Media and collective identity

Collective Identity

1) List five brands you are happy to be associated with and explain how they reflect your sense of identity.

• Nike- The types of clothes I wear, shows I value hoodies and shoes
• DC- Shows the creative aspect of me
• KFC- A sense of family, and belonging
• Warner Bros- Value high quality films with unique story-telling
• Instagram- Moving with the times

2) Do you agree with the view that modern media is all about 'style over substance'? What does this expression mean?

This expression tends to mean that the person debating the case is presented to take the conclusion as true rather than false.

3) Explain Baudrillard's theory of 'media saturation' in one paragraph. You may need to research it online to find out more.

Media saturation is basically the overload of many media texts and platforms all operating in the media market. Things like e-mail, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram all add to this highly saturated media platform where there are simply way too many (and more are still flowing through) this one e-media platform; the internet.

4) Is your presence on social media an accurate reflection of who you are? Have you ever added or removed a picture from a social media site purely because of what it says about the type of person you are?

I believe that my social media portrayal is accurate to my real-self. This is partly due to the fact that I am inactive on social media, and i'll post when I am doing something worth sharing rather than daily posting, looking for new ways to present my life. I think this is the same for many people in education and well as adults, people tend to do 'on the go' photos which show the realism of the persons life and what they do on a daily basis.

5) What is your opinion on 'data mining'? Are you happy for companies to sell you products based on your social media presence and online search terms? Is this an invasion of privacy?

I do think that data mining can be a good thing, as it helps the products find you rather than you find them. However the question of privacy is what makes people concerned, although it is a feature that helps the consumer, it also brings forth this idea of spying and losing privacy. For me, I generally do look at the things that are featured on the side bar as it actually does fit my interest for example, a new VFX pack, or clothes from a store which is having a sale on a product I have been frequently been viewing etc. 

NDM: Friends’ pictures on social media have biggest impact on body image

Friends’ pictures on social media have biggest impact on body image

Link: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/mar/05/friends-pictures-on-social-media-biggest-impact-body-image

Summary:

Academics found that young women are likely to compare images of themselves amongst their peers rather than celebrities. Women are also more likely to diet and do exercise when negative comparisons take place on sites such as Facebook or Instagram. The academics will be publishing a magazine for schools to teach young people on how to react to posts and comments on social media, which are aimed to harm their self-esteem.

Statistics:

• The study, which questioned about 150 young women who completed five daily surveys over a five-day period
• Around 70% of women aged 18 to 35 regularly edit their images before posting them

Own view:

The influence that the internet has on people's lives has now gone to the next level; it is changing the way are seen as well as the ways their live their lives. This is apparent through largely social media, where numerous posts of young people and adults surround the content with their body, showing their curves or muscles. The bigger picture is, for what intention? Is it for their own health? Or is it for their social media portrayal, to aim and get as many likes, comments and followers as possible? This desire of sorts has become the norm, as social media such as Instagram are filled with this type of content. Their has also been a notice of this form of content, and has been subjected to a meme.

NDM: Snapchat shares soar 44% to value loss-making company at $28bn

Snapchat shares soar 44% to value loss-making company at $28bn

Link: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/mar/02/snapchat-ipo-valuation-evan-spiegel-bobby-murphy-snap-inc

Summary:

Snapchat had been valued at $28 bn, where the stock market closed the price per share for Snapchat was $26.05 a piece. This had resulted in investors feeling more comfortable with Snapchat's ability to 'push'a new generation of successful firms.  

Statistics:

• it reached $26.05 and a market value of $29.1bn
• 158 million people use the service each day and create 2.5bn “snaps” between them
• Growth has slowed recently (to “just” 48% year-on-year) 
• the company’s share price rose 41% from its guide price of $17 a share to an opening price of $24

Own view:

It seems that Snapchat is the future of both tech as well as social media. It has rather become the centre of the picture and seems to have taken Facebook's place. Snapchat is now aiming to become a bigger tech firm with all the revenue/profits it is making, which in turn can allow it to compete with other conglomerates such as Google.

Identity and the wider media

Wider Media

1) The Factsheet discusses how identity is a complex subject. What does it suggest defines our identity?

A set of relationships is what defines us as a being, but we can also define our self as being:
- who we want to be
- other people's opinions on us
- who we think we are (and how we are portrayed in other people's eyes)

The factsheet suggests that our identity is constructed through modern media. This is through the way we communicate and and access information. 

2) Complete the task on page 2: suggest media texts that could reinforce that someone is non-mainstream; edgy; a pleasure seeker; fashionable; witty and fun; cutting-edge.

• Edgy-R-rated film genre
• Non-mainstream-arthouse cinema
• Fashionable- weekly trend blogs
• Cutting edge- Interests in technology and innovations to it
• Witty and fun- Comedy programmes such as 'friends' 

3) What examples are suggested for a case study on urban youth?

Jeremy Kyle show was one of the examples that the article stated- it shows the negative portrayal of lower class white people, being seen as 'chavs'. It is said that shows such as this bring forth the 'light' of the lower class and the youth as being the villain due to their negative representation in the media such as this.
4) What does Hebdige argue with regards to youth culture? 

Hedbdige argues that youth culture has a form of resistance to dominant culture, and is largely influenced by their own styles and beliefs rather than others. He believes that urban youth culture will present itself outside the norm (the mainstream) and this develops growing fear i.e moral panics.
5) How can we link our Year 12 case study on Ill Manors to youth and identity? What specific examples from the case study could be used to discuss Hebdige’s theory that youth culture challenges mainstream culture and dominant ideologies?

Plan B uses his music as a form of collective identity through the clothes as well as the music he is rapping about. The Ill Manors song is very much linked to the real life issues of the youth, and this is conveyed through-out the film. The synergy between the two platforms intensifies the collective identity that both the audience and the artist have in common.
6) What does theorist David Gauntlett suggest regarding the media’s influence over the construction of identities?

Gauntlett believes that the media has the power of creating this form of 'self identity' through the images and texts we view/watch. For example, stereotypes have become even more stronger due to the media reinforcing them in to the older generation.

7) Do you agree that Hebdige’s view that youth culture will always seek to resist mainstream culture and challenge dominant ideologies?

I believe so, the youth are very much independent from other age groups. They have their own culture and rules that the rest of the world doesn't fully understand, thing such as language or clothing, is like a form of 'rule' that the youth have. They don't cloud their judgement based on what other people think (which is the traditional way), they rather do what they please. Its like a new form of human experience, where one has to detach them self from the norm and explore new ways of doing things and differentiate themselves from the rest. Things such as stereotypes would generally (to an older group) would act as a warning for change to occur, whereas to the youth it is completely the opposite. Instead of just being negatively represented, the youth would rather embrace it, and challenge the dominant ideology to make it irrelevant and insignificant. 

Identities and Film: blog task

Constructing Identity

1) Complete the Twenty Statements Test yourself. This means answering the question ‘Who am I?’ 20 times with 20 different answers. What do they say about your identity? Write the 20 answers in full on your blog.

• I am a brother
• I am Sikh
• I am a film maker
• I am a student
• I am determined
• I am brown
• I am a Star Wars fan
• I am 18
• I am a DC fan
• I am an Indian
• I am a risk taker
• I am the senate
• I am a 5'8
• I am me
• I am against racism
• I am the Barry Allen
• I am reliable
• I am a media student
• I am dedicated
• I am struggling to complete this task

2) Classify your answers into the categories listed  on the Factsheet: Social groups, ideological beliefs, interests etc.

Social-

• I am a Media student
• I am Dedicated
• I am 5'8
• I am me
• I am reliable
• I am struggling to complete this task
• I am a risk taker
• I am 18
• I am an Indian
• I am a brother
• I am a student

Beliefs-

• I am Sikh
• I am against racism
• I am the senate
• I am brown

Interests-

• I am Barry Allen
• I am a Star Wars fan
• I am a film maker
• I am a DC fan

3) Go back to your favourite film (as identified in the lesson). What does this choice of film say about your identity? Are there any identities within the film (e.g. certain characters) that particularly resonated with your values and beliefs?

Chosen film: Goodfellas

The film chosen states I like quite serious, yet comedic as well as prestigious style of films like the film listed above. Films which is known for its intriguing story and characters. One of the main identities shown in the film would be the higher/upper class representation. There is a core theme played throughout this film and many films like it, between the lower and upper class. This is presented through the props and mise-en-scene that is shown in the film. The concepts of looking professional is an aspect I really value as a person, suits and ties really resonate with my style etc.

4) Watch the trailers for the five films highlighted as examples of gay/lesbian representation in mainstream film. How are LGBT identities constructed in the trailers and how are audiences encouraged to respond to these representations?

Wilde- there is a sense of being ashamed of their sexuality which is evident through the father being bisexual, both being in love with a man and a woman. What makes this even more evident is the fact that the traielr itself puts it down to the viewer to infer that their is a relationship between the main character and another man, as it seems that on screen intercourse with someone from the same gender is possibily frowned upon at the time which is why it isn't seen in the trailer, rather inferred.

Philadelphia- audiences are seen to respect their sexuality. This is due to the fact that the film is based on the discrimination and proving a point, that everyone is equal in the world. If the outcome of the film is that the man wins the case, then it acts as a message to the viewer to accept this scenario in the real world. The films gives off a more realistic tone, as it has a very specific story regarding everyday issues of discrimination in the work place.

Pride- audiences are seen to see these people as normal people. They dress the same etc, and it also shows the norm that such people live, much like other peoples. The comedic element can also shy away from the core message. It may just make the audience laugh, but forget the entire message that the film is trying to convey.

The Wedding Banquet- much like the film above, as well as Wilde, the representation of sexuality is a hidden element, suggesting that their is a form of embarrassment of sexuality to the outside world, as evident through the groom. There is ideologies of betrayal of the younger generation, as the boy doesn't seem to match his parents expectations and their is a binary opposition between the youth and the older generation.

Identities: applying feminism

Media factsheet: Applying Feminism

#86 Applying Feminism:

1) What are the five types of feminism outlined on the first page of the Factsheet?

• Radical feminism
• Liberal feminism
• Marxist feminism
• Black feminism
• Postmodern feminism

2) Which category would Judith Butler fit into? What about Angela McRobbie? Laura Bates and Everyday Sexism? Explain your answers.

• Judith Butler: Liberal feminism
• Angela McRobbie: Postmodern feminism
• Laura Bates: Radical feminsim

3) What was the difference between suffragists and suffragettes? Which approach do you agree with?

• Suffragettes- A more violent aspproach to protesting such as arson
• Suffragists- Peaceful way of protesting, such as hunger strikes and votes etc

I agree with the suffragette movement, as women were challenging the tradition views of women in the perception of men. To men (at the time), they saw the women as traditional and peaceful, therefore can continue to exploit them because their methods were not having any physical effect on them. It was because of the violent protests that it gained attention to both men and the politicians. Women were challenging the tradition representation of a woman, by doing male acts (being violent), which in turn would create fear and a moral panic towards the future roles of women.

4) What was Laura Mulvey's argument regarding Hollywood film? Do you agree with it? Why?

Mulvey's argument regarding the representation of women in Hollywood is true to an extent. Now days, women aren't always being used as sexual gimmicks to hook males into watching a film. However that was the case. Films such as Fast and Furious was famous for its representation of sex and women in their movies. Every movie would have a beautiful actress appear as one of the leads, and would be the sexual attention throughout the film. Transformers even did this with Nicola Pelts (Transformers 4) and Meagan Fox and there would be a lot of emphasis (in terms of camera shots) on their body. 

5) Watch this YouTube video extract on Jean Kilbourne's Killing Us Softly series and list five examples she gives of the media objectifying women:

6) What is Killbourne's argument regarding the representation of women in advertising?

Women are essentially idealised to look like the 'perfect' woman. With perfect cheek bones, and breaths etc. However, this documentary shows that there is more than meets the eye. Women who see these adds with beautiful women posing in them, is essentially giving off the message on how women should look (to look like the woman in the ad). However, the problem is, is that the advert isn't a woman. It is a virtual compilation of many women's face combined to make one. Giving off the false impression of the nature of the models beauty, when it clearly is a false image. 

7) Why is the representation of women in music videos a controversial topic for feminists?

Women such as Nikki Minage and Rhianna are criticised heavily for reinforcing women as sexual objects for men. This is evident through Rhianna twerking on Drake, giving Drake the dominance over Rhinana, which essentially goes against Feminists views. Feminists are essentially trying to combat such views and for a woman to reinforce them, put their efforts in vein. 

8) What is your view of female artists such as Nicki Minaj or Beyonce - do they empower women or reinforce sexist, patriarchal views?

Although the singers themselves state that they are trying to challenge the stereotype and are in fact reinforcing female empowerment, that isn't the case always. Their videos are very sexual which they are the object for male pleasure. The quote from Minaje's anaconda music video 'My anaconda don't want none unless you got buns hun' further intensifies the fact that women have to try their best to fix their body in order to have intercourse with a man. 

9) Has new and digital media given women an opportunity to challenge sexist views or is it simply another media platform for women to be oppressed? Explain your view.

I do believe to some extent, the aid of the internet has allowed women to become more powerful and heard. The internet has opened doors for communication to come across strong and loud as well as gain a lot of attention through 'likes', or of being viral. These are facts that prior to the internet, women wouldn't of had. McRobbie used the internet for its main purpose; to share information regarding the subject of her choice. She received of 50,000 comments from people (mainly women), and this was all due to the internet having the ability to access the right people. 

NDM: Potential of the internet/technology

Limitless use of technology and its use 

Link: http://www.independent.co.uk/student/istudents/even-as-digital-archivists-we-need-to-put-down-our-cameras-and-smartphones-and-just-enjoy-the-moment-a6827491.html

Summary:

The article shows the limitless opportunities that the internet and new technology can offer in order to either improve our daily lives, and even capture memorable moments through a screen shot. However, the article shows ways in which people misuse the technology, or contradict the purpose of it. The example the article given was if someone recorded (from their perspective), a concert, how many time, if any, will they re-watch it? They would generally watch the official live broadcast version as it has better sound and eve can show you in the crowd, making it more of a memorable moment.

Own view:

I don't agree with the article to a large extent, however most of the arguments stated are true, but aren't worth anything big to talk about. For example, the case study of recording a show, is not anything 'big' in terms of misusing technology. It is simply down to the user who wants to do whatever they want to do with that piece of tech. It isn't worth an entire article as some of the stuff mentioned are just down to personal preference and how the user feels it sees fit, rather than generically.