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.   

Football High

After watching Football High one thing I noticed was a concern is when the boy who got heat stroke went back to playing 6 weeks after he was out of the hospital. This is a concern because his body is still recovering, and if it happens again he could die. This comes back to BIRGing which the boy probably wanted to be involved in the success of his team and be successful as a player. Another issue that cam along was how the athletic director was not really concerned with the boys getting heat stroke, this is a concern because if you don't have regulations against playing in the heat then you will have other children who are in danger of getting heat stroke. This also comes back to CORFing because if they have regulations then practice would be canceled. By not having practice, the team will not be as prepared for the game, and then could lose. If they lose the parents, coaches, and players will all be mad and upset making the team a disgrace. The third thing I saw was when Kiehl had is own sports promoter and was making what looked like a video of himself with a bunch of smoke and screaming girls (embarrassing). This is an issue to me because first of all he was like 15 at the time and by making this video and telling Kiehl he's the best and he can go to any college he wants and that he will make it to the NFL was not healthy for him. Sadly he ended up not even going to the NFL and leaving the college he went to for football because someone better replaced him. This ties in with BIRG Kiehl and his parents did everything they could to make sure Kiehl's life was revolved around football, and it was all for nothing. They all had so much respect for Kiehl because he was leading the team by being a good QB. Also Kiehl was was gaining success in football getting a whole bunch of scholarships, but he peaked in highschool, and he could only get so much better the talent he had couldn't grow. 

what sports really are

The purpose of sports to me is a way for people to get involved and get some exercise. I think that getting involved with others is important for your social aspect in life, also exercise is good for your body to become healthy. Who are sports really for? Sports should be for the person participating in them, but in some cases they are for the occasional crazy parents who life through their children and become selfish. I played club volleyball for six years and every tournament there was always that one parent who would be screaming and swearing at the refs and making a fool of themselves. The benefits of sports in America is the aspect of meeting new friends that will last for a life time, I met my bestie from volleyball. The drawbacks are that player and their family members get way into the sport, and think that they are going to go pro when in reality they are just average. I see this all the time with high school athletes, and they are in for a rude awakening when it comes to college and after. I think the approach for sports should change, do it for yourself not others, have fun, and enjoy playing. If you're not enjoying playing then quit, do what makes you happy.

Wedding expectations vs Real life

After reading the article ad watching the "Say Yes To The Dress" episode one specific connection I found was having the princess vibe. In the article focuses on Cinderella and how in the 1950s she became the face of weddings. After her everyone wanted to be her, or have a wedding inspired by her. In the episode Deborah wanted to look just like princess Diana and have a wedding that is unforgettable the royal wedding of South Beach. The episode also said that at least 50% of brides coming in to try on dresses want to look like a princess.
The second connection I wound was wish fulfillment. In the article is says that Cinderella also showed how she had her dreams come true by reaching her magical moment which was in her wedding. In the episode Kelly had her dreams set on a black dress, but after she put on the Grace Kelly white dress her magical moment came and she said yes to the dress. Also Crystal and Deborah also had their wishes fulfilled by having a custom dress made for Crystal, and Deborah fitting into her dress by losing 35 pounds.

Sexual Objectification in Advertising

This first add I chose for my example of sexual objectification because according to Caroline Heldman 7 steps of sexualized objectification the woman is seen as wearing the mans shirt and some red lingerie that shows the sexual availability the man has to her. Also she could been seen as selling the commodity which is step 6, because the color of her clothes are the same as the box. This ad to me is saying that your hunger is satisfied by getting in a mans pants, and then eating the cereal.

This is the second picture I chose for my example of sexual objectification. As you can see they are only displaying breasts which is the first step in Caroline's 7- steps the ad only shows parts of the woman's (women's) body to show the s-class of the Benz. The ad also has writing across the front of the breasts which shows step 7 which is treating the body as a canvas. This ad also shows step 2, I believe the woman (women) in this ad are part of the car which is presenting as a sexualized person(s) as an object being the car.

Porn Star and a College Student

After watching all of the video clips in class i decided to choose CNN as my first source because their main focus wasn't about how she was a whore or that she was a disgrace, but that she was in control of her own body. CNN also took the students statement about how she feels about porn, which she feels empowered and that she can express herself freely and she feels comfortable about doing porn. Another women was asked her opinion about the students actions, and she feels it's a good thing and that it isn't as bad as it comes off, she has control of her own sexuality. This focus tells us about how our cultures attitude toward sex is that we should be able to control our own sexuality, but some Americans are not in control.
The second source I choose was The Young Terks their focus of the story was mostly about how the students personal life shouldn't have been exposed. Also there are a lot of haters, women and men towards the student but it's mostly out of spite and jealously. They are upset that she is making money doing something seen as "frowned upon". Theses people are so bitter to her, and quick to call her a whore, they are bulling her. I believe it is out of pure jealously. This focus reflects the attitudes towards sex in our culture as: degrading, embarrassing, porn is just bad, porn turns you into a slut, whore, etc.