Tell me what you think? Please.

Kailynn Fife

You interpret, its not a job to be informed its a responsibility. When a child asks you a question he or she expects you to know the answer. SO KNOW THE ANSWER! 

References:

IRaq=iPod? Not Hardly.” PraXis. Web. 25 Nov. 2009. <http://bainbookspraxis.blogspot.com/2004/06/iraqipod-not-hardly.html>.

Elastico.net: iRaq.” ELASTICO 3.0. Web. 25 Nov. 2009. <http://www.elastico.net/archives/000905.html>.

Cowboy Blob’s Saloon and Shootin Gallery. Web. 25 Nov. 2009. <http://cowboyblob.blogspot.com/2006/10/blog-post_12.html>.

Poplicks.com. Web. 25 Nov. 2009. <http://poplicks.com/labels/QOTW.html>.

The United Colours of Benetton bases its advertising on Luciano Benetton’s belief that “communication should not be commissioned from outside the company, but conceived from within its heart.” 

For 20 years the assumption of what this belief means has dictated Benetton’s advertising strategy. It is a strategy that focuses on ‘value’ by taking an image and capitalizing on it. By doing this the company makes an effort to advertise to the individual rather than the consumer. Consumption simply becomes a part of life. 

The product is seen by the industry as a “social being of its own,” rather than a piece of merchandise. Benetton targets its consumer differently. Instead of using targets such as age and financials, Benetton targets a set of values or an idea of what is important. By doing so the brand moves from being a clothing line into being a corporate activist advertiser. 

What is an activist? A person who uses direct, often confrontational action, such as demonstrating or striking, in opposition to or support of a cause. 

Benetton is not your traditional activist because it is an activist company. That is why it is important to pay attention to; it is the first of its kind. It is a company that uses indirect and non confrontational action to support many causes. The first and foremost of which is equality and interaction of different cultures. 

The presentation of Global issues in an effort to bring awareness being the other. 

Another unique thing about Benetton is that it merely presents the image. The company itself never comments on the images it puts out there. After the images are out in the world their job is finished. The fact is that their advertisements are out there as much to promote their clothing as to promote interpretation. However, Benetton refuses to interpret for its consumer. Instead it is the expectation that the individual try to understand (and if we’re lucky that means a little research on the issue) and therefore interprets. 

References:

United Colours of Benetton.” Controversial Advertising in the 21 Century . Web. 24 Nov 2009. <http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://linda03.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/media-blog-benetton-breast-feeding.jpg&imgrefurl=http://linda03.wordpress.com/2008/01/08/united-colors-of-benetton-and-its-crazy-adverts/&usg=__KM3K3NYzaAd1Clsat6Ple7PhnL0=&h=310&w=468&sz=20&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=nm4rToj7Ts1yFM:&tbnh=85&tbnw=128&prev=/images%3Fq%3DUnited%2Bcolours%2Bof%2Bbenetton%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den-us%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1>.

Play Circuit . Web. 24 Nov 2009. <http://playcircuit.com/best-benetton-ads-ever-60/>.

The Benetton Group social communication research center .”United Colors of Benetton. Benetton Group 2009, Web. 24 Nov 2009. <http://www.benettongroup.com/en/whatwesay/fabrica.htm>.

UCB Advertising Presentation.” United Colors of Benetton. 26/10/2009. Benetton Group 2009, Web. 24 Nov 2009. <http://press.benettongroup.com/ben_en/about/campaigns/history/>.

Activism.” The Free Online Dictionary by Farlex. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Forth Edition, Web. 24 Nov 2009. <http://www.thefreedictionary.com/activism>.

On Cable:

HBO

CNN (8 CNN networks) 

Court TV

Time Warner Cable Services 

Road Runner Interactive Services 

New York 1 

Kablevision (Hungary) 

On Film and Television:

Warner Bros. (Studios, Film Production and Distribution) 

WB Television Network

Hanna Barbera Cartoons 

Telepictures Production 

Witt-Thomas Productions

Castle Rock Entertainment 

Warner Home Video

Warner Bros. pay TV

Warner Bros. Theater

TBS Superstation 

Turner Network Television

Turner South 

Cartoon Network (3 channels) 

Turner Classic Movies 

TNT 

New Line Cinema 

Fine Line Features

Turner Original Productions 

In Print:

All Time Life Book Companies (27 in all)

Time Magazine (8 publications) 

Fortune

Life 

Sports Illustrated (3 magazines) 

People (4 publications) 

Entertainment Weekly (2 publications) 

58 additional monthly/weekly publications 

note: a publication is a book, journal, or other piece of writing issued for public sale. 

In Music:

Time Warner Music 

Atlantic Records 

Rhino 

Elektra 

49 other music production companies

Online:

CompuServe Interactive 

AOL and Subsidiaries 

The Knot Inc. 

MapQuest.com

Spinner.com

Winamp
DrKoop.com

Legend 

In Retail:

MovieFone 

iAmaze 

Amazon.com (partial) 

Quack.com

In Sports:

Atlanta Braves 

In Partnership:

Joint ventures with Sony on:

Columbia House Marketing 

Music Sound Exchange 

Viva

Channel V

Heartland Music 

Disney Owns:

Film and Television:

ABC network (10 television stations) 

Buena Vista 

Touchstone 

Walt Disney 

Hollywood Pictures 

Caravan Pictures 

Miramax Films 

Radio, Music and Interactive Games:

66 radio stations 

Buena Vista Music Group 

Hollywood Records 

Lyric Street Records 

Mammoth Records 

Walt Disney Records 

Sports:

Anaheim Sports Inc. 

Anaheim Mighty Ducks 

Internet:

ABC.com

Oscar.com

Mr. Showbiz 

all Disney related sites

Family.com

ESPN.com 

NBA.com 

NASCAR.com

toysmart.com

Vacation:

15 resorts and theme parks 

Partnership:

With Hearst Corporation and General Electric:

12 Cable Stations 

13 Broadcast Channels 

German, French, Spanish, Scandinavian, and Japanese television stations 

Viacom Owns:

On Cable:

MTV

Nickelodeon 

BET

Nick at Night 

TV Land 

VH1 

Spike TV 

Comedy Central 

CMT 

Showtime 

The Movie Channel 

Flix 

Sundance Channel 

King World Productions 

On Radio:

Infinity Broadcasting 

Westwood One 

176 radio stations 

On Film:

Paramount Pictures 

In Print:

Simon and Schuster (8 publishing companies) 

In Retail:

Blockbuster Video 

Paramount Parks 

Famous Players Theater 

United Cinemas International 

Famous Music 

Additional:

CBS 

16 television stations (6 of which are in the top 10 market share)

UPN 

18 television stations 

5 additional television stations 

       Out of 100 online newspaper sites, 86% have a cross media partnership. 79% of those cross media partnerships are between a form of print media and the newspaper web site. The next highest statistic was the partnership between online newspapers and television, 49%. Followed by the partnership between radio and online newspapers which was a mere 20%. These statistics show the impact cross media partnership has on technological convergence in regards to internet newspapers. 

      Technological convergence, or the transformation of “atoms into bits” as Nickolas Negroponte referred to the idea, was the theory of the digitalization of all media. This would mean that words, images and sounds could be turned into digital information. The result being that this information would be able to flow over platforms. However, technological convergence is just a single theory in the idea of a overall media convergence. 

      Media convergence is an industrial idea that eventually all media will be delivered via one medium. Meaning that all information we receive will be received from a single box. In order for this to happen however a number of convergences have to take place; economic convergence, social or organic convergence, cultural convergence and eventually global convergence. 

      Economic convergence is the idea that one company will control all forms of entertainment media: books, television, film, games, the Web, music, etc. That company will also hold financial interests in a large number of other sections such as real estate. This will be the start of the formation of “synergies.” Synergies is a word used to describe transmedia production. For example, instead of Harry Potter simply being a book he is now a movie, action figure, game piece, etc. Economic convergence would allow corporations that held ownership to transmedia property to make more of a profit. Thus creating more jobs and causing economic growth. 

     Social or organic convergence is a theory that the consumer will be able to learn to navigate between multiple forms of media in an information based environment. However, not only will the individual be able to navigate these multiple forms of media, but he or she will also be able to retain most of the information he or she is receiving well multitasking. I believe this to be dependent on the individual. Not only will the physical health of the individual play a part in their ability to achieve such a task, the mental acuity will also play a part. Other important factors will be personality and disposition which will determine his/her willingness to learn, style of knowledge retention, ability to learn within the given environment, ability to focus, as well as attention span. 

     Cultural convergence is when media technology, industry and consumer meet causing a creative break through. Media convergence gives the average person the ability to archive, annotate, appreciate and recirculate content. These abilities foster a new type of participatory culture that encourages transmedia content development. This will allow media corporations to cater to multiple mediums. Meaning that these corporations will be able to share information through multiple channels only using the medium that best displays said information. For example, if a company wanted to get across information that was verbally based they would use a radio. The radio would deliver that information more clearly and effectively than the internet or television. However, if a company wanted to send out information that was of a visual origin they would use a television. Instead of using two separate mediums cultural convergence, or media convergence, would allow companies to send out the same information, with the same clarity and effectiveness, but only using one medium to do so. 

     The last convergence would be global convergence. Global convergence is “the cultural hybridity that results from the international circulation of media content.” What this means is that we are able to share media content globally with the understanding that each culture has its place in the circulation of information. Creativity is based on a respecting and understanding of unique cultures and how they can be blended together to form something new. This is becoming more and more prominent as we move toward what is referred to as the “global village.” 

     According to McLuhan, “the electric media will create a world of drop outs from the old fragmented society, with its neatly compartmentalized analytic functions, and cause people to drop into the new integrated global village community. All these convulsive changes, as I’ve already noted, carry with them attendant pain, violence and war — the normal stigmata of the identity quest — but the new society is springing so quickly from the ashes of the old that I believe it will be possible to avoid the transitional anarchy many predict. Automation and cybernation can play an essential role in smoothing the transition to the new society.” My interpretation of what McLuhan is trying to say is that right now school is boring to most of the teenage and younger populations. Due to the fact that we are bored, uninterested and not being engaged in what we are supposed to be learning there is going to be an increase in high school drop outs. At the same time we are going to see emotional changes in the children of the media infused environment. Children now will simply have no drive or realization of what they want in life. In essence they will have no self-awareness, or in other words an identity crisis. As a result of this identity crisis children will find themselves digging into their pasts. Looking to the roots of culture for answers to the questions of who they are and why? When this happens a new societal environment will be formed. This new environment will be one of inclusion, self-expression, and free reigning creative expression. The future is going to be unlocked by the technological push to examine the past.  

References:

duPlessis, Renee, and Li Xigen. “Cross-Media Ownership and Its Effect on Technological Convergence of Online News Content—A Content Analysis of 100 Internet Newspapers .” All Academic Research . 2008. All Academic Inc., Web. 24 Nov 2009. <http://www.allacademic.com//meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/1/1/3/3/8/pages113386/p113386-2.php>.

Media Giants: Who owns what?.” Think & Ask. July 2004. Think & Ask , Web. 24 Nov 2009. <http://www.thinkandask.com/news/mediagiants.html>.

Jenkins, Henry. “Convergence? I Diverge.” Digital Renaissance . June 2001. Technology Review , Web. 24 Nov 2009. <http://web.mit.edu/cms/People/henry3/converge.pdf>.

Playboy Interview: Marshall McLuhan.” Communication and Technology . March 1969. Playboy Enterprises Inc., Web. 24 Nov 2009. <http://www.digitallantern.net/mcluhan/mcluhanplayboy.htm>.

We only have the option to see *all* updates or entirely block a friend. 

We have lost the option to expand stories on wall tab (no more one-line, short-stories, or full-stories options).

Font is GIGANTIC now.”

Some of the comments were:

     Trevor wrote, “The last layout, even though everyone freaked out to begin with, ended up working pretty well. Now, when someone changes a status, it looks like they are just posting a comment on their own wall. The old way they displayed status’s on someone’s page was a lot better. Also, the size 76 font I can’t deal with. Also, as time goes on, older and older people have been signing up for Facebook. Well, there is now a problem for them, because the layout is getting less easy to follow as time goes on. Even for us all who have had Facebook for a while and are used to it, this new layout is complicated and way to busy.” 

     First off, I think that most older people who are joining Facebook are just using the basics: add friends and comment on their walls. This is simple to do no matter what layout and so I do not believe that they will have a problem. I also believe that Facebook makes the transition pretty easy for those who are used to it. Evolution and change are part of life and bond to happen, so I do not see a reason to fight it. However, there are always loop holes and there is a way to get back to the old layout. 

     Alex wrote, “I think there are a lot of usability wrong decisions here:

*The ‘Live Feed’ is gone and that was an awesome “friendly” feature, actually if you don’t click the “News Feed” button or reload the page there are no updates! 

*If you use the ‘Link’ button to post a YouTube URL it ‘links’ to the youtube page, before the change Facebook was embedding the video, what I think is too much better than link to an external page! 

*If you create a new Photo Album, there’s no more updates in your Wall! Actually Facebook shows only your first pics, but if you upload more photos to that album there are no updates in your wall

Personally, I don’t request the previous version, I prefer to use an improved version, and if YOU (Facebook) think that this one is better, show me why do you think that, show me why do you leave some features out. Please, we know that this is a free web application, but it’s used by millions of people, so…make our life easier! And come on! Improve the chat!” 

     Well, there is still a feed on the homepage and I think its easier to see the change in the feed now. Linking to an external page allows you to upload more videos at a time and it really works just the same as far as I am concerned. The photo album thing, I agree, is a little annoying. The real problem I have with this post is that millions of people use Facebook, but does this Alex person know everyone who uses Facebook? If the answer is no, then I assume that he/she does not know all their feelings on the new layout. Therefore, why is he/she speaking as though on behalf of all of them? 

     Colleen wrote, “I have been trying to find good points about the new layout, however I have noticed that when I post on a friends wall, now everyone can see it!What if it was something I did not want everyone to see?? Invasion of privacy?? 

The new page is far too busy! My husband is not that computer literate and he now HATES Facebook. I just got him to come onto it. 

I think it was wrong of Facebook not to even give the users a choice on whether we want the new layout or the old one…possibly because it would be a resounding YES for the old layout. 

I have been to the Facebook feedback page and could not find one person who likes the new layout. Surely if they have over 200 million users and only 0000.01 percent like it, that MUST tell you something.”

      I would like to point out that I am sure that 200 million users do not write on the Facebook feedback page and that there is no way that satistic is accurate. Also, as I have already pointed out there are always loop holes. In this case, if you are writing something that you do not want everyone to be able to read instead of posting it on your friends wall maybe you should send a message. 

      The fact that out of the number of social networking cites out there Facebook has to be one of those most popular. However, if Facebook does not listen to its users it will not stay on top for long. There are pros and cons to all change, but if the majority of users cannot see the pros it is time to act. Considering that most teenagers spend the better part of the time they spend on the internet on Facebook, whether the network is free or not, it has an obligation. That obligation is to listen to its users. My prediction is that Facebook will go back to its old layout or come up with another new one within the next month. 

References: 

Constructive Criticism .” Facebook . 15/Mar/2009. Web. 23 Nov 2009. <http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=27233634858&topic=14101>.

      If service providers are allowed to charge individuals for every internet page they access the economy is done for. Companies will go bankrupt simply due to the fees to connect to email. Internet banking will become a thing of the past because it will just not be affordable. This would mean that financial transactions would be seriously effected. If  that were to happen it would impact local business transactions, banking, international imports and exports, product shipments, etc. All small businesses would feel the financially devastating blow and even bigger corporations would eventually be loosing more money than they were making in profit. The only business that would be financially  safe if net neutrality ceased to exist would be the internet service providers. With global trade no longer being as equitable as it used to be it would mean lay offs and corporate closures. This would mean more people claiming bankruptcy, welfare, and unemployment. Where would we get the money to support all these people? Most likely a tax increase for a while and then the government will dip into pension funds. However, the money will stop coming in eventually and even the service providers will feel the financial crunch. The economy will hit stale mate, falter, and eventually cease to exist all together. The point being that net neutrality what means the difference between a thriving economy and another depression this time possibly worse than the Great Depression. 

References:

Net Neutrality Needs Our Protection .” Media and Democracy . Common Cause, Web. 23 Nov 2009. <http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4773657#>.

Do I need it?

How many do I already have?

How much will I use it?

How long will it last?

Could I borrow it from a friend or family member?

Am I able to clean and/or maintain it myself?

Will I be able to repair it?

Am I willing to?

Have I researched it to get the best quality for the best price?

How will I dispose of it when I’m done using it?

Are the resources that went into it renewable or nonrenewable?

Is it made from recycled materials, and is it recyclable?

     These questions could pertain to everyday life. If they did it may mean the difference between a positively impacted economy and a negative impacted economy. At this point in time it is clear that North American culture is stuck in a negatively impacted economy. Consumer debt and jobless numbers have been increasing in North America this year, especially due to the state of the car industry at present moment. This day will bring attention to the impact consumer choices have on not only the consumer, but the environment as well. Consumer choices effect resources such as food, water, and minerals. The choice to drive instead of taking public transportation for example effects the amount of oil that is being used. Oil is a natural resource that does not regenerate, meaning when its gone its gone. Not only does this choice effect the amount of oil consumption, but it effects the atmosphere as well. I am not saying that Buy Nothing Day will stop global warming nor am I saying that it will stop our landfills from continuing to over flow, but it is a start at least. This day has been criticized for being only for the Middle Class. This is because you have to have money in order to abstain from spending it. I believe that because of this criticism Buy Nothing Day will also bring attention to the rising poverty rate in Canada as well. Again I do not believe that it will change everything in 24 hours, but if one more person becomes aware that is one more person to make a difference. Bob Ellington’s book Dinotopia makes the statement “one raindrop raises the sea.” If that is true then Buy Nothing Day may just be a rainstorm and it would be interesting to see how high the sea can be raised.

References:

Ellington, Robert. “The Code of Dinotopia…for Adults .” 15/may/2002. Web. 23 Nov 2009. <http://mysite.verizon.net/res09v44/dino_rep.htm>.

Smith , Michael. “To buy, or not to buy .” Buy Nothing Day (UK) 2000-2009. Web. 23 Nov 2009. <http://www.buynothingday.co.uk/>.

Mark, Andrew. “What is Buy Nothing Day?.” Examiner.com Toronto. 12/Nov/2009. Canadian Green Living Examiner , Web. 23 Nov 2009. <http://www.examiner.com/x-29665-Canada-Green-Living-Examiner~y2009m11d12-What-is-Buy-Nothing-Day>.

Dr. Hans Blix, Executive Chairman of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission, Progress Report to UN security Council, 7 March 2003. 

United States President George W. Bush, Address to the Nation, The Cross Hall, Washington, 17 March 2003, 2000 hours US Eastern Standard Time. 

The Hon John Howard MP, Prime Minister, Address to The House of Representatives, Parliament House, 18 March 2003. 

Joint meeting of the Revolution Command Council and the Iraq Command of the Socialist Ba’th Party under the chairmanship of President Saddam Hussein, announced by Iraqi State Television 18 March 2003 1250 GMT.

     All this in regards to the newly started war with Iraq. A war that the started according to the Australian government because the Iraq government refused to give up its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and stop long-range missile programs.The United Nations (UN) deemed this as supporting terrorism. Shortly after this determination the first Australian Defense Force (ADF) would be deployed to aid international efforts in disarming. ADF personnel would be involved in the removal of weapons of mass destruction, long-range missiles, and the Saddam Hussein regime. However, the Australian Army would already be involved in Operation Citadel (UN peace keeping in East Timor), Operation Relex (protecting Australia’s Northern borders) and Operation Slipper (war against terrorism). Due to the strain on the number of people in the army there was a requirement for recruiting. The Australian Defense Department would begin to place advertisements in schools to target young men and women who would be likely candidates to join the army. 

     At some point during March 2003 Vertigo, a student newspaper at the University of Technology in Sydney Australia, releases a parody of the Australian Defense Department recruiting advertisements. The ad implied that the Defense Department was  “a political tool of an Australian government intent on participating in an unsanctioned invasion of Iraq.” Jano Gibson, the Spokesperson for Vertigo, commented, “the ‘exciting’, ‘inspiring’, and ‘feel good’ Army ads that appear in uni dairies, on billboards and television differs extremely from the reality of participating in a war.” The idea being that the parody was made in order to correct this misinterpretation. The result of this student parody was that the Defense Department stopped using student targeted media.

      This is a culture jam because it brings attention to an issue and the misinterpretation of such an issue. In this case, the parody was made to explain the misinterpretation of what it means to join the army. It is important to pay attention to these parodies because they provide a different perspective to a given situation. This example, illustrates the human cost of war which is something that most governments do not seem to care about. However, it is important to consider all options and perspectives before making a choice. This is one perspective. The army’s website says that the benefits of being in the army are that, “you get full medical and dental cover, travel and leave entitlements, rental assistance and we can even give you money to help you buy your own home! We offer you all this in recognition of the essential role you play in protecting our nation.” First question: where is all this money coming from? Second: what good is full medical coverage if your dead? Does it cover the funeral as well? 

References:

Army Pay and Benefits .” Defense Jobs . Australian Defense Department , Web. 23 Nov 2009. <http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/army/PayAndBenefits/>.

The War in Iraq ADF Operations in the Middle East in 2003.” Australian Government: Department of Defense . Australian Defense Department , Web. 23 Nov 2009. <http://www.defence.gov.au/publications/lessons.pdf>.

Two-edged Media Sword: 10 Examples of Counter advertising, Commerce Jamming and Propaganda Remixes .” Culture & Art Online Magazine . 04/Feb/2008. Cult Case , Web. 23 Nov 2009. <http://www.cultcase.com/2008/01/two-edged-media-sword-10-examples-of.html>.