Exposed

I have been eagerly awaiting for a boast of inspiration to come and guide me in this weeks blog.  Still nothing has come to mind.  I have also discontinued reading the chapters from the book since we were notified last class that there will be no need for it anymore.  Alittle choked since the book did cost me a good penny, I am on the other hand a bit relieved.  School has been absolutely crazy this week.  Exams, papers, and projects all due within the next couple weeks.  I am truly stressed out.  Last lecture was a well a deserved break for students, however, I cant help but get the impression that many people find it pointless.  I too was feeling similar.  And with all honesty, I am finding it extremely hard to force myself to attend class.  But for me I don’t necessarily have to like the lectures as long as I find something else in this class enjoyable.  I have just recently come to the realization of what that one thing is, blogging.  As of right now, I’m writing this and actually somewhat enjoying it.  I am able to express myself anonymously and have people comment on my blogs weekly.  It has also inspired me to keep my own blog (non school related) online and use it as a journal to express my emotions.  I find that rewarding in its own way.

  Well at least that’s what this shirt says…

Aware that tonights lecture is going to be based on music, I decided to jump the gun (similar to many other blogs I read this week) and write a blog on music.  I wanted to talk about the contraversy regarding illegal downloading and the choice to buy C.D.’s which to some people have become obsolete.   This idea stems from another classmates blog I read earlier today claiming that they never download music and prefer a more traditional style of abtaining music such as buying C.D.’s and listening to the radio.  I will openely admit that I download music illegally.  I have an I-Tunes account where I keep all of my music that I then later on will transfer to my I-pod.  My I-tunes account however, has never been used to buy music nor any type of videos and is strictly used to store all of my current C.D.’s I uploaded on to it, along with the illegal music downloaded on limewire that I transfer over. 

Part of me feels bad for admitting the above information.  Although, the other part of me, the more logical and realistic side of me justifies it.  I don’t believe in spending $14.00 on a C.D. when I only like one of the tracks on it.  Instead, my hard earned money could go towards rent or grocery’s.  Or furthermore, spent on an artists C.D. that I’m actually going to enjoy.  If I like an artist, I will invest in them.  I will go out and buy there C.D’s and support them.  But I absolutely refuse to support an artist for their one hit song.  I will never and i mean NEVER purchase a PussyCat Doll Album just because I find the song, “Wait a Minute” catchy.  Neither would I buy Jessica Simpsons C.D. because I like her song called, “I Belong to Me.”  It’s not going to happen, i promise you.  On the other hand I have already purchased Weezer and My Chemical Romance’s new C.D. because I like the bands.  I enjoy their music, I believe in what they’re saying, and I will continue to spend money on artists like these because they give me what I need. 

I don’t want commercialism, I want depth.  I don’t want sugar coated lyrics, I want truth.  I want to be able to listen to a song and feel emotion.  I don’t want manifactured, overpopularized models.  I want artists who truly believe in the lyrics they sing as much as I do when I hear them.  When I get what I want I will invest my time and money into that artist.  Otherwise, I will continue to download illegally because there are far more better ways in spending my money.

Here’s a clip of Dashboard Confessional, one of my favorite bands: It’s called “Hands Down.”

The video shown in class was alittle dry but overall proved to have some substantial points.  Chomsky believed that taste is socially constructed and I couldn’t agree more.  Too many times we allow others to dictate to us.  His vision for a future society would be challenging authority and domination.  Chomsky also  explained his ideologies on “Irrational Attitudes to Submission of Socidety.”  He talked about sports and the importance of distracting people from their real life stresses.  I believe this proves true not only through sports but also in many other television shows. 

At first to be honest I was a little bit hesitant since it was Valentines Day, otherwise known as “Single Awareness Day.”  A room full of couples canoodling with the smell of bitter sweet love in the air wasn’t exactly what I would call an ideal night out.  However, my roommate convinced me and we made plans to go see the movie “Music and Lyrics” starring Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant.  A romantic comedy about Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) a washed-up 80’s pop star that has been reduced to working gigs at country fairs and amusement parks.  The musician gets a second chance for a comeback when he is offered a once in a lifetime opportunity for redemption by writing a hit love song for the current pop Diva “Cora Corman.”  Unfortunately, writing lyrics is not one of his strongest points, so he will have no other choice but to turn to Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore) for help in the songwriting process. 

I arrived at the movie theatre a half an hour before the show started.  Pulling into my parking spot I quickly noticed the couple beside me making out in their truck.  A little disturbed, I secretly prayed deep down inside that the rest of the night wouldn’t be as disgusting. I made my way inside the theatre.  An extremely long line awaited me full of couples of all ages, holding hands, laughing, kissing….the usual I guess.  It was extremely loud and full of younger teens, energetic and running around, probably too excited to even notice that they were disturbing others.  My roommate and I made it to the front of the line and dogged an over $20 ticket price by having a coupon of 2 for 1.  Movies in
Lethbridge aren’t too expensive but I grew up in Calgary and I can remember paying almost $14 for one movie ticket.  So getting away with two tickets for $10 is awesome!  I was feeling pretty good about everything until my roommate insisted we get some munchies.  We then proceeded to another longer line where we had to wait for almost 15 minutes.  Not too sure why it took so long but I can only assume it would have something to do with the demographic of the employees working in the movie theatre.  The average age was probably around 15 years old.  Normally this wouldn’t affect too many people, however, when the theatre decides to only schedule 4 employees in the concession stand on an extremely popular movie night, things can get pretty backed up.  We loaded up on Popcorn (large, with Margerine), a Pop (Large Rootbeer…yum), and some Frozen Yogurt (Chocolate Banana).  –I’m getting hungry just thinking of it. Haha 

Sitting at the very back of the theatre to utilize the optimum movie experience, I slowly started to notice my surroundings.  A lightly lit, rectangular room full of strangers.  The worst part is that the movie was almost sold out, so we were forced to sit by other people.  The awkwardness of whose arm goes on the arm rest.  Should I place my pop on the holder in between us or is that theirs?  Okay, okay…STOP HITTING THE BACK OF MY CHAIR!  I got the privilege of sitting in front of one of those hyperactive teens I spoke of earlier.  It was great.  The theatre was full of restless people who couldn’t wait to skip all of those pre-movie advertisements (eg. for Famous Players or pop questions on your favorite actor) and start the movie.  Finally, the lights go down and the sounds go up and were all fully engulfed in the movie experience.  I am surrounded by couples.  I can hear the girl beside me crunching down on her popcorn, the teens behind me giggling, and I can’t help but notice the couple in front of me kissing every 5 minutes.  Previews are especially long and now they’re jammed packed with everything from car commercials to make-up ads.  I can remember the first time I ever saw an actual commercial during the previews and I was shocked.  Unless you want to get up and leave your remotely comfy chair, there is no way of avoiding these loud, unasked for advertisements. 

Most people settled down quite a bit after the movie started playing.  One of my favorite things about the movie theatre experience is that you get hear other peoples responses and emotions along with yours.  When Hugh Grant’s character makes a joke, the whole theatre breaks out in laughter.  The theatre was definitely alive and the people never once hesitated to gasp in shock or sob in sorrow.  It was entertaining to say the least. The movie comes to an end and you can hear hundreds of tiny conversations about the movie. “Awww..that was so cute,” or “I liked it, what did you think of it?”  I’m not going to lie I was totally one of those people. Haha

My roommate and I stood up and waited patiently for the theatre to empty.  I can’t help but notice my bum feels numb and my foot’s half asleep.  Not to mention the slowly forming stomach ache due to the consumption of too much delicious, greasy food.  I’m tired and a little disorientated and it takes me a little while to gather myself together.  By the time the movie ended it was almost 11pm and the majority of people have left.  It’s cold outside and I can’t wait to fall asleep in my warm bed.

In Russel Smith’s Globe and Mail article “Why Movie Going Sucks,” he made strong arguments on why the experience itself as a whole is dreadful and why nobody and he means NOBODY should subject themselves to that type of torture.  Some of the things he mentioned in his article we’re definitely true and I have experienced many of them personally on Valentines Day, however, overall none of these things would ever prevent me from seeing another movie in a theatre.  I like seeing movies in the theatre because I’m impatient and I want to see my favorite celebrities ASAP.  When I see a movie preview on television that personally interests me then I have absolutely no desire to wait another 2-3 months for it to be released on video.  It’s just the way I am and I’m sure many people can relate.  Until I’m able to possess new released movies on my television, I don’t care who is kicking my chair or crunching in my ear, I will continue without a doubt to go and see movies in the theatre. 

Think back to the time when you were 8 yr’s old.  Aside from the occasional readings or math assignments, most 8 yr old’s didn’t have too much to worry about.  Ask an 8 yr. old living in the 2000’s and they might have a different story.   Children are constantly exposed to different forms of the media and are begininning to grow up younger and younger.  Is the media to blame for our children growing up too fast?

For example when discussing relationships with a current 8 yr. old compared to myself (or others alike) when they were 8, many of our responses and issues could be quite different.  I didn’t have my first real kiss until I was 14.  Nowadays you can watch an Oprah show and hear stories about elementary students engaging in oral sex in the back of a school bus.  CRAZY!!! 

Maybe I was just different in school?  Does anyone else see a significant difference in today’s youth when compared to yourself or friends you knew when you were younger?  If so,  why do you think this is happening?

I personally don’t believe that we can fully blame the media for our children growing up too quickly.  If you really think about it, is the media all that off with its representations of society today?  Has anyone seen the movie “Alpha Dog?”  It’s a movie based on a true story about drug wars.  Watch it, it’s good.  The movie was a little hard to watch at times because of all the violence but at the same time it was based on truth. Thats how some people live. These horrible things that happen in movies, actually go on in real life. So can we blame the media all that much? There just speaking the truth.

Here’s a clip:

Section One of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states, “That while there is freedom, the media must also take responsibilities for there actions.”  I found this section interesting and thought of different ways that artists continue to push the envelope on this form of law and ethical codes.  When I think of artists who continually push the mold, I coudn’t help but think of Eminem and his vulgar, discriminatory lyrics used in many of his songs.  I agree that while many of his statements may be offensive he does have a right to freedom of expression.  However, I can’t help to believe that all too often artists (similar to Eminem) use these rights and freedoms to hide behind.  Here is a clip of an Eminem slide show presented with the contraversal song “Kim.” 

 When the song “Kim” was released Eminem was taken to court by his ex-wife (current wife now…I think) Kim who tried to sue the artist for threats made in the song and for the emotional distress caused by the song. 

My question is:  Yes, many of us agree that there is a certain degree of freedom of speech we all posess but when will we say enough is enough; The Charter of Right and Freedoms claims that the media must also take responsibility for its actions but do you think this is true?  Does the media take responsibility?  I personally have yet to see an artist fully take responsibility for the affects it may have on the public.  What do you think?

There is a song by Will Smith called “Lost and Found,” that touches base on such topics as this.  I unfortunately wasn’t able to find any you tube video’s with this song but I did look up they lyrics.  Take a look:

INTRO]
Original – A first form from which varieties arise
An authentic work of art as opposed to an imitation or reproduction
[CHORUS]
Why should I try to sound like ya’ll sound
That’s what’s wrong with the rap game right now
Man, it’s like a circus wit a bunch of clowns
Wit a bunch of clicks I’ll probably rap circles around
[VERSE 1]
I spit heatrock and I ain’t talking rollin
Soon as the beat knock I’m crowd controlling
When I hear ya’ll that a awful sound
I don’t ride beats I take them off the ground
Land them somewhere show them the town
Even on foreign ground I let them know I’m around
I don’t follow everybody when it’s time to rap
At one time everybody thought the world was flat
Sounds like you that was my intention
I paid dues now dudes pay attention
I live for it even though the flicks is hittin’
Cribs sick you can see the booth from the kitchen
Speak on it cause I saw it happen
This is hip hop dawg
I ain’t just rappin
Ya’ll looking at a real MC
Man you couldn’t check a mic for me
[CHORUS]
[VERSE 2]
Let’s talk about rhyme capability
Let’s talk about hip hop versatility
Let’s talk about taking the game beyond
Now how the hell we gon have a battle of wits
Trick you ain’t armed
Let’s talk about love for the game
I mean real love
Back before there was fame
I’m real wit it
I ain’t claiming to reign
But when ya’ll talk about rap
Ya’ll gon start saying my name
For real though I ain’t playin
Plenty of ya’ll love a brotha just scared to say it
Yo the first ever rap grammy
Let’s talk about the only reason yo ass went to Miami
(Yup) truck wit rims (check) throw back jersey (check)
champagne bottles (check) lot’s of models (check)
Damn that’s the list for 90 percent of ya’ll videos and songs
Am I wrong
[CHORUS]
[VERSE 3]
LOST
When you a slave to the biz
Wit no care for the cost of what you sayin to kids
FOUND
Is when ya lyrics are a test of time
And your mom hear that your spirit is blessed divine
LOST
Is when you rhyme til your throat gets sore
But you don’t even believe what you say no more
FOUND
Is when you bleed heart into the mic
And the pain you sustain it can change a life
LOST
Is when you hide behind the freedom of speech
While sure you’re free to do it
But what it mean to do it
Did you mean to do it
Did you need to do it
Did you take time to think about the seeds you ruined
FOUND Is ESCO, dead PREZ and them
FOUND Is Lauren Hill
FOUND Is Rakim
FOUND Can be you
If you felt the message and ask yourself this question;
[CHORUS]

Last wednesday’s class we discussed the media and what type of information is more likely to be given than others.  The example of knowing tiny, pointless details about Paris Hilton opposed to knowing the name of the first female president in ______. (That’s how bad it is….I still can’t even remember her name, let alone the actual country it took place in.)  I, like many other consumers, are just eating up anything the media has to offer.  Which in return answers the question posed in class, “Why is the media this way? Why do we hear more about celebrities and drama than real world current events and issues?”  I believe this happens for the same reason why the average hockey player can make an average salary of what 30 school teachers will make in a year.  People are addicted to sports, just like there addicted to the popular media.  That’s why we hear about the same things over and over.  To be honest, I don’t even really think it’s the media’s fault at all.  It’s our fault for wanting this information and eating it up like there’s no tomorrow. 

I personally try to stay away from all the tabloids and entertainment shows seen on T.V.  However,  I can’t escape it all of the time.  I think people (especially me) are able to recall certain information more readily (like Paris Hilton’s feud with Lindsay Lohan) than other information given through the media because we’re simply exposed to it more.  I can try my best not to buy the magazines and watch the shows but I’m still going to be seeing the magazine covers in the grocery store and occasionally come across some news on the radio in my car.  It kind of scares me…. It makes me feel trapped in some way. 

Alright, so I feel alittle bit out of the loop this week.  I was down in the Dominican Republic for a wedding and seemed to not only miss the heavy snow fall but also to miss the first week of classes.   I have never really blogged before so in some odd way I’m excited.  However, I wish I new what to write for this week since I am unable to coment on last weeks class.  So, I did my homework and read Chapter 1 and thought that I would just make some comments on that.

First off, I think I need to achnowledge the power of the mass media and how much it has affected me over the years.  To be honest I probably wouldn’t know too much outside of my little bubble if it weren’t for the media everywhere constantly exposing me to new things.  I am absolutely addicted to music and so radio stations play a huge role in my everyday life.   It was interesting to look at the media timeline and see how far we’ve progressed.  I’m curious how people like Ben Harris and Andrew Bradford who printed the first newspaper and magazine in the English colonies would feel about how far these types of publishings have gone.  Everyday personal lives are invaded and jeopardized just to get alittle bit further in the story and reveal a deeper truth.  I sometimes wonder if things have gone too far?  Chapter 1 talks greatly about how pervasive the mass media can be.  I personally believe this proves true when you compare news coverages done on the same story by two different countries.  When covering the war and comparing the two stories between both journalists in Iraq and in the United States you would see two comparably different perspectives.  Furthermore, having a large impact on it’s own citizens opinions.  It is really amazing how much power and control the mass media can have over people.  This not only holds truth in news coverages but also in everyday advertisments.  We need to stop being so impressed with celebrity spokesmodels and attractive, successfull, desirable people selling what at most times are unuseful, overpriced crap.  We need to start changing the way we internalize these types of media….soon.  And stop being so              materialistic! (Now I’m  just venting but you know what I mean)

Overall I’m interested to see how the rest of this semester works out.  Interested to learn other peoples opinions and hopefully get some helpful feedback of my own.  Oh, and before I forget one more question:  “How can someone watch 4 hours of television every day???”  I’ll admit I too have guilty pleasures like reality t.v. and what not but 4 hours…..well thats just crazy. haha

-Krystal