Monday, November 26, 2007
Monday, November 5, 2007
P for Paglia
After reading the first paragraph of Neil Postman’s argument on television and the written language, it came off as clear and logical, whereas Camille Paglia’s came off as irrational and not thoroughly thought out. However, you cannot judge a book (or argument) by it’s cover. After fully reading these two arguments, I came to the conclusion that I agree with Paglia’s way of thinking more so than Postman’s.
As Postman argues that reading is a set process in which we learn from and television only confuses that process because of it’s “randomness and unconnected images,” Paglia concludes that people such as Postman dismiss television and never try to comprehend it. When I was able to distinguish these two arguments, it was clear to me that I have to agree with Paglia because I do learn from television. Although it is said that arguments such as Paglia’s come off as weak, it is true that television is our culture and even the most intelligent of scholars must acknowledge that.
An intelligent man such as Postman bases his argument on the writing of the bible, whereas Paglia talks about images of her past and how even though they may have been created by her religion of the Catholic Church, they remained images nontheless. Although Paglia’s argument does stray from strictly television to an argument for all speech versus writing, I have to agree more so with her thoughts because of my own personal way of learning and comprehending.
As Postman argues that reading is a set process in which we learn from and television only confuses that process because of it’s “randomness and unconnected images,” Paglia concludes that people such as Postman dismiss television and never try to comprehend it. When I was able to distinguish these two arguments, it was clear to me that I have to agree with Paglia because I do learn from television. Although it is said that arguments such as Paglia’s come off as weak, it is true that television is our culture and even the most intelligent of scholars must acknowledge that.
An intelligent man such as Postman bases his argument on the writing of the bible, whereas Paglia talks about images of her past and how even though they may have been created by her religion of the Catholic Church, they remained images nontheless. Although Paglia’s argument does stray from strictly television to an argument for all speech versus writing, I have to agree more so with her thoughts because of my own personal way of learning and comprehending.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Truth in Nosferatu
Count Dracula, Van Helsing, a haunted house, and silence; after reading the synopsis of Nosferatu, I was a bit apprehensive to search for a deeper meaning to the movie. The meaning of Nosferatu, though unclear, can easily be imagined or inferred. Silence is a major contributor in this because it allows your imagination to open its eyes to a plethora of possibilities. Although there are many different opinions on what the true meaning of the movie is, my personal opinion is that through metaphors, Nosferatu is about love, sex, and sin. A specific scene that portrayed these ideas the most was when Nina lured Dracula to her home so she could sacrifice her life to save many towns people from the wrath of Dracula’s presence.
This series of events begins with Nina being awakened by Dracula’s midnight possession. She walks to the window as he tries to lure her to him. However, she overcomes the possession and stays home. One can tell that she is fighting mind control because during her possession, her eyes are transfixedly large and glossy, she has elevated posture, and walks with her arms straight out in front of her, zombie-like. During the moments she is fighting the possession, she clutches her head and hunches over with worryfull eyes. After she refuses the possession, she wakes her husband so he can fetch the doctor surely in an effort to get him out of the room so she can complete her intended duty. Count Dracula enters her room, and Nina darts around for several moments to ensure that when he sinks his teeth into her neck it will have reached dawn. The setting then cuts to Nina’s husband frantically trying to awaken the Doctor. When the setting cuts back to Nina’s room, Dracula has successfully killed Nina by biting her neck. Likewise, Nina has successfully eluded him long enough for the sun to rise; a rooster crowing symbolizes this event. As we watch Dracula stumble around the room, we realize that he is nearing his end, thanks to Nina’s brave endeavors.
In the described scene, there are metaphors for love, sex, and sin. Those three points are the central meaning of Nosferatu. Dracula’s magnetism to Nina was a very strong sexual attraction. It is not clear if he loves her or if it is merely a physical attraction, but nontheless, it is strong enough to make him vulnerable. Dracula is also very much sinful as he not only kills innocent people, but also tries to infringe upon Nina’s marriage with Mr. Harker. Nina sacrificed her life because of the love she had for not only her husband, but also the people of her town.
There are many metaphors for these three central meanings not only in this scene, but also throughout the entire movie. Love, sex, and sin are prominent in Nosferatu and appear many times. Nosferatu encompasses the very lustful desires of vampires, while simultaneously radiating a sense of love and sacrifice; good ultimately prevails.
This series of events begins with Nina being awakened by Dracula’s midnight possession. She walks to the window as he tries to lure her to him. However, she overcomes the possession and stays home. One can tell that she is fighting mind control because during her possession, her eyes are transfixedly large and glossy, she has elevated posture, and walks with her arms straight out in front of her, zombie-like. During the moments she is fighting the possession, she clutches her head and hunches over with worryfull eyes. After she refuses the possession, she wakes her husband so he can fetch the doctor surely in an effort to get him out of the room so she can complete her intended duty. Count Dracula enters her room, and Nina darts around for several moments to ensure that when he sinks his teeth into her neck it will have reached dawn. The setting then cuts to Nina’s husband frantically trying to awaken the Doctor. When the setting cuts back to Nina’s room, Dracula has successfully killed Nina by biting her neck. Likewise, Nina has successfully eluded him long enough for the sun to rise; a rooster crowing symbolizes this event. As we watch Dracula stumble around the room, we realize that he is nearing his end, thanks to Nina’s brave endeavors.
In the described scene, there are metaphors for love, sex, and sin. Those three points are the central meaning of Nosferatu. Dracula’s magnetism to Nina was a very strong sexual attraction. It is not clear if he loves her or if it is merely a physical attraction, but nontheless, it is strong enough to make him vulnerable. Dracula is also very much sinful as he not only kills innocent people, but also tries to infringe upon Nina’s marriage with Mr. Harker. Nina sacrificed her life because of the love she had for not only her husband, but also the people of her town.
There are many metaphors for these three central meanings not only in this scene, but also throughout the entire movie. Love, sex, and sin are prominent in Nosferatu and appear many times. Nosferatu encompasses the very lustful desires of vampires, while simultaneously radiating a sense of love and sacrifice; good ultimately prevails.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Speech Taking Over The World
Our generation is classified as Generation Y, the Echo Boom, the Millennium generation, or the iGeneration. This classification implies that we grew up with many world-changing events, not only political but also technological. We are part of a generation of people that can recall the time before it was normal to have a desktop computer in one's home. I can remember my parents reading the newspaper every morning before I went to school. I can also remember when my parents did away with the tradition of sharing the morning paper, and began turning on the morning news shows such as Good Morning America and The Early Show. That transition, insignificant to me at the time, was part of a major alteration in society when speech became more prominent than writing.
There is no question that Michael Schudson was correct in his article, “The New Journalism,” when he proclaimed that the newspaper industry, during the time of Pulitzer and Hearst, was very much in charge of the news media. It is essential to realize that the newspaper era is a thing of the past. In modern society, while the power of written language is vast, the power of speech is stronger; it is more powerful, more personable, and therefore, more believable.
In the 2004 survey regarding the credibility of news sources, the lowest percentages were allotted to the written news media, whereas the highest percentages were awarded to 60 Minutes, a television news show that discusses important events that are plaguing and enriching the world. The other top rankings and percentages were given to television news stations such as CNN, ABC, NBC, and CBS. This leads one to believe that more people turn to news media that involves speech for more reliable news. At the Pew Research Center, a study was conducted that resulted in 59 percent of the people-answering yes when asked if they believed their daily newspaper, as opposed to the 66 percent that answered yes when asked if they believed news stations such as NBC or CNN. While the percentage of people that believe their daily newspaper has dropped from 80 percent to 59 percent, the credibility percentages of news television programs, such as 60 Minutes, has not declined at all. Furthermore, a survey conducted in 2002 researching what form of media people believed had been covering the news the best, concluded that only 10 percent of the people responded with some form of newspaper as opposed to the 77 percent that answered some form of television news. Along with all of the statistical data to support the conclusion that speech is more prominent than writing, there are also theories as to why this stands true.
There is something more reassuring in seeing another person reading you information aloud that makes you really believe and trust the information that is being communicated. In most cases you can see emotions, hand gestures, and facial expressions; but if you cannot see them, you can at least hear the inflections and expressed emotions in their voice. These are qualities that you do not get when you are simply reading or writing. People can familiarize themselves with information more thoroughly when a person is saying it to them, as opposed to having to read what that person wrote.
September 11th was a catastrophic event that enabled the fact that people turned to the spoken news media before turning to the written news media to be revealed. An obvious reason for this would be that the television allows people to find out information, as it is happening, or at least very close to when it happens. The newspaper only comes once a day whereas television news media is brought to our living rooms at numerous times every day and night. I remember being in my 7th grade social studies class and watching the news on September 11th on the television in our classroom. Because many of my peers in my class had parents that worked in New York, they listened very intently on what the news anchor was saying. The television news showed videos or clips of what was happening during 9-11. People could actually see it in the action and with their own eyes instead of just seeing one image that could have been distorted.
Another, less exhausted example would be the presidential election. In 2000, the closest election in history had taken place. George Bush vs. Al Gore was a very intense and controversial time for politics. Every television station had news coverage on the election at all times. The newspaper could only give us information once a day. Although the television did keep going back and forth as to who was in the lead or who was the winner, it gave us the updates promptly.
The more years that go by, the more prominent speech becomes in society. Although there is writing in television news media, that is not the part that the viewing audience sees. In today’s society the public needs information promptly because of today's fast-paced world. Newspapers, however enjoyable they may be on a relaxing Sunday morning, are not what the public needs. The readiness of information on television news coverage is what we look for. It is easy to understand and easy to obtain. By October 2003, 50 percent of the people asked said that their main source of news was from newspapers. Although that is the highest percentage since 1996, it falls second to television news media. Although times have changed and the heartbeat of the world has quickened, the reliance on speech is a stagnant need that has proven firm over the years.
There is no question that Michael Schudson was correct in his article, “The New Journalism,” when he proclaimed that the newspaper industry, during the time of Pulitzer and Hearst, was very much in charge of the news media. It is essential to realize that the newspaper era is a thing of the past. In modern society, while the power of written language is vast, the power of speech is stronger; it is more powerful, more personable, and therefore, more believable.
In the 2004 survey regarding the credibility of news sources, the lowest percentages were allotted to the written news media, whereas the highest percentages were awarded to 60 Minutes, a television news show that discusses important events that are plaguing and enriching the world. The other top rankings and percentages were given to television news stations such as CNN, ABC, NBC, and CBS. This leads one to believe that more people turn to news media that involves speech for more reliable news. At the Pew Research Center, a study was conducted that resulted in 59 percent of the people-answering yes when asked if they believed their daily newspaper, as opposed to the 66 percent that answered yes when asked if they believed news stations such as NBC or CNN. While the percentage of people that believe their daily newspaper has dropped from 80 percent to 59 percent, the credibility percentages of news television programs, such as 60 Minutes, has not declined at all. Furthermore, a survey conducted in 2002 researching what form of media people believed had been covering the news the best, concluded that only 10 percent of the people responded with some form of newspaper as opposed to the 77 percent that answered some form of television news. Along with all of the statistical data to support the conclusion that speech is more prominent than writing, there are also theories as to why this stands true.
There is something more reassuring in seeing another person reading you information aloud that makes you really believe and trust the information that is being communicated. In most cases you can see emotions, hand gestures, and facial expressions; but if you cannot see them, you can at least hear the inflections and expressed emotions in their voice. These are qualities that you do not get when you are simply reading or writing. People can familiarize themselves with information more thoroughly when a person is saying it to them, as opposed to having to read what that person wrote.
September 11th was a catastrophic event that enabled the fact that people turned to the spoken news media before turning to the written news media to be revealed. An obvious reason for this would be that the television allows people to find out information, as it is happening, or at least very close to when it happens. The newspaper only comes once a day whereas television news media is brought to our living rooms at numerous times every day and night. I remember being in my 7th grade social studies class and watching the news on September 11th on the television in our classroom. Because many of my peers in my class had parents that worked in New York, they listened very intently on what the news anchor was saying. The television news showed videos or clips of what was happening during 9-11. People could actually see it in the action and with their own eyes instead of just seeing one image that could have been distorted.
Another, less exhausted example would be the presidential election. In 2000, the closest election in history had taken place. George Bush vs. Al Gore was a very intense and controversial time for politics. Every television station had news coverage on the election at all times. The newspaper could only give us information once a day. Although the television did keep going back and forth as to who was in the lead or who was the winner, it gave us the updates promptly.
The more years that go by, the more prominent speech becomes in society. Although there is writing in television news media, that is not the part that the viewing audience sees. In today’s society the public needs information promptly because of today's fast-paced world. Newspapers, however enjoyable they may be on a relaxing Sunday morning, are not what the public needs. The readiness of information on television news coverage is what we look for. It is easy to understand and easy to obtain. By October 2003, 50 percent of the people asked said that their main source of news was from newspapers. Although that is the highest percentage since 1996, it falls second to television news media. Although times have changed and the heartbeat of the world has quickened, the reliance on speech is a stagnant need that has proven firm over the years.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
A Normal Tuesday
10:30 am. I wake up to an intensely irritating mini-song projecting from my cell phone. 12:55 pm. I walk out of class and immediately grab for the same obnoxiously pink phone that woke me up only two hours earlier. It is now glued to my hand with the hopes of finding someone in my phone book to talk to me for a pointless three minutes while walking back to my dorm. 2:00 pm. I begin working on my computer and completely lose track of how much time I am actually devoting to checking my email, facebook, and doing school work.
As everyone can see, unfortunately, the two most important forms of media in my life are my cell phone and my computer. Now, there are two reasons why these are the media forms that hold a very special place in my heart. One: as hard as I may try not to be, I’m still just a teenage girl, and two: the world we live in today thrusts these forms of media upon us until we have no other option but to conform.
There are countless instances when I use media in my everday life. I end up using media at times that I really don’t have to, and only do, out of boredom or to avoid awkward situations. If I am eating at a restaurant with one of my friends and they get up to go to the bathroom, chances are that I am going to take my phone out and begin to push meaningless buttons on my phone to avoid any uncomfortable situations that I may have created in my own mind. While I'm bored in my room, instead of taking out a book and reading, I may grab my phone and text or search the web for funny videos simply due to my lack of something more meaningful to accomplish.
There are times however, when my environment forces me to use these forms of media more than others. In this class for instance, we have to have some form of “news media”. We are given the choice of using a newspaper or computer, but lets be serious; how many of us are going to either go and pay for a newspaper, or get our lazy butts out of bed and find one? Generally speaking, for UMBC we have to have the Internet to get school assignments or billing information. These reasons have helped make my personal preference of media has evolved from more of a television and music root, to a root that is centralized around the computer or cell phone.
In many ways I would say that I am a leader; I do not subject myself to what everyone else does. When it comes to the topic of media forms however, I am, unfortunately, the follower. I am the girl that says “wait we have to go back, I NEED my cell phone”. Sad isn’t it?
As everyone can see, unfortunately, the two most important forms of media in my life are my cell phone and my computer. Now, there are two reasons why these are the media forms that hold a very special place in my heart. One: as hard as I may try not to be, I’m still just a teenage girl, and two: the world we live in today thrusts these forms of media upon us until we have no other option but to conform.
There are countless instances when I use media in my everday life. I end up using media at times that I really don’t have to, and only do, out of boredom or to avoid awkward situations. If I am eating at a restaurant with one of my friends and they get up to go to the bathroom, chances are that I am going to take my phone out and begin to push meaningless buttons on my phone to avoid any uncomfortable situations that I may have created in my own mind. While I'm bored in my room, instead of taking out a book and reading, I may grab my phone and text or search the web for funny videos simply due to my lack of something more meaningful to accomplish.
There are times however, when my environment forces me to use these forms of media more than others. In this class for instance, we have to have some form of “news media”. We are given the choice of using a newspaper or computer, but lets be serious; how many of us are going to either go and pay for a newspaper, or get our lazy butts out of bed and find one? Generally speaking, for UMBC we have to have the Internet to get school assignments or billing information. These reasons have helped make my personal preference of media has evolved from more of a television and music root, to a root that is centralized around the computer or cell phone.
In many ways I would say that I am a leader; I do not subject myself to what everyone else does. When it comes to the topic of media forms however, I am, unfortunately, the follower. I am the girl that says “wait we have to go back, I NEED my cell phone”. Sad isn’t it?
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Who am I? Why am I here?
My name is Alexandra Pullen, but everyone calls me Alex. I would have to say that dancing is one of the most influential aspecets of my life. I have been dancing since I was three, and I believe that it has helped me express myself and evolve into the person I am today. I am a very fun person to be around because of my sense of humor; on the contrary, I also have strong feelings when it comes to controversial topics. I am the kind of person who craves to know everything, and loves an intelligent conversation along with a humorous one.
Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania has been called "home" for my entire life of eighteen years; therefore, a big part of why I am here at UMBC. I am an interdisiplinary major which consists of bringing dance, film, and phycology together. By doing so, I am hoping to create something that in the future, employers cannot turn away; a sort of "tripple threat".
For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to work behind the scenes of a major motion picture. However, I could not exactly figure out how to make this actually happen. I then suddenly got the urge to create a movie about the Holocaust, in memory of my great grandfather who was a surviver. Although it would not be a "bubbly and happy" movie, I realized that i wanted to accomplish a greater good with my work. Eventually as my mind matured, I realized that I had to start from scatch and work my way up to get to where i wanted to be.
I want to learn the basics first. I must learn the correct way to become a movie icon. Although I understand that this is not strictly a film-related course, it offers many of the beginning steps that I am required to take. This class, in my eyes, is a stepping stone in making my dream become a reality.
Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania has been called "home" for my entire life of eighteen years; therefore, a big part of why I am here at UMBC. I am an interdisiplinary major which consists of bringing dance, film, and phycology together. By doing so, I am hoping to create something that in the future, employers cannot turn away; a sort of "tripple threat".
For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to work behind the scenes of a major motion picture. However, I could not exactly figure out how to make this actually happen. I then suddenly got the urge to create a movie about the Holocaust, in memory of my great grandfather who was a surviver. Although it would not be a "bubbly and happy" movie, I realized that i wanted to accomplish a greater good with my work. Eventually as my mind matured, I realized that I had to start from scatch and work my way up to get to where i wanted to be.
I want to learn the basics first. I must learn the correct way to become a movie icon. Although I understand that this is not strictly a film-related course, it offers many of the beginning steps that I am required to take. This class, in my eyes, is a stepping stone in making my dream become a reality.
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