Limited Availability Special Media Blog Post: Birthday Edition (6/23)!!!

Long titles seem to be my specialty. If you read this one, you may notice that the date I enclosed in parentheses is not actually the same date as the posting date. Astute observation. However, June 23 is the date of my birthday, in the spirit of which I have written this post.

            But some of you may still be confused. "But Mil," you may be asking. "Why didn't you post this on your birthday?" To that, there is a simple answer: I spent the actual day partying and coming up with the concept for this blog post.

            But what is this blog post about (thank you, past self, for the flawless segue)? The topic of my birthday edition blog post is all about one of my favorite fixtures of media: memes.

            For those of you who have lived in a cave your whole life, far away from other human beings, never fear, I love definitions and will now present one to you.

            Meme, n.: an element of a culture or system of behavior that may be considered to be passed from one individual to another by nongenetic means, especially imitation.

            -a humorous image, video, piece of text, etc. that is copied (often with slight variations) and spread rapidly by Internet users.

            Thank you Google, for your endless contributions. Memes can be spread in all sorts of ways. Family interactions, at school, in the workplace; these are all places where people communicate (or at least, should communicate) regularly. Memes can also be just about anything, like colloquialisms, gestures, clothing styles, etc. The most popularized understanding of meme is internet memes. Often these consist of a repeated image with a caption used as a reaction. Or, the image is the same, but the text can vary, typically retaining a previously defined theme. Memes are often offensive, inappropriate, or ridiculous. If you choose to foray into the world of memes after this post, I won't stop you. But be warned, it's an unsavory world out there.

            What kind of post on memes would this be if I didn't include some examples? First up is the "Doge" meme.

            I have a huge soft spot for Doge. I used a picture of this dog as my Steam picture. But despite my love for Doge and my many pictures of him on my computer, it's time to Look Behind the Meme.

            Doge is a silly meme. It consists of this wide-eyed Shiba Inu with words surrounding it, usually involving "wow", "so", "very", "much", and "many". A large amount of words in this meme also appear to be spelled incorrectly, as a sort of play on the name "Doge", which is obviously dog spelled and pronounced incorrectly (doughj).

            Doge is just one of the many image memes that exists on the internet. Let's look at a gesture meme that has recently gained popularity, at least in my high school.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuVjLlCqLNQ

            I knew about the move, but I did not know about this. This video is a great propagator of the dab (although not the originator), a move that my fellow "kids" have begun to use on a nigh constant basis. A guy in my class would dab whenever he sneezed. During my first time bowling, I dabbed whenever I did well. Dabbing probably gained popularity because of the nature of iLoveMemphis' video. The singer references the whip, another popular gesture, and also has some pretty interesting lyrics. A lot of the words are either funny or inspiring. They were either nonsensical or talked about how the singer had made it from the bottom to the top. The dancers also are dressed very fashionably, and the whole video has this strange, exotic, cool air to it. I mean, it takes place in this kids play area! Dabbing obviously has deep roots, but this video has certainly helped it become even more popular.

            Gesture memes spread very quickly when people initiate face-to-face contact. But now, let's push onward to the wide world of social media.

            Thanks to social media, we can spread action memes. The Harlem Shake, Ice Bucket Challenge, Cinnamon Challenge, Highlighter Challenge… You name it. People either take pictures or make videos of these things and upload them somewhere (mostly YouTube and Instagram) and sometimes dare other people to do it and it becomes a fad. Why? The Cinnamon Challenge can kill, the Ice Bucket Challenge is thoroughly unpleasant sounding, and the Highlighter Challenge seems like a waste of makeup. But after participating in one of these action memes, people feel more connected, or they have fun in the process.

            Well, I think that covers some of the most prevalent memes. Now, I'll showcase a few of my personal favorite memes.

I love Beaker so much.

For those moments when a sad frog is your spirit animal.

            Now, what is the greater message of memes? As a medium of communication, memes are a fairly quick way to spread an idea or concept. We are surrounded by memes whenever we enter a social setting. Even reading or watching a movie can expose us to memes. I use them all the time, when I use idioms or reference popular things. They can also just be entertainment, a way of poking fun at something.

            As a professional meme-er, I love memes. Many of my friends have called me a meme, meme lord, meme queen, or just a propagator of memes in general. But even the most inexperienced meme person can achieve the in-factor that comes with the memes.

The Email Newsletter: The Real-est

            We all get strange emails sometimes. It's not spam, it's not junk mail…. so what is it? I'm back to review one of the craziest emails I've ever received, and what it shows about how media is used to portray and perpetrate societal concepts. Sound like fun? You bet it does.

            A few days ago, I embarked on a massive clean-up of my email inbox. I had something like 6 or 7 hundred unread emails. Yes, the situation had reached its crux. I was forced to act. But, what did mine eyes light upon but an invitation to a conference (it was fairly outdated, I had never seen it before)?

            Yegads! What is this? REAL Men? Who was on this generic mailing list, anyone who could possibly be male in the Sacramento city limits? Despite my qualms about receiving this, my biggest concern was the content of the email itself.

            The newsletter first notes that this conference "redefines the real man", takes the ancient, lumbering caveman, and reinvents him in a modern image. The rest of this email, however, proves otherwise. R stands for "rejecting passivity". Nothing wrong with refusing to stand idle in the face of adversity. But how is that an innately male trait? How come only men are supposed to be invested in staying active? I can only see this as a positive trait for all people; taking action when necessary is always helpful. Expecting men alone to rise to the challenge of action is too harsh. That responsibility can't be carried by half the population, nothing will get done. Full support and activity in people is vital for passivity to be discarded.

            The E represents "expecting the greater reward". Greater reward of what? From what? Are these men taking on greater responsibility and a harder workload, and that's why they are to expect more? Because that would be sensible. More work, more reward. Or does it have to do with risk? Again, greater risk, greater reward. But I can't help but feel like this maxim insinuates neither. How does expecting more have to do with being more "real"? How does this relate to being a man in general?

            A, the United States' favorite letter, is for "accepting responsibility". This is good. Being responsible is great! But again, isn’t this something that makes people better in general? Shouldn't this be a REAL Person conference, if these traits don't just apply to one gender or the other?

            We end with L, last but certainly not least, "leading courageously". Ah, courage, a trait that once more, benefits us all. And leadership, another universally admirable feature. But again, how come these things are balanced precariously on men's shoulders? I can say truthfully, a lot of people, many of which are male, are not leaders. They aren't courageous either. In fact, I lost a friend in the past year because of his innate cowardliness. Understandably, this conference aims to ignite these traits in young men, starting in middle school. But how much of an effect can this really have? And again, wouldn't it be more helpful to the population as a whole to raise an entire generation, not just one group or the other, to be multi-faceted and hold many talents?

            It's a little disturbing that this conference was targeting males as young as middle-school age. It's a blatant sign that society and the media attempts to sway minds from a young age, resulting in a perpetuation of this vicious cycle of gender inequity and imbalance of responsibilities. This seminar was also meant to be an "empowering exploration" with a "powerful panel discussion" that would "build our families, communities, and nation one REAL man at a time". What? That last line, that little gem, very obviously notes that the main movers and shakers of any group are males. Not true, and not fair either. The email claims that this conference will have a  positive effect on these males and those around them. I beg to differ. I actually think it will have an overwhelmingly negative consequence. Young men will feel pressured to accept all of society's burdens on their shoulders, because, as this newsletter doesn't fail to impart, males are the most important parts of a society and must be all-powerful and alone in that power. It also encourages an inability to view women in positions of power or accept that a woman may be better than them at one of the above factors. Young women will be excluded from potentially useful traits and skill sets that benefit all of society if taught to a large group.

            When it comes down to it, it's obvious that these conferences intended to empower or aid actually end up being detrimental to society in the long run. Instead of being in something universal, like a newspaper, these messages are delivered to us privately, in an email, in something that doesn't necessarily inspire widespread response or protest. These covert media packages can hit us where we least expect them, which is why it's important for us to always be on alert for things that could be dangerous to our striving for healthy perceptions (if that is indeed our goal).

            As this email tells us, be a REAL man. A REAL neurotic man.

Mil Comin' in Hot

"He's back, he's back," screams a hyper old man after drinking a gallon of orange soda.

Well, it's true. I, Milton Blumquist, am back and here to stay. I think.

Enjoy tonight's post, I cooked up something interesting to reengage my critical thinking skills.

Have fun,
Mil

Reflex-tion: The Media Reaction, Distraction, and Deconstruction

            How's that for a title? Real talk, this blog is one of the best things that's ever happened to me. I have secretly wanted to keep a critical thinking blog since middle school, but I never knew exactly where to begin. This assignment gave me a starting point, and I couldn't be more grateful.

            But now, as the school year is winding down to a close, there is no longer a need to update this blog… or is there (stay tuned and see if I can keep my promises)? It's time for a reflection.

            My media reflexes have definitely improved due to this blog. Now, instead of just taking in things, I begin to deconstruct, to react outwardly, instead of internalizing the message passively. Now, I like to think that I have discarded my media illiteracy and am beginning to understand what is really being said, about life and myself as a consumer. Knowing this is important, because it can help us see past the lies (if you're into that kind of thing). It can also give us insight into other-- sometimes more commonly held-- perspectives. And last but not least, media education injects clarity into consumption. If we know what the people behind the screen are saying, we know what we're buying (at least, in theory).

            Now we come to the real question: has my deconstruction and reporting on media affected how much media I consume? Ben SChwartz (I remembered the 'c', Ben. I don't know if you're proud of me, but I am) and Ethan Lee got super real about this on their blogs. I also distinctly remember some of our classmates saying that they consumed significantly more media due to their blogs. While that may ring true for some of them, I'd like to note the ways it could be a misconception. Take yourself back to childhood. Think of the times you 'discovered something', like a different food, sport, game, subject, etc. They always existed, you just had not seen or looked closer at them yet. My peers have been so blind that upon being encouraged to truly examine their media consumption, they were overwhelmed by the magnitude of that which already existed, independent of Starace's assignment. They were finally exposed to their own consumption, which can be a great shock, especially if they didn't feel like they were doing much with media before. Ethan bespoke of a similar sentiment to my own, where he noticed that his 'critey sense', or his critical thinking powers, had heightened, therefore increasing his media sensibilities. Ben commented in his usual commendably blunt way, saying that his blog was only a place for expression of the thinking he had already done (holler out to my boy Ben: "When I wrote down what I was thinking, I was able to take it further instead of just wondering about it now and then during certain classes that shall remain unnamed" Same tho). While I did get more into Snapchat's Discover feature and new Youtubers and such, I believe that's a result of finals stress, and not due to this blog. I try to distract myself from the seemingly endless angst that consumes the entirety of my person.

            Speaking of distraction, the more I learned about techniques in media, the more I cut through the crap. Like, seriously. Clearasil tried to hit me where I'm vulnerable (facial acne), but failed, because I saw through their lies (straight through with my laser eyes of perception). The advertisers attempt to distract us with all these pretty, silly little things, but when it comes down to it, there's a lot of junk. I was mildly aware of it before, but receiving some semi-formal training on dealing with media has made me far more literate in the ways of the advertisement and editorial, the television show and the website. I am proud to say that I have more positive takeaway than negative from this year's learning.

            This blog has been a great source of entertainment for me. I learned a lot about myself, became more confident in my writing, and nourished some relationships with my classmates (shout-out to Ethan Lee. Bro, your blog is killer!). I also greatly enjoyed the blogs of my peers, and as I recognized in my earlier post, MEDIA-CEPTION, I gained insight into who they are and what they care about. Like I said, this year's got a great takeaway for me.

            Last words: Thank you Mr. Starace, and all of my classmates! While the assignment might end, my blog will (gods willing) live on. So thank you all, again, and have a wonderful summer!

Milton says bye, 4 now

MEDIA-CEPTION

            Wow, it's the last media blogs of the season, huh? Everything is winding down to a close. As a sort of last but not least, I'd like to do a bit of reviewing on the media blogs of my peers.

            Firstly, I'd like to address a post done by Grace Clark, called "Shrinking Women (it's about to get real, you guys)". When I read this post, I was struck by the power of the poet's words. Men, as the grow older, only appear to increase, to balloon up until they consume all that exists. Conversely, women shrink in on themselves until they disappear. Grace also notes a few parallels in her own life that she has noticed. For males, it is ok to be loud and outspoken, but when a female does it, she is seen as brash and offensive. Assertive women become aggressive, even if the intent was opposite. This post makes that double standard clear. Yes, apples are not oranges, males and females are different, but such an extreme standard is ridiculous.

            Ben Schwartz (*has trouble spelling 'Schwartz'* Edit: I really cannot spell. Sorry, Ben.) wrote a post that I really liked for its honesty called "Men Wear Masks and Women Wear...Very Little". One of the reasons I like it so much is because Ben sort of screws over political correctness for the truth. As a class, we watched a film called MissRepresentation. However, Ben discusses the sibling video to that: The Mask We Live In. He really hits on how the issue with men's representation in the media doesn’t tend to be discussed, which I have noticed myself. He also mentions that while women are controlled by men's standards, in a way, men are also controlled by women's standards (and he proceeds to explain that it is a relevant diagnosis because the majority of society is heteronormative). Steffany Wong described it as a "vicious cycle" on Jonah Wiener-Brodkey's blog post about the same film. This post was interesting to read because it is to-the-point and truthful about these issues. There are impossible standards for each sex to uphold-- the more they are perpetuated, the harder it becomes for people to move past them and to show themselves as a more complete individual.

            I think this was the first post I commented on. Ethan Lee created a post called "It's Just A Prank Bro" where he discusses the issue with social experiments and the (sometimes) losers who do them. He also asks an important question, "But when is a prank no longer considered a prank?". I enjoyed this post immensely, because it speaks to a subject that I sometimes have issues with: jokes are supposed to be funny for all involved. People like to call things pranks or social experiments instead of what they really are, which is a way to humiliate others and deny responsibility for it. I tend to be overly serious when interpreting the words of others, so I sometimes have trouble (especially if I am not well-acquainted with the individual) seeing the nuance in their expressions. However, if a joke isn't funny, I can still definitely tell. Anyone who knows me knows when I find something funny. And if you're trying to poke at people from some safe place where you can say, "It's just a prank, bro!", then you need to organize your priorities.

            Out of all the blog posts I read, these three really stood out to me. That is not to say that I didn't enjoy any others, made by different people. I just really got into these specific three. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of my classmates' thought (again, not to say they aren't usually deep). These are complex social issues, and when high-schoolers go in for the kill on them, it is pretty cool to see.

            As a larger media connection, I think that the response to media done by my peers goes deeper than most. The media madness tends to be accepted by the masses, but seeing my own classmates sort of rear up in response to the outrageous gives me hope. I learned some things about these specific people from what the wrote as well. Grace wants to be equal-- she is also a woman ready to act, she just hasn't quite decided her game plan yet. Ben is honest and straightforward. Steffany sees the connections, and recognizes (in her comment) that there may be no end in sight. Ethan is more sensitive than he lets on. This is what media can bring out of people. And I think that this was what our media blogs were all about.

Me (Crying) Before You

            Me Before You, a romance film that came out on June 3rd, is the movie I am dying to see. It's supposed to be silly, deep, and heart-wrenching at the same time. And let me tell you, I am so ready to watch it. But before I do, I'd like to discuss my discovery of it and my reactions to the pre-movie hype-up.

            Here I was, scrolling through Snapchat's Discover feature. I had clicked on Buzzfeed, because I love Buzzfeed, and started to scroll through their offerings. It was slim pickings in early May, to be honest. But I happened upon an ad. Usually I'd just scroll past, but the soft music and colors had caught my eye. Before I go on, it's important to note that I'm a huge sucker for romance and sappy, overly-sentimental experiences. Anything that makes my heart squeeze in my chest is a good thing. However, this also means that I am prone to sudden outbursts of tears or dry sobbing. Be warned.

            Anyways, after watching several of these small ads, my curiousity was peaked and I could not help but search the hashtag. I then found Me Before You's website. I proceeded to watch both trailers AND the music video, crying quite a bit. It looked really good, even though I had not read the book (regretfully. I must do so in the near future).

            All I can say is that while media may have led me to this movie, I'm trying to avoid every spoiler ever, or I'll be very upset. Media is a double-edged blade.

Clearasil makes a connection??? No

            Clearasil's got a commercial, and it was like the anti-connection, if that makes any sense. The slogan, aimed at teens, was literally "We know your acne, we just don't know you". I mean, at least they're being honest. But this commercial is worth a glance over for teens-- it's quite something.

            Where to begin? There's a large amount of material to dive into, so I'm going to start with the basic concept, and move on from there.

            This entire commercial is an attempt to establish ethos. Clearasil mentions several times that they know acne, and they only want teens to know that their product works fast. The early images of their board of directors and technicians in the lab try to show that they are credible. They are scientists, after all, or so they say.

            The female voice used throughout the commercial is very soft and passive. She attempts to reach teens without scaring them off. She tries to say "hardcore", but messes up several times. She is quietly appreciative of teen culture, and never raises her voice or accuses teens for their sometimes self-destructive and acne-causing behaviors. She asks the teens for help, validating their need to be heard by someone. The use of this voice is an attempt to get teens to feel comfortable and safe with Clearasil.

            A lot of the light is very natural, even indoors. The colors are also not aggressively bright. The background music is very calming. There is no hard-hitting rap or funky jazz or hip hop. Again, these methods attempt to establish a feeling of comfort.

            The use of aspects of teen culture, like food and activities, are meant to try and reach teens where they are. Clearasil claims they don't know teens, and that makes it seem like they are taking shots in the dark to less observant viewers. But all the aspects they chose are definitely fixtures of the teen life. Pizza, soda, snacks, skateboarding, dancing, edgy clothes, and hanging out with friends are all things that teens tend to enjoy.

            As a sort of last note, I found the board of directors very interesting. Out of 7 actors, 4 were female. Females are used a lot in similar media settings, as they are said to make people feel calmer and more safe. The three males are very nonthreatening. The standing man looks really silly, the old man looks like someone's grandpa, and the last man, the one with his hands folded, is passive-looking and not standing up. Because acne makes teens so uncomfortable, Clearasil shows them a safe way to get rid of it.

            While I'll admit I was tempted to buy some Clearasil, I'll hold off. The implicit suggestion that they know my plight as a teenager is tempting, but I think I'll play it by ear.

Please, feel free to discuss any aspects you think I may not have discussed enough! Thanks.

ɱ€Ɍ¢ħªŋŧ$ 0§ ©00ƪ: Stupid or Sexual?

            The media has its difficulties. Many difficulties. For one, they seem to be over representing some, and under representing others, otherwise known as misrepresenting everyone.

             Teens, a beast that some brave advertisers decided to tackle, have remained in the cross-hairs of the media for quite some time now. Why? It is abundantly clear by now that the media's in it for the money. But let's look at the how, and what follows.

            In the documentary film, Merchants of Cool, Frontline attempts to understand advertising towards teens. Doug Rushkoff, the exceptional narrator, identified two commonly used television characters (on MTV specifically, but you can find them in other places): the Mook and the Midriff. The Mook is an idiot who runs around doing obnoxious, inane things, and leaves anyone in his path with a throbbing headache. He's supposed to appeal to teenage boys. We'll get into how in a moment. But wait, the Midriff! Well, she's a teenage sex object who apparently has no brain, only a pair of breasts and a vagina. She's supposed to appeal to teenage girls.

            Why? Why does the Mook even exist? He's like an overgrown 4th grader. Is the media trying to propagate the idea that all teenage boys are morons? Not necessarily. This character gets its appeal because of a simple fact of biology: boys begin the maturation process much later and progress slower than girls do. That's why we get the height swap in children from 6th grade to about 8th grade. The Mook is a way of suspending a male in time: he looks like a man, sounds like a man, but acts like a little boy. Even while he begins to grow and change on the outside, he remains childish and silly. In a way, this does appeal to teen boys, because the Mook is a representation of their situation, not necessarily their personality.

            Hoo boy, the Midriff is a pile of whacko. Why has the media created such a sick image of teenage girls as sex toys? As mentioned previously, females mature faster-- they enter puberty earlier than boys do. Breasts can start developing as early as the third grade… and many teenage females are, in the biological sense, already provided with physical means to have sex. Often, they are not truly mentally or emotionally developed and ready for such things. But that doesn't mean they don't think they're ready or desire sex. Just today, a female classmate of mine walked into the class materials storage area where some other students were meandering around after class, and announced, "I need some (insert foul word for male genitalia)". …What? She is quite childish in most ways, but she has already began to have sex. That's why the Midriff exists. Girls are physically prepared for sex, so that's what the icon targets. It also notifies them of the male views of their sexuality and what their worth is. In this way, they are encouraged to be like the picture-- hypersexual and body-perfect, even though these things are less than necessary.

            We see the representation, but how does each stereotype make money for the media men? The Midriff plays off of teen female insecurities, presenting an "ideal" woman, in the sense as created by men. The Mook reinforces typical teen male behavior: It is ok to act like a little kid, boys will be boys. This creates confidence in their impunity and actions. If you create insecure females, they will buy your products to make themselves feel confident. If you create confident males, they will buy your products to feel validated and reassure themselves.

            This grand plan of the media masterminds is little more than a ploy to make cash money and enforce gender roles. But it affects the teens who drink it in negatively. Marian Wright Edelman once said, "You can't be what you can't see." She is definitely correct. If no role model is present in the media for the youth, how can one expect them to understand or know how to act? They begin to believe that these flat icons are their idols, or that they at least represent them mildly, even though they can amount to much more than a babbling numbskull or a brainless pair of breasts. Stupid or sexual? I guess the media will help us figure that out.

Jolyn Clothing: What's the appeal?

Jolyn. A name well known by female swimmers throughout the U.S. They make swimsuits and all sorts of bits and bobs to go with them. But what is their appeal? Who are they trying to get through to? Due to a personal interest, I decided to write this post.

            One of the most prevalent parts of the Jolyn appeal is versatility. After going on their website, one is subject to all sorts of scenarios where a Jolyn swimsuit can be used. The ocean, in the workout pool, surfing, water polo, you name it. Anywhere you can find a swimmer, you can find a Jolyn to go along with them.

            Another important factor to consider about the approach Jolyn uses is athleticism. The company has a target: athletic and fit females from about 16 to 30. None of the models or featured females are near overweight. Some of them may have large breasts or significant curves, but they don't have the extras typically viewed as unhealthy. This really reveals Jolyn's target demographic.

            Jolyn also appeals to competitive athletes. Featuring an Olympic gold medalist in water polo is quite obviously a nod to girls who swim like it's their occupation. It also endorses the product.

            What swimsuit dealer would be successful without appealing to human vanity? Don't worry, Jolyn also knows how to pour sex appeal on their products. Many of the models are very attractive and have excellent figures. Naturally, the buyer will want to feel just as attractive. Sex appeal sells. It is not uncommon to want to be good-looking.

            Jolyn isn't only sexy, it's fun too! Holy moley, the girls in these lookbooks look like they're having a great time. It really adds to the appeal by showing us that these girls are having fun in their Jolyns, so if we get a Jolyn, we'll have fun too. While this is obviously illogical, it can still hit some of the most cynical swimsuit buyers right where it hurts.

            Last, but certainly not least, it's time to discuss Jolyn's blog. One thing that sets Jolyn apart from other companies is their connection to their customers. Often, high concept ads (as I discussed in an earlier post) attempt to form that connection by claiming to fulfill our emotional needs. Instead of that, Jolyn tells us stories of female swimmers, gives us recipes, and talks to us about fitness. What? Talk about underhanded ways of getting people to like you. I'm not saying it's inherently evil or bad, or that it's cruel, but that is some seriously under the table stuff. I mean, it ropes you in. One moment you're looking at swimsuits and the next you're reading some woman's life story. We were going to Los Angeles, but we ended up in Seattle, people, and we also managed to pick up emotional baggage on the way.

            Looking at it like this, it is very clear that Jolyn appeals to the 16-30 healthy female who loves water, participates in some kind of aquatic sport, and has a nice body. Jolyn doesn't attack in the usual way-- it uses its blog and special lookbooks to do it. While all the ads don't necessarily always work, they are definitely appreciated, and what sets Jolyn apart from other companies.

(all lookbook images credited to Jolyn; same goes for logo.)

Youtube Review: IISuperwomanII Discusses Commercials

            Superwoman is huge. Lilly Singh, known to her fans as IISuperwomanII, came out with a new video today (which I am proud to say I caught just after it came out). Here I was, moseying through Youtube, looking for music. But since Youtube can connect itself to my brain, the first thing that showed up on my Recommended was "Types of Commercials". Immediately, I thought, This is going to be fun. I was not disappointed.

            Lilly, in all her usual charisma, presents several different types of common commercials. While Lilly may not have experienced high-level critical thinking training, she noted many of the things I myself have learned. It was fun to see how many concepts she referred to that I recognized. Without any more formalities, let's dive right into some connections!

            When Lilly talks about the Medical commercials, she mentions that they start out really dark and overly sad, and then turn into something great and amazing after the introduction of the product. The makers of the commercial clearly divert the subject and attempt to associate their product with something good and appealing. "Knee pain" isn't fun, and can denote a serious health problem. Y'all think some Aleve (yet another commercial I saw today) is gonna substitute for knee surgery? I mean, it may make you feel safe, but it won't solve all your problems.

            The following commercial type that Lilly reviewed was Perfumes. The way she described them, they definitely sounded like something a Modern Art or Film student would attempt to create. The most important thing she talked about was that they were confusing and there was a lot going on in them. That obvious confusing factor is meant to make us remember these commercials so we remember the product.

            Infomercials came afterwards, and I was very amused by Lilly's emphatic descriptions of her reactions to these. She says at one time, "These people in these commercials be convincing me that they have solutions to problems I don't even have," (04:19). I found that extremely interesting. Sometimes these specific products don't claim to fulfill a need that we have, they just create one that isn't applicable to us and make it our issue. Sometimes they bribe us, sometimes they attempt to make it high-concept and sell us "a lifestyle". We transfer the attributes of the person or setting in the infomercial and attach it to the products. They have friends? I want friends. This product will get me friends.

            The Celebrity commercials section is so relevant to everyday life as a consumer. The companies try to find whoever's new and hip and cool with the kids, and then they put 'em smack dab in the center of an ad or commercial. Tampax, I know you want the love and adoration of adolescents. But will Demi Lovato really sell more tampons? That's a mystery in and of itself. I guess people just have soft spots for celebrities. I mean, if Lilly endorsed something, I'd seriously consider buying it. Even pet food, and I don't own a pet. At least, I don't own a pet until Lilly or Game Grumps start making commercials for them.

            The fifth type of commercial is really phenomenal. I mean, it's a commercial made by Lilly herself. I was totally emotionally unprepared for that the first time I watched this video, it took me by complete surprise. I was actually thinking about buying the lipstick myself, and I don't really do makeup. The rest of the video sort of segway-ed into an ad. I mean, I was really hoping she'd end it with some sort of deep media message connection, but lipstick is cool too.

            When it all comes down to it, this was a very thought-provoking video. Lilly's own commercial really targeted a desire for power and control, and a desire to be different. She's pretty dang famous, so that message will be spread among a lot of people. After all, that's what media does.

            I think that Youtube has become a huge media center because of people like Lilly. She forms a solid connection with her fans and spreads ideas among us. Several of my schoolmates love her content as well, and that's why it becomes so well known so fast. Now, just by watching a Buzzfeed video about different foods or laughing at the Game Grumps playing a tabletop game, I can experience a similar message to millions of other people. That's some news.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

            Good books can be hard to find. Reading time can also be hard to find, especially being in the HISP program and just having an all-around busy life. When I first picked up this book in the teen section of the library last Saturday, I thought, Well, my mom read it and said it was good, and there's fandom stuff? I guess I'll get it. But I wasn't expecting very much from it. I read a few pages Saturday night, a chapter on Sunday, and by Monday I was fully hooked. On Tuesday I read about a hundred and fifty pages. Anyone who has spent a sizeable amount of time in my presence over the last two days has probably witnessed my devotion. I became so invested in it that I was reading it during passing period, making it through up to ten pages as I devoured Rowell's masterwork.

            But what I'm really trying to get at is: I finished the book. And now, I am incredibly sad. And also happy? But mostly kind of lament-y. I really wish there was a sequel. But, I still have a chance to read the main characters ultra long, super cool fanfiction (written by the indomitable Rainbow Rowell, of course)!

            This post is a lot more of a book review than a gripping, grimy, hard-hitting criticism of the media. I am not saying that books are not media. They most certainly are. Nobody ever stops talking about when Gutenberg invented the printing press. That was a really important moment in human history (or European history, at least), because it made books and information widely available to people. Books are definitely means of mass communication. I could throw out examples all day: Harry Potter, the Laura Ingalls Wilder novels, Golden Books, Maximum Ride, all the Nancy Drew and Hardy Brothers books, The Great Gatsby, The Old Man and the Sea, Great Expectations, The Lord of the Rings, etc, etc. Gee willikers, there's a huge network of people who have read these books.

            Anyhow, back to Fangirl. I am very impressed by this book, as it was inspiring and enthralling for a person like me, who took a hiatus of sorts from reading outside of class. I will offer Rowell's brief summary for those of you yet to read it:

"Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan...

But for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words... And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?

Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?"

            Gosh, even the summary sounds fantastic. I would read it again. But now it's time to really look at some of the messages that Fangirl promulgates. A lot of the book is about being afraid to step out of one's comfort zone. I think that we can all relate to this: it is hard to try new things when you know you can get hurt. Not even hurt sometimes, but disappointed, or just not knowing what will happen to you. Cath, our main character, even mentions once that she's afraid of everything:

            I feel you. Even if there wasn't so much in this world to fear, I would still probably be scared of all of it. Or a sizeable amount, at least. There's also a lot of crazy and 'I-don't-know-how-to-talk-to-people' inside of me.

            In another quote from the novel, Cath asks if it is ok to quit when something is hurting you:

            While I don’t agree, I can still see why this may be an attractive option. Giving up, while it may not always be easy, is still way easier than sticking it through and making it. But I think the notable message from this is that Cath doesn't give up, thereby telling us, as readers, that we shouldn't give up either. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

            I'm going to analyze some of my favorite quotes from this book, which coincidently have catchy graphics made for them by internet people. Thank you, Internet (most likely Tumblr)!

            I love this quote because sometimes that is exactly what writing feels like. Sometimes, writing can be stressed, forced, like trying to use a pencil on a cheese grater. Other times, it's just like this, like sprinting down a hill, where your brain goes too fast for your fingers or pen. That's what this post became for me. The urge was burning inside me and I just had to write it. Starting is always tough, just like it was for Cath, but now it's coming out so easily.

            This quote really gets into that desire for stability and comfort that many youths write off as corny. "Happily ever after" is good. Like Cath's twin sister, Wren said, "The ultimate act of heroism shouldn't be death." (387) Literally, how is that romantic at all? Ah yes, I love you so much that when the time comes I'll just die! For you! Amazing. I think it's more courageous, just like Wren, to really stick out that love and work through life without someone dying. Because when you kill off someone's love (literally), you figuratively accomplish the same task. That person won't mourn you forever if they are a normally emotionally-functioning human being. They'll move on, and the martyr will become nothing but a memory.

            This is my favorite quote in the book, but it doesn't appear in my favorite context. One of the characters is explaining the downside of fanfiction, which I adore almost completely. But it is a very true quote. Even now, as I write this, I am creating a tangible representation of all the unconscious thoughts in my head. I am connecting that which is impalpable, and defining it. How is that anything but profound?

            When it really comes down to it, I love this book, so, so much. I love it so much that I just can't even.

            Seriously. I really hope there's fanfiction of this book because I'm gonna need it real bad in about a day or two after my brain fully understands that there is no more original content to read. One of the things I really enjoy is that in the Acknowledgements in the back of the book, Rowell does a shout-out to all the fanfic-writers (and readers!) and appreciates us. That was really pleasing, as I read and write fic fairly often.

            Media can come in all shapes and sizes, even a quirky little novel about a freshman in college who loves to write (awesome) gay fanfiction. If you have any time to enjoy these messages about love and live, Fangirl is only 438 pages.

-From a Fan

Music in the Media: Vegas Lights

            Media isn't just big news. Media can encompass many things under the definition of widespread communication. One of those things is music. Any band or singer/songwriter with a following can spread messages. Whether they're on the tip of everyone's tongue, like One Direction or Beyoncé, have a sizeable following, like The 1975 or Sara Bareilles, or are relatively indie, like Bombay Bicycle Club, musicians have a voice, and they can speak to us through their music.

            Today, we'll be taking a look at a song by one of my personal favorites, Panic at the Disco, a small band that started in Las Vegas. The headman, Brendon Urie, has shown up on this blog before. However, that's no reason not to show him here again:

            Now that we have that sorted, I'd like to foray a little deeper into Panic's song, "Vegas Lights". As previously stated, Urie grew up in Vegas, so it can be assumed that his childhood had an effect on the composition of this song.

            The song begins with children singing a series of numbers, 1-10, increasing and then decreasing at a significantly faster speed. I find it interesting that this is how Urie chose to begin the song, as Vegas is seen as an adult's playground, and it can easily be forgotten that people actually live and raise their children there. The rapid counting down, from 5-1, is repeated throughout the song, suggesting decline.

Oh, if you only knew

What we've been up to

I guarantee you'd keep it secret

So give it to me now

We're lost in a dream now

Do it (5-4-3-2) one more time

            The next stanza is a representation of the sort of activities that happen in Vegas. It denotes things that are better left as secrets, and how people lose their inhibitions and forget reality.

In the Vegas lights

Where villains spend the weekend

The deep end

We're swimming with the sharks until we drown

            Afterwards, Vegas is described as a place "where villains spend the weekend". When Urie says this line, one can imagine that it refers to the compulsive gamblers, criminals, and other unsavory types associated with the idea of Vegas. "The deep end" is typically used as the point of no return. The "sharks" are probably loan sharks, who lend money to gamblers knowing that they will probably be unable to pay it back. The gamblers associate with these loan sharks until they are overwhelmed by their debts.

The Vegas lights

The lies and affectations

Sensation

We're winning 'til the curtain's coming down

            An affectation is defined as artificial behavior designed to impress. The "Vegas lights" are not like typical lights. They do not illuminate the truth behind the lying and showing off, or denote honesty and purity. Instead, these lights are part of the sensation, prolonging the illusion until the curtain comes down. After that, the show is over and people are their real selves again. It reminds me of the old truism: "People are only really themselves when no one is looking", or something to that effect.

Ain't it so, ain't it so perfect

Our cynical minds will make it totally worth it

So give it to me now

We're lost in a dream now

Do it (5-4-3-2) one more time

            Cynical has two definitions, and I think that the lesser known is, in this case, more logical and easier to use: concerned only with one's own interests and typically disregarding accepted or appropriate standards in order to achieve them. Vegas becomes perfect for self-interested people who are only concerned with self-gratification and greed. Again, there is a loss of inhibitions and disconnection with reality, and people begin their inevitable decline.

And we're all not here for nothing

And we're bored with looking good

We gotta be starting something

Would you change it if you could?

            This stanza, the last unique stanza of the song, is sort of the reasons given for the debauchery. The villains are bored with their appearances and being good on the outside, so they need to start something big to keep themselves occupied. "Would you change it if you could" is the question about Vegas itself, which is sort of seen as a capital of sin.

            When we really look at "Vegas Lights", it becomes more than just a catchy song sung by an attractive singer in a cool band. It really dives into the band's place of origin and how hard it can be for people to actually live in a place that is viewed as a land of impurity.

            Media isn't just about the cameras and big news. Sometimes it can come to us like this-- in a few stanzas and lyrics. Music isn't just expression and raw emotion. Music is a form of communication.

Let's Talk Love Marks: High Concept Ads

            Introducing love marks, otherwise known as irrational emotional connections that advertisers coax us to form with their product or company by using the brand experience or high concept ads. This post will focus more on high concept ads.

            But what is a "high concept ad"?

            High concept ads are ads that attempt to establish an emotional connection with the viewer or portray themselves as a means to fulfill an emotional need that we have. In The Persuaders, a documentary film by Frontline, there is a discussion of high concept ads and how they are used to convince us to consume a specific product.

            A fantastic example of the high concept ad is "Extra Gum: The Story of Sarah & Juan".

            This commercial attacks one of the greatest emotional needs of mankind: the need for affiliation. Most people desire affection and love, and boy, Extra is really playing to that. I mean, c'mon, a montage of romantic scenes set to Haley Reinhart? The emotional connections will be forthcoming. Just in the comments, many people expressed the pull they felt towards this particular commercial, and their emotional reactions to it. Some people attributed the couple's relationship success to the gum, which is the exact line of thought that Extra wanted them to pursue. However, despite the charming atmosphere of the commercial, it is clear that this is a high concept ad attempting to create an emotional bond with the viewer. Extra did not fail.

            Another example of the high concept ad is "SK-II : For every moment shaped by your touch".

            Again, cue the emotional music and montage of cute scenes. Only this time, it's a mother and her daughter, and the product isn't explicitly shown until the end. This commercial still attempts to fulfill the human desire for affiliation (and nurture, in case that baby/small child at the beginning escaped you). I think SK-II also succeeded in their attempt to ensnare their consumers. Many commenters responded to the video stating how they had to find the video again after they saw it pop up on one of their videos. Admittedly, I too did that. It was hard to resist. But while I enjoyed the commercial enough to watch it again, I was not very interested in the product being marketed. However, I was filled with a strange urge to start touching people's faces. Regardless of my personal reaction, however, SK-II was indeed successful in bridging the emotional gap between company and viewer.

            High concept ads: do they really work? While I enjoy them immensely and have an emotional reaction from watching them, I think that they are less than effective on me. However, other consumers appear to believe in the power of the emotional bond. Regardless of whether these ads are truly what sells the product, they do emboss a sort of love mark on the viewer. I guess I'll just have to wait and see if I feel that indomitable craving for Extra mint gum.