Exploring Girls' Role Models

Here is the link to our video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoosP0XiEms


Group Members: Nicholas Thee, Taylor Stock, Savannah Ball, Dakota Wappes, Molly Hampton

Video Games

At first after reading the article and listening to class discussion I really thought I agreed with her argument that video games and tons more video games will help us solve world problems.  However, when I believe his name is Rick brought up the fact that he didn't buy her argument it made me start to think and look more into what she was saying along with what we had talked about during the rest of class. I do believe that she is correct in saying that it helps gamers with collaboration, epic wins, confidence, and communities, but I think that most of that only is within the gaming world. Her argument was that if we play 21 million hours of video games then we can solve real world problems, but to be able play that many video games it will start to take a toll on people's actual social lives. I agree with the person who mentioned a family member who plays a game religiously and is collaborative with the people in the game, but once they leave that game they tend to be closed off and not have many social skills because they aren't used to talking face to face with people. I also think that if you are asking people to solve problems via video games that will mostly get people to only play more video games that take away from them actually solving the real world problems.

I believe that the person who is going to solve these world problems such as world hunger or lack of clean water is already out there working for it and not just sitting around playing video games waiting for the game to come out for him to solve before he makes the move to start working for that goal. I also agree with the girl who mentioned that when people make video games there has to be an end goal. So, they are creating a video game with real world problems that also has a real world solution that they are then sending out to gamers and expecting gamers to make the connection and go out and solve the problem that they just solved in the game. BUT if the people who make games already found the solution why do they need the gamers to play the game instead of getting the actual solution in motion.

Video games can help certain people and personalities gain valuable traits, but I think for the most part many gamers will not take the lessons they learn in the games to the real world. In everything there are always a select group that have the personalities to make a change, but I don't think there are that many of that type of personalities in the gamer world.

Personally, I didn't play many video games growing up, but I believe I can change the world and that there is no obstacle too big to fix. Granted, it may take years to change, but I think I learned this by my mother going to a local soup kitchen twice a month and going on yearly mission trips. I learned first hand that I can accomplish things that seem impossible like building a house in a week and seeing this in real time. If we stepped up and actually made these things fun or just get children more involved at a younger age they wouldn't need video games to get these kids who eventually turn into adults to make these changes and impacts.

Food Inc.

After watching Food Inc. my opinions are always so all over the place because the topic is so hard to narrow down exactly how I feel. Personally, I believe that the government should make strict laws and regulations for the producers and farmer's to abide by in the first place to try to eliminate most of the problems at the source. Granted, I know this will not stop the problem completely so I think that that media and producers of the food should make the information readily available for anyone who would like to know what is in the food, how the food was raised, etc. However, I don't think it should be shoved down people's throats. If someone wants to enjoy their chemically produced McDonald's burger that has been produced to government's strict standard's then they should be allowed to without having the ingredients shoved down their throats. If the food is being produced at a high enough standard than it won't matter if some people don't want to look more into what or how their food is made. Personally, I hate watching movies like Food Inc. and looking too much into my food because I know I will be continually eating the chicken, beef, corn, etc that I'm watching being made in the movie because I don't like a ton of organic food and don't have a ton of money to be spending on it. I do think it's sickening that people have to choose between getting 2 hamburgers for a $1 so their kids can eat or barely a head of brocoli to make part of a meal that night. We need to re-prioritize our food and help the American people not only eat cheaper, but also healthier. The fast food cycle in America is appalling because almsot everyone knows about it, but because the government and large corporations are so money hungry no one will stop to fix it. Ever since the start of McDonald's with bringing the factory style into the back of their restaurant there has been this cycle. McDonald's, or anyone really, hires employees to do one job so that they can work faster and get paid less because they aren't doing as many jobs and can easily be replaced. This in turn makes prices cheaper at their store. Well, the employees working for this places are making very little money so when they go home and need food for their family they have to go out and buy the fast, cheap and bad food for them, which just continues the cycle. 

Also, I am kinda hoping no classmates read this because I feel like people may hate me after it or think I'm weird, but honestly movies like Food Inc. don't have a huge affect on me when it comes to the food I eat. Yes, I wish the meat and treated better and I DEFINITELY think that it's wrong that they are mass producing viruses basically that are being given to people worldwide and have no regards to people like Barbara who's son passed away from eating E. Coli from a factory that knew their meat was contaminated and the government said there was noting they could do to shut them down. However, I also realize animals have to be grown for meat. They have to be slaughtered and prepared for food. I hope that one day someone will step up and start raising meat correctly, but as of now I will eat my food in peace without digging into how it's made or what is in it. 

Pop Culture and War: Merchandise

I believe at times people and companies go too far when it comes to war merchandise, but I also feel that within moderation war memorabilia and toys are fine. I grew up with my dad having thousands of dollars worth of G.I Joes, I played Halo (1,2 &3) and Call of Duty and loved shooting my sister's with Nerf Guns. Yet, in now way do I believe that I could or would join the military or think that it is fun and games. When I play video games that include war such as Halo or Call of Duty it is just a game to me, I don't say military lingo or think that what I am experiencing is "real" war. In fact, I don't believe Halo is war like at all. Well, okay it has to do with war, but it's war on a different planet against aliens, so that game definitely did not make me think I was experiencing war. My mom used to put a time limit on when we were allowed to play our "violent war video games" because she was sure if we played past 8pm we would have terrible nightmares, but we still played past then. 

I think that games like Battle Ship, Call of Duty, and Halo, action figures like G.I Joes or TY Beanie Babies that are dressed like military and Nerf Guns are all okay, but I believe that children need their parents to explain what those games and toys mean. That they are not just toys that war is real and that it is a big deal. For children who play those games or have those action figures that have parents that explain that those toys are a part of something bigger helps them not see it only as entertainment, but also as a larger part of life that is sad, painful and scary. If you give children toys, guns, action figures, movies, etc that show war as magical, fun, etc. without parents that are explaining what war means is a problem. 

In class, many said that they don't think that people actually believe that they are soldiers or that war means glory after watching, playing, participating in this things, but I think that we think that way is because we are old enough to know the difference and it is hard for us to imagine people actually thinking that way. Most of us in class grew up without the glorified video games, etc. granted they have  always been there, but they weren't as intense in the media. We more than likely had parents and family members in the military that helped explain to us what it all means. Now children are having war thrown in their face more than ever and not as much parental explanation of what it means. 

Granted, even with parents explaining what war is some toys, movies, news coverage, etc. goes too far. In the video, we saw the Widow Barbie with her war torn home. This is too far because that happens, people all over the world have worn torn homes, and are widows and widowers because their spouse died. Those are not toys people and companies should be capitalizing on. 

Pop Culture and War: The Media

Personally, it was slightly difficult for me to sit through the lecture because I felt the complete opposite of everyone in the room that spoke up, but didn't know if I could form my thoughts well enough to not get a ton of backlash for my opinion. I have grown up with almost every single man in my family being some type of soldier. I understand the fear and the anticipation of wanting to know if your family is okay while fighting a horrendous and bloody war. Because of this I strongly stand behind the idea that the media should NOT be reporting over the things happening war wise overseas. I believe that the media and even the American citizens feel entitled to knowing every single detail about everything and everyone at all times without regards to those peoples family, friends, etc. The media over emphasizes the idea of war because American citizens crave it, they feel entitled that because they are in the "land of the free" the not only deserve to know what's going on, but they demand it. I will full heartedly put the blame on the media for reporting what they do, but it is not only their fault. If American's weren't so entitled and information hungry for the news over war then the media would not cover it or push it into the spotlight as much as they do. People want to blame the media for what they are reporting, but if people stopped watching it or buying what the media was selling then they would stop that coverage and report on the next thing people wanted to know. The media doesn't just pick their favorite topic and talk about it they pick the topic that people are begging for and what people are watching. In WWII, there was a saying "Loose lips sink ships." and I still stand behind that saying. Granted, that was more about military tactics and such getting into the wrong hands, but it still pertained to the media and that not every single detail needed to be broadcasted.

When my father was over in Iraq, I never sat by the TV waiting to hear news about what was going on over there. I knew that it was being changed and made for ratings so I waited for my news from him. I wanted the real news what was actually happening over there. At times I remember getting phone calls and me crying saying I had heard from people that this and this and this had happened and my dad would laugh and tell me the real story. Most of the time something like that had happened but not to the level that the media showed it. I also find it sickening when the media reports "Indiana soldier dead." There are how many "Indiana Soldiers" overseas and when they report that without any information that makes every single family member and friend with someone over sears panic until they get the news that it was their family or not. No one should have to go through that pain and panic that it was their "Indiana Soldier" that was deceased. They should find that out through the proper channels and through the military in the correct time.

The media does over sell the war and what is going on, but it is because that is what the American people want, so in no way can anyone purely blame the media. People like to say "I don't watch that news, it's disgusting, no one I know watches it, it's the media's fault." is lying. People and lots of them are buying the newspapers and magazines talking about war and turning on the channel when they are discussing the horrific news of the war.

Hyper Masculinity

While in class as we talked about hyper masculinity and Tupac I just sat back and listened because I honestly didn't have much to say. I will admit I did not know much about Tupac, gangs, rappers, etc, but I had heard about hyper masculinity in other classes. I really enjoyed watching the documentary because it showed that the rappers didn't really want to be a part of the "idea" and image they had created for themselves. They admitted to growing up in a tough life, but not agreeing with it when they sang song. Even Busta Rhymes laughed as he talked about posing with a finger gun and tying people up with duck tapes because they are "gangsters."

But then as I watched I started to get mad. They think it's funny that this is the image they put out because it's not them. It's only the side that they sell. However, those rappers are selling this idea to kids that don't understand that it is just an image. The kids that are listening are taking what they say seriously and thinking I need to kill, rape, and murder to be like my favorite hero and rapper. Instead of using their power and influence to help those kids that they know are out there because they were one of them they are continually playing into this "gangster" and hyper masculinity to make money.

They are willing to tell a documentary that probably won't get scene by the people and children that take their lyrics seriously so that their image won't be ruined. To them and the people watching it looks like they're trying to help those problem children by opening up and admitting to being two different people, but it's just a front because they are still selling the songs about raping women, murder, guns, drive-bys.

I wanted to be excited when Marilyn told us that Tupac's song about his mom, Dear Momma, had been inducted into the hall of best songs (not sure if that is the exact title), and that it was a great honor. However, I had never heard of this song and never heard anyone talk about this song, so how big of a reach did the song receive other than those who had a huge Tupac following during his time or those who helped induct it into the hall? As much as I want to be super excited that a song written by a "gangster"  about loving his mom made a huge difference. It doesn't seem to have had much of an impact because today it doesn't show in songs of other rappers. Hopefully, soon the people who want to change this stereotype and image of rappers and gangsters will make a the hard decisions to not just put terrible lyrics into the world to make money, but lyrics people need to hear to help change young kids and adults who think that murder, rape, and violence is needed to be a man.

Princess & Super Hero Culture

Personally, today's lecture was hard to sit through because I feel that I grew up, whether it be because I'm a well rounded wired person or my parents raised me, to be a well rounded person and didn't let the media or my friends make me completely girly or a "tomboy."

I very much grew up believing I was the princess of the household. My sister carried me everywhere and talked for me so I didn't learn to talk or walk until I was almost two, my family calls me princess, and I woke up every morning in elementary school to a Disney movie. Even now Cinderella is one of my favorite movies, I dream of marrying a real life prince and I can say the word "Sissy" in such a way to get my sister to do pretty much anything for me. On the other side though I played soccer since I was four, I had over 5,000 legos, I referred to my bruises as war wounds and loved playing with nerf guns and in mud. I also was raised to be independent and refuse to rely solely on a man to "save" me and know that the things I want in life will not be handed to me.

For example, on Valentine's Day two movies opened,

 and 

Most would safely assume it being Valentine's Day that a girl would want to go see the typical Rom Com about a man saving a woman, which I will admit I did in fact want to go see. However, I was probably more excited to go see the next installment of Die Hard. This wasn't because I had a boyfriend I wanted to make happy or try to defy a stereotype I genuinely LOVE me some Die Hard. 

I think trying to decide if there is a Princess Culture or Super Hero Culture is one of the hardest things to get opinions on. I personally believe that a child can see their friends and media telling them something, but as long as their is a strong adult in their life explaining to them why those things are that way then they can make their own choices and decide who they want to be. 

I also believe that it should never be seen as a bad thing for a girl to genuinely love the color pink, dressing up,  and watching Disney movies if that is what she freely picks. Just like if a boy knows his options and freely picks war, fighting, and the color blue nothing is wrong with that as long as both understand that there nothing wrong with picking that OR not picking that. 

Again, I will say that I think a lot factors into a discussion like this so it is hard to give a black or white answer. Someone in the lecture today said that some children are only fed the princess culture and have no adult figure telling them the other side so that it will have an affect on them. Granted it might, but I think it has more to do with how the child is wired. My 5 year old cousin has a an older sister who adores the color pink, wears little heels everywhere and strongly believes in being a princess. She also has an older brother who plays every sport he can, and plays Halo and COD. So, my cousin was able to see both "cultures" her family didn't pressure her into one way or another and let her be her own person. She decided that she is not the princess she told her family at five that she does not like dresses, make-up or heels and wants to play sports. By just observing life she was able to make a choice for herself and didn't feel like she was wrong or bad for it.