BUSY BEES

This blog entry by Robert Dones
The story: "Why Leisure Matters in a Busy World"
The analysis:

The article parallels a few discussions as well as readings we had in class regarding leisure activities. Marci Alboher summarizes and addresses a handful of ways leisure time can be converted into either pros or cons. It distinguishes the boundaries between having satisfying and useful leisure time which can help alleviate stress and lead to a better, healthier lifestyle. It also portrayed leisure time which is unfulfilling and in turn, becomes nothing more than idle time which can eventually lead to delinquency and incarceration. While one of the main variables in the article was focused on "at-risk" populations, many of the ideas applied universally to addicts, delinquents or every day citizens. Alboher explained how there are those who are in prison and feel content having used their leisure time in a positive manner, while there are also people who function in society that feel "locked up". Another focal point of the article is the idea that one should not only be judged by their occupation or job, but by their leisure activities and hobbies respectively.

Readings such as that of Adorno and discussions such as the interest in sports amongst others all seem to relate heavily with this article. In our reading and discussions in class regarding Adorno, we articulated that it was plausible that popular music (as opposed to high art), which is a huge part of contemporary leisure time, was unsubstantial and just lulls us into a passive state of mind. In another class discussion regarding sports (another important aspect of leisure time for many), we saw how sports could be a good use of leisure time. Sports are a good way for people to stay healthy, connect with others who share their interest and create a sense of community.
This article creates concern for the content being distributed through our media. It seems as though we are highly susceptible to influence and manipulation by the media, and as one of our most pervasive forms of leisure time, it is imperative that we be conscious of what we view and listen to. It also puts what we do during our leisure time into perspective. Instead of rushing through life, it gives good insight and reasoning as far as attempting to slow things down and live a happier life by planning your leisure activities instead of spending your leisure time on spontaneous activities, something many of us fail to do.

THE YOUTH VOTE

This blog entry by Monqiue Serrato
The story: "Young Voters Help Start Political Phenomenon"
The analysis:

This article discusses this year's upcoming election and the ability for today's younger generation to start a political phenomenon through the use of the internet. Today's campaigns are reaching the masses, especially young adults and giving them a chance to put the power in their hands. Most of this so-called phenomenon comes from the technological advances of the 21st century, especially the internet. With the introduction and popularity of Myspace and Facebook, campaigns become more accessible, and campaign spokesmen no longer have to rely on word of mouth marketing, and can get their messages across through the internet and these popular websites. In these cases, campaigns become collaborative, "It's not one press secretary, it's hundreds or tens of thousands if you look at all the comments out there on blogs. It's a much more collaborative way to run a campaign."

It's collaborative in a way that looks increasingly familiar in today's pop culture environment of accessible and attainable celebrity culture. Candidates for presidency are often "created" by the public. Young people have increasingly become accustomed to holding new media celebrity making power in their hands. Candidates such as Barack Obama have begun groups to support him to run campaigns on Facebook, and elsewhere. The article gave an example of reality television where there are flashy competitions, where voters decide and have the ability who stays or goes. In essence, the presidential nominees adopt the characteristics of these shows, which becomes a popularity contest, and becomes one of the most high profile competitions of all time.

"There is a growing participatory element to contemporary popular culture. More and more, people feel like they have a role in creating celebrities, stars and leads," said Bob Lichter, president of the Center for Media and Public Affairs at George Mason University. "People feel they have more of a right to create candidates instead of just vote for them."
I found this article very interesting because I never realized the impact pop culture has on the upcoming presidential elections. Never before has an election included campaigns on the internet, and promote the running nominees on such popular websites visited by young adults. Today's generation has the ability to "create" such a high profile nominee/celebrity and vote them into office. I myself have seen numerous campaign ads for candidates such as Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton on Myspace and YouTube, and have seen just how easy and accessible the messages of the running candidates are circulated throughout the internet, which in turn is helping young voters start a political phenomenon .

GRAND STANDING

This blog entry by Hugo Gomez
The story: "Rockstar sells 6 million units of GTA IV in 5 days"
The analysis:

Wondering how many units of Grand Theft Auto IV were sold, I googled an obvious query that led me to an article with confirmation by the game's publisher, Rockstar, saying that 6 million copies were sold around the world within 5 days. To say that GTA4 is a cultural phenomenon would be a massive understatement.
In a world where it's virtually impossible to set aside borders and prejudices in hopes of joining together for, well, any effort, it's somewhat comforting and at the same time really creepy to see that western culture has at least one common denominator: genocide for sport.

But whatever happened to really diluted, 2-buttoned/basic/almost-deemed- stupid gaming? Pacman, as primitive as it may be, is one of the most entertaining forms of self-inflicted anxiety, but it's fun, and its themes make absolutely no sense. GTA4 is loaded with guns and boobs and guns and boobs and enough suspense to employ Michael Douglas for a lifetime, and its massive complexity had me wondering why the advancement in gaming technology has only meant more games that mirror the complexity of our daily lives, and not happy yellow balls that eat smaller balls. Who run from ghosts.

In the same way that I often wonder if aged pop star Huey Lewis would ever have a career had he debuted in the 21st century, I wonder if Donkey Kong could ever make the same kind of social dent as a GTA4 had it come out today. It's safe to say that simplicity in gaming themes are obsolete, or that we as a people really like the simulation of beating up a hooker for a glowy wad of cash. One can only wonder what kind of games we'll be buying our children 20 years down the road. Maybe then would going retro actually be a good idea.

INKED UP

This blog entry by LIliana Garcia
The story: "The secrets behind Angelina's baby tattoos"
The analysis:

Tattoos are not longer a big taboo in our society that has become a part of our culture today. They have become a new trend that has become very popularized. They were once considered bad, deviant, evil, criminal and deviant but now it's considered a new fashion. It is considered a new trend and experience by popular culture. Today we see tattoos in the mainstream media of advertisements, celebrities, TV shows, movies, music videos and so on. Tattoos are no longer seen as just a form of deviant behavior where people were viewed as criminals, gangsters, rebels, delinquents but a new artist form of fashion that is attractive and hip. Such celebrities like Angelina Jolie, who is one of the most photographed women in the world according to Clemmie Moodie from the Daily Mail TV and Showbiz; are sporting tattoos and making them very fashionable.

Angelina is now one of the most tattooed female celebrities with about a dozen tattoos that not reflect her personality but also have meaning to her life. The article "The Secrets behind Angelina's baby Tattoos", by Clemmie Moodie, reports that in Angelinas left arm is tattooed with a map that coordinates for the birthplace of her children. From the top down and form left to right is the longitudinal and latitudinal location of Cambodia where her oldest son, Maddox was born according to Moodie. Then the following line maps Ethiopia where her second oldest daughter, Zahara was born. The third line is mapped with the longitudinal points and Latitudinal points of Namibia , where she gave birth to her biological daughter, Shiloh. The fourth points are for her adopted son, Pax Thien who is Vietnamese by origin.

People today are getting tattoos for meaningful purposes, or identity, self-expression and self-identification to define ones self. What was once considered to be low class and dangerous symbols are now considered hip, trendy, fashionable and glamorous. America media today has given tattoos a new meaning. American has made tattoos favorable and has popularized them into the mainstream culture of pop culture. Such as Angelina Jolie who has given meaning to her tattoos people are putting meaning to their tattoos. Shows such as Miami Ink and LA Ink are shows that have popularized tattoos by not only tattooing to the public but to celebrities as well. They have challenged cultural stereotypes of tattoos.
They given tattoos a deeper meaning of art that seems to be valued more today than before.

FOR TUESDAY

Hey folks,

I'm still working out what we'll cover on Tuesday so I'll leave out potential readings at this point. We might just have an all-discussion day covering current events.

--Prof. Wang