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.
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