Blog Post #4 - 2015

Stereotypes or Stereo-Gripes...

Commercials annoy me.  Anyone who knows me knows that as soon as a commercial comes on I either change the channel on the TV or turn down the volume.  Commercials are annoying.

Unfortunately the other day a commercial came on and low and behold I couldn't find the remote!!!  It was buried under cushions, or hiding somewhere - and then this commercial came on:

At first I chuckled, quickly and briefly, until my husband spoke up and said "What a horrible commercial!"  I asked him why and he said he was actually insulted by many of the things being said.  

And he's right you know.   Most people would very quickly shut-down any kind of commercial like that that was directed towards woman - so why shouldn't men be just as upset when comments like that are broadcasted on public tv?

So what do you think about the ad?  Is it done in good taste - with a little humour - or is it highly offensive? Have your say by posting your own blog about stereotypes in commercials.  Be sure to find your own example to support your arguments.

Interesting what technology can do....
Check out the link below to see what happens when you take the music out of the music video and add sound effects to the mix!

Britney : Oops!

Blog Post #3 - 2015

Using social media for shaming

Lately I have noticed an increasing trend in posts that show how parents are using social media to shame their children as a form of punishment.  A mom who posted a video of her yelling and screaming at her daughter for having a Facebook account at the age of 11, another of a dad shooting his daughter's laptop with a gun and then posting the video on youtube.  

As a parent I am appalled at this kind of  behaviour and can't imagine why a parent would find this as a good way to discipline their children.  However, perhaps I am wrong, this is simply my opinion.

Now the latest isn't only a parent shaming their kids on a social platform - but everyday by giving them what they think is a creative hair cut!

From Facebook: An Atlanta barbershop gives old-man haircuts to misbehaving kids. Parents can bring in their kids who have been acting up and ask for the "Benjamin Button Special". 

Here is an article about this barber shop. Read it to get a better understanding of what this barber is doing.  

So just as the article asks - do you think this is a great idea - or - simple just the meanest thing ever?  Write a blog about your opinion - be sure to find examples to support your answer.

Blog Post #2 - 2015

http://www.sowetanlive.co.za

Twitter: The Good,  The Bad and The Funny?

So the other day I was surfing the net and came across one of my favourite Jimmy Fallon bits "Mean Tweets".  I have to admit that they frequently make me laugh, but then I caught myself and started to think ... hmm.  Since when has it become ok to post insults after insults about others, in such a public forum?  I'm sure many will argue that "they are celebrities and put themselves out there for scrutiny", but I must admit that many of the insults that were read in this skit were nothing short than kind of disgusting.  And of course, celebrities are not the only victims.  I'm sure many of you have been, or know of someone, who was the target of a mean tweet, and maybe, just maybe, some of you have been the person writing that mean tweet.

Following that, I was watching Breakfast Television on the day of the snow storm, and I started hearing about the mean tweets that were directed at schools/school boards because of their decision to keep schools open.  Regardless of what people thought, may arguments were certainly not a productive way of expressing concern, cursing and saying ridiculous things to try and prove their point.  Many students were caught and got in trouble for their twitter activity.  Even following that, the reporter who was reporting on the story was the recipient of mean and bullying tweets as well!  For what? For her doing her job! Ridiculous I say!
(you can watch the video here)

What I don't understand is why?  Why do people feel compelled to write things that they would likely never ever say in person?  What could people possible get from treating others that way in such a public arena?  And more importantly - what can be done to change this growing trend?  I'm sure the creator of twitter never intended for it to be used this way.  Not to mention as well - the permanency of the internet, once posted, it will always exist ...

As the next batch of up and comers - how do you feel about this?  Do you see this as a concern? Or is it something that will just go away on its own?  Should be there laws? Should Twitter be checked/governed?  Should we just leave it as is?  You tell me ....

Blog Post #1 - 2014

Paparazzo : def - nounplural noun: paparazzi

a freelance photographer who pursues celebrities to get photographs of them.

http://laisureste.com

The other day I was scrolling through my Facebook wall and someone posted a video of  Iggy being photographed while she went grocery shopping.  In the video we see her and the photographer yelling back and forth with various arguments.  I sat there listening and thinking to myself, "they both make very good points!"  

This isn't anything new, there have been tons of celebrities fighting with the media.  Tons of photographers who fight back.  We hear about this sort of thing in the news all the time.

So what side do you take when it comes to celebrities in the news? Where should the line be drawn and when shouldn't it be crossed - or is there any line at all?  Who's right and who's wrong, or is there a somewhere in between?  Find another example of a celebrity and paparazzi feud and blog about it!

Becoming a Super Duper Blogger ...

Having an online presence can be a lot of fun, but also holds a lot of responsibility!  Here are some key tips to remember when creating posts for your blog.
- Don't divulge personal information: use your FIRST NAME ONLY, don't give any details with regards to contact information, home address, phone numbers, last names of friends or relatives, instant messaging names, age, or birth date.
- No questionable photos of you or anything else: If you wouldn't show it to your grandma, don't post it on the web! Avoid posting photos of yourself.
- Remember the internet is permanent! Anyone on the Internet can easily print out a blog or save it to a computer.
- Use blogging provider sites with clearly stated terms of use, and make sure they can protect the actual blogs, not just the user accounts, with password protection. (Even so, it's better to assume anyone can see it.)
- Avoid trying to "out-do" or compete with other bloggers.

- Keep it clean and positive: Our blogs are reflective of our Catholic values. Sexist, racist, homophobic, or any type of oppressive and offensive language will not be tolerated!

Welcome!

Welcome to the 2014/2015 grade 10 Media Arts/Comm course.  I am happy to have you all as students in this new and exciting school year.  For this blog unit we will be sharing some news, stories and events that involve digital media along with various other forms of media.


As part of your media arts / communications technology course you will be required to create and maintain your own media arts / communications blog. Blogging has quickly become a very popular form of communication and online journaling.


Through this course your will be required to reply to six different media / technology issues or topics that will be posted here for you to respond to on your own blog. Each response must be no less than 300 words and should have discussions relevant to media arts and communication technology. You will also be required to respond to 6 other people's blogs with thoughtful ideas and comments with a 100 words (min). The evaluation for this unit is found in your unit guide. Once you have completed all tasks (which will take you several months) you will submit your unit guide, with a list of the six blogs that you responded to, for evaluation.


Happy Blogging!
Ms. Powell