Female v. Male in TV

Today in class we discussed the trend of television shows staring females, creating these independent and empowering roles. We also talked about how television portrays men. A lot of good points were discussed during class but the one that stuck out to me most was in order for women to be seen as powerful, men have to be seen as doofy and vis versa. In the 90s when we were first exposed to shows such as 'Clarissa Explains it All' and 'As Told by Ginger' we finally were able to view a young girl on television who was independent and had a voice. These girls did not rely on boys and had great confidence. But in each of the shows, the male characters were portrayed as weaker, not as intelligent and inferior to the leading girls. With other series that had a strong male lead, most of the female characters were seen in the same light, as inferior to the characteristics and talents of the male role. While having a female lead is empowering to girls, it also can effect the way we view the male roles also, which can translate to real life experiences and opinions.

In most television series, we see male characters portrayed in one of two ways: either as the ultra male (athletic, macho, ladies man, etc.) or as nerdy/slacker (weak, reserved, meek, lazy, etc.). It is very rare to find a character who is well rounded and similar to your average Joe. This can cause women to have unrealistic and inaccurate thoughts about males in real life. Not only are we perhaps searching for a certain type of male that very well may not exist, but we also are seeing other behaviors on television that make us believe are ok. Such as when men don't listen or forget a birthday, as annoying as that can be, we just understand that thats how the male mind is wired and theres not much we can do about it. This is what sells and what makes programs, but it is wrong to have to put down one gender in order to empower another. Think of what television would be like if both genders were equally equipped? Not saying that these shows don't exist, but when trying to think of them, I find it hard to come up with examples on the spot.

Television and media feed into the stereotypes created for both males and females. A good example of this is the video shown last week in class with the men and women at the gym. In the video they had reverse roles and although it was a parody and meant to be funny, it was very funny to me because it was so accurate.  In real life a lot of those stereotypes can be true, but they also are reinforced on television so much that when we see videos that reverse the roles, we can relate and find it very entertaining.

Television can almost be seen as a double edged sword. It can empower a certain group of people, but in the process of empowering one group, it can be putting another down. For the most part when I watch T.V. i don't look that closely into those kinds of things. I'm too interested in the plot of the show to think about all the other aspects and politics behind it. But after having this discussion in class, it will be interesting to watch for these kinds of things from now on when watching television.

Online movement for VFX

After the Oscars on Sunday, an online movement has started to bring to light what is happening in a certain part of the movie industry, the visual effects departments. Most movies nowadays outsource their visual effects to outside studios, but those studios only make about 5% of the overall profits from the movie (not very much for how much work they do). With several big studios filing for bankruptcy recently, there was a protest outside of the Oscars which got no publicity from the media. One of the major firms that filed bankruptcy recently was Rhythm and Hues, who worked on the Movie Life of Pi. The movie won the Oscar for best visual effects, but during the acceptance speech the visual effects supervisor for the studio tried to bring up the studio, the orchestra attempted to play him off early. When he kept going, right before he got to the good part they completely cut off his microphone. This upset many people in the industry and started the movement over social media sites. This movement was brought to my attention by a friend of mine who is in the VFX industry who changed his facebook profile picture to a green square. He explained the situation, about how the industry is failing itself and that he changed his picture to a green box to represent the green screens they use as a filler for shooting so they can add in the effects later on. They're trying to get the attention of the movie studios so they can see what's going on. The movement has been being shared throughout networks on facebook even outside of the VFX industry and their friends. Many pages have been sharing photos of before and afters of movies before the VFX studios got their hands on the films. I'm not sure if the movement will actually change anything, but I do know they are getting the word out quite well. If enough people see it hopefully it will be brought up to some of the big movie studios and it can change something.

Boys dont like girls, boys like cars and money Ellen Lee 007

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Today in class we discussed the power of the media in correlation with male and female messages. I agree that young women are more glorified then the men characters on these shows produced by Nickelodeon and Disney. In shows such as ICarly Spence, Carly’s brother, is portrayed as a dimwitted older brother who provides for his sister, but only her food and shelter. Carly is seen as the intelligent young girl who creates her own business and she isn’t even out of high school yet. I think these shows are aiming high for young girls but completely ignoring their male audience.

I was a nanny for a nine-year old boy and a six-year old girl. Both enjoyed watching the same shows on Nickelodeon and Disney but the male characters were not as strong as the females. I noticed that Devon (the boy I watched) loved watching old westerns such as Bonanza and classic western movies. I had always thought that was strange because the only other person I had known to watch those shows were my grandparents, but then it started to make sense to me. The men he was watching in these shows were action stars to him but without so much violence. The shows are about cowboys and Indiana’s but there is not much violence because of the times these shows were created. Devon had to look to these shows so that he could know that he could be strong and powerful without hurting others in any way. Now whether this is what he actually think or this is my interpretation, but I think those shows are still the apex of television for younger children.

Addi, the little girl I babysat, enjoyed ICarly, Zoey 101, and Big Time Rush. I found this interesting too because these shows seemed almost too old for a six/seven year old girl. There were situations where I am sure Addi did not understand the conflict within the show, but I think her real reason for watching these shows was because she enjoyed the music and the crappy jokes. I do not think this is always bad to have younger girls seeing more mature content but I think there needs to be a very fine line. Some of the materials on these shows are not always appropriate and when they become appropriate for a certain age the people want to watch even more mature shows. I think it is a never ending cycle.

Don't judge a Book by it's Cover

I wrote this blog in response to the inspiring speaker Jennifer Newsom.

In the past, present, and future, females have, are, and will be portrayed in a certain way. People are wrongly viewed in almost every category. I try to not stereotype at all (even though it is literally impossible) due the frustration of being stereotyped. People need to learn who someone is instead of being judged by their category. From Females, to Jocks, to Frat guys, everyone is judged.

Women have been seen in a view that is wrongly portrayed. They can take steps to change that image which is "wrongly portrayed" to "correctly conveyed." I am saying change how women conduct themselves, to explaining who they are. When I see a girl dressed provocatively, acts over-friendly, acts needy, or unintelligent because they think guys like "ditsy girls", it makes me un-attracted to them in every way. When I see girls like this I do think that girl is slutty, immature, weak, or dumb because that is what she portrays. After seeing that I don’t believe every girl is like that. I know a large amount of females who are intelligent, independent, strong, and respectable. It is probably due to how I was raised. My mother is a strong, intelligent, respectable woman who shows me what kind of, not only women, but people I want surrounding me in the future. Those who are judged in a negative way, a lot of times it’s because of how they let people see them.

Horrible stereotypes are also related with “Frat Guys.” A lot of people see them as pigs, egotistical, assholes, disrespectful to women, and much more. Yes there are some Frat Guys who are these things, but there are also non-Greek students who have those traits. I am in a Fraternity and it upsets me when people judge me for it before they get to know me. I joined solely to meet more friends, connections, and have more opportunity to experience what I otherwise could/would not. What most people don’t realize is that ATO has taught me to open doors for women, no matter how far behind you she/they is/are, dress more respectably, care for my friends and brothers more, respect women more, socialize more efficiently with people in all situations, and more. So after you read this and see me wearing letters to class or in public and think, “Oh just another Frat Boy,” delete that bias and try to actually know me and not who you think I am. I say this because you don’t know me, what I have been through, who I have helped, what values I have, how respectful/polite I am, or else you would not be thinking that’s who I am That is why I don’t judge you, because I am just as clueless about those aspects of your character that I wouldn’t judge you until I got to know you. I guess I am just trying to say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover” is so well-known because it’s true. You have no idea if you will like what you find inside. After you read the book you can keep it around or read something else.

Personal responsibility and the princess culture

The princess culture in America was conceived primarily as a way to market materialism/narcissism to younger women.  When these characteristics become predominant, Madison Avenue has won.  Their job is to create cycles of behavior that drive consumption of material goods, either directly or indirectly via their parents.  In order to sell a product, a deficiency must first present itself.  The thought, "I'm missing something from my life" must needs enter the picture in order to create what I call "the void."  The void is any and all feelings of inadequacy one might experience in the presence of peers or those whom one is seeking acceptance/reassurance.  In theory, consumption or accumulation of products, adopting attitudes, and projections of future happiness are the only remedies to keep this void at bay.  This is where beauty, glamour, and their never ending pursuits find an eternal sense of job security.  This is why I really don't get into fashion.  Trends change when designers decide it so, thereby creating a new fad to be bought.  The fad one month may be faux pas the next, and vice versa.  Either way, an impetus to buy has been established.  Many people chase these rainbows, in hopes that they will find fulfillment in the end.  Of course, the media isn't selling you the idea that you are complete, or that there is nothing wrong with you.  If they were, the need to buy anything that doesn't pertain to survival would be greatly reduced.  Understanding the motives behind programming of all kinds, not just Toddlers and Tiaras, is fundamentally important to understanding why personal responsibility is crucial to effect change in our lives, if it is so desired.  Maybe you're totally fine with the constructs of society and the roles which others have intentionally created for you.  If so, feel free to stop reading at any time.  I write these things to elucidate a process which I've become privy to in my years spent in the world of business.

In the past year, several people that I know have told me they are on the brink of a meltdown.  Their apathy toward life, coupled with the fear of an uncertain future has them in an existential conundrum they simply can't see their way out of.  Most of the time they tell me that they just don't believe in anything anymore, or that life is all one big lie.  After years of consuming messages of unattainable cultural "ideals,"  as if they were superattainable has certainly led to a great deal of disillusionment which the prescription drug industry is more than happy to oblige.  Having faced a number of these scenarios in my own life, I gave them the best advice I could think of.  I told them that they couldn't do anything about the lives they were "promised" by television/media when they were children.  Instead, I proposed the idea that they can control which ideas they are buying into, now that they are adults.  Personally, I don't buy into 99% of the material I am exposed to, whether it be professors, politicians, TV shows, or talk radio.  They all carry messages, which contain narratives, which contain motives, which are tied to their livelihood.  By taking personal responsibility for the degree to which I accept the premise of their message, I'm able to form unbiased decisions about my sense of adequacy and self worth.  I am, in essence, removing the lens of consumerism, upon which almost every facet of society is founded.  I can no longer be subject to the disappointment and disillusionment that can result from "buying in."   Also by casting a non-vote, as it were, I am reducing the incentive for media to create shows which aim to exploit myself and others because I exercise choice, and choice is precisely what makes a capitalistic society tolerable.

There appears, to me, to be a great unraveling of what people generally associate as the fabric of normative American experience.  In generations past, it may have been easier to ignore or deny that individual beliefs and core independent values were eroding on a mass scale.  It has become increasingly difficult with the sheer volume of media with which we're exposed, to deny it any longer.  I can't remember a time when the lives of those around me have been (1) in such distress mentally, emotionally, and financially; (2) so dependent upon social media, entertainment, and visual stimulation; (3) so powerless as to help themselves recover.  I am not implying a correlation, but if you enjoy observing human behavior as I do, an argument can be made that many Americans lack not only the self-awareness to diagnose their malaise, but the critical thinking skills to do anything about it.

Boys and the Superhero Culture vs. Disney

        In class we talked about superheroes and and the influence it has on young boys, similar to the princess culture and how it affects young girls. I feel like the overall themes that are seen in superheroes are positive, saving the day, stepping up to do what's right for mankind. But one potential problem is that the hero is usually not good enough as his normal self. It’s once something miraculous happens, or after tons of training to improve and change himself, that he is good enough to save the day or reach his dreams. Superheroes are also shown to be super tough, strong, and manly…

       Growing up, I was never a superhero boy, I was much more into the male Disney characters, like Aladdin and Hercules. (Regardless of how some may feel towards the princesses) I feel like the guys in Disney movies are a very good example for young boys. Aladdin for example is just a “street rat”, and at first he thinks that he has to become something he’s not, but it’s only when he returns to his true self that everything works out and he reaches his dreams. And Hercules, he’a a super human, but that doesn’t get him anywhere, its when he loses his powers that through love and self sacrifice that he is triumphant. I think these are great examples for young boys. It’s a different message then they are going to get in the majority of media surrounding them.

Those gosh darn hipsters...

I must say, the hipster presentation in class was quite amusing. I could not help but notice that we had very many hipsters attending the class. After this lecture, I started to wonder. Do hipsters act so non-conformist because they want to stand out? Do they feel the need to only drink Pabts Blue Ribbon and ride neon bikes because they like to? As some people would state that the "hipster" style is non-conformist, I want to make it clear that I feel the opposite. The hipster style is not becoming a trend, but is one now. I think why people buy the things they do and act in a certain way is because they want to conform to the hipster style. But on a different note, people have the freedom to conform to any style they wish and should not be hassled when they do so. Although I do find somebody in the Atrium using a typewriter taking it a bit far. They obviously do not use a typewriter out of connivence because we have come a long way since then.

On the other hand, we may have a little "hipster" in us. I must state that I do enjoy drinking Starbucks and wearing flannel. I also enjoy having a little facial hair as well. But does this label me hipster? No. And that is just that. "Hipster" is a label that some wish to have and others just get it tagged to them. I think it is evident to say that most individuals who dress like a hipster enjoy to have that label. Maybe because they will be accepted to a certain crowd. Or maybe they do so because they like certain things that most hipsters like and later just conform to the stereotype.