in order to find out places they would like to travel to. I believe this would better involve people in the exploring experience, as well as circulation of the magazine. 

Chapter 10: Books and the Power of Print 

Questioning the Media:

19.)What are your earliest recollections of books? Do you read for pleasure? If yes, what kinds of books do you enjoy? Why? 

(response to question #19)

One of my earliest recollections of books are the Nancy Drew, and Hardy Boys mystery series'. My grandmother would read my brother and I these stories at her house when we were very young. I enjoyed these stories because there was a plot that could keep me interested and there was a great explanation and ending. I also recall, from an earlier point in my life, Stella Moon, Are you my Mother?, You are special, and Curious George. These books are very special to me to this day, they were read to me by my mother and father before I turned one. After several years I have been able to retrieve most of these beautifully written stories; they have greatly contributed to my desire to become a writer. I still do enjoy reading for pleasure, as well as when assigned reading for class. I love to read mysteries, both fact and fiction, I like books based on historical events, as well as love stories imagined by authors such as Nicholas Sparks.  I believe that reading enriches life, there is more to be gained by reading about an event or story, than just simply listening to it (this way, our own opinions can be formed instead of being forced to share those of others). 

21.)If you were opening an independent bookstore in a town with a chain store, such as a Barnes & Noble, how would you compete?

(response to question #21) 

If I were to open an independent bookstore in a town with a chain store, such as Branes & Nobel, I would compete for customers by arranging more frequent book-signings and guest appearances by authors both well known, and newly published. I believe that by having a greater number of author appearances, and book signings, my store would be more successful than the larger chain. Many times I have found that while the smaller stores in town may not have the business in numbers, that the larger chains do, the smaller stores are more specialized and have a more regular flow of loyal customers.  By allowing for the opinions and suggestions of my customers, for new books and other media, I will be able to maintain that regular flow of customers. As well as contributing to the actual material offered in my store, I would offer my customers the option of settings and seating options that best suit them, as well as a free wireless connection and quiet room for any students in the area. I would also offer coffee and snacks on the house, I believe that by offering free incentives and gifts, my amount of return customers would grow; balancing the amount spent (for me) on coffee and concessions. I believe that by adding a personal touch, my small store would be able to thrive on the forsaken customers of the larger chain bookstore. 

22.)Imagine that you are on a committee that oversees book choices for a high school library in your town. What policies do you think should guide the committee’s selection of controversial books?

(response to question #22)

If I was on a committee thats purpose was to oversee book choices for a high school library in my town; I would set up another committee separate from any other group at the school. Their only purpose would be, like a book club, to read books and write summaries and reports on them, pertaining to how those books could aid a certain class. The group I put together would be contained of teachers from schools within the district of mine. I believe that the policies that would guide the committee's selection of controversial books, should be that exactly, controversial. I believe that high school is the best place to equip students with the knowledge of controversial novels and other media. In both high school, and college, I have had the pleasure of reading books such as  "The Scarlet Letter" and "Uncle Tom's Cabin", these novels enriched my learning experience by shedding light on a community that was kept in ignorance by a group in power. These books were considered controversial because they allowed people to become informed and encouraged them to form their own opinions. 

Friday, March 5th (Chapter 8: The Rise and Decline of Journalism)

18.What kinds of stories, topics, or issues are not being covered well by mainstream papers?

(response to question #18)

Stories, topics, and issues that sometimes get overshadowed by larger issues in todays news by larger, mainstream newspapers are, stories about "the local hero". These stories are about that local baseball team in some quaint town with all the odds against them; they still manage to pull out that victory against the rich team with all the recruits, and their star father-coaches who could have played in the majors once. These stories are of the moral likeness of Leave it to beaver, The Brady Bunch, and The Cosby Show.  Classic American shows that inspired a nation and reflected the good, wholesome values of the hardest working generation. I believe that the positive occurrences of the world are overshadowed by the negative; If the news was able to shed equal light, while still informing the nation of events taking place in other countries: war, natural disasters, famine, poverty... While these stories are important, and should be acted upon, I believe that the U.S. is in great need of some inner rebirth. 

19.Why do you think people aren’t reading U.S. daily newspapers as frequently as they once did? Why is newspaper readership going up in other countries?

(response to question #19) 

I believe that the technology advance in the U.S. forces its citizens to achieve information faster than any other nation; the hunger for news has erupted in the states and it has become easier now, than ever to get the latest news with just the push of a button. Newspapers in other countries are now hitting their peak, the same peak they have passed in the U.S. The ability to achieve information, now, all over the world have become a necessity in social and economic growth. 

22.Will blogs and other Internet news services eventually replace newspapers? Explain your response.

(response to question #22) 

The new century has seen the emergence of technologies that allow the public to bypass the traditional mass media for access to news, to comment in real time on emerging news stories, or to report their own news information. Most significant is probably the Weblog, or 'blog', a reverse chronological order list of the writings of an individual or group. Other technologies have also risen, that I believe have had an effect on the newspaper as well as blogging. However, I do not believe that the printed paper will ever be replaced. The newspaper is part of an American tradition, its freedom of speech... The newspaper is woven into American culture. Sons and daughters have grown up for generations watching their fathers and mothers read the paper with breakfast, or on the bus, or at work... I don't believe that this tradition will ever be washed away; no matter the technical advance, the newspaper is practical, reliable, and resourceful. There will always be a need for printed news.