This article explains how and why celebrities use Twitter as the newest form of image control in our media obsessed society. In our society today, anyone, from gossip magazines, the paparazzi, to a fan on a discussion board can sabotage a celebrity’s image or create an unfavorable persona. In the 1920’s, the movie studios and agencies tightly controlled a star’s image, but the rise of Television quickly gave way to new outlets of intrusion, such as the gossip magazine Confidential, where scandalous stories about celebrities were printed.
In our society today, it is tougher than ever before for a public figure to maintain a good image, especially with the popularity of picture/video phones, social networking sites and YouTube, where tons of information can be received almost instantaneously. Celebrities are counteracting these new mediums of intrusion by Tweeting. In other words, Twitter poses as a real voice to validate rumors and stories that may be floating in cyber space.
This article is well argued with logical reasoning, quotes from image experts and strong knowledge of the history of image in Hollywood. It offers a more thought-provoking and reasonable explanation for the rise of Twitter use in celebrities. I’ve always wondered why they would voluntarily sign up for another medium where people will be able to track their whereabouts-as if the paparazzi and entertainment shows weren’t enough. This article puts this question to rest. However, this article fails to give any examples where a celebrity has actually used Twitter to squash rumors. I believe this would have given the article more authenticity.
Muntean, Nick, and Anne Helen Petersen. “Celebrity Twitter: Strategies of Intrusion and Disclosure in the Age of Technoculture.” A Journal of Media and Culture. Vol. 12. Issue. 5. Dec 2009: 1-13. Print
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Abstract 1- Women and the Media
The article Women And The Media, addresses the on-going struggle with the media to break out of the stereotypical gender roles assigned to women at home, in workplace and society in Poland. In all aspects of Polish media, such as commercials, soap operas, news programs, etc, women are typically shown in traditional or socially accepted roles happily performing duties that are considered gender appropriate. There is also a lack of coverage of women’s issues, such as gender discrimination in the press. Images of women in the media reinforce the old cultural stereotypes that we have been taught at a young age, and continue to hinder the progress for women’s rights.
The authors provide some insight of possible solutions to this inequality in the media. They recommend increasing women’s participation on all levels of decision making in the media, revising existing laws to encourage gender equality, and educating everyone in the media business about gender bias.
I feel that this is a well-defended article about the portrayal of women in the media. The article included many different quotes from various books and experts, and included many different aspects of media to defend its position. One of the major shortcomings of the article is that it does not talk about how the images of women in the media are affecting the lifestyles and behaviors of women in the Polish society, as inferred in the beginning of the article. This article reinforces my belief that the media’s portrayal of women is a problem here in the U.S. as well, and not just in Poland.
Olczyk, Eliza, and Anna Twardowska. “Women and the Media.” Polish women in the 90’s-report of Women’s Rights Center. Women’s Rights Center. N.d. Web. 5 March 2010.
http://www.cpk.org.pl/images/artykuly/attach_166.pdf
The authors provide some insight of possible solutions to this inequality in the media. They recommend increasing women’s participation on all levels of decision making in the media, revising existing laws to encourage gender equality, and educating everyone in the media business about gender bias.
I feel that this is a well-defended article about the portrayal of women in the media. The article included many different quotes from various books and experts, and included many different aspects of media to defend its position. One of the major shortcomings of the article is that it does not talk about how the images of women in the media are affecting the lifestyles and behaviors of women in the Polish society, as inferred in the beginning of the article. This article reinforces my belief that the media’s portrayal of women is a problem here in the U.S. as well, and not just in Poland.
Olczyk, Eliza, and Anna Twardowska. “Women and the Media.” Polish women in the 90’s-report of Women’s Rights Center. Women’s Rights Center. N.d. Web. 5 March 2010.
http://www.cpk.org.pl/images/artykuly/attach_166.pdf
Discussion: Rushkoff & Ellsworth
I found both Rushkoff and Ellsworth's video's to be very interesting and thought-provoking.
For a while now, I have been feeling very unhappy at work, because the slow realization that I am nothing more than just a robot that helps advance a corporation is something that I've been unable to ignore. It's true, we are given benefits, like a nice paycheck, medical plans and a 401K, but at what costs? I feel like I work hard everyday at manipulating data just so I can land more clients to advertise with NBC, but what have I really gained? Self-satisfaction? Self-worth? At the end of my life, is this going to matter at all? That I landed the Victoria secret account and we celebrated with champagne & strawberries? I don't think so.
I agree with Rushkoff that our lives are operating more like a corporation- we are living less life, with less real human interactions. We compete with one another to see who makes the highest sales, or who gets promoted faster. Who benefits from all this? The corporation ofcourse. The harder we work and the harder we compete, the more money the corporation makes. It's something we just can't escape from.
We're always playing by someone else's rules.
Rushkoff's theory about always being one step behind our technology also intrigued me. It's true that computers used to require a lot more programming skills. I've always viewed the new "user-friendly interface" as a positive thing, but his reasoning has made me re-evaluate my views. His idea that we are now being defined by media (ie selecting from drop-down boxes in facebook) so that advertisers can better target us, makes me really angry that I haven't realized this before. It makes me feel like we are being used, and there's nothing much we can do about it.
As for Ellsworth, her theory that we can be "monitorial citizens" has already taken affect, as seen on various sites such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc or different modes of technology (cell phone cameras, ipod video features). Our advanced technology that allows us to get information instantly has changed the way we see the world. For instance,there has been cases where a thief on a subway has been captured thanks to a quick-thinking person who snapped his picture on their cell phone before he got away. When the thief's picture gets on the evening news, everyone will be warned to be aware of him. In this way, people are protecting their own neighborhoods and using technology and the media to spread the word.
For a while now, I have been feeling very unhappy at work, because the slow realization that I am nothing more than just a robot that helps advance a corporation is something that I've been unable to ignore. It's true, we are given benefits, like a nice paycheck, medical plans and a 401K, but at what costs? I feel like I work hard everyday at manipulating data just so I can land more clients to advertise with NBC, but what have I really gained? Self-satisfaction? Self-worth? At the end of my life, is this going to matter at all? That I landed the Victoria secret account and we celebrated with champagne & strawberries? I don't think so.
I agree with Rushkoff that our lives are operating more like a corporation- we are living less life, with less real human interactions. We compete with one another to see who makes the highest sales, or who gets promoted faster. Who benefits from all this? The corporation ofcourse. The harder we work and the harder we compete, the more money the corporation makes. It's something we just can't escape from.
We're always playing by someone else's rules.
Rushkoff's theory about always being one step behind our technology also intrigued me. It's true that computers used to require a lot more programming skills. I've always viewed the new "user-friendly interface" as a positive thing, but his reasoning has made me re-evaluate my views. His idea that we are now being defined by media (ie selecting from drop-down boxes in facebook) so that advertisers can better target us, makes me really angry that I haven't realized this before. It makes me feel like we are being used, and there's nothing much we can do about it.
As for Ellsworth, her theory that we can be "monitorial citizens" has already taken affect, as seen on various sites such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc or different modes of technology (cell phone cameras, ipod video features). Our advanced technology that allows us to get information instantly has changed the way we see the world. For instance,there has been cases where a thief on a subway has been captured thanks to a quick-thinking person who snapped his picture on their cell phone before he got away. When the thief's picture gets on the evening news, everyone will be warned to be aware of him. In this way, people are protecting their own neighborhoods and using technology and the media to spread the word.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Intellectual Autobiography
My decision to pursue a Master of Arts in media studies stems from my interest in the ever-evolving media world, desire to increase visibility of real women and positive role models in the media, and passion to learn effective campaign strategies to promote healthy lifestyles and positive self-esteem in young women. We are bombarded with sexy and suggestive images of women everywhere-their bodies are used to sell products on TV, older actresses are overlooked to make room for younger ones in movies, and celebrity bodies are airbrushed until they don’t even look human anymore (“Beauty and Body Image in the Media”).
According to the Media Awareness Network, advertisers reason that they don’t use real women because only thin models spur the sales of beauty products (“Beauty and Body Image in the Media”). In a society where unrealistic standards of beauty have been set, many young women feel they have fallen short of these distorted expectations and turn to unhealthy eating behaviors and other drastic measures to compensate, resulting in depression, eating disorders, and self-esteem issues.
I grew up in a conservative and well-educated Chinese household, where I was taught at an early age the importance of ability and personal character. Moving to the United States with my parents was a huge adjustment for me. I attended a Manhattan private school, and though I learned the language quickly, I always felt somewhat different from my schoolmates. While growing up, I compared myself to the beautiful models that I saw in magazines, and wished that I were taller, had a straighter nose, and deep-set eyes. Everywhere I looked, the messages were the same: if we only lost ten pounds, had the perfect hair, less wrinkles, or bigger breasts, then our lives would be perfect (“Beauty and Body Image in the Media”). I feel fortunate that I wasn’t sucked into this warped reality, and didn’t develop an eating disorder or any emotional damage, but I can understand why many teens would feel the pressure to change their physical appearances be feel beautiful and accepted. I am thankful for the caring and supportive environment that my parents created for me growing up because it was fundamental in my intellectual and emotional development.
Another person who has inspired my intellectual growth is my grandfather. My grandfather was a brilliant writer- a journalist for a well-respected newspaper in Shanghai. When I was a young girl, he took me to many book signings and press conferences. Our favorite past time was spent in the libraries researching facts for his upcoming stories. My grandfather wrote stories revealing the corruption of the Chinese government, the struggles of the poor, and discrimination against the elderly. He became the voice for the victims who could not speak up for themselves. He fought tirelessly for what he believed in and dedicated his life to improving the lives of others. His courage and perseverance in bringing change to a world of injustice has motivated me to enter this field of study as an advocate and take charge of a rising problem that I believe is poisoning today’s youth. My grandfather continues to be one of my greatest inspirations.
While pursuing my Communication degree, I was fortunate enough to study with many passionate and dedicated professors, who encouraged and guided me through out my years at Rutgers and beyond. One of my favorite classes there was Health Communication, a course taught by Professor Yanovitzky. He instructed about many different techniques that can be used to design and deliver a successful campaign with health-related messages. His class inspired my thesis in college, which was on different ways we can use the media to improve children’s eating habits. My research on the topic led me to some disturbing facts about girls as young as 8 starting to diet, and sparked my interest in the influence of media on young girls and ways to prevent unhealthy behaviors.
I also studied Nutrition at Rutgers, and worked with Dr. Watford in many research projects designed to change the unhealthy eating habits among college students, especially females. One of the most memorable projects was one that I did on the nutrition IQ and eating habits of freshmen. After conducting surveys, I was alarmed by the high number of females who admitted they rarely ate three proper meals a day that included the recommended daily servings of protein, vegetables and fruits. Most of the women reported that they lived on cereal and milk, sandwiches or nutrition bars. They were also clueless about which foods contained protein, fiber, etc. I realized there was a high need for an intervention- we needed to find out why these students were living on such meager diets and how to change their unhealthy behaviors.
Along with the nutrition team at Rutgers, we created a campaign that aimed to educate freshmen about the importance of eating right and basic nutrition. For a year, we spoke at various dining halls and residence halls, and even had interactive games the students could play to win prices. By the end of the year, we conducted another round of interviews, and found that there was a 32% increase in nutrition knowledge (which foods had the most protein, iron, etc). I was thrilled by the difference that we had made in just one year, and realized how much I love working in health communication.
The media gives us the impression that the female body constantly needs to be improved and is a work in progress. We are made to believe that we are not good enough the way we are, and need to be thinner, taller, and sexier. Popular reality shows like “The Girls Next Door” portray these plastic Barbie-like women who frolic around half-naked and spend their boyfriend’s money. It seems more and more celebrities are rising in fame because of sex scandals, plastic surgeries or risqué behaviors. It bothers me to see young girls admiring insecure women like Heidi Montag or wanting to spend their life partying away like Paris Hilton. Too many young women are disillusioned and made to believe that beauty and desirability are the keys to success and happiness (Jayson). We are in need of better role models in the media-women who are recognized for their contributions, strength, and character instead of the size of their dress.
My future goals consist of creating and executing effective campaigns targeted toward teens and young women that promote healthier eating habits, healthier lifestyles and body confidence. I’d love to work for a prominent organization, like the United States Department of Agriculture as an advocate or spokesperson for young women’s health, and travel to middle schools, high schools and colleges to educate females about proper nutrition and building body confidence.
In order to get there, I will need to take a few methodology classes, so that I can learn proper ways to conduct surveys, interviews and analyze the data that I will collect for future research. I’d also like to take production and design classes, so that I would have the experience necessary to produce commercials or perhaps my own show featuring real women of all shapes, sizes and ethnicities that exhibit characteristics worthy of admiration. Further down the road, pursuing a masters in Nutritional Sciences or Health Communication would also be a great addition to my credibility and credentials. I intend to change the way women view themselves and hope for a day in the near future when women of all ages can look inside themselves for confidence and validation.
Works Cited
“Beauty and Body Image in the Media.” Media Issues. Media Awareness Network, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2010.
Jayson, Sharon. “Media Cited for Showing Girls as Sex Objects.” USAtoday.com. USA Today, 20 Feb. 2007. Web. 22 Feb. 2010.
According to the Media Awareness Network, advertisers reason that they don’t use real women because only thin models spur the sales of beauty products (“Beauty and Body Image in the Media”). In a society where unrealistic standards of beauty have been set, many young women feel they have fallen short of these distorted expectations and turn to unhealthy eating behaviors and other drastic measures to compensate, resulting in depression, eating disorders, and self-esteem issues.
I grew up in a conservative and well-educated Chinese household, where I was taught at an early age the importance of ability and personal character. Moving to the United States with my parents was a huge adjustment for me. I attended a Manhattan private school, and though I learned the language quickly, I always felt somewhat different from my schoolmates. While growing up, I compared myself to the beautiful models that I saw in magazines, and wished that I were taller, had a straighter nose, and deep-set eyes. Everywhere I looked, the messages were the same: if we only lost ten pounds, had the perfect hair, less wrinkles, or bigger breasts, then our lives would be perfect (“Beauty and Body Image in the Media”). I feel fortunate that I wasn’t sucked into this warped reality, and didn’t develop an eating disorder or any emotional damage, but I can understand why many teens would feel the pressure to change their physical appearances be feel beautiful and accepted. I am thankful for the caring and supportive environment that my parents created for me growing up because it was fundamental in my intellectual and emotional development.
Another person who has inspired my intellectual growth is my grandfather. My grandfather was a brilliant writer- a journalist for a well-respected newspaper in Shanghai. When I was a young girl, he took me to many book signings and press conferences. Our favorite past time was spent in the libraries researching facts for his upcoming stories. My grandfather wrote stories revealing the corruption of the Chinese government, the struggles of the poor, and discrimination against the elderly. He became the voice for the victims who could not speak up for themselves. He fought tirelessly for what he believed in and dedicated his life to improving the lives of others. His courage and perseverance in bringing change to a world of injustice has motivated me to enter this field of study as an advocate and take charge of a rising problem that I believe is poisoning today’s youth. My grandfather continues to be one of my greatest inspirations.
While pursuing my Communication degree, I was fortunate enough to study with many passionate and dedicated professors, who encouraged and guided me through out my years at Rutgers and beyond. One of my favorite classes there was Health Communication, a course taught by Professor Yanovitzky. He instructed about many different techniques that can be used to design and deliver a successful campaign with health-related messages. His class inspired my thesis in college, which was on different ways we can use the media to improve children’s eating habits. My research on the topic led me to some disturbing facts about girls as young as 8 starting to diet, and sparked my interest in the influence of media on young girls and ways to prevent unhealthy behaviors.
I also studied Nutrition at Rutgers, and worked with Dr. Watford in many research projects designed to change the unhealthy eating habits among college students, especially females. One of the most memorable projects was one that I did on the nutrition IQ and eating habits of freshmen. After conducting surveys, I was alarmed by the high number of females who admitted they rarely ate three proper meals a day that included the recommended daily servings of protein, vegetables and fruits. Most of the women reported that they lived on cereal and milk, sandwiches or nutrition bars. They were also clueless about which foods contained protein, fiber, etc. I realized there was a high need for an intervention- we needed to find out why these students were living on such meager diets and how to change their unhealthy behaviors.
Along with the nutrition team at Rutgers, we created a campaign that aimed to educate freshmen about the importance of eating right and basic nutrition. For a year, we spoke at various dining halls and residence halls, and even had interactive games the students could play to win prices. By the end of the year, we conducted another round of interviews, and found that there was a 32% increase in nutrition knowledge (which foods had the most protein, iron, etc). I was thrilled by the difference that we had made in just one year, and realized how much I love working in health communication.
The media gives us the impression that the female body constantly needs to be improved and is a work in progress. We are made to believe that we are not good enough the way we are, and need to be thinner, taller, and sexier. Popular reality shows like “The Girls Next Door” portray these plastic Barbie-like women who frolic around half-naked and spend their boyfriend’s money. It seems more and more celebrities are rising in fame because of sex scandals, plastic surgeries or risqué behaviors. It bothers me to see young girls admiring insecure women like Heidi Montag or wanting to spend their life partying away like Paris Hilton. Too many young women are disillusioned and made to believe that beauty and desirability are the keys to success and happiness (Jayson). We are in need of better role models in the media-women who are recognized for their contributions, strength, and character instead of the size of their dress.
My future goals consist of creating and executing effective campaigns targeted toward teens and young women that promote healthier eating habits, healthier lifestyles and body confidence. I’d love to work for a prominent organization, like the United States Department of Agriculture as an advocate or spokesperson for young women’s health, and travel to middle schools, high schools and colleges to educate females about proper nutrition and building body confidence.
In order to get there, I will need to take a few methodology classes, so that I can learn proper ways to conduct surveys, interviews and analyze the data that I will collect for future research. I’d also like to take production and design classes, so that I would have the experience necessary to produce commercials or perhaps my own show featuring real women of all shapes, sizes and ethnicities that exhibit characteristics worthy of admiration. Further down the road, pursuing a masters in Nutritional Sciences or Health Communication would also be a great addition to my credibility and credentials. I intend to change the way women view themselves and hope for a day in the near future when women of all ages can look inside themselves for confidence and validation.
Works Cited
“Beauty and Body Image in the Media.” Media Issues. Media Awareness Network, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2010.
Jayson, Sharon. “Media Cited for Showing Girls as Sex Objects.” USAtoday.com. USA Today, 20 Feb. 2007. Web. 22 Feb. 2010.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Discussions for class
My posts haven't been showing up on the discussion board even after I hit submit, so I'm going to put all my previous discussions for class on my blog, along with all future discussions.
INTRODUCTION-posted 1/29
Hi everyone
My name is Cui Wang (pronounced Sway) and I'm currently working in ad sales research for NBC in midtown. I graduated from Rutgers with a B.A in Communication and I'm really excited to be back in school again. At the moment, I'm undecided about my concentration, but would like to take classes in media management and try my hands at production.
I hope you all have a great semester! ;)
DISCUSSION 1-posted 2/6
I enjoyed Carol's presentation a great deal. It gave me a better picture of the origins of many of the theories, concepts, and ideas that continue to shape what media and communication are today.
I was struck by her slide on the Buddha, and have been doing some research on Buddhism and it's origins and teachings. The basic principles of living a honest life, being truthful, doing our best at all times, and treating others with respect are qualities that we should all strive toward, and can still be applied to the world today, especially the media and journalism realms.
I was also fascinated with video art- can't wait to check out the links that Heather provided! Thanks Heather!
DISCUSSION 2-MEDIA & HEALTH posted 2/16
I found the Mills and Mattern readings to be very helpful in terms of organizing my ideas and thoughts for my autobiography paper. For a while, I was feeling very frustrated, not knowing where to begin or how to narrow the focus of my thoughts to a meaningful topic worth researching.
I’m in the habit of making lists, and scribbling down thoughtful notes when new ideas hit me, so I was happy to see that I was taking a step in the right direction, according to both Mills and Mattern. Mills’ suggestion of keeping a journal in order to encourage intellectual growth really appeals to me. It makes a lot of sense for me because thoughts tend to get jumbled inside my head and then they sort of scatter if I don’t make the effort to catch them at the right time. I think keeping a small portable journal would be a good idea for me- this way, I can capture feelings, experiences, and ideas while they are fresh in my mind.
I also highlighted Mills’ paragraph on the three questions that we should consider when putting together our research paper- 1. How difficult and complex after all is my subject? 2. When I write, what status am I claiming for myself? 3. For whom am I trying to write?
Too often, we forget who our audience is, and our argument or ideas fall on deaf ears. We need to think about who we are trying to convince and understand where they’re coming from before we can formulate our own arguments.
As for my research paper, I’d like to concentrate on the effects of Media on the emotional development and the health of teen girls. I feel that in our society, the media has flooded our minds with unhealthy and unattainable images of beauty, with shows like The Girls Next Door and Gossip Girl. Teens are at an age where they are most vulnerable and eager to be accepted. While I was a student at Rutgers, I worked with many teens with self-esteem problems and eating disorders. They believed that molding themselves to fit our society’s idea of beauty was their only ticket to popularity, acceptance and success in life.
I’d like to find possible solutions to these problems, such as ways to promote more real, healthy and intelligent women as role models in the Media, build a higher number of appealing health advocacy campaigns and programs (similar to the Milk campaigns and controversial anti-smoking ads) on TV and in schools. With a background in Communication and Nutritional Sciences, I’ve always been interested in health advocacy and believe this is where my passion lies. I was lucky to have studied with some brilliant and passionate professors who inspired me to follow my interests and to pursue a Master’s degree.
That’s it for now…more to come…
OPERA-posted wed 2/24
Hi everyone! Hope you're all warm and dry on this crappy day.
My boyfriend and I went to the Opera for the first time last week and saw Ariadne auf Naxos. It was an extremely eye-opening experience for me- I had always imagined the Opera to be slow and boring, without being able to understand any of the lyrics or plot. I was pleasantly surprised to see that there's a small screen in the front of each seat, where you can choose subtitles in either English or German, since the Opera was sung in German.
The Opera was neither dry or slow- it was humorous, raunchy, and passionate. Audriadne was composed of two parts- the Prologue and the Opera. It's a play within a play, in which the prologue shows two very different theatre groups (a burlesque troupe, and the other an Opera company) backstage in the house of "the richest man in Vienna", getting ready to perform. The two groups are stunned to find out that the master of the house wants them to put on a performance at the same time, and then the Opera begins.
As you can imagine, there were a lot of funny moments, since the Opera group was putting on a very serious and melancholy play about Adriadne being left on an island and abandoned by her lover, while the burlesque group was trying to cheer her up with clown like dances and songs.
I have to admit that I enjoyed the show very much-all three hours of it. The costumes were beautiful and the singing was something out of a dream. I am a big fan of broadway and never thought I would like Opera, but I'm definitely happy to be wrong in this case. I would highly recommend it to all!
Here's the link if anyone's interested:
http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/season/production.aspx?id=10440
INTRODUCTION-posted 1/29
Hi everyone
My name is Cui Wang (pronounced Sway) and I'm currently working in ad sales research for NBC in midtown. I graduated from Rutgers with a B.A in Communication and I'm really excited to be back in school again. At the moment, I'm undecided about my concentration, but would like to take classes in media management and try my hands at production.
I hope you all have a great semester! ;)
DISCUSSION 1-posted 2/6
I enjoyed Carol's presentation a great deal. It gave me a better picture of the origins of many of the theories, concepts, and ideas that continue to shape what media and communication are today.
I was struck by her slide on the Buddha, and have been doing some research on Buddhism and it's origins and teachings. The basic principles of living a honest life, being truthful, doing our best at all times, and treating others with respect are qualities that we should all strive toward, and can still be applied to the world today, especially the media and journalism realms.
I was also fascinated with video art- can't wait to check out the links that Heather provided! Thanks Heather!
DISCUSSION 2-MEDIA & HEALTH posted 2/16
I found the Mills and Mattern readings to be very helpful in terms of organizing my ideas and thoughts for my autobiography paper. For a while, I was feeling very frustrated, not knowing where to begin or how to narrow the focus of my thoughts to a meaningful topic worth researching.
I’m in the habit of making lists, and scribbling down thoughtful notes when new ideas hit me, so I was happy to see that I was taking a step in the right direction, according to both Mills and Mattern. Mills’ suggestion of keeping a journal in order to encourage intellectual growth really appeals to me. It makes a lot of sense for me because thoughts tend to get jumbled inside my head and then they sort of scatter if I don’t make the effort to catch them at the right time. I think keeping a small portable journal would be a good idea for me- this way, I can capture feelings, experiences, and ideas while they are fresh in my mind.
I also highlighted Mills’ paragraph on the three questions that we should consider when putting together our research paper- 1. How difficult and complex after all is my subject? 2. When I write, what status am I claiming for myself? 3. For whom am I trying to write?
Too often, we forget who our audience is, and our argument or ideas fall on deaf ears. We need to think about who we are trying to convince and understand where they’re coming from before we can formulate our own arguments.
As for my research paper, I’d like to concentrate on the effects of Media on the emotional development and the health of teen girls. I feel that in our society, the media has flooded our minds with unhealthy and unattainable images of beauty, with shows like The Girls Next Door and Gossip Girl. Teens are at an age where they are most vulnerable and eager to be accepted. While I was a student at Rutgers, I worked with many teens with self-esteem problems and eating disorders. They believed that molding themselves to fit our society’s idea of beauty was their only ticket to popularity, acceptance and success in life.
I’d like to find possible solutions to these problems, such as ways to promote more real, healthy and intelligent women as role models in the Media, build a higher number of appealing health advocacy campaigns and programs (similar to the Milk campaigns and controversial anti-smoking ads) on TV and in schools. With a background in Communication and Nutritional Sciences, I’ve always been interested in health advocacy and believe this is where my passion lies. I was lucky to have studied with some brilliant and passionate professors who inspired me to follow my interests and to pursue a Master’s degree.
That’s it for now…more to come…
OPERA-posted wed 2/24
Hi everyone! Hope you're all warm and dry on this crappy day.
My boyfriend and I went to the Opera for the first time last week and saw Ariadne auf Naxos. It was an extremely eye-opening experience for me- I had always imagined the Opera to be slow and boring, without being able to understand any of the lyrics or plot. I was pleasantly surprised to see that there's a small screen in the front of each seat, where you can choose subtitles in either English or German, since the Opera was sung in German.
The Opera was neither dry or slow- it was humorous, raunchy, and passionate. Audriadne was composed of two parts- the Prologue and the Opera. It's a play within a play, in which the prologue shows two very different theatre groups (a burlesque troupe, and the other an Opera company) backstage in the house of "the richest man in Vienna", getting ready to perform. The two groups are stunned to find out that the master of the house wants them to put on a performance at the same time, and then the Opera begins.
As you can imagine, there were a lot of funny moments, since the Opera group was putting on a very serious and melancholy play about Adriadne being left on an island and abandoned by her lover, while the burlesque group was trying to cheer her up with clown like dances and songs.
I have to admit that I enjoyed the show very much-all three hours of it. The costumes were beautiful and the singing was something out of a dream. I am a big fan of broadway and never thought I would like Opera, but I'm definitely happy to be wrong in this case. I would highly recommend it to all!
Here's the link if anyone's interested:
http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/season/production.aspx?id=10440
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