In our last class discussion, we talked about some important problems surrounding our topic. One main problem we believe that is very important was the lack of censorship in what we see on television or in movies. What is censorship? "Censorship is the suppression of words, images, or ideas that are "offensive" (American Civil Liberties Union, n.d., para. 1). Children are the ones who are watching television the most these days so with the lack of censorship kids are being exposed to violence and other unsuitable acts that are being shown. Although television was introduced in the 1920s, it did not become popular with everybody until the 1950s. As watching television whether it was a show or a movie became more common in the homes of people, questions came up about who and how the content shown should be regulated. The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) had the authority to regulate what can be shown on television. The FCC was established by Franklin Roosevelt.
I feel that today there is not enough censorship when it comes to extremely violent and explicit content that we see on television. Back than before television became popular children even adults would be doing something else besides sitting down in the living room in front of a television set. In today’s society everybody is watching television. I believe that it is especially the younger kids that are doing it the most. If there is not enough censorship think about what the kids are watching while the parents are not around. When I am sitting down watching television all I see are shows that have a lot of content about sex, crimes, killings, and drugs. Even the cartoon shows kids love to watch for example, Family Guy is not suitable for the young children. When kids are young they have great imaginations, what they see on television will most likely influence them.
I do not think that it is just television that lacks censorship either. Think about what is being shown on the internet. Almost everybody here in America has access to the internet somehow.
Here are some interesting articles you make look into.
http://socyberty.com/issues/media-censorship-and-youth/
http://www.bgsu.edu/departments/tcom/faculty/ha/tcom103fall2004/gp6/
http://www.aclu.org/free-speech/what-censorship
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Symbolism and Entertainment.
From a previous class discussion I realized that I needed to further my research on reality; and what it means to escape the reality. I would like to explore this topic first prior to talking about symbolism. I believe it is important to discuss these elements of entertainment because being aware of any nuances may make it easier to figure out underlying meanings in movies, commercials, and media in general.
What is reality? Reality means facts of existence; other synonyms of reality include: being, actuality, absoluteness, truth http://thesaurus.com/browse/reality. At first glance, the definition of reality does not sound very fun; it seems to convey feelings of heaviness and burden. For example, the reality most students have to face is the lack of money and rest. People tend to use the term "reality" when talking about something unpleasant; for example, the reality of sex discrimination or the reality of racism. Nevertheless, I believe that "reality" is actually a positive word and many people tend to use it negatively. Now, for the sake of better understanding it is important to evaluate antonyms of the word "reality." Antonyms include: belief, fantasy, hypothesis, imagination, theory http://thesaurus.com/browse/reality. All antonyms of the word "reality" seem to suggest creativity and fun. People love to fantasize about their dreams and goals; also people love to use imagination and create theories about various topics that are of interest to them.
After defining the term "reality," I would like to examine the meaning of the word "escape." What does it mean to escape? Escape means to break away from; other synonyms of the word include: avoid, bail out, depart, disappear. Antonyms of "escape" include: capture, remain, stay http://thesaurus.com/browse/escape. So, after defining the important terms it is possible to put them together. To escape the reality means to break away from facts of existence; or (if using synonyms) to avoid the truth. I believe it is very tempting for human beings to use this method to deal with stress. Many people turn to entertainment (such as Internet, movies, and other media) to relax and feel better. What about video games, is this the ultimate way of escaping the reality?
The concept of reality brings about a different question. What about symbolism? What does symbolism mean and is it a part of reality? A symbol is something that represents something else; by association or by resemblance. For example, language is a system of spoken and written symbols by which we communicate. In a context of writing, symbolism represents a deeper meaning than the words themselves. (Willis, 1996-2011, p.1). Furthermore, according to Willis, "This kind of extension of meaning can transform the written word into a very powerful instrument" (Willis, 1996-2011, p.1, para. 1).
If symbolism has the power to transform a certain meaning of a word into a powerful instrument of suggestion; how does it affect the media and entertainment? According to Bakony, Edward, symbolism used by film makers can serve as a bridge between feeling and thought. Also what people read and learn through a symbol varies with what they bring to it's meaning. The filmmakers try to use universal symbolism; but in a film it can be very subtle that the audience my be unaware of its existence. Furthermore, a symbol arises when an image is surrounded by a complex of conscious and unconscious associations; it's impact depends on its cultural context (Bakony, 1974, p.1).
I think that the meaning of symbolism does depend on a cultural context. For example, interracial marriages play a big role in suggestive symbolism. This issue can be questioned in couple of ways. How popular is interracial marriage in films? Do people embrace or reject an idea of interracial marriage? When we see an Arabic man with a Caucasian woman who has to wear the traditional clothing to suit his culture, how do we react ( for example the movie, "Not Without My Daughter)? When we see an African-American man with a Caucasian woman, how do we react? I think this is an example of subtle symbolism that filmmakers use in some of their productions.
A good link for further research:
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED096715&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED096715
References
Bakony, Edward. (1974). "Symbolism in the Feature Film." Retrieved from http://www.eric.ed.gov
Willis, Bill. (1996-2011). Symbolism. Retrieved from http://www.worsleyschool.net/socialarts/symbolism/page.html
What is reality? Reality means facts of existence; other synonyms of reality include: being, actuality, absoluteness, truth http://thesaurus.com/browse/reality. At first glance, the definition of reality does not sound very fun; it seems to convey feelings of heaviness and burden. For example, the reality most students have to face is the lack of money and rest. People tend to use the term "reality" when talking about something unpleasant; for example, the reality of sex discrimination or the reality of racism. Nevertheless, I believe that "reality" is actually a positive word and many people tend to use it negatively. Now, for the sake of better understanding it is important to evaluate antonyms of the word "reality." Antonyms include: belief, fantasy, hypothesis, imagination, theory http://thesaurus.com/browse/reality. All antonyms of the word "reality" seem to suggest creativity and fun. People love to fantasize about their dreams and goals; also people love to use imagination and create theories about various topics that are of interest to them.
After defining the term "reality," I would like to examine the meaning of the word "escape." What does it mean to escape? Escape means to break away from; other synonyms of the word include: avoid, bail out, depart, disappear. Antonyms of "escape" include: capture, remain, stay http://thesaurus.com/browse/escape. So, after defining the important terms it is possible to put them together. To escape the reality means to break away from facts of existence; or (if using synonyms) to avoid the truth. I believe it is very tempting for human beings to use this method to deal with stress. Many people turn to entertainment (such as Internet, movies, and other media) to relax and feel better. What about video games, is this the ultimate way of escaping the reality?
The concept of reality brings about a different question. What about symbolism? What does symbolism mean and is it a part of reality? A symbol is something that represents something else; by association or by resemblance. For example, language is a system of spoken and written symbols by which we communicate. In a context of writing, symbolism represents a deeper meaning than the words themselves. (Willis, 1996-2011, p.1). Furthermore, according to Willis, "This kind of extension of meaning can transform the written word into a very powerful instrument" (Willis, 1996-2011, p.1, para. 1).
If symbolism has the power to transform a certain meaning of a word into a powerful instrument of suggestion; how does it affect the media and entertainment? According to Bakony, Edward, symbolism used by film makers can serve as a bridge between feeling and thought. Also what people read and learn through a symbol varies with what they bring to it's meaning. The filmmakers try to use universal symbolism; but in a film it can be very subtle that the audience my be unaware of its existence. Furthermore, a symbol arises when an image is surrounded by a complex of conscious and unconscious associations; it's impact depends on its cultural context (Bakony, 1974, p.1).
I think that the meaning of symbolism does depend on a cultural context. For example, interracial marriages play a big role in suggestive symbolism. This issue can be questioned in couple of ways. How popular is interracial marriage in films? Do people embrace or reject an idea of interracial marriage? When we see an Arabic man with a Caucasian woman who has to wear the traditional clothing to suit his culture, how do we react ( for example the movie, "Not Without My Daughter)? When we see an African-American man with a Caucasian woman, how do we react? I think this is an example of subtle symbolism that filmmakers use in some of their productions.
A good link for further research:
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED096715&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED096715
References
Bakony, Edward. (1974). "Symbolism in the Feature Film." Retrieved from http://www.eric.ed.gov
Willis, Bill. (1996-2011). Symbolism. Retrieved from http://www.worsleyschool.net/socialarts/symbolism/page.html
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Thank you for your opinions
Thank you for your opinions. One phrase that really grabbed my attention was " Entertainment changes our mood, and can be a form of escaping the real world even if is just for a couple of minutes or hours," (thipolito88). I think it is very true. Personally I have a favorite show that I like to watch when I am tired and want to "escape from the real world."
However, do you think it is mentally healthy for us to escape the real world via media? Does it make things worse for some people. I often find myself wandering if there is another way to deal with stress in life.
Do some people take it too far and start imitating their favorite characters? An example would be a vampire movie, the Twilight. According to the news this movie provoked teenagers to try to imitate vampires and actually start biting each other to show affection; some bite to actually draw blood here is a good link to the news article http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/twilight-movie-effect-teens-biting-vampire-fascination/story?id=11122324
Do you think some people, especially teenagers, take it too far when loosing themselves in the world of their favorite movies and characters?
However, do you think it is mentally healthy for us to escape the real world via media? Does it make things worse for some people. I often find myself wandering if there is another way to deal with stress in life.
Do some people take it too far and start imitating their favorite characters? An example would be a vampire movie, the Twilight. According to the news this movie provoked teenagers to try to imitate vampires and actually start biting each other to show affection; some bite to actually draw blood here is a good link to the news article http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/twilight-movie-effect-teens-biting-vampire-fascination/story?id=11122324
Do you think some people, especially teenagers, take it too far when loosing themselves in the world of their favorite movies and characters?
Monday, January 31, 2011
Why do we need entertainment?
When thinking about films and media the idea of entertainment comes to mind. What is entertainment? Why do we, human beings, need it so much? Entertainment means amusement, pleasure; synonyms of this word include: relaxation, fun, delight, enjoyment. Antonyms of entertainment include chore, drudgery, labor, task, work; http://www.thesaurus.com/. According to definition of this word entertainment makes people happy. Even going back to ancient Roman times people craved to have fun and watch plays and gladiator fights.
Is it a psychological need of human beings to constantly be entertained? An interesting mind map was presented at this web address: http://vinu.wordpress.com/2006/02/21/why-do-we-need-entertainment. It could be that our dependency on amusement developed over time with great technological advances in our everyday life; or maybe, people crave to be exposed to new ideas and genres because they crave excitement.
An idea of a psychological need to be entertained could be explored further. For example, it may be possible that sensitive people like movies that fit their personalities; or people who like to "live on the edge" crave something along the lines of a thriller or a good horror movie. It is possible that media affects people very much. People have different emotions and physical needs that vary from day to day. For example, on a sad day someone might want to watch something funny or something to further evoke sadness (depending on a person). Or perhaps, some people use certain shows as "therapy" to make themselves feel better about something that is happening in their lives.
Furthermore, it would be useful to define the term, media. Media means communication by publication or broadcast http://www.thesaurus.com/. Media includes television, news, and any other sources of public communication. I believe that human beings are impressionable and are influenced by the media. This is not to say that every person is easily manipulated but we all have our own ideas about life (apart from what our parents taught us) based on what kind of shows we watch, what kind of music we listen to, and also how much TV we watch.
What do you think? Is it a psychological need for us to be entertained? I am more inclined to say yes rather than no.
Is it a psychological need of human beings to constantly be entertained? An interesting mind map was presented at this web address: http://vinu.wordpress.com/2006/02/21/why-do-we-need-entertainment. It could be that our dependency on amusement developed over time with great technological advances in our everyday life; or maybe, people crave to be exposed to new ideas and genres because they crave excitement.
An idea of a psychological need to be entertained could be explored further. For example, it may be possible that sensitive people like movies that fit their personalities; or people who like to "live on the edge" crave something along the lines of a thriller or a good horror movie. It is possible that media affects people very much. People have different emotions and physical needs that vary from day to day. For example, on a sad day someone might want to watch something funny or something to further evoke sadness (depending on a person). Or perhaps, some people use certain shows as "therapy" to make themselves feel better about something that is happening in their lives.
Furthermore, it would be useful to define the term, media. Media means communication by publication or broadcast http://www.thesaurus.com/. Media includes television, news, and any other sources of public communication. I believe that human beings are impressionable and are influenced by the media. This is not to say that every person is easily manipulated but we all have our own ideas about life (apart from what our parents taught us) based on what kind of shows we watch, what kind of music we listen to, and also how much TV we watch.
What do you think? Is it a psychological need for us to be entertained? I am more inclined to say yes rather than no.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
film, media and its influence on society
Hello everyone,
I am glad to start a new interesting discussion about media and film and how the content might effect our society and way of life.
I am glad to start a new interesting discussion about media and film and how the content might effect our society and way of life.
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