AHA MOMENTS

AHA moment #1:
I find it really interesting how much editorial pictures in magazines are photoshopped. I knew that each model gets airbrushed and flaws get erased, but I didn't know to what extent, so that really opened my eyes about that industry. And I can't believe that actresses, like Demi Moore, find it okay for their bodies to be modified to the extent that it doesn't look normal anymore.





AHA moment #2:
I knew there was product placement in movies, cause my dad who works for apple always has to point out when they are using laptops from apple. Other than that I never really noticed the brand names that are placed in movies, like in "Talladega Nights", and ever since this class I've noticed product placement in movies and on television.

MEDIA LAW

"First Amendment Rights"
Many governments want to start censoring the internet, preventing people to express themselves and find out more about human rights.
Also 25 countries have blocked Google and Youtube. This is ridiculous, because every person should have the right to get whatever information they want through the internet. It's their choice and not the governments.

PROPAGANDA IN ADVERTISING

Propaganda techniques used in Clairol Herbal Essence ads are:

Slogan: "A totally organic experience" which sounds a lot like a totally orgasmic experience is there to influence people to buy this product, and to make sure that it sticks in their minds.

Beautiful People: In all their ads they either have someone famous or someone really gorgeous, who seems to be enjoying shampooing a little too much, which makes people think that this product will help them achieve the same results in beauty and happiness.

ACADEMIC RESEARCH TOPIC

GOOGLE BANNED IN CHINA

Google has been censoring their search engine in China for years now, but after certain cyber attacks on Gmail accounts, Google has decided to stop the censorship in this country. The hacking in these attacks were successful and affected Chinese human rights activists.
Now the Chinese aren't allowed to use to uncensored version of Google.

INTERNET

SOCIAL NETWORKING WEBSITES

There is about 180 different social networking websites. Most of them I've never even heard of, like Elftown or Fubar. The sites I do know are deviantART, Facebook, flickr, hi5, imeem, livejournal, Xanga and Myspace.
The one site that is not listed is a German version of Facebook called SchülerVZ.
Another German social networking site that I haven't heard of is called Frühstückstreff (meaning breakfast meeting). This is an international site that allows users to meet up for breakfast and share their thoughts and interests.

I use social networking to keep up with old friends and classmates, even some family members. It's also a nice way to talk to people other than over the phone or in person. I'm mostly on there looking at people's pictures and videos. It's also a nice way to kill time sometimes.
I used to use Xanga and Myspace, but I narrowed it down to only Facebook now.

I haven't really had any bad experiences with social networking sites, unless you count craigslist, where we got our horrible roommate from. One good thing I got out of craigslist is my babysitting jobs. Facebook has also reunited me with people I used to go to German school with in Menlo Park.

TELEVISION

Length: 5:47
Description: This video talks about why censorship is bad
Chapters: 2(Media Impact), 3 (Books), 4(Newspapers), 6(Movies), 7(Recordings), 8(Radio), 9(TV), 10(Internet)
Quiz Question: How can the government decide what materials are protected under the 1st Amendment, and what needs to be censored.
Answer: The government usually censors material that is unsuitable or even harmful to minors, or that presents clear danger to the public (ex: shouting "FIRE" inside a crowded movie theater).

MOVIES

My favorite movie of 2009 would probably have to be "The Ugly Truth".
It was a funny comedy about men and woman and how the truth is never pretty and how women can't except that. The lead characters Abby and Mike are also very humorous to watch together, as Mike tries to help Abby with dating advice. I saw it in theaters like 5 times :]



My favorite movie of all times would have to be "Sleepy Hollow".
I own this movie on DVD and watched numerous times. I like the fact that it is supposed to be a scary movie, but I love Tim Burton's underlying Humor. Plus Johnny Depp is one of my favorite actors.