More Monkey Memes

And of course, here are a few more monkey memes that reflect more on pop culture today~

So whether it be Star Trek, ex-mayor Ford or Batman's Bane, there is always a way to incorporate a meme into pop culture. These are more memes that have reached Tumblr in popularity trending on more than one tag.

Royals in the news

The Royal family has had their spill in the news to over the past week due to Kate Middleton's health status and a prank pulled by an Australian radio show looking to get the inside scoop. Calling in, they spoke with Kate's nurse who released information she shouldn't have. With all the controversy on this matter and the uproar of the media, the newest addition to the long line story is that the nurse is believed to have commit suicide.
Jacintha Saldanha age 46 was found hung in her appartment and now the question is who is to blame? There are four main catagories of this answer, 1. The pranksters 2. The nurse herself 3. The Royals 4. I won't take sides on this matter. The two Australians have now lost their radio show and have been taken off the air and the nurse is now dead. Some theories have been formed that the nurse had emotional problems and was mentally challenged and some blame the force of the hospital on the matter while others blame religion (this has not been conformed, merely a theory).
Pranks have been in celebrity life for a long time now and as much as many people don't agree with them, they still encourage them for a source of their entertainment. The only reason this blew up and out of propertion fo that basic fact is because someone died. That's the part where this story draws its line. Celebrities, the Royals especially given their possition in the UK and the world, live that life every day, always looking out for something that could be used against them and trying to avoid the paparazzi. There are mixed opinions on this story and mine isn't an exception to that. I'm not going to blame anyone because there is still little to go on. Twitter is blowing up with opinions and now the bullying effect has started as a few people who tweeted things supporting the DJs and saying it wasn't all their fault have now deleted their account.

(link: http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1299033--london-hospital-expected-to-make-statement-over-possible-suicide-of-woman-where-kate-middleton-was-treated)

Darwin: Ikea money meme

So the news has blown up with the talk of Darwin, the money in a coat found outside a Toronto Ikea's store. The domesticaled money has also blown up on Twitter and of course... the memes.

This is one of the cuter ones I found while searching through the now endless pages of my tumblr account. For those who don't quite understand the reference and can't hear the screechy voice calling in yoru head, the quote is from the over played Ikea sales advertisement on television. The commercial is made up on a woman receiving a low sales receipt and running to the car yelling at her husband to 'start the car' before they can be taken back to pay the extra money (showing just how low their prices are).
Now on this, it's amusing that they used the line from an Ikea commercial for the Ikea money, it only seems to fit perfectly in my opinion, but pressing this all further, why are the other ones funny? Why did this blow up like so many other unique news stories? The general answer is 'because it's not something you see everyday and it makes you laugh instead of cry like so many of the other stories in the news'. Also, when asked someone called out "Because moneys are cute". Yeah, they are and that's probably why this has also blown up that extra bit where it's now spamming all the mainstream blogging and social media sites.
The other one that reached the top trending list is 'Who wore it better' spoof off the gossip websites and magazines where celebrities int he same outfits are compared to one another.

Shark Fin Ban Overturned

Do you agree or disagree with the Ontario Superior Court's decision to overturn the Toronto ban on shark fin products. Referring to the article and Sharkwater give reasons to support your opinion.

Yesterday, December 2nd, the Toronto Star published an article on the very event. I disagree entirely however understand some of the views of the oposing side. True it came across as racist, targeting the Chinese comunity by banning a part of their culture however it was a council member of Chinese herritage who proposed the ban in the first place so unless the oposition meant to call her a heritic or something along the lines of one, they've taken the ban the wrong way. Ivory has been on ban for a while now and it was established to help the elephants. Practically no one in Toronto or Canada objected, or more they did it without the rage and uproar of the media on the subject and that ban was placed to protect elephants. Why has the Shark fin industry become so big and massive and powerful?
One of the arguments was that they (Toronto councilors) didn't ban anything else from different cultures that showed harm towards animals or other things but who's to say they didn't have a list of intended bans and this was the first to be passed. The oposing side has now set the bar of what can be done and now it's expected there may be a roar in North Vancouver and Calgary where Shark Fins have also been banned. This isn't just for Shark Fins either, if the councilors did intend to place a ban on anything else, who's to say now those groups it works againsty won't rise as well and challenge to have the ban overturned?
The first domino has been tipped and now it's only a matter of time before this one taps the next.

Sharkwater

1)      Was there anything about the Documentary that was biased or omitted? If there was, why do you think things may have been left out? Could Rob Stewart have chosen a better advocate to demonstrate the shark finning side of the argument?

The side Rob Stewart chose to represent the shark finning side of the argument was the mobs and private docks and pirate boats of the waters. Things were left out though to promote the idea that skarks are endangered and something needs to be done. A large portion that was left out against the sharks were the past events and accidents surounding sharks; we heard stories about how they were safe and few absurd ones about people being eaten or killed by sharks. True only 5 people on average die a year by sharks while something like 150 (around that number I believe) die by falling out of bed but there are accidents that happen and not all sharks are as heavenly as the hammer head (The Bull Shark is the first that comes to mind). For the argument Rob Stewart was making, he chose the perfect antagonist for his documentery that really does encourage a rise against the barbarik finners.
As for the advocate of Shark finning, he chose a rather peculiar man who had trouble articulating his thoughts and came across as an idot who didn't know what he was talking about. There were many other choices that could have made his argument more valid.

2)      Describe the ways different people in the Documentary behaved, or the kinds of values and beliefs they displayed. Are there cultural bias in the film.

The main people in the documentary behaved as most green peace groups do, they didn't apove of something and needed to do something to stop it. Rob Stewart was very calm and persuasive to his argument and the greenpeace groups were more stubborn and loud-mouthed with their ideas. Cultural biases were all over the film; the ones for China and Japan the most evident. There was the one man being interviewed about skarks closer to the beginning of the film who didn't know a thing he was talking about and came across as ignorant and amusing. They showed footage of walking down a street in China and seeing all the Shark fins and catalige and also listed the statistic and belief that the Chinese believe a sharks power and strength will be past along if you consume it. This idea has no science behind it and reflects a typical spiritual stereotype of eastern countries.

3)      How much do you agree or disagree with the ways in which they behaved, or the kinds of values and beliefs they displayed? Explain your feelings and point of view.

I agree with how Rob Stewart behaved, finding his motives soley to save the sharks admirable and the values of the Southerners, Chinese, Costa Rican fishing vessels barbarik. Believing killing all the sharks is saving people is based on no fact or evidence, like one of the men said in the film 'it's not like they come up on land'. We invade them and that's something a lot of people are forgetting. The beliefs and words the people said that 'god put the animals there for us to eat' stirrs feelings in me that are completely negative. I don't pretend to understand because I don't, I'm ignorant as far as most religions are concerned belonging to more of a spiritual belief myself then a strick book and politically tainted religion. People need to realize that we are not the top of the food-chain, we don't have the power to control what lives and what dies. Humans love power and have a hard time giving it up but what the documentary is showing is that if we don't, it may be too late to do so in the future.

4)      How did things like music, lighting, editing, testimonials (characters directly addressing the camera) and the various conventions of documentary affect your opinion of what you were viewing?

The music was one of the most powerful things in the documentary. The calm and soothin jaz and classical instrumental pieces, or pieces with a soft vocal over top were placed with footage of the sharks freely swimming under water to show how peaceful they are and how they mind their own. There was more of a dead flat and horror movie like tone when the sharks were being hunted that was also mixed with the soft vocals one might find at a celtic funeral service. As for the testimonials, all were powerful and all were meaningful and professional looking while the ones involving people who didn't support sharks and supported shark finning had a weaker lighting and a less professional flare to them. It made them all look like a joke, which was the point that did get across by the end of the documentary. The parts where it was soley Rob Stewart adressing the camera, like when he was in the hospital, also didn't have a professional look to them and appeared as if they were shot on a flip cam or low budget camera (probably because it was...) made him more real. He wasn't some big star celebrity from Green Peace, he was a kid from Toronto who was a marine biologist and supported something he was working to help. It made him and his cause more real and more relatable.

Conan 'Pushes the Envelope'

Talk show host Conan, is hosting the same-sex marriage of one of their costume designers and his partner on late night television when they film in New York. The opinions on this are various and both on the pro side and con side. Featured on the show recently when Conan made the remark that the media and news stations had picked up on their plans, he said that they all had their own perspective and opinion on it. Following directly after this they played a montauge of various news stations who'd comented on the 'to be' featured show in New York that Conan was 'pushing the evnelope of late night television' in practically the exact same words over and over again.
Asking now why this might have happened, what seems to be the most unanimous conclusion is that in a press release or press article made by Conan or the producers, the same phrase was used and when news writers were creating the review, they 'got lazy and just copied and pasted'. It seems to be the most legitiment conclusion. Same-Sex marriage seems to have blown up lately as such a big deal and I am a supporter of the LGBT comunity however I have yet to understand why it's such a big deal.
source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GME5nq_oSR4

Who killed the electric car?

1.   Describe the ways different people in the Documentary behaved, or the kinds of values and beliefs they displayed.
The different values displayed were those of environmentalists and the co-creators of the EV1s as well as those of a higher power such as the government and the oil and car companies. The way they acted were connected to their views and values; the car and oil companies were against the electric car because if it did blow up into a success, they would loose profit in their companies and the car companies played as pawns seeing the oil companies are their magor supporters. As for the electric car supporters and manufacturers, they challenged the higher power because they believed that the electric car was a better alternative and the hope of a cleaner and better future; however what's good for us doesn't always get to us. It seems greed and self-preservation usually get in the way...

2.  How much do you agree or disagree with the ways in which they behaved, or the kinds of values and beliefs they displayed? Explain your feelings and point of view.
I agree with the environmentalists and suporters of the electric car, because I believe that the future can be brighter, and will be brighter. One day we're going to run out of oil; that is an inevitable fact that most still haven't come to terms with. The race is to see whether we run out of oil first or we destroy our planet with it before we do. I disagree with the companies because they turned down a new alternative because of greed and self-preservation. I disagree with the government for taking a biased side. I do agree with the environmentalists for not giving up and standing up for what they believe in.

3.   Was there anything about the Documentary that was biased or omitted? If there was, why do you think
things may have been left out?
The documentary was biased towards the electric car and all of its benefits to society and the environment. I would have liked to find out a little more about any possible technical flaws and why they weren't advertised on a grand scale. They came across as a mystery and why was a constant question streaming through my head. Obviously these points may have been left out to make the electric car seem supirior in that aspect compared to the other alternatives.

4. How did things like music, lighting, editing, testimonials  (characters directly addressing the camera), statistics and higher powers and the various conventions of documentary affect your opinion of what you were viewing?
Regarding the music, lighting and editing: These were all well done in the sense that they made you understand how grave the matter could come across as to a supporter of the electic car. The funeral styled music evoked a certain mourning that the electric car and sympathy towards those who supported it.
Regarding the testemonials and higher powers: The testimonials did what they alwasy do in documentaries; they made you think. They gave you two sides of one battle and they made you try to choose a side (and with the biased in the documentary and subjective viewpoint, this was rather easy). The higher powers that we met though were three celebrities who had a brief say on the matter (these clips were from interviews, television media sources and testimonials). Tom Hanks, Mel Gibson and Ex-govenor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger were all for the electric car which could and would appeal to those who idolized these actors and their works.
As far as statistics were concerned they brought a sense of urgency to the documentary. We've all heard about these problems with the environment however only few know just how important a new alternative is (we're running out of oil and coal and we're not going to be getting anymore soon)

Spellbound: Humanizing

1. Why does the director of the Documentary Spellbound spend so much time at the beginning of the Documentary introducing the 8 competitors that will be participating in the National Spelling Bee.
For the same reason in the Olympics they play the 'Behind the Athlete' or 'Athlete's Moms' specials. It's to humanize the people who we're supposed to feel something for. It makes a boring subject relatable if not interesting. Most look at spelling and acedemics and immediately change the channel or find something else to do.You get to know their families, their motives and their personalities; choose a favourite and root for them in your mind as you watch the documentary.
2.   Describe the ways different people in the Documentary behaved, or the kinds of values and beliefs they displayed.
Most, as in usual circumstances, showed a must desire to win, they've spent their entire educational career working towards this with either pressure on themselves or pressure on them from their parents (or both) while some, mostly in a rarer situation with Spelling Bees in the US, just have a natural talent for it and want to do it for fun, but also have that motive to win as all should and do. 
3.  How much do you agree or disagree with the ways in which they behaved, or the kinds of values and beliefs they displayed? Explain your feelings and point of view.
I agree with the one mother who said it was a form of child abuse. It's the same with sports too, academics and anything that involves competition in my opinion. In a way for America, this is the 'nerdy pagent show' I've heard that nick name loosely associated with Spelling Bees a number of times.
Coming from a sports perspective, I've seen families in a variety of different views on competition. Some families, lik mine, are oblivious to how the sport works so allt hey can do is cheer me on. Others like one girl I played against last year in a tournament, had parents who pressured her and her teammates and her coach to win so they could put a new trophy on the mantel. The question posed now is, who would you root for? And that's also another reason why the students were introduced at the beginning of the documentary.

4.   Was there anything about the Documentary that was biased or omitted? If there was, why do you think things may have been left out?
I think the last part, when the spelling bee had reached the top 8 and they announced the other boy who'd come 4th the year before was a bit of a surprise, seeing as he wasn'tmentioned once before. I thin it was left out simply to show the suspence of a competition like this and all the twists it can hold.

5. How did things like music, lighting, editing, testimonials  (characters directly addressing the camera) and the various conventions of documentary affect your opinion of what you were viewing?
The music made the atmophere a little more lighter, like the theme of jepordy in a way. The lighting created a sense of realism that came when it was the individual interviews; almost like they were talking into a webcam while the lighting for the participants while on the stage in the National Spelling Bee was more dramatic and intimidating, which showed the viewers just how alone you can be up there.
Over all, they affected my opinion of the viewing by once again making it more real. There wasn't the high tech lighting and editing like in the Hollywood block busters that immediately come across as cinematic but instead Spellbound had a 'homey' charm to it that really grounded the viewer.

Election and the news

1. Do you think someone like Karl Rove who has clear ties to Super Pacs and the republican party should be hired as a journalist for a news agency? 

I do believe everyone has a right to a job and the privilege of having it. I respect that papers and news channels have a biased opinion however I don't believe that they should be the ones broadcasted so close to election day and while the polls are running. I know if you were to volunteer for a Canadian election, the dress code rules are strict. If you wear a colour that represents a party, you're considered to be biased. 

(source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TwuR0jCavk)

2. News is supposed to be presented from an objective unbiased perspective, why was it in Karl Roves best interest to delay the call of Obama's election win?
They didn't believe Ohio was in the 'Romney Camp'. Given all the numbers and statistics, it was a legitimate call that Obama would take the state and the election since there was no way for Romney to catch up. He wanted to delay the call for fear they may come across as biased towards one side.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TwuR0jCavk)

3. Why would Brian Williams state that Trumps tweet went from irrelevant to "irresponsible"?
A man in that position and that high a 'Celebrity Star" shouldn't be listing opinions as such because the outcome could lead to what it has turned out to be. Rage and fights calling Trump on the 'irresponsible' use of language and power and the others believing he was only voicing an opinion (however they also describe it as irresponsible)

"The electoral college is a disaster for a democracy," fumed the celebrity mogul.
Williams showed some of Trump's tweets on air, saying he had "driven well past the last exit to relevance and veered into something closer to irresponsible."

(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/07/donald-trumps-tweets-deleted_n_2088987.html)

Canada favours Obama: In class assignment

1. Chose 3 articles from various papers on the American Election Day. Read the articles and give five reasons why you think Canada would prefer to have Obama as the commander and chief of the United States.

a) Canada's politics and parties falls more on the left specrum of the USA's spectrum

b) He invests more in Canada then the Rebublicans do

c) After Rebublicans commented on rape and 'legitimate rape' the women of Canada, and the men started to voice their objections as well as those in the USA (also the same for women's voting rights)

d)Canadians agree more with what Democrats are doing: 'Obamacare' like the Canadian Health Care plan established by the NDP Party

e)They support and help Canada's economy and aren't impulsive about wars or firearms.

 

2. Do you agree with the sentiment of Abigael the four year old girl who is tired of the focus of America on the election.  

I believe it can be taken various ways, what Abigale is trying to say through her teary actions. It can represent both Obama and Romney however all other viewpoints and interpretations aside, I do agree with the sentiment.

 

links to articles:

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/11/05/obama-landslide-in-canada

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/uselection/article/1283207--u-s-election-ten-things-to-watch-on-election-day

 

link for video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjrthOPLAKM

 

Another post from tumblr and twitter: "It takes more then four years to change a country, you've been in school now for more then four years and you still don't know the different between you're and your!"

-Post about Obama after the hate he got on all his 'false promises'

Landslide for Obama... in Canada

The question posed and answered in trending Canadian media this week is all on the American Election, specifiically why Obama is so popular in Canada and why is it that without a doubt he would win by a landslide.
Canada's far right wing party of the Conservatives are more on the left wing or center to the American lines and platforms. Womens rights are still much respected and counted for and it would be a death sentence to take away voting rights for women or even mention that was an idea. Canada's conservatives, as conservative as they may be to the Liberals and NDP parties of Canada, would in - personal opinion - be closer to the Democrats in the United States. This being said, Canada in all parties along the lines would fall to the Democratic side of the American spectrum which is why most in Canada say they would vote Democrat.
Voters is the next thing to be said about this electiona and all elections. Voting is a right and a privellege seeing as many countires and people are both fighting and dying to hold and obtain the right we first world countries take for granted. The U.S.A and Canada both have some of the lowest voter turn outs compared to the UK and Australia. Personally I didn't know until a few years ago that Australia had a fine for not voting of I believe around $20 USD (research: yes it's $20 and after a 21 day period of not paying the fine you will be fined up to $50 and may need to see the court). The voter turn out in Australia is around 99.9% and I know how seriously they take it having a few friends across the ocean an in different countries from myself. Now imagine if the USA and Canada had a fine for not voting... I'm not too sure how that would be taken by the general public.
It's not just the USA who've been keeping up on this election and voicing opinions. Meanwhile on none other then the Democratic site of tumblr (a blogging site where almost everyone is a democrat or left wing on their spectrum and the most re-blogged post is 'Mitt Romney is an idiot pass it on') others from around the globe are listing posts such as;
'Dear America, if Romney is elected and you voted for Obama, Australia (or any country for that matter who the blogger is originally from) welcomes you with open arms'
It's quite cute really.
Democratic or Rebliblican, the USA has a decision to make and it's voting day today so I agree with those who say they'll wait and see what happens.

Moore's newest election ad

Link: http://www.torontosun.com/2012/10/30/michael-moore-makes-funny-ad-for-obama

Now whether Moore's video helps the Democratic campeign or picks away at it is an opion unique to every voter in the United States. My personal opinion on it is that is speaks to the younger generation with the attitudes and language given and it also speaks to the older generations given the people in the ad (veterans and survivors of World War 2 in a retirement home). It can either help the campeign, voters agreeing with the message and interpreting it to the full extent to support it, or on a lesser side, others can look at it as a joke and completely disregard it or change their loyalty in politicians.
One image that I believe spoke volumes more then this ad by Moore was a simple image of a protest I found on tumblr. It was of a group of young women dressed in the typical suffragettes outfits and holding one big sign protesting the idea of taking away women's voting rights. Now the twist on this and the story behind the image was that there was another older women beside them holding her own sign and wearing almost th exact same clothing they were. This women was alive in World War 2 and was along the first women who were able to vote and were granted that right. She was wearing her own clothing from that time that she'd kept and her sign read;
"I've already needed to protest this once, why amd I doing it again?"
I believe that speaks volumes more then this rather 'joke' of an ad for Obama. I do understand Moore's intentions and that my beliefs and ideas are different then some/most Americans so maybe this ad does work for them. As I said before "Moore's video helps the Democratic campeign or picks away at it is an opion unique to every voter in the United States"

U.S. Debate in Boxing on Twitter

#Obama just landed a great right hook...."There's also less horses and bayonets"..(When Romney talked of fewer ships than 1917)

Tweeted by: Steph Bitten (Canada: London, Ontario)

There's always wonderful comentary on Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook and really any social media site. The third 'round' of the US precidency debate was turned into a boxing match via Twitter by the use of analogies and funny references.

The quote above is one of my favourites out of the ones that I saw from this list here. It's short, sweet and shows how invalid some of Romney's points can be. Personally, boxing has never been my thing and I don't usually keep up on it along with a lot of other sports but the use of it for the debate was rather clever and brilliant. "In the red corner we have Romney and in the blue corner we have Obama!"

And then of coarse the memes come to highlight the best lines. One created around this line, is a gif to one of my favourite American Revolution movies.

On Tumblr, everyone was cheering at this 'right hook' however more then half of my main dashboard (home screen/newsfeed) was filled with others wanting him to make a comment along the lines of "Yes but you're also someone who wanted to know why they couldn't roll down an airplane window."

Let the American Elections Continue!

Just another meme...

The typical stereotype of girls make guys sandwiches is exposed in this comic book styled meme. The original context and origin of the graphic is unknown to me however the intention is clear and rather hilarious given all the 'go make me a sandwich' and sexist jokes that suround it.
The mainstream 'go make me a sandwich' was brought back and is most popular with online gaming. Usually when a girl enters the chat, loby or game (whatever you call it on your platform of gaming) one of the 'tough' guys will tell them to go make them a sandwich. Usually how girls respond to this is over kill or an outrageously high ranking on the score board at the end of the match. In my opinion, this is one of the most accurate gaming girl memes out there~

Now you're just a meme that I used to know: A look and definition of memes

1. Copy and paste the definition of meme from Wikipedia, include a link so we know where you got it from.

 A meme is "an idea, behavior or style that spreads from person to person within a culture." A meme acts as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols or practices, which can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing, speech, gestures, rituals or other imitable phenomena. Supporters of the concept regard memes as cultural analogues to genes in that they self-replicate, mutate and respond to selective pressures. Definition from Wikipedia (source)

2. Write your own definition of meme in simple terms.

A meme is a concept and interpretation of modern pop culture, changing the meaning of something or adding a funny caption to an image out of context of altering the original lines. These are mostly used as spoofs on movies, events, television shows and the odd photograph that stands out in the media.

3. Find a cultural meme that has meaning to you and post it on your blog. 

4- Explain your meme to us. What is the meaning of the meme?

This is a spoof off the olympics and the views the international broadcast had of the Queen. Her serly expression while the countires were coming into the opening ceremonies was originally captioned "Look at all the countries I used to own." before someone made a Gotye spoof from the song "Somebody that I used to know." The paining is the makeup that Gotye wore in the music video and his expressionless face translates to the Queen. Other spoofs have been made with the same image, for example a Doctor Who one. Fans and Englanders were all awaiting a tribute to the 50 year old Brittish show however were only given the sound of the TARDIS materializing. Due to this, another set of memes were made:

And another one is the Hunger Games meme which was quite popular on Tumblr given the fact that there was still plenty rave after the movie and the books. The Queen looks just as serly as President Snow, the head of the district os Panem and the Capitol, who is the main antagonist in the trilogy.

A Study of dyed hair: Trend Tracking- The media's view

When looking through media sites and finding images, a few links both confirmed trend for 2012 as well as predicted them if they were published paged in 2011.

Here are a few for referenses and sources:

Your average teen/adult loking for trends and information: http://beauty.about.com/od/haircutscolor/a/colorforhair.htm

Celeb looks: http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/beauty-and-hair/celebrity/hair/2010/09/celebrity-two-tone-hair

Overview of hair trends for 2012: http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/best-2012-hair-trends

Predictions for 2013: http://www.squidoo.com/2013-hair-trends-hairstyles-and-haircolor-ideas
"Have fun with your hair color for 2013, since pretty much anything goes. From bold hair color choices such as purple or pink to dipped dyed ends and rainbow colored highlights."

It's predicted that the bright and bold colours of dyed hair are here to stay for another year as well as a few twists on the ombre style and typical hair-dos non-related to dye. Time will only tell if it's true or if another trend will sneak its way into the media and the hair salons and drugstore hair aisles for 2013.

A study of dyed hair: Trend Tracking

When asked about hair a lot of (female and some male) students at the school said the most they would do it dye it a natural colour, most of that section and responce said it would be to change their natural deep brown/black hair colour to something a little more lighter and unique. Unique. That's the word that was repeated over and over again by almost everyone. Those who chose to go along with the 'dip dye' fashion trend for hair who used a bright neon colour alien to natural hair colour said it was so show a unique quality of themselves, or simply be cool and in trend. I myself have 'peek-a-boo' highlights (the underlayer of hair is dyed so it can peek out from under the top layers) in the colour purple although it fades to a pretty cool teal colour or something along that colour pallet. My reasons and motives for dying my hair is what most of the artists and artistic folk at school agreed with. "I dyed my hair to bring out an inner artistic side and show my creativity and individulaity."
Two catagories for one answer- "why did you dye your hair?"
1. "I dyed it to be unique"
2. "I dyed it because it's in and I wanted to be on trend."

Peek-a-boo highlights:

Dip Dye: (Natural and vibrant)


One responce that wasn't heard too often was "To be like..." Dyed hair in my opinion is a unique choice and few choose to do it because a celebrity did it or a friend did. Most use the same style as the current trend but the colours and techniques range from ombre to vibrant colours to patterns to solids. Oportunities are endless.

Jennifer's Message to her Bully

Jennifer, a news reporter on television with a little fuller figure was sent a message asking her to step out of the camera so teenagers and women around the area who watch the news station will be given a better message about figure. This is a personal belief of mine but I think he asked her to stop doing exactly what she was doing. She was giving women a message that it's okay to be a little larger - it won't effect your career the way everyone makes you think it will. She explains that she has a husband, family and lots of loyal viewers who supported her. I think that's something to be idolized. The fact that this 'stranger' as Jennifer calls him, not releasing his name because she's a better woman then he is, has his values out of place and is just a little sexist of figure. Yes, on almost all the broadcasts and news shows the female reporters have a nive slim figure with flattering porportions but that speaks out to women who look like that in a positive way and to the women who are a little larger then a size 0, it tells them they need to looks like that, which as I have had personal experience with surrounding friends and myself, can lead to poor dieting and eating disorders. Not everyone can look like a Barbie doll or a cookie cutter cut out of a Kardashian, then again... not everyone wants to. The issue with Jennifer's bully is so much more then hate, it's sending a poor message to women everywhere and the idea that this man has that he's doing good for the community is one that really does frustrate me.
There are so many posts on social media sites like this one I'm writing now cerculated on apperances vs. self-esteme vs. eating disorders and almost all of them are inspiring and supportive of being who you are and not killing yourself over trying to look like a plastic toy with blonde hair, blue eyes and a pink logo in the back reading 'Barbie' 

Link to the Toronto Star Article here

Big Bird vs. Romney

It's well known to PBS fans and viewers that Romney is planning on cutting the funds, but he and his kids love Big Bird, Sesame Street's well known and loved yellow feathered bird, and the supporters of Obama have used this to their advantage in campaign ads.

The newest ad for Obama and propaganda video, Big Bird- Obama for America is Big Bird's view on the problem by showing his support for Obama and lack of support for Romney. It's target audience is pretty much everyone whose ever loved Big Bird or any beloved character on the show or on PBS - which is much larger then one would think. This message is enticing for kids because they see a character they grew up with and enticing on another added level to voters, understanding the risks of voting Romny into presedency. It shows not only that Romney is against the funding for PBS, because when you take it to the larger scale and look at the consequences of canceling the funding and the station itself, thousands will be out of work and loose their jobs. So Romney is against the funding for PBS, willing to throw highered jobs out the window and cancel the publicly funded station... but he and his kids love Big Bird.

Media Trend Proposal- Dyed Hair

Group members: Madeline, Robin and myself
Proposed Trend: Hair
Our proposal is to do a study on the fashion trend of hair. Dip dye, Peek-a-boo highlights and random bright colours have all made their way into fashion in the recent year and almost half the girls at Riverdale supposidly have dyed their hair or show plenty of care for it with product and styling tools (some of the guys aren't too different with their sky high styles either). Dyed hair in both vibrant colours and plain natural tones have made a huge impact on todays teens, whether their trying to idolize Lady Gaga, Katy Perry or Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, or simply trying to express their individuality and artistic style its evident in teen culture.

Media Trends: Doctor Who

Doctor Who, your BBC sci-fi show that's been on televisions for almost 50 years, and has only gotten more popular. Recently the show has had an enormous trend and popularity in Canada and The United States -as well as another show Steven Moffat is a co-director of (BBC's Sherlock- Elementary is the new American version).
The Doctor, a Timelord from the planet Gallifrey has stollen the hearts of many over the world now as it's turned into a fenomenon on an internation scale.

1. What are the different techniques used to inform, persuade, entertain, and attract attention?
Different techinques used are ads in magazines (covers and teasers), half season mini-sodes (for series 7 there was a 5 part miniseries averaging about 3 minutes titled 'Pond Life'), merchandise (tshirts, hoodies- your general clothing products and costume pieces- as well as various things ranging from a TARDIS cookie jar to a toy or prop replica sonic screwdriver). The stars themseleves also play a huge role, Matt Smith and Karen Gillian are both in the spotlights on interview shows, in the common media and just by being themselves they've inticed viewers to watch the show. Also the general Doctor Whos and 'Whovians' themselves from the previous generations before the re-boot of the series by Russle T. Davies in 2005. The stories they tell about the previous episodes from 50 years ago have made the new generations of Whovians want to go back and watch the originals. A marketing scheme within the fans themselves.

2. What messages are communicated (and/or implied) about certain people, places, events, behaviours, lifestyles, etc.? 

Doctor who reaches the topics of humans, love, life, economy and pretty much anything a writer for an episode can think of- It's Sci-Fi you can do almost anything! Example: A two parter episode and the series 1 finally titled 'Bad Wolf' and 'The Parting of the Ways' is set in the year 200,000 and reaches the topic of television- specifically shows like 'The Wakest Link', 'Big Brother' and 'What Not to Wear'. The premise of the episode is that the Doctor and his companions are taken by force to play in reality shows that 'kill you' when you loose. The weakest link, Big Brother and typical fashion and physical reconstruction shows are all poked at and twisted into the deadly show. Another episode concerning transportation, plution and the excessive use of cars, 'GridLocked' where families have been traped along a highway under the city for more then 20 years, some children born in the tunnels. The eipose displays human resourfulness and the problems we have with backed up roads, highways and going to the worse case scenario in this episode, if you travel more then 5 feet in one day- that is a very very good day for driving. Crazy yeah?

Another topic brushed on - out of the so many there are - is human behaviour. The scenarios are all to the extreme - sci-fi and television will do that - but time after time The Doctor is faced with Humans and our emotions, reactions and our selfish needs. Whether it's panicing, willing to kill someone to save ourselves or sharing the planet with a new species that has been inhabiting the inner crusts long before Humans evolved, the concept is always relevant. Humans will behave in some of the oddest ways and most unpredictable ways. Reckless or cautious, for our own benefit or a strangers, the episodes and characters are always relatable.

Topics conveyed about events (in the past) is that there's always something the general public doesn't know- an episode around WW2 and another one around the London Blitz- and those set in the future show that even though the human race has evolved, there are still the problems we have today.

Trend Tracking

1. Research some current trends in teen fashion and culture.

2. List 5 trends that you can find and post them with pictures on your blog. 

Backpacks and sneakers (unisex)


Leather Jackets (unisex- targeted at women this season)

Skinny Jeans (women and unisex)

Leg Warmers (Women)



Dr. Martens (unisex)



3. Who is the target audience, and how is the product  specifically tailored to them? 
_Backpacks and sneakers: Mostly students - in high school and in university/college - and your typical kid on the street. The bright colours and intricate and unique designs are eye catching and can express ones individuality; which in high school is what most students need.
_Leather Jackets: The typical leather jacket- a staple to most closets and fashion lovers- is a fashion trend that has been brought back every season with a different twist to it. This year for 2012-2013 Fall and Winter, it's trendy to have a deep red and wine coloured leather jacket, leather dress, leather pants, leather bag- not all at once of coarse- but this year the leather dress has returned on runways all around the world. That's been targeted at a wider audience, more adult women in that trend as it's been on the runways and in various fashion weeks on an international scale.
_Skinny Jeans: Where would we be today without them? To the relief of many the trend of boys in colourful skinny denim has faded with the past year and now that trend is mainly kept alive by girls in highschool and early adulthood. Your typical skinny jean is still a hot trend with women of all ages and is mixing with patterned denim coloured denim as well as your typical trouser for those who don't like denim. The sexy fit and ways of customizing the product are what catches others eyes, the colours, the washes, the ability to wear them either dressed up or dressed down (formal or casual) and who wears them. All aspects are what have kept this trend alive.
_Leg Warmers: This is a new trend for 2012-2013 but a trend that is breaking through DIY websites and various clothing catalogs. The new twist this year is wearing them with the other trend, knee high boots, over wither a pair of skinny jeans or leggings with a large sweater over top. This trend is still catching on but what is making it so popular is the avalibility of it, the comfort level and the warmth- as well as the fact that it looks great with a sweater dress for the winter and fall months.
_Dr. Martens: The brand and the boot that have made such an impact on highschool students and hipsters everywhere. The comfort, colours, prints and comfort level all make this shoe so popular- as well as the brand name attached to it.

4. Have you bought a product because it was trendy, why did it appeal to you? 
Recently I bought a pair of Dr. Martens, (from an online outlet store - 6pm.com - that sells trendy brands for a fraction of the price) and adore them. They're a higher platform heel which I absolutely love and much to my surprise the cushoning inside and the foot pad is comfortable to walk in for hours on end; after an 8 hour shopping day with my friend, I wasn't feeling the strain on my foot like a normal pair of heels would cause.
On the opposite side of the scale, a fashion trend I did fall victim for was a backpack at Urban Outfitters for $55. I bought it because it looked spectacular but after one day using it for school and straining my back, I returned it for a refund and bought my trusty MEC backpack -that cost me $40- that has lasted for 2 years now- and at a much better price too.

Sneaker Confidencial

Documentary link:http://vimeo.com/9719014

1. Why is sneaker culture so prevalent in North America?
Because it's a way to express yourself, catch up on trends and be a 'cool kid' on the catwalk, in school, down town or in the courts.

2. What are the various ways sneaker companies market their products?

Sneaker companies, like most companies, use celebrities as their main marketing form making thousands of kids, teens and adults all over saying "I want to be just like them." and grabbing their wallets to go get whatever it is their favourite celeb is wearing. Another way is advertising to the liking and preference of a general audience. The artsist are having more of a free range when it somes to the design of the shoe, putting on abstract art and lines, graffiti art and pop culture icons from television and general media.

3. Is there a big difference between sneakers that cost $14.98 and those that cost $9000? How do they differ?
The name is the main difference between cheaper and higher brands. Who's the celebrity endorser that is wearing the product around the streets? How many people want to be like them and buy their own pair of $500 sneakers?

Comparing Confidencials: Blue Jean vs. Sneakers

http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/blue_jean_confidential (link for blue jeans confidencial)

1. Compare the two Documentaries on Jeans and Sneakers. How did they present the trends in each product differently?What were the similarities and differences?

It's always been about the label in todays pop culture when buying merchandise, clothing and everyday goods. Watching Sneaker confidencial and Blue Jean confidencial, both made and produced by the same company confirmed that when going through the history of the basic product.

While Sneakers were used first really for sports and the olympics and blue jeans were the typical workmans wear, and now have evolved into the trendy street wear (and red carpet wear for some celebs) that they are today.
The similarities are that both fashion trends weren't a world wide hot trend that they are today. The differences, that Blue Jeans had a much more diverse and rollarcoaster of a history as far as the popularity and meaning of them went. While sneakers stayed pretty constan, only really changing in regards to the models, artwork on them and purpose, Blue Jeans have changed their symbolic meaning and herritage over and over again. At first the typical work pant, then popular in World War 2, then hot with the rebels and bikers and then popular with the teens and hippies before turning into the fenomenon they are now and today.

2. Were there alternative viewpoints expressed? Who were the voices of dissent?
The alternative viewpoint expressed in the sneaker confidencial was 'Barefoot Bob' who is a marathon runner believing that he was better off without anmy running shoes or footwear at all. Another alternative viewpoint in sneaker confidencial was the sports start who sold his shoe line for $15- believing shoes didn't need to be expensive and everyone should be able to afford them. There was no real alternative viewpoint in the blue jean confidencial- asides from the Japaneese company that made the traditional blue jeans without any fashion trends or additions.

3. What assumptions did the two documentaries make about the viewers?
The assumptions were that everyone wore blue jeans and everyone wore sneakers, everyone had enough money to the high end expensive product and everyone wanted the newest styles.

50s to 2012: Comparing PSAs

It's surprising how much can change within a few decades; technology, media sources, lifestyles, economy and politics but no one thinks about how much dating and social life has changed as well. Usually things from the 50s or any decade before the 2000s is looked upon as cheesy as far as PSAs and dating life goes. Instead of texting a special someone to ask for a date like today, in the 50s (as shown in the PSAs 'Are You Popular?' and 'Dating: Dos and Don'ts') you would need to actually pick up the phone and call them- I know listening to someone's voice can be so alien in this day and age.
Today the position of rebelles and normal have flipped- at least they have in my perspecive and observations. Previously a rebel was your typical teenager today; a misfit who smoked, did the opposite of whatever they were asked or told and as mentioned in the 50s PSA, 'Parks in cars with all the boys'. Now today that discribes your typical impression of a teenager except replace 'parks in cars with all the boys'- in most cases that it- and fill the space in with sexting and texting. Your typical good girl/boy and average teenager of the 50s; someone who goes to school does the work, is polite on dates and doesn't think highly of the whole 'sexting' gig is more or less the rebel amongst peers. Strange? Yeah, kind of.
The information displayed in the MTV sexting quiz- 'A Thin Line' takes the side of advertising and selling pop culture back to teens. They use a fear factor like 'The Truth about Sexting' video by showing images and information about court cases and a worse case senario being jail, a fine and a mark on your record. It's a different yet similar technique that's used in the 'Dating; Dos and Don't' PSA where they showed three possible alternatives to a desission and in turn, which was the best one to make. While on the topic of 'how to ask a date out' they went from two worse case scenarios and reactions to a perfect -and rather cheesy- scenario.

Media studies: The Truth of sexting- media comparison

Six Questions to Ask about Any Media Message

1. Who made - and who sponsored - this message, and for what purpose?
2. Who is the target audience, and how is the message specifically tailored to them?
3. What are the different techniques used to inform, persuade, entertain, and attract attention?
4. What messages are communicated (and/or implied) about certain people, places, events, behaviors, lifestyles, etc.?
5. How current, accurate, and credible is the information in this message?
6. What is left out of this message that might be important to know?

A Thin Line (Quiz)

1. The quiz and website were made and sponsored by MTV and it's purpose is to educate teens on internet behaviour an consequences.   

2. The target audience is teens (both girls and boys)
3. Techinques used were language (in the questions texting language was used to engage the audience) colour (flashy colours that do attract the eye)
4. Messages that are implied are that every teen taking the quiz has a cell phone and is in a relationship, has been in a relationshiop or is interested in persuing a relationship. Only one questions though is implied that the taker of the quiz is hetrosexual, all other questions are neutral as to the taker's sexuality.
5. The website is current in my opinion, touching basis on cellphones, texting language andtypical relationship problems that are timeless.
6. Things that are left out or excluded of the message is teens without a cellphone, teens with a different sexulaity to hetrosexual and people who don't understand texting language.

Common Sense (PSA)

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/videos/truth-about-sexting- video link

1. The video and website are sponsored by Common Sense.org, a non profit organization and the video was made to educate parents and teens on 'sexting' and the possible consequences.

2. The target audeicne is parents and guardians as well as teenagers; the video at the beginning exclusivley says it may not be suitable for children. The language used in the video and the voice over are targeted towards parents because of the calmer demenor and educational tone that most teens tend to avoid. "Parents should remember..."

3. The different techniques used to engage and attract the viewer is the images and video clips mixed with the images and music videos of celebrities at the beginning of the video.

4. The messages implied in the video are that most teens are secretive and don't tell their parent/guardian about what they do and also that all teens are rebellious and up on pop culture and own a cell phone (which in many cases isn't the exact truth)

5. The message is fairly current in the aspects that they used modern celebrities (Rhianna) and clips from television shows (Glee) however the phones they were using are outdated and inspire laughs from a general group of teenagers rather then intent listeners.

6. Things that are left out are statistics- how often are minors caught with possession and how many cases have been sent to court?

Media Text Definition

A media text is any form of communication that conveys a message either implicity or explicity.