Sometime in the past week I was watching this ridiculous show called 'Swap Spouses' or 'Trading Spouses,' something like that. This particular episode there was two couples who decided to switch places- keep in mind they have no idea what kind of family they are switching with. Well the first mother Susan(Just made up names) that switched places seemed to be very closed minded at first and when she met the 'father' at the airport she learned that the couple were homosexual so she had to live with a women instead, she was shocked. As Susan was living with Diane (homosexual), all she did was turn her away and put down all of Diane's beliefs. Susan said that being homosexual was a birth defect, and offended two of Diane's friends by saying to her hispanic friend that this specific race needs to go back to Mexico, etc. Susan also explained that if she found out that she were having a down syndrome child or one with a birth effect she would abort it. I am not saying that we are not able to have opinions for ourself; but we need to know why we believe certain things and be open minded to others, listen and empathize and towards others. We should be able to argue both sides first before we make up our mind.
"What I like about experience is that it is such an honest thing. You may take any number of wrong turnings; but keep your eyes open and you will not be allowed to go very far before the warning signs appear. You may have deceived yourself, but experience is not trying to deceive you. The universe rings true wherever you fairly test it. "
-C.S. Lewis
Can I be friends with a Democrat and Republican? Would it bother me to see the same gender kissing? Would I secretly judge a friend that STD? Do I try exotic food even if it were very strange? I don't think less of someone who is on welfare? Am I offended of public nudity? Am I ready to debate my beliefs with anyone at anytime? Would I welcome someone into my home that was from a different religion walking door to door? If I had someone cheat on me, would I listen to their explanation before breaking the whole thing off? Do I have friends that are rich and poor? The list can go on. Anyway, this made me think on how we are raised, are we brain washed with our parents to think the way they think? Are we just as open minded as our parents or more open minded? Are all of our opinions based off what our parents believe? Do we know for ourselves or do we just believe it to believe it? These questions made me think how open minded am I?
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Obnoxious Commercials sell?
I'm one of those people that absolutely hates TV commercial breaks. Not only do i think that they are unnecessary, but I also think it's quite annoying.
Sure, I could simply just turn to an another channel, but what if all your other desired channels are on a commercial break, too(this happens way too often for me)?
Well in those cases, I just have to leave it on the same channel and brace through commercials.
I've noticed that in some of the commercials where they are trying to sell a product, the advertisers can get really obnoxiously loud.
Ads like the Billy Mays commercials usually focuses on one advertiser that explains what the product is for and how effective it is. They talk pretty loud and makes sure that they are ear-catching. Sure, by the end of the commercial, they are able to get their message across to the viewers. But what is so appealing about one person talking in a monotone voice by himself the whole time? And the need for it to be any more than 30 seconds long?
There are plenty of ways to get a message across and successfully advertise your product in a short, simple way.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
sexuality in ALL advertising!!
In class we've been discussing a lot of ads for clothing companies. I've noticed that all the ads have nude men or women in them and aren't really showing any clothing what so ever in the ads.
It is amazing to me how in todays world how sex sells. why? I mean I understand sex appeal.. that is something I think all man or woman want to have and I'm guilty of it too. why is it in this day-in-age we tolerate a group of men, for example, pinning down a women by a pool appealing to wear clothing. Why are these clothing companies able to sell clothing that has ads that look like the women are going to be raped. What about women and men looking stoned of their rocker because they are addicted to 'fashion' when clearly the ad shows them sniffing a dress with cocaine next to it.
Aren't we all trying to keep drugs out of our home and rape and murder off our streets. What are we telling our children about fashion if they are seeing these images in the magazines and billboards.
Don't get me wrong, sex sell. but is it worth our standards and morals. I have to say I'm not offended by these images, I'm appalled. Should I be offended or have we become so desensitized to this kind of thing it doesn't matter any more?
Just some thought, take them as you will.
It is amazing to me how in todays world how sex sells. why? I mean I understand sex appeal.. that is something I think all man or woman want to have and I'm guilty of it too. why is it in this day-in-age we tolerate a group of men, for example, pinning down a women by a pool appealing to wear clothing. Why are these clothing companies able to sell clothing that has ads that look like the women are going to be raped. What about women and men looking stoned of their rocker because they are addicted to 'fashion' when clearly the ad shows them sniffing a dress with cocaine next to it.
Aren't we all trying to keep drugs out of our home and rape and murder off our streets. What are we telling our children about fashion if they are seeing these images in the magazines and billboards.
Don't get me wrong, sex sell. but is it worth our standards and morals. I have to say I'm not offended by these images, I'm appalled. Should I be offended or have we become so desensitized to this kind of thing it doesn't matter any more?
Just some thought, take them as you will.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
What is considered humorous?
The other day in class we looked at different advertisements and broke them down to what message they were trying to communicate and how they conveyed that message. I was cited for finding a majorly considered humorous ad unamusing and a majorly considered unamusing ad humorous. I wasn't going to dwell on the discord between my peers and I until I read a response to Daniel's Gender Roles post. Why is the scene in the Jungle Book, "terribly hilarious" when it is "brainwashing" women to be and aspire to be what the world tells us we should be?
I've been baffled since that class why something so seemingly trivial and insignificant with serious implications was found to be humorous compared to something serious and taboo with minor implications. Why is if funny that the portrayal of a sexy, lingerie clad girl is capable of being controlled like an Xbox character? Yes, the image is funny. But what does this say about women? And what is it reinforcing in men? The answers are all negative.
How come no one saw the cleverness in taking something that was so blatently taboo, something that would stir strong emotion in all who saw it, and use it to sell a silly product? The end thought/outcome is positive: buy this small canister of bug spray and it will solve a very serious matter plaguing society.
Both ads were ridiculous and absurd; one called for objectifying women and a positive view on a toy that is so often detrimental to relationships and distracting from life, and the other reinforced an already negative view on a negative subject. So why do more people find humorous the suggestions with serious consequences and not the suggestions will foolish consequences?
I've been baffled since that class why something so seemingly trivial and insignificant with serious implications was found to be humorous compared to something serious and taboo with minor implications. Why is if funny that the portrayal of a sexy, lingerie clad girl is capable of being controlled like an Xbox character? Yes, the image is funny. But what does this say about women? And what is it reinforcing in men? The answers are all negative.
How come no one saw the cleverness in taking something that was so blatently taboo, something that would stir strong emotion in all who saw it, and use it to sell a silly product? The end thought/outcome is positive: buy this small canister of bug spray and it will solve a very serious matter plaguing society.
Both ads were ridiculous and absurd; one called for objectifying women and a positive view on a toy that is so often detrimental to relationships and distracting from life, and the other reinforced an already negative view on a negative subject. So why do more people find humorous the suggestions with serious consequences and not the suggestions will foolish consequences?
Gender Roles: "I'll Be Cooking in the Home"
Your comments about gender roles have had me thinking this week. Some of what we are willing to accept, and not accept, is definitely generational. That doesn't mean that gender stereotypes were any better in our parents' and grandparents' generations, but it does mean that they were more accepted (certainly there have always been people who will not accept them, which is why we have grown in many ways).
Here's one example: my daughter loves to watch movie clips on YouTube, and one of her favorites is from Disney's The Jungle Book (as opposed to the collection of stories by Rudyard Kipling, published in 1894, which the movie is very loosely based on). At the end of the film, Mowgli returns to the man village, where he sees, for the first time in his life, a woman (she is a girl, but if you watch the clip, she is obviously old enough to be very aware of the way her sexuality can entrance and manipulate Mowgli). I showed this clip to my daughter becaue she was learning how to splash, and there is a part where Mowgli falls out of the tree and lands in the water before splashing his way back to the bank. (I hadn't remembered that the reason he falls is because the girl bats her big eyes at him and distracts him into dumb male mode). I also hadn't remembered all the lyrics to the song she sings. Whenever I watch this clip with my daughter, I cringe: "Father's hunting in the forest. Mother's cooking in the home. I must go to fetch the water until the day that I am grown." And later on: "I will have a handsome husband, and a daughter of my own. I'll send her to fetch the water. I'll be cooking in the home." I usually change the lyrics as I sing along to be "Mother's hunting in the forest, father's cooking in the home" in an attempt to reverse the stereotypes, but I've considered not letting my daughter even watch it anymore even though she loves it. So here is my question: Am I going to far? Is the movie harmless? Am I being silly for thinking maybe I shouldn't let her watch it? It's just a movie, right? Or is it? You can watch the scene here.
This got me thinking of another generational shift I've experienced in my life, also regarding gender. I remember singing a song in church when I was a boy. It was for the girls, really, but we all sang it. It was about wanting to be a mother. Here are some of the lyrics:
When I grow up, I want to be a mother,
And have a family, one little, two little, three little babies of my own.
Of all the jobs, for me I'll choose no other!
I'll have a family,
Four little, five little, six little babies in my home.
We thought nothing of this at the time, singing it at the top of our lungs. (If you want to sing it at the top of your lungs, you can download it here. It's called "I Want to be a Mother.") But now that I'm older, I see a real danger in the song. Let me be clear that I am not saying that there is a danger in wanting to have children or be a mother. I think I made it clear last week that I value motherhood a great deal. But I have friends who grew up singing this song and talking about being a mommy their whole lives, only to discover that they wanted to have a career, or that they didn't want to have babies, or that they wanted to have babies but couldn't because of medical reasons, etc. They grew up singing about having six little babies and not going to work, and then they felt guilty because they wanted to work or couldn't have six babies, or because for sone other reason they were not capable of living up to what they were taught was the ideal. I am not taking shots at my church here. This, too, was a generational thing, and there have been a lot of changes since then. I can rest easy that my daughter will never have to sing this song in church, and that Disney will never put out another film with a female character singing about cooking in the home while her handsome husband is out hunting. And this is ultimately my point. We have come a long way in only a few generations.
Thoughts?
Here's one example: my daughter loves to watch movie clips on YouTube, and one of her favorites is from Disney's The Jungle Book (as opposed to the collection of stories by Rudyard Kipling, published in 1894, which the movie is very loosely based on). At the end of the film, Mowgli returns to the man village, where he sees, for the first time in his life, a woman (she is a girl, but if you watch the clip, she is obviously old enough to be very aware of the way her sexuality can entrance and manipulate Mowgli). I showed this clip to my daughter becaue she was learning how to splash, and there is a part where Mowgli falls out of the tree and lands in the water before splashing his way back to the bank. (I hadn't remembered that the reason he falls is because the girl bats her big eyes at him and distracts him into dumb male mode). I also hadn't remembered all the lyrics to the song she sings. Whenever I watch this clip with my daughter, I cringe: "Father's hunting in the forest. Mother's cooking in the home. I must go to fetch the water until the day that I am grown." And later on: "I will have a handsome husband, and a daughter of my own. I'll send her to fetch the water. I'll be cooking in the home." I usually change the lyrics as I sing along to be "Mother's hunting in the forest, father's cooking in the home" in an attempt to reverse the stereotypes, but I've considered not letting my daughter even watch it anymore even though she loves it. So here is my question: Am I going to far? Is the movie harmless? Am I being silly for thinking maybe I shouldn't let her watch it? It's just a movie, right? Or is it? You can watch the scene here.
This got me thinking of another generational shift I've experienced in my life, also regarding gender. I remember singing a song in church when I was a boy. It was for the girls, really, but we all sang it. It was about wanting to be a mother. Here are some of the lyrics:
When I grow up, I want to be a mother,
And have a family, one little, two little, three little babies of my own.
Of all the jobs, for me I'll choose no other!
I'll have a family,
Four little, five little, six little babies in my home.
We thought nothing of this at the time, singing it at the top of our lungs. (If you want to sing it at the top of your lungs, you can download it here. It's called "I Want to be a Mother.") But now that I'm older, I see a real danger in the song. Let me be clear that I am not saying that there is a danger in wanting to have children or be a mother. I think I made it clear last week that I value motherhood a great deal. But I have friends who grew up singing this song and talking about being a mommy their whole lives, only to discover that they wanted to have a career, or that they didn't want to have babies, or that they wanted to have babies but couldn't because of medical reasons, etc. They grew up singing about having six little babies and not going to work, and then they felt guilty because they wanted to work or couldn't have six babies, or because for sone other reason they were not capable of living up to what they were taught was the ideal. I am not taking shots at my church here. This, too, was a generational thing, and there have been a lot of changes since then. I can rest easy that my daughter will never have to sing this song in church, and that Disney will never put out another film with a female character singing about cooking in the home while her handsome husband is out hunting. And this is ultimately my point. We have come a long way in only a few generations.
Thoughts?
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Learning to wallow in confusion
In class last Wendesday we had a good discussion on some ways to make our papers a lot better and some things that we should avoid. After that and reading chapter 3 I pretty much wished I could do it all over again. Not that I would want more homework... But I really feel like I am finally learning how to write well. I think that maybe my papers aren't really well written, but that they are good starts to help me open my mind for example.
When I was writing my paper on believing and doubting I found it a little harder than I expected to write about something that I didn't believe in. But I decided to talk to a friend about it, and it was nice to get her opinion and I could understand a little more. I hope that I will be able to 'wallow in confusion' a little more to make my writing a lot more interesting.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
When I grow up...I want to be 'just' a Mom.
So I was trying something new. I just kept on writing this with run on sentences and comma splits just to spill what I was thinking as fast as I could...
At the beginning of class today we talked about the importance of having a college education and how some people just want to be a mom. There are many arguements for getting an education, for example: having a piece of paper that proves you can do the job, learning how to think for yourself, and to explore. However, this certain girl who just wanted to be mom seems to be thinking that the world is perfect. It seems like in her eye nothing ever goes wrong and it is a sugar-coated world even though it isn't. Yes, all those reasons we talked about in class were decent arguements, but what about wanting a education for yourself because you don't want to be considered a 'dumbo?' Wouldn't people like to have intellectual conversations with their spouses instead of talking only about the kids- even though this is good too.
My Grandmother didn't go to college and she grew up to be a lovely mother, this is not at all a bad thing, it is admirable, but she has said that she wished she went to college so she would more adequete compared to her husband. This certain girl who sugar-coats everything needs to wake up and realize that she needs to prepare in everyway possibe like if her husband died, suddenly got a disability, or if the couple got divorced, and these are only a few examples. Don't get me wrong being a mother is a great thing and it needs to be done, kids need to be taken care of, it just depends on what your intentions are- they need to ask themself: Am I looking for an easy way out on not having to support myself and this is why I want to get married, or do I not want to go to college for other reasons or if you can't afford it-this you need to admit.
-Heather B.
At the beginning of class today we talked about the importance of having a college education and how some people just want to be a mom. There are many arguements for getting an education, for example: having a piece of paper that proves you can do the job, learning how to think for yourself, and to explore. However, this certain girl who just wanted to be mom seems to be thinking that the world is perfect. It seems like in her eye nothing ever goes wrong and it is a sugar-coated world even though it isn't. Yes, all those reasons we talked about in class were decent arguements, but what about wanting a education for yourself because you don't want to be considered a 'dumbo?' Wouldn't people like to have intellectual conversations with their spouses instead of talking only about the kids- even though this is good too.
My Grandmother didn't go to college and she grew up to be a lovely mother, this is not at all a bad thing, it is admirable, but she has said that she wished she went to college so she would more adequete compared to her husband. This certain girl who sugar-coats everything needs to wake up and realize that she needs to prepare in everyway possibe like if her husband died, suddenly got a disability, or if the couple got divorced, and these are only a few examples. Don't get me wrong being a mother is a great thing and it needs to be done, kids need to be taken care of, it just depends on what your intentions are- they need to ask themself: Am I looking for an easy way out on not having to support myself and this is why I want to get married, or do I not want to go to college for other reasons or if you can't afford it-this you need to admit.
-Heather B.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Sarcasm in Writing
So just a disclaimer on my blogging skills... they don't really exist to forgive me if I violate any major codes or rules.
I'm continuing our discussion from the articles in class. I had a question that I think is interesting to bring up? (Mainly because I want to know others opinions.) I'm generally a sarcastic person, I think I use it as a safe guard. I find when I'm reading a piece that is riddled with sarcasm I tend to read the paper/book all the way through, laughing the entire time. I'm the type of person that likes to laugh and have grown up with a very sarcastic family.
But is sarcasm really something that should be used in writing? Or is there some types of writing that sarcasm is appropriate?
I believe it is health to have a good happy grasp on life to were not everything is serious all the time. I think if you take most things with a grain of sand you will enjoy people, books, and opinions alot more than thinking everything is attacking you personally or your personal values or opinions. I've been on boths sides of the spectrum and prefer the lighter side. It keeps me healthier and happier.
I also believe in some cases where offece is likely no matter how you write your opinions or the facts, sarcasm may not be the best emotion to instill in the reader. Topics like rape or religion even can cause lots of offence and can turn anyone off. I know its a touchy way of writing, but its really fun to read!
I'm continuing our discussion from the articles in class. I had a question that I think is interesting to bring up? (Mainly because I want to know others opinions.) I'm generally a sarcastic person, I think I use it as a safe guard. I find when I'm reading a piece that is riddled with sarcasm I tend to read the paper/book all the way through, laughing the entire time. I'm the type of person that likes to laugh and have grown up with a very sarcastic family.
But is sarcasm really something that should be used in writing? Or is there some types of writing that sarcasm is appropriate?
I believe it is health to have a good happy grasp on life to were not everything is serious all the time. I think if you take most things with a grain of sand you will enjoy people, books, and opinions alot more than thinking everything is attacking you personally or your personal values or opinions. I've been on boths sides of the spectrum and prefer the lighter side. It keeps me healthier and happier.
I also believe in some cases where offece is likely no matter how you write your opinions or the facts, sarcasm may not be the best emotion to instill in the reader. Topics like rape or religion even can cause lots of offence and can turn anyone off. I know its a touchy way of writing, but its really fun to read!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Michelle O.
In light of our recent discussion on manipulation, I share the following:
Every now and then my girlfriends and I indulge ourselves in a bit of mindless TV smut. I tune into E! News on the Entertainment channel the other night and they are showing interviews and snapshots of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People 2009 Dinner held this past Tuesday. The host asks one of the celebrity guests who they are most excited to see and her answer: Michelle Obama. Then flash to the next scene of a smartly dressed, well polished first lady walking up to the podium and across the bottom of the screen reads "Michelle O."
Talk about throwback to Jackie O. Lots of ties are being made and can be made between the two. Obviously our thinking fondly of Jackie O. should influence our image of Michelle O. What a great avenue to help the American public love their first lady as they did before.
I'm convinced that I, being a fashion minded, family oriented, and learned American woman can proudly look up to and support my first lady.
Every now and then my girlfriends and I indulge ourselves in a bit of mindless TV smut. I tune into E! News on the Entertainment channel the other night and they are showing interviews and snapshots of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People 2009 Dinner held this past Tuesday. The host asks one of the celebrity guests who they are most excited to see and her answer: Michelle Obama. Then flash to the next scene of a smartly dressed, well polished first lady walking up to the podium and across the bottom of the screen reads "Michelle O."
Talk about throwback to Jackie O. Lots of ties are being made and can be made between the two. Obviously our thinking fondly of Jackie O. should influence our image of Michelle O. What a great avenue to help the American public love their first lady as they did before.
I'm convinced that I, being a fashion minded, family oriented, and learned American woman can proudly look up to and support my first lady.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Adding
Because there were so many of you trying to add yesterday, I checked on the policy for adding during the summer. You can read the policy here. I'm not able to add anyone this week, so the best thing to do is check online and hope to find an opening. I apologize for any inconvenience. I wish I had room for everyone.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Welcome
Welcome to our class blog. In order to register, you will need to have a gmail account. If you don't have a gmail account, you can create one here. Once you have set up that account (or if you have an existing gmail account), send your gmail address to me at dwestover@uvu.edu. In return, I will send you an invitation to the blog. As soon as you accept that invitation by following the appropriate links, you will be able to begin blogging. Blogging is a required component of this course, so make sure you register right away.
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