Class Highlights!!!!! : ))))))

This quarter in JOUR 2 mass media class I have learned multiple things that have made me either question a previous opinion I had or have made me say " wow".  For example in chapter two an "Aha!" moment I had was when desensitization was talked about.  As stated in the text book, desensitization is when viewers who continuously view media violence and later develop emotional neutrality when put face to face with a real life act of violence. There are multiple movies and video games that portray and depict real life violence and even have unheard of or seemingly unimaginable violent scenes and scenarios.  Games like Grand theft Auto and Call of Duty are games that many people both young and old play regularly and show extreme violence.  Also movies such as those in the Saw sequences are extremely violent and gruesome however have great ratings and box office numbers.  These games and movies are making real life tragedies and violent events seem like just another occurance on a regular day.  This however is not normal and the violence on a daily bases in my opinion shouldn't be taken lightly by anyone.  Violent video games

Also, another "Aha!" moment I had was when the class was talking about chapter fourteen and media law and understanding freedom of expression.  The chapter shows a large picture of a women marching while burning the American Flag.  This I thought was highly illegal and unheard of and I was shocked to learn that it is in fact legal.

Last but not least somethings I learned and read about in the chapter thirteen about advertising really made me think about the things that I buy and the products I support. I admit that i am guilty of buying a product that is supported by my favorite celebrity or going to a local fast food joint because i saw a commercial for it that same day and it looked great.  However what some of these advertisers and advertisements are doing are not things that i should be supportive of.  For example, the fast food chains and quick meal fixes that they offer to families throughout the country and world are contributing to an overweight society with numerous health problems that could be prevented by simply eating healthier food.  Overweight adults have turned into overweight children thus the chain of an unhealthy society begins and I do not want to be included in those statistics.  Also,  advertisers who promote certain products like those in the cigarette industry target certain people at certain age groups that they think they can easily manipulate into purchasing their product. I do not believe that is right especially when the product harms the life of the individual and lives of innocent people around them.  All and all the entire chapter really magnified and made me think about what I purchase and whom and why the advertisements are the way they are or portray the messages they do.

Media Ethics and Media Law!!!!

A media law or media ethics case that is continuous and has been present for multiple years is the one about movie and music piracy.  Movie and music piracy is illegal and those who commit the crime of copy write infringement should be penalize or reap the consequences for their actions similar to others that steal and break the law.  However some people do not view downloading music or movies for free as breaking the law and believe that if it is there for the taking, why should they have to pay for it.  The truth be told it is stealing and has been since day one.  The people who put fourth time and effort into producing the desired product are losing out on pay, and in a time of financial disparity every bit of incoming income in necessary to survive.  The question I ask those who are committing copy right infringement and disobeying the law is, would you like to work for free?  Would you like to produce something that took numerous amounts of time and effort that multiple people love and desire and not get paid for it?  I sure wouldn't and I know the people whom are losing money do not either.

Movie and Music Piracy