Technology: The New Book?

    Not only does technology`s advancements affect books and the learning of people, but it also is beginning to affect advertisements and the way products are being shown to the public. For example, there are many ways for company owners to find out the best way to advertise to any one group of a population. This is often done via ones’ internet, specifically by accessing their social networking sites in order to see what the particular person is interested in. By seeing this, they can further research about that person and see what colours, songs, people, etc will attract that certain person to the product. After all this is done, they will have a large end image for each person and know how to directly influence this certain person into buying the company’s product. With this, they can also tell which products to gear towards which consumer. For example, a teen girl may be advertised clothing stores, while a teen boy may be more geared towards sports, not to say either gender isn’t interested in both. The new technology is also affecting books and the way people learn because most people in school would rather be on their electronic devices such as a cell phone or iPod versus sitting reading a book for school. This being the case, could technology become like a new book? Well if technology continues to grow like this, it may and everything may be further shaped around new ideas and technological advancements.

'Cool' VS 'Loser'

    How come stereotypes were made up and where did they come from? Did someone just walk out of their cave one day and say ‘My animal was harder to catch than yours, so I’m better?’ or what?  Jocks are ‘supposed’ to be unintelligent and nerds are ‘supposed’ to have glasses and ‘lame’ clothes? This seems extremely unfair especially for those who cannot afford to have the newest fashions or technology because then due to their background, they are seem as uncool/unpopular in the school setting as well as out in society. What if a child and/or teen doesn’t have the money to go out several times a week, or even a month in order to buy new clothes? These people are then automatically thought of as lower than those who can afford it, just because society says so. Also, some people are raised differently or have problems as they grow up such as family problems. This probably wouldn’t help one become cooler as far as the social ladder is concerned because they most likely aren’t going to be seen as how society wants them to be. In addition to this, just because media tells us this is the way things should be, doesn’t make it right nor does it mean that everyone else feels that way too.        Personally, I don’t like at least three-quarters of the fashion out there now in days. It’s either too revealing especially for girls at a young age or too much, for example, the pants that go up to the middle of one’s abdomen. It just doesn’t look attractive or comfortable in my opinion. This being the case, I’d rather be a ‘loser’ but be comfortable and be able to show my intelligence than be ‘cool’ and dress provocatively while acting stupid.

Food Advertising

    Media and advertising companies have gone too far with marketing when it’s even reaching to the food we eat. For example, the cereal called ‘Special K’. This makes it seem as though by eating this cereal, you will slim down and all of a sudden look ‘attractive’, however this isn’t the case. It may have fewer sugars and be healthier than some other kinds of cereal, but by just eating a certain cereal along with ones regular meals, you aren’t going to see changes in your shape. This would involve physical activity and a variety or healthier foods. Another type of food that reaches out to a certain audience would be the new ‘Side Kicks’ noodles. The company is now making the packages with less salt in it and are reaching out to female shoppers with the little salt shaker that is now ‘lost’. The commercials really reach out to women because they are thought to be more sensitive than most men so they would feel bad for this little salt guy and often think of the product more. And not only are they thinking about this more, but people will believe it’s healthier because there is less salt in the product. Thus, not only is the media affecting what we wear or listen to, but they it is also greatly affecting the food we eat on a daily basis.

Circle of Friends

    If the media was to actually get in touch with many of teens now in days, I think they would be surprised with what they would find out. Not only is their representation of teens fairly incorrect, but also what teens are attracted to and what catches their eyes would probably change even if just slightly especially within my circle of friends. We don’t want to wear, nor like seeing girls walking around the school in see-through shirts, or the shorts that are way too short for in a school setting. We would prefer to be comfortable (such as sweaters/jeans) and be able to have fun without worrying about our clothes. Also, when I say have fun, I don’t mean going out and getting drunk or high, I mean being able to act a little crazy without that stuff. We would rather enjoy the time we have with each other than take advantage of that by making ourselves drunk. Neither my friends, nor I go home and are suddenly depressed, even though this is how the media makes us teens out to be. Life may be more fun when hanging out with friends sometimes with inside jokes and what not, but that doesn’t mean we hate our family. This is also the same with most other teens. If they are happy before they get home, it’s not all of a sudden going to change because they walk in the door of their home. This being said, I think the media needs to re-evaluate teens and try to connect with them better.

Racism?

    Why has the “N-Word” and the “Q-Word” come back? In the past, these words were seen as hurtful and racist; however, this is no longer the case for many.  Lots of people now, especially teens are using these words more frequently as slag and often they are used to joke around between groups of friends.  Many of which also don’t know what these words originally meant. So then where does the line get drawn with this? There are some African Americans that wouldn’t be bothered by these words, but there many more that would be. The world is trying to become more multicultural and unified so why this new up rise in hateful words from the past? No one should feel idolized because of how they look, especially based on something one can’t change. One rarely sees ‘white’ people being picked on by those of another culture because they are seen as a higher class; however that is not the case. Many people of different cultures are just as good as any ‘white’ people out there some just have different talents or show the talents in a different way. Whether ‘white’ or ‘black’, people are people so it shouldn’t matter where you come from, you should still be treated as an equal.

My Identity? or Media's?

    People say that you can be anyone and anything you want, but is that really true? Society and the media have certain ideas that are presented as ‘right’, so how does one know where to draw the line? If I wear those short shorts that are seen on a model, does that mean I’m being who society wants me to be? What if I decide to wear baggy pants? That makes me no longer accepted, or trashy? I understand that media bases their ideas off of different groups of the population, but the population also follows the media. This being the case, is it media, or people that say what is ‘right’ and what isn’t? I want to be comfortable in my life, not ‘trendy’. If being ‘trendy’ involves see through shirts and shorts so short they show my bum, I’d rather be a dork in baggy pants. Even though I feel this way, the media does affect everyone. I try to stay unique and not let others influence my choice in clothing, hair colour, piercings, etc... but that isn’t always easy when one is surrounded by it all the time. Whether it is direct, or indirect, everyone is affected by society and its choices.

Split Families.

    How come most families on the TV are one big happy family?  One rarely sees split families, yet at least 60% of families now in days are ‘broken’. The children living in a broken family would be able to relate to those shows better, so why aren’t TV companies including those in the programming more often? I can’t relate to someone who lives in a ‘normal’ family, because my family isn’t ‘normal’. My parents have split up, and even though they have found new loves, my family is still separated. Even the new loves have been in previous relationships, so how can I pretend my family is ‘normal’? Even though kids living in a ‘normal’ family may not be able to relate to a show with split families as well, it would give those other kids a sense of belonging. Also, just because the person’s family is ‘broken’ doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with them. Society just calls it a ‘broken’ family because everyone isn’t together. The family isn’t as one unit, however, as several units that come back together to act as one. Such a life could feel very eventful and as though there is no time for one’s self for being involved with several people, but there’s just more people to love you in such situation. With that being said, if one is in a ‘normal’ family, it doesn’t mean they aren’t loved, they just have a different type of love provided from them.

What Makes You Famous?

    What makes someone famous? Some people can act, some can sing, and some may be model material but why is this what media chooses to show us? Sure, everyone needs a job, but a model gets theirs based solely on their looks. They may be skinny, or have nice hair, or a great complexion, but then this is what teens in society compare themselves to. For example, seeing the skinny model would make certain people try to lose weight. This is usually done in a very unhealthy way and to people who do not need to lose weight or have the weight to lose. The image that is perceived by these models is often impossible as well for the pictures are computer edited to make the models look skinnier and perfect in every way. Teens also would begin to think that this imagine is the only way one should look, including clothing. When models dress in inappropriate clothes that aren’t meant for young people, those in society, whether young or old would see it and believe it is the way they should be. This would cause people to strive for the impossible and hurt themselves to look ‘good’. The feeling of looking good is also usually based upon how others see you, not how you see yourself to be.
    People are classified to be famous, not only for their talents but for their looks.

Teen Representation

     Why are teens represented to be always sad and dark people? In reality, there are very few who actually are. Yes, people may have problems and have their sad days, but it is a part of life. Adults get sad sometimes too, teens just may show it more. Teens often also make problems larger than they need to be, and exaggerate reality much further than necessary. Some do it for the attention, but others do it because they may be searching for help, or advice. If you make the problem larger, then maybe someone will start to care and help, versus if it seems like something small. Teens may have smaller/less problems then adults, but as a ‘child’, small problems can seem to be the end of the world. Teens are also seen as rebellious, when majority of them are not. If the teen gets a tattoo for example, they often are not doing it for the attention or a chance to go against the parent/guardian, they are doing it because they have a passion for something and often are aloud. This is the same with piercings. Although many people are getting different kinds of piercings, it is a way to be different and make a statement, not rebel. Adults get tattoos and piercings too as well as make bad decisions but everyone is human and everyone makes mistakes.

The Way Girls Dress

    How come now in days high school girls dress so inappropriate? We're teenagers, not adults. We're going to school, not a club. Clothes were originally made solid for a reason, and no clothing item needs to have extra holes in it. People even spend more money for clothes that come with holes in it than they would for regular clothes? What's the point? Who needs to show off their body like that at school? If it's on your own time outside of school, then that's one thing... but in a school setting it isn't appropriate. Teachers don't want to come to work and see students degrading themselves like that, nor to other students want to see their peers like that. When I leave home in the morning, I don't want to arrive and see girls in shirts that show off their bra or bottoms that are too short. Not only is it degrading to girls but it is also disrespectful and disgusting to see those around you like that.Although this is what is being advertised to us as teens, we don't have to buy into it. If no one bought the clothing then the fashions would change. There are famous people who don't dress as they maybe should, but their role in society is different than ours at this age. Those who dress like this create a poor image for all teenage girls and it is not right.
* look at how fashion has changed over the last 100 years and think about where fashion is headed in the future...