A Week Off

Because of the midterm being this week, there is no blog.

School Shootings and the Media

Sorry for being a day late on this. Word is just now spreading that there was a massive school shooting in Finland today. As someone who studies media violence and particularly video games, i wonder how long it will be before the press mentions that the shooter played violent video games. It always seems to be a talking point with the press. Perhaps this time we won't hear anything about it, but my money says it will be mentioned.

This brings me to another point. Media violence is typically stated as an influence in these types of events. What is your view. Does violence in the media spark these type of mass killings. Give me reasons and arguments to back up your beliefs. What do you think is most responsible for these violent actions. Remember, two paragraphs please.

Laughing to the White House

So, two big events this weekend. First, Sarah Palin's interview on ABC. Second, and perhaps more important, the parody of Palin on Saturday Night Live, which can be found by clicking here.

Parodying political figures and events is nothing new, but we seem to be at a period in time where programs like "The Daily Show," "The Colbert Report," and "Real Time with Bill Maher" are scoring major ratings. That brings me to this week's questions.

1. What do you think about the Palin parody that i linked above? Do you think it's funny, unfair, important, etc? Do you think political parody serves an important function in society?

2. What's your favorite political parody (a cartoon, a sketch, etc.) and where did you see it (Saturday Night Live, a magazine, a newspaper, another TV show)? Why was it your favorite?

Remember, give me two paragraphs.

And finally, i want you to google the following terms "Jonathan Swift, A Modest Proposal". You don't have to write anything about what you find. I just want to show you that political parody and protest have been around for awhile. If Swift were alive today, he'd be a regular on The Daily Show.

Pack your BAg

Hello all,
I once saw a news piece where a journalist asked the presidential candidates what book they would take with them to the White House. That's a neat question and it reminded me of that old question, "If you were stranded on an island........"

So here's my media related question to you this week. Write a short paragraph on each:

1. If you were stranded on an island, what magazine would you like to wash up onshore every week? And why?

2. If you were stranded on an island, what one movie would you like to take with you (in a portable dvd player, of course)? And why?

3. If you were stranded on an island, what one album/song would you like to be loaded on the mp3 player you took with you? And why?

Good Luck

Is the media out of bounds

So John McCain announced Sarah Palin as Vice-Presidential Nominee. Not long after that, the media started digging. Part of naming a running mate is vetting them, sitting down with the person and asking them for all the dirt that the media could possibly dig up on them. It was revealed that Palin's 17-year old daughter is pregnant. Likewise the following images have recently come out showing the same daughter drinking underage (presumably before she was pregnant).


Obama has already commented saying that family matters are off limits. He himself was a product of a teen pregnancy and he doesn't think the issue of Palin's daughter has any place in the race. But some argue that this damages Palin's image as someone running on a conservative ticket. What are your thoughts on this. Are the candidates' family off limits to the media. What level of the families are off limits: spouses, grown children, young children, parents. Can we blame the media for wanting to cover any family scandals? Two paragraphs on this please.



Also please add in your first and last names if these are different than your posting name. Last week i had a Marc, Christen, and Caroline post but i'm not sure which students these are. If you are one of the three, please let me know so i can credit you.

New Semester/ Summer Media Events

In the past few years, the summer movie season has really performed poorly. Yet, this year, spearheaded by The Dark Knight, revenues are up. Past research has shown that even in economic downturns people usually do not stop spending money on entertainment. Also showing that this was a change from recent years, the Beijing Olympics pulled in record ratings this summer.

So what is up with this summer? Any ideas why movie and television viewing is up. Is it because it's a cheaper form of entertainment relative to other summertime entertainment (amusement parks, vacation trips, etc.)

Also what was your favorite media event this summer. Was it a movie, a television show or series, a political event covered by the media, new book released, new album released, saw a concert, etc. Tell me what it was and why you enjoyed it so much.

Answer all these questions in two paragraphs please.

The Simpsons (and other Stuff)

There was a time when the Simpsons, the Fox animated show, was considered vulgar. Perhaps it still is, but it seems to me that the American public is more accepting of it now...almost to the point where we consider it an American institution. Something about it seems inherently "American." Well, the show was recently pulled from airing in the morning on Venezuelan television because it was considered inappropriate for that time slot (when kids are watching). The Simpsons was rescheduled to air at night. What was put in to replace The Simpsons in the morning time slot, "Baywatch: Hawaii." So what is worse in your eyes, The Simpsons or Baywatch? And do you think that the Simpsons have toned down their act or have we become more accepting of its type of humor?

Also...and i swear i didn't post this video....the whole talk of Oprah as a cult leader escalated this week upon the release of this video. I wonder what you think of it. Take note that at the end there is a sales pitch for the author's book.