Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Assignment 1-3 Journal Analysis

Analysis of Heavy Metal Music:
A New Subculture in American Society


Whether you are “banging your head” with Quiet Riot, or banging your head because your child is listening to Quiet Riot there is no denying the subculture of Heavy Metal Music. The review of heavy metal music article is a comparison between parents trying to keep power and teens wanting their own power. The article is well written by giving a look at each side of the story, but seems to be sided with heavy metal music. It is geared toward anyone wanting to understand the phenomenon on the creation of the Heavy Metal Subculture.

The history of when heavy metal music began is somewhat convoluted with historians finally agreeing on the beginning being between 1967 and 1969 (Gross, 1990). The basic understanding of what constitutes and sets heavy metal music is the focus in the beginning. Heavy metal music is described as being similar to pop music but with “harder, louder and faster paced” (Gross, 1990). It is widely understood that instruments like guitars, drums, keyboards are usually the only instruments used to create this genre of music (Gross, 1990). The beginning is not as significant as why this music became a subculture

In trying to determine where this subculture came from it describes three viewpoints. The first being the average metal music follower as being male, young adult (teen) and of urban or suburban lower class with lower moral character, anti-social, power hungry, rebellious, low self-esteem (Gross, 1990). Or, the group that believe that it is a deception to the human eye; that we see that some emulate these characteristic, but it is more of teens wanting to fit somewhere, to belong to something other than mainstream society (Gross, 1990). Lastly, belief in heavy music’s acceptance and longevity is a marketing scheme to bring big profits to the industry (Gross, 1990). Again, the article doesn’t really sway you either way on this subject, but makes you think about our perceptions of heavy metal followers. Though perceptions may vary, it’s the lyrics and symbols that really caused society to be concerned with our teen’s morals and values.

The real controversy in the article comes down to the lyrics and symbols used in the music. The lyrics express thoughts of power, suicide, sex, drugs, Satan and sacrifices; while the symbols are religious or occult based (Gross, 1990). This part of the subculture is what gained attention for the Federal Communications Commission, Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), fundamentalist preachers and concerned parents (Gross, 1990). Are heavy metal lyrics creating a digression of morals in our culture or just entertainment? Who really knows the answer to that, but when most followers were asked they didn’t even comprehend the meaning of the symbols (Gross, 1990). They only recognized it as a representation of their favorite band (Gross, 1990). As for the lyrics were not something they desired to do, but a show of rebellion (you don’t like it, so I’m going to listen to it) (Gross, 1990). The article further states there no proof that heavy metal music lyric will cause the teens to emulate what they hear (Gross, 1990). The restrictions were put in place by government to prevent explicit material from the airways, but it didn’t stop the music industry once they realized there were profits to be made.

When the music industry realized the potential profits they accepted heavy metal music. From this acceptance spawned radio shows then became whole radio stations, TV segments to a whole TV show, and magazine articles to whole magazines, playing in smoky bars to headlining at huge concert (Gross, 1990). The push to be recognized as a true art is what caused the economy to grab hold and find a way to make money. It seems to me the desire to make money is what drives our society’s acceptance of things. We buck it, they slowly embrace it, radios play, TV shows, magazine articles, then whole magazines. As the business industry steps up to the window to cash their big check they have just pushed the society into changing.

In short the article displays that heavy metal music was not an art that was embraced with open arms. Actually, many never considered it an art at all. Mainstream tried to resist heavy metal music into the culture. The rebellion of teenagers was the reason the music gained momentum and the need to be different from what society was dictating as normal. They were looking for someone to understand them, to rebel with them. It wasn’t until the music industry could see dollar signs that it was accepted by mainstream. Does heavy metal music corrupt our teens or allow them to express their individuality? It doesn’t seem that the music is what they identified with more than the belonging to a group that made them feel understood and accepted.



Reference

Gross, R. L. (1990). Heavy Metal Music: A New Subculture in American Society. Journal of Popular Culture, 24(1), 119-130. DOI: 10.1111/j.0022-3840.1990.11984163.x

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Blog – Assignment 5-1

What a name “YouTube”! YouTube is an internet site that allows registered users to download personal videos of various genres for the world to see; hence the name “YouTube”. The site was created by Steve Chen and Jawed Karin and later purchased by Google for 1.65 billion shares of Google. Though the ideal of having an easily downloadable site for personal videos was new; the concept was not revolutionary. There’s a television show called America Most Funniest Videos. This is actual footage of people’s personal video sent in to be judged and potential awarded prize money. How YouTube differs is it allows limited restriction of genres of videos and the world can see all the videos not just ones selected by a panel.

Why is this display of our personal lives or views on subjects so enthusing? It has been said that we are curious about other people, especially ones outside the area we live. We also seem to find amusement in other people’s oddities or displays of humor. As for the content of videos they can be very bias or prejudice and have caused great controversy. The content of racially offensive material on YouTube has caused countries like China, Turkey, and Iran (to name a few) to blocked the usage. The site does enforce restriction on offensive material and nudity, but can’t catch all before they viewed by users. It is sad that this site is pervious to the evil that comes from the minds of humans. Though I don’t really follow YouTube video posting it seems to be sweeping the nation and is here to stay.

CrunchBase (1/30/09) YouTube. Retrieved February 2, 2009, from: http://www.crunchbase.com/company/youtube

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

GPS - Where am I

Men will have more time for other activities since GPS has hit the main stream. Why you ask… the no longer get lost and spend time driving around instead of asking for directions. They are now equipped with their trusty little GPS. Yes, ladies the days of your male counterpart pretending their not loss are coming and end. Granted this new phenomenon sweeping the country to have a GPS in your car or on your cell phone has not hit its full potential, so some ladies will have to endure a while longer.




All kidding aside, GPS is an acronym for Global Positioning System. GPS is the ability to know your location wherever you are through the use of satellites in outer space. Before we had access to this technology as consumers it was being used by the military in the 1970’s (XXXX). There has been controversy over the years whether GPS is being used for what it was intended or does the line get blurred? Is our government invading privacy? It is hard to confirm such accusations since the government controls the technology and the laws. But, in1993 when the US military placed the twenty-fourth satellite into space it put the system in place to be able to handle GPS we access today from our cars and cell phones. Have we over looked the governments control of potential misuse for our technology hungry society? That is a question that is hard to answer without knowing how the government has and is really used GPS. We may never know the true story behind the government and its uses of GPS. Does this stop us? Nope, not us, though there is a lingering controversy it doesn’t keep us from using this extraordinary technology that was developed and paid for by us as tax payers.
Since GPS has found its place in main stream there is no turning back. GPS has become a way of life to maneuver when you are in uncharted territory. I myself just received my 1st GPS for Christmas this year. I love it. I am not from the Columbus area and before I relied on MapQuest for directions. This worked for the most part, but when I was are out running around or in a hurry this became a big convenience. But before GPS picture reading a map, watching traffic, looking for signs and maneuvering where you need to go…scary huh? Though I have embraced GPS with open mind, I still maintain a map in my car. A map is old school navigation and GPS is maps on steroids. Both have use and a place in our society so use them wisely.
Article Base (January 21, 2009) The history of gps technology. Retrieved January 26, 2009, from: http://www.articlesbase.com/gps-articles/the-history-of-gps-technology-732921.html

Rosenberg M. (2009) Global positioning system; eight things you need to know about gps. Retrieved January 26, 2009, from: http://geography.about.com/od/geographictechnology/a/gps.htm


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Sunday, January 25, 2009

Smurfs


When growing up do you recall watching the Smurfs on Saturday morning? I bet you didn’t analysis what they represent or anything close. They were 100 of these litte blue figures living in a small village that were only as tall as three apples stacked on top of each other (BlueBuddies, 2008). They were named after their personalites or what they were good at like Lazy, Brainy, Handy, Clumbsy, Hefty, Harmony, Grouchy and Vanity. This group of little blue fellows were always trying to be eraticated by the evil wizard Gargamel.



One day Gargamel comes up with diabolical plan to destroy the smurfs he sends them Smurfette (BlueBuddies, 2008). For those of you that don’t know what a Smurfette is she is a female Smurf. What?? Is this cartoon really expressing sending a girl to destroy boys? Now looking back what were they thinking? Eventually Papa Smurf caught on the evil Smurfette and used magic to make her into a sweet girl.





I do recall many years ago (not sure when) a controversy over the Smurfs not being a good example for small children, but I never realized what the commotion was over until I begain research and writing about the Smurfs. The controversy over the Smurfs ranged from them representing Socialism, the KKK and even Nazism (Chadwick, 2008). I guess when you start reading the depiction of the Smurfs you could actually understand where they are coming from.
The Smurfs seem to be a friendly, fun and amusing cartoon series. I loved that each had a different personaliy that made them unique. I had my favorites like Jokey and Harmony. And, yes Smurfette. I thought it was awesome that she was the only female having all those boy smurfs taking care of her every whim! Though the creation of Smurfette might not be best way to depict females I really didn’t understand it when I was a child.



Reference:


Blue Buddies (2008) Smurfs 101. Retrieved January 24, 2008 from: http://bluebuddies.com/help/smurf_names_and_list_of_the_smurfs.htm



Chadwick L. (2008) Smurfs: aryan puppets or harmless cartoon toys? Retrieved January 24, 2008 from: http://www.evl.uic.edu/caylor/SMURF/aryan.html

Sunday, January 18, 2009

The Incredible Hulk

Assignment 2-1 Weekly Analysis

The Incredible Hulk

I never really thought what the name meant “The Incredible Hulk”, have you? Webster dictionary incredible means, “too extraordinary and improbable to be believed”. What about “Hulk”? Webster’s Dictionary states the definition of Hulk as “one that is bulky or unwieldy”. I wasn’t quite sure what unwieldy meant so I looked this up as well. Unwieldy per Webster Dictionary means “not easily managed, handled, or used (as because of bulk, weight, complexity, or awkwardness)”. Now, I understand why they called this massive creature “The Incredible Hulk”



Now that we understand his name where did he come from and why do we have fascination with The Incredible Hulk? Actually the Hulk was first a comic. The story began by him being a normal human named Robert Bruce Banner. He was son of Brian and Rebecca from Dayton, Ohio (Marvel, 2008). After his father murdered his mother Robert went to live with his aunt (Marbel, 2008). Later in life Robert became a Nuclear Physicist. During a test at a military facility he was trying to save a person and was infected by the gamma rays from the testing blast (Marvel, 2008). This mutated him into the Hulk. In the beginning he changed into the hulk at night, and then eventually the story changed his metamorphosis to just when he got angry (Marvel, 2008). So, why do we have the fascination with this big green monster? Could it be the interest in government experiments, or a conspiracy to cover up the truth by the government? Or, could it just be that he is 7’ tall, 1040 pound of pure muscle with unlimited strength, fighting evil as he destroys everything in his path (Super hero, 2008). Well, except the only Betty, the woman he loves and the only that can tames his wild antics (Marvel, 2008). He is a big beast with a heart. Maybe that is why the fascination, we all have our moments but there is nothing stronger that the love we have for the special someone to tame our own incredible hulk.

references:

picture: http://www.buyurburdanindir.com/wp-content/plugins/hot-linked-image-cacher/upload/rapidshare.com/games/The_Incredible_Hulk_Ultimate_Destruction/The_Incredible_Hulk_Ultimate_Destruction_wallpaper13.jpg

Hulk. (2009). In Merriam-wWebster online dictionary.
Retrieved January 17, 2009, from
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hulk


Incredible. (2009). In Merriam-webster online dictionary.
Retrieved January 17, 2009, from
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incredible

Marvel (December 7, 2008) Incredible hulk history. Retrieved January 14, 2009, from: http://www.incredible-hulk-library.com/superhero-library/incredible-hulk/incredible-hulk-history.aspx

Super Hero Universe (2008) Marvel super hero the incredible hulk facts & stats. Retrieved January 16, 2009, from: http://superherouniverse.com/superheroes/marvel/hulk.htm

Unwieldy. (2009). In Merriam-webster online dictionary.Retrieved January 18, 2009, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unwieldy

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Assignment 2-2
Icon Analysis



Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh started off on pages of paper. He began as a character in a book and later became animated through the efforts of Walt Disney. Pooh is the ring leader of his other furry friends, Piglet (his best friend), tigger (always messing things up), Rabbit (planner), Eeyore (always sad), owl (wisdom), Kanga (motherly), Roo (child innocents). I chose Winnie the Pooh because he meant so much to me growing up and then to my children. The animals of the hundred acre woods offer different personalities to show how to love and support each other thru many issues. And, if you work really hard you just might get some honey.Picture: http://www.hindu.com/yw/2009/01/13/stories/2009011350520400.htm




Superman


Superman has been around for many years. This super hero started in comic books then moved to cartoons, television series, and motion picture movies. Superman stands for truth, justice and the American way. This not only shows that good triumphs over evil, but that we will struggle but as long as we are good we will win. I chose Superman because we all need keep in mind that good can triumph over evil. The more we think it and try then evil can’t take over society. Superman means to me good, strength, loyalty, caring, hard working all characteristics that I try to maintain. Pictures: http://members.tripod.com/cariart/Superman4large.jpg http://www.toonado.com/images/news/superman-the-animated-series/superman012406.jpg


Biggest Loser


The Biggest Loser is a reality television series in their seventh season on NBC. The show premise is to have morbidly obese people come to a secluded designation for a competition to lose weight. The contestants work out with personal trainers everyday and then compete for privileges like phone calls or being safe from elimination during the weekly weigh-in. I chose this because we are very over weight nation. This show shows that no matter how big you are you can lose weight and be healthy. Though I am not large like the people on the show I do struggle with losing weight. I feel it does keep me motivated by keeping the thoughts of healthy lifestyle in my life.
Picture:
http://thebiz.fancast.com/Blog-Biggest-Loser-Ali.jpg