Pros and Cons of Social Media

One pro of social media is that social media sites allow people to improve their relationship and make new trends I believe this is true because BrianSoils.com states that 70% of adult social networking users use social media sites to connect with friends and relatives. I trust Brian's Soils research because I looked at his website and he seems legit, he  is a digital analysts and also has published a few books and tacks technology and business trends. I can relate this to my life because I have a huge family on both sides and I use social media to communicate with them and see what they're up too.
One con of social media is that students who use social media heavily have lower grades, this obviously effects the students overall school performance. Students who use social media have an average gpa of 3.06 and students who don't use social media have a gpa of 3.82. Also students who use social media while studying score 20% lower on tests. This came from a source called computers in human behaviors which is a journal, and is also available online. I think it is a trusted source because the site has loads of information, that relates to the above statement. I am guilty of studying and using social media which is probably not the best thing to do. But my gpa is a lot higher than a a 3.06, I think it all depends on how committed you are to school, and how much time you are devoted to school work.

Celebrity's vs Average People

Celebrities are symbolic because they are people we look up to, we always know what they are up to and they inspire us to do what they do. They are also symbolic because when they take action it is a larger gesture than an everyday person like you or I. We also attach a greater significance to them than we do to a regular human. We buy things because it has the celebrities name on it, not because it's special or different. Celebrities give is a feeling of specialness and meaning, everything must be thought put and must support the image. This is how their lives are different than ours, we do not have to maintain a certain look, attitude, or image because people are not always following us and taking pictures of us. We do not have the pressure to look a certain way or act a certain way. People honestly do not care about what you look like or what kind of car you drive because you're average just like them.
Celebs construct image and give narrative by giving us connection to reality, identification, stakes, and suspense. For example, they might craft their experiences/stories into shorter more meaningful narratives so people can connect with them. But in real life people actually experience things that do not have to be crafted because they happened first hand. Also people who are celebrities make more money than the average person, but some celebrities give it away so they have a good image. Overall I wouldn't wan to be a celebrity, it would be too much pressure to always look good and people would judge you all the time. I'd take being average than a celebrity any day.

Social Currency

The first type of social currency I chose to talk about was the Tasty videos on Facebook that teach you how to make a certain dish and then you're suppose to try and make it. This shows remarkability because people have watched them, and they think the video is interesting enough to share it with their friends on Facebook.  It aslo shows a game because when making the recipe you have to keep pressing pause and play, and if you make the recipe correctly you feel a a sense of achievement and reward. https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty/videos/1723118361274139/
The second type of social currency I chose to do is BirchBox which is a box sent to you after you chose which products you want to try out before you buy them. This represents insiders because you have to have an account to join, and people will handpick the samples for you after you take a quiz. BirchBox also remarkability because people share what they get in each box on social media, and try out each sample to see if it worth buying. https://www.facebook.com/Birchbox/videos/10153396467656647/?autoplay_reason=all_page_organic_allowed&video_container_type=0&app_id=2392950137
The third social currency I found popular was thrift shopping, this shows a game because you compare what you find yourself to what others find, it can be competitive. Also it shows remarkability, because people will share what they found with others, and the song thrift shop by Mackelmore https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK8mJJJvaes started the trend a couple years ago. It can also show insiders because what you find can be unique and have some exclusivity, and people want to be like others and be involved in the newest trends.

Tattoo Culture

In the article Secret Ink the author talks about the people who have tattoos got them for self expression, while keeping the existence of the tattoos a secret from the general public. This is the mixed message that tattoos give, and we know that it is true because many people have them but hie them for reasons that could potentially hurt their job, or social life. My best friend has four tattoos that can all be covered up, she wanted it that way because she is going to be a nurse and needs them covered. The author visits a tattoo parlor and he noticed that a lot of people have to use impression management to explain why they have the tattoos that they do, and give a story behind getting each one. Another reason for this mixed message is that people are afraid of the tattoo culture they have general discomfort because tattoos can often be seen as offensive to people, or have something to do with their socioeconomic status as well.

Cultivation Theory in Real Life

In John Oliver's video he talks about how there is a book published about the torture the America has used. No one has really read the book but inside the book there are some pretty gruesome stuff. American's were asked what they thought about torture. Their reactions to the torture that we have used on people is that 57% believe that the torture inflicted has helped America get answers. Torture in fact is not affective at all, the Cultivation Theory explains why, the times Americans have watched torture in movies or on TV and it works every time because it has too or the storyline will not match up, there is no basis in real life. Thus in real life situations these people apply this observation back to what they have seen and automatically think that these tactics will work. The information that the terrorists or POWs do give America as a result of torture are often a complete lie, and do not help get the answers they need. Another connection to the Cultivation Theory because the viewers see it happening on TV and think that it is real or interpret in into real life situations.

Why We Play Games

In the reading Why We Play Games the author talks about storytelling as a motivation which is brining people together who share common beliefs, also to show a form entertainment and education. In Jane's speech she told the story about how she came to create her game SuperBetter, which helped her overcome the side effects of her brain injury. The game also helped many others who were fighting their own battles from cancer to anxiety. 
The second motivation that was in the reading is Personal Empowerment which is the is ability to feel control in their world, but many people feel as if they have no power. Jane talks about how her game has caused people to feel better about themselves and become happier by unleashing better qualities. This changes how we think and act in real life. By playing the game they become less worried about their pain, and more concerned about the world around them. This teaches them how to act while not playing the game, preparing them for the real world again.

Men Bodies Vs Womens Bodies

Men and women's both are treated as sexual objects when they are pictured in ads for example, they are both often seen shirt less or have little clothing on. Also the product they are selling has little to do with what the men or woman in the ad are trying to sell. 
One difference I found between the two is that men who are muscular back then were considered as poor because they were working class. Women were never seen as poor for being skinny and tall. Also in the readings we usually discussed how women are more likely to have diseases and bad side effects from the pressure of trying to be skinny like anorexia. You usually don't hear of men being bulimic or anorexic, and that was not a side effect mentioned in the reading.