Final Exam Part II

What do you like most about your newfound media literacy?

    Firstly, I think my newfound media literacy will be extremely valuable as I prepare to vote in my first presidential election. This is going to be one of the most important elections in history because each of the candidates is so unique from one another. Now that I have an understanding of media principles, I will be able to see how each candidate utilizes various forms of media in order to encode their message to prospective voters. Hopefully with this knowledge, I will be able to make an educated and well-grounded vote for the next US president.

    Also, I have gained a useful acquaintance with the Adobe applications. Especially in this age of Web 2.0, these programs are giving nearly limitless production power to the individual. Now that I have a solid understanding of how most of these applications work, I should be able to spot a Photo Shopped image or appreciate the hard work that went into creating a short flash movie I view on the web. Programs like these are helping fuel the expansion the Web 2.0 universe.

    Finally, though my newfound media literacy, I have begun developing new theories for our possible future as a culture. Is the nation on the gentle slope towards “dumbing down” like in the film Idiocracy? Will we one day become so dependent on technology that full-blown cyborgs go from science fiction to science fact? Will our abilities to alter DNA one day allow us to “play God”? The media is asking all of these questions and more. Time will tell if we as a culture can one day come up with the answers.

Media Blog Entry 10I recently saw this image of Obama on the internet. I found it pretty funny that candidates can get so deesparate for votes that they would do anything to speak to a given demographic (in this case, professional wrestling fans). This just goes to show that the candidate who learns to utilize a wide array of the media will probably end up winning this presidential race.

Media Blog Entry 10
I recently saw this image of Obama on the internet. I found it pretty funny that candidates can get so deesparate for votes that they would do anything to speak to a given demographic (in this case, professional wrestling fans). This just goes to show that the candidate who learns to utilize a wide array of the media will probably end up winning this presidential race.


Media Blog Entry 9Family Guy is one of my favorite shows. I think it’s important to have shows like this because it offers a parody of society and the media itself. Being able to look at the comical and satirical sides of topics like that really helps keep things in perspective. 

Media Blog Entry 9
Family Guy is one of my favorite shows. I think it’s important to have shows like this because it offers a parody of society and the media itself. Being able to look at the comical and satirical sides of topics like that really helps keep things in perspective. 


Media Blog Entry 8I recently watched the Jackass Movie and noticed that our idea of entertainment is taking a turn for the worse. Maybe we’re not so far away from a future like the one seen in Idiocracy. Soon, instead of watching Jackass, we could just be watching Ass…and that’s it…for 90 minutes…

Media Blog Entry 8
I recently watched the Jackass Movie and noticed that our idea of entertainment is taking a turn for the worse. Maybe we’re not so far away from a future like the one seen in Idiocracy. Soon, instead of watching Jackass, we could just be watching Ass…and that’s it…for 90 minutes…


Media Blog Entry 7I always get a pretty good chuckle out of prescrition drug ads like this. The image is always so positive while paragraphs of dangerous side effects are listed below. Maybe it’s the media’s way of keeping us optimistic.

Media Blog Entry 7
I always get a pretty good chuckle out of prescrition drug ads like this. The image is always so positive while paragraphs of dangerous side effects are listed below. Maybe it’s the media’s way of keeping us optimistic.


Media Blog Entry 6This goes along with entry 5. In modern advertising, a simple poster will no longer suffice. In order to grab one’s full attention, advertisers are using flashy and larger than life billboards, like in time square. The question is: when these ads begin to fail to grab our attention, what’s the next step up? 

Media Blog Entry 6
This goes along with entry 5. In modern advertising, a simple poster will no longer suffice. In order to grab one’s full attention, advertisers are using flashy and larger than life billboards, like in time square. The question is: when these ads begin to fail to grab our attention, what’s the next step up? 


Media Blog Entry 5I was watching the movie Se7en recently, and one quote  in particular stood out to me. Kevin Spacey’s character says “Wanting people to listen, you can’t just tap them on the shoulder anymore. You have to hit them with a sledgehammer, and then you’ll notice you’ve got their strict attention.” I think this goes along with some of the new measures the media is taking to grab our attention.

Media Blog Entry 5
I was watching the movie Se7en recently, and one quote  in particular stood out to me. Kevin Spacey’s character says “Wanting people to listen, you can’t just tap them on the shoulder anymore. You have to hit them with a sledgehammer, and then you’ll notice you’ve got their strict attention.” I think this goes along with some of the new measures the media is taking to grab our attention.


Media Blog Entry 4The other day whilst going about my daily business, I caught myself humming the tune to the free credit report commercial. I find it strange that advertisments can stick to you subconsciously and come out in random burst of memory.

Media Blog Entry 4
The other day whilst going about my daily business, I caught myself humming the tune to the free credit report commercial. I find it strange that advertisments can stick to you subconsciously and come out in random burst of memory.


Media Blog Entry 3Johnny Depp is doing a good job making smoking look like a good idea here. Whether it’s his intention or not he is definitely glamourizing that cigarette.

Media Blog Entry 3
Johnny Depp is doing a good job making smoking look like a good idea here. Whether it’s his intention or not he is definitely glamourizing that cigarette.


Media Blog Entry 2I recently watched the movie 300 again and wondered if it would be as believable if they used overweight, out of shape sparatans instead of the muscle-ridden ones in the movie. This just goes to show that we have an ideal of how a warrior should look.

Media Blog Entry 2
I recently watched the movie 300 again and wondered if it would be as believable if they used overweight, out of shape sparatans instead of the muscle-ridden ones in the movie. This just goes to show that we have an ideal of how a warrior should look.