Thursday, September 8, 2011
The Media- Blog #2
After reading the sections of "Culture Jam" and "It's Gotta Be the Cheese" I realized how sterotypical everyone looks at the United States. I think that "Culture Jam" and "It's Gotta Be the Cheese" are extreme generalizations that are about the most extreme cases thoughout the United States. Not everyone conforms or is identical to everyone else, like in "It's Gotta be the Cheese", and not everyone is detached from nature or on medication like "Culture Jam" seems to depict. There are specific people in the media, like Lindsey Lohan, the Kardashians, or the Jersey Shore cast that make the viewers assume that this is what the United States is all about. However, this is untrue. There are many citizens who do not conform, and there are many citizens who refuse to be a part of the media driven society that tries to brainwash the rest of us to think that what they say is what is best. Although conformity, detachment from nature, and medications are basic topics from the readings, they were the sections that stood out most for me.
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I agree the readings were generalizations. I find it interesting that the author of Culture Jam is not from the US, which further proves our country's image as detached basket cases. I'm glad that you also feel there are people that do not conform, because there definitely are! Unfortunately, it seems for the most part we allow actions of the majority to define us.
ReplyDeleteThere is some merit to Lasn's observations, however. Of the shows you mentioned, how many of you watch them or know of them? How much influence do they have on our popular (and personal) culture.
ReplyDeleteMaybe more than we care to admit.
There are no doubt a large group of people out there who do not conform to these generalizations. However, if there wasn't also a vast portion of people who did, where would all this media and advertising be going. Somebody is eating it up and supporting this system. The number of whoppers sold in a year is indicative of this portion of the society. I guess the question would be if the people who do not conform can speak loudly and clearly enough to change their other people's minds?
ReplyDeleteThe author does seem to make a lot of generalizations and alot of the generalizations that are about us (The United States) I feel are true in most cases. Also most of the time we just don't want to admit that our country is as bad as it is but I really think it is in a really bad spot right now. The generalizations that he makes don't really bother me. When you have generalizations there is always going to be someone who does not fit the description of that generalization, just because one person doesn't fit the generalization does not mean that a whole lot of other people don't. However I do agree with you Missy the authors of both the poem and "Culture Jam" kind of take the generalizations to the extreme in some cases. For Example when the poet Aton Kadosh says about making it the most holy of sacraments I feel like that is definitly as you say taking it to extreme.
ReplyDeleteI think from the both readings it pretty much shows how America is looked at from the outside looking in. In reality that's probably how different countries actually see us. But like you said it's a generalization, not everyone is like they say in the book. I think reality TV makes it worst because the people who are on reality TV makes us look bad most of the time by their behaviors.
ReplyDeleteI totally didn’t realize the author of Culture Jam wasn't from the US. That is crazy that someone who doesn't even live here can be that opinionated and generalize that much. From what I can see we all agree that this author is a bit crazy when it comes to generalizing American society, especially considering he really isn't even a part of it.
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