Week 10: Class Highligts

After I took this class, I learnt to read the messages that the media tried to convey differently; in a more careful way. For example, I used to see an ad as a tool for products’ sale; but now I will try to understand the skills they might have used and the messages beyond selling the products. And also I understand more about the Freedom of Speech we have in the America; are we really free to say whatever we want to? It becomes a difficult problem for me to answer now. It seems like the freedom we have becomes a problem, and the society still tries to say we should have the freedom; however, should we embrace it with no limit? It becomes a question that I think it will only come to an answer when I get older and have more life experiences. 

Week 9: Media Ethics/Laws

A Chicago apartment leasing and management company has filed a lawsuit against its former resident for her Twitter comment which the company believes that the comment was libelous.

I think that this is an act against the First Amendment; for the woman was only expressing how the bad her apartment and the bad service quality from the company were. Moreover, she only has 20 followers on her Twitter account that her comment could hardly defame the company. Therefore, I think that the lawsuit will not be successful. 

Week8: Propaganda in Advertising/PR

In this commercial, Audi used two obvious propaganda techniques. The first one is Ad hominem; which they attacked their rivals carmaker companies like BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes Benz, by stating that the “owners” of those cars were not satisfied for they were told that would have been a privilege to have one of those BMW, Lexus, or  Merc. The other technique they applied in the commercial was “Join the Crowd”; in the middle of the commercial, after the non-Audi owners complained about their cars; they were putting on their smiling faces when they saw an Audi passed by; which applied to consumers that driving Audi vehicles is a right thing to do; and more importantly, a easy and happy way to be better-off.   

Week 7: Internet

I got 197 as the total amount of social networking websites are listed on Wikipedia. I only know about 27 of them, and 24 of those 27 are known because I saw an ad about one of them while surfing the net.

Gaia Online is a social networking and forum-based website that was founded as Go-Gaia.com in 2003. It is a virtual world that has its own economy.

The way I use social networking websites is only "talk" to friends that I know. I do not add strangers as a friend ( many friends of mine will add random hot chicks for no reason.), I do not allow anyone I don not know to be on my friends' list. I use Facebook, Twitter, and Xanga.

I came to the States in 2002. After couple years, I only kept contact with couple friends in middle school that are really close to me. After I start using Facebook in 2006, I gradually found all my middle school friends that I know. Last time I had a trip back to Hong Kong, I used Facebook to let my friends in HK know that I was coming back home. And more importantly, setting up gatherings by using Facebook.

Week 6: Television

The Coon
Tags: SOUTH
PARKmore...

Length: 1:53
Description: Eric Cartman copycatted Batman's behaviour and tried to save South Park.
Chapter 6: Movies
Question: Which movie inspired a teenager in Los Angeles to kill his mother?
Answer: Scream (1996)

Week 5: Movies

My favourite movie in 2009-2010 is the movie Inception which I watched it in the theatre. The reason behind the story is so simple; yet the twists and turns in the movie are fascinating. Before watching the film, I thought it could be a flop with a lot of special effects and CGs; but it turns out a stunning spectacular which I decided to buy the blu-ray version as a collection.

My all-time favourite film is a British film titled Cashback. I first watched it through a DVD from my friend. The story of the movie might seem to be a little bit silly, but it is something that everyone has been through. And also the way the director Sean Ellis shot the movie is another reason that attracts me.

Week 4: Magazines

·         Magazine’s Title: Glorious Eleven

·         Concept: Rather than being a tradition soccer magazine, Glorious Eleven will be focusing on the best matches played every week all over the world; in order to present soccer from the major stage like Europe to the smaller stage like Asia and Oceania.

·         Readers: This magazine is for soccer fans in any age groups and from both genders.

·         Other magazines serving this demographic: Four Four Two, World Soccer, Soccer 360, 90:00, and etc…

·         Advertisers: Gatorade, Addidas, Nike, Soccer Pro, and Nissan (or other car companies).

·         Articles in the premier issue: 1) Main story: Are AC Milan back on track? 2) Match of the Week: Merseyside Derby: Everton v Liverpool 3) Interviewing Roy Hodgson: The Man in Charge or The Man in Trouble? 4) Side Story: Who is actually ruling Asia after the Aussies joined? 5) Poll of the week: Who will be the next signing for Manchester City? 6) World Score-lines of the Week

·         Cover of the first issue: It will be a picture of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Milan strike,r with the fonts of the magazine’s title in gold colour.