http://www.ted.com/talks/gary_kovacs_tracking_the_trackers.html
This video starts by explaining to the audience that there is a problem that is affecting everyone who uses the internet, and the majority of internet users have no idea that the problem even exists. The speaker, Gary Kovacs the CEO of the Mozilla Corporation, starts off by alerting the audience that there are companies that make their revenue by tracking every move you make online. For every website a user visits there are many other websites that track all your data you enter on these websites. They record names, birth dates, usernames, passwords, and all other personal information you enter on websites. He reassures the audience that data tracking is not completely evil, and can be beneficial when it is used properly and asks for the user's consent. He explains that it can be used to suggest new books, movies, and products that the user may be interested in. However, he claims that when data tracking is done without the user's consent it becomes a form of stalking. One technique he uses to persuade the audience of his position on the matter is an analogy that appeals to the audience's emotions, or the pathos. He claims that "if there were a person stalking our children with a camera and a notepad recording their every move, that every person in the room would take immediate action". He then ends his speech by notifying the audience of program's they can install on their computer's in order to take action against the internet trackers.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Social Networking, Addiction and Recuperation
http://amt.caltech.edu/resources/cartoons
The particular cartoon being observed here is one in which a woman is at a meeting discussing how long it has been since she sent her last tweet. This cartoon is an attempt to shed light on the problem that is coming from social networking, and that is addiction. The use of an AA meeting type setting pushes this idea to reality and highlights a key idea: that people need to recover from this addiction. Social networking has begun to separate people physically despite how much they may communicate via the internet, cell phones, etc. The AA meeting is an appropriate setting and is crucial to driving this point home. The realities of social networking need to be acknowledged. The artist uses a fair argument that appropriately draws on ones emotions and is especially effective for those who are experienced with addiction. I do wonder that some may find this comparison as a bit extreme, but I think that it is only because social networking addictions themselves have become extreme as well. Just as alcohol can separate one form their family and their occupation, social networking has shown to be no different as people are seen constantly using their phones and computers when interacting with others. I argue that an AA meeting is only a small taste of a comparison for the damages caused by social networking.
The particular cartoon being observed here is one in which a woman is at a meeting discussing how long it has been since she sent her last tweet. This cartoon is an attempt to shed light on the problem that is coming from social networking, and that is addiction. The use of an AA meeting type setting pushes this idea to reality and highlights a key idea: that people need to recover from this addiction. Social networking has begun to separate people physically despite how much they may communicate via the internet, cell phones, etc. The AA meeting is an appropriate setting and is crucial to driving this point home. The realities of social networking need to be acknowledged. The artist uses a fair argument that appropriately draws on ones emotions and is especially effective for those who are experienced with addiction. I do wonder that some may find this comparison as a bit extreme, but I think that it is only because social networking addictions themselves have become extreme as well. Just as alcohol can separate one form their family and their occupation, social networking has shown to be no different as people are seen constantly using their phones and computers when interacting with others. I argue that an AA meeting is only a small taste of a comparison for the damages caused by social networking.
Friday, May 11, 2012
http://boingboing.net/2012/01/16/how-idealization-of-women.html
This site is a comic about "idealization" of women vs men in comics. This makes me wonder: how men and women are seriously compared in comics or media and how does it affect the audience's interest? The argument would be that the they both appeal, but in different ways required for a specific audience. For example in the movie The Incredibles, the main superhero was more over weight than we would normally expect. His career as a super hero began as a young fit man with a well defined body. However, as he got older and out of his job for awhile, he gained weight and lost ability. As the movie progresses and his help is needed, the image is corrected by the addition of his children's abilities, the use of family in a superhero setting, and the use of humor. I'm convinced that the public's response to image is a major issue in today's society and this is shown through the comic.
This site is a comic about "idealization" of women vs men in comics. This makes me wonder: how men and women are seriously compared in comics or media and how does it affect the audience's interest? The argument would be that the they both appeal, but in different ways required for a specific audience. For example in the movie The Incredibles, the main superhero was more over weight than we would normally expect. His career as a super hero began as a young fit man with a well defined body. However, as he got older and out of his job for awhile, he gained weight and lost ability. As the movie progresses and his help is needed, the image is corrected by the addition of his children's abilities, the use of family in a superhero setting, and the use of humor. I'm convinced that the public's response to image is a major issue in today's society and this is shown through the comic.
http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/_archive/Cartoons/ss-120503-weekly/ss-120503-weekly-08.grid-7x2.jpg
The argument to be taken from this political cartoon is that Obama is riding the "I got Osama" wave way too hard. The idea is to appeal to the readers emotions. We know that when a touchdown is scored, whoever scored is usually so excited that all they can do is slam the ball on the ground. The goal of the cartoon is to make the observer upset because Obama is milking the Osama thing a little too much. I have to agree with the the cartoonist though I acknowledge that it can't all be blamed on Obama. Much of the hype that surrounds this is due to the party wanting something to talk about during election season. Nonetheless, Obama just happened to be president while the military found Osama so taking any credit is a little farfetched. Especially considering we have been working on this for a decade.
The argument to be taken from this political cartoon is that Obama is riding the "I got Osama" wave way too hard. The idea is to appeal to the readers emotions. We know that when a touchdown is scored, whoever scored is usually so excited that all they can do is slam the ball on the ground. The goal of the cartoon is to make the observer upset because Obama is milking the Osama thing a little too much. I have to agree with the the cartoonist though I acknowledge that it can't all be blamed on Obama. Much of the hype that surrounds this is due to the party wanting something to talk about during election season. Nonetheless, Obama just happened to be president while the military found Osama so taking any credit is a little farfetched. Especially considering we have been working on this for a decade.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Reality TV
Sorry here is the link to my post below!
http://www.cartoonaday.com/images/cartoons/2012/03/reality-show-gridlock-cartoon-598x427.jpg
http://www.cartoonaday.com/images/cartoons/2012/03/reality-show-gridlock-cartoon-598x427.jpg
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| I found this cartoon because it shows the recent take over of reality. I have to admit that I often give in to this new sensation. However, this new version of television is literally replacing what people consider what reality is. In the picture all the reality TV shows are piled up blocking the interstates. Then you can see the news stations stuck behind them and signs that show the amount of viewers they have lost. Reality TV has become a priority and the news has become less important. At the top of the picture it says reality TV is stalling network ratings. People don't watch important news shows anymore they choose to watch other peoples' lives displayed on TV. These "reality" TV shows aren't actually reality, a lot of them are scripted. The information that is on the news shows is what is reality. So if people want to see real reality, they need to turn on the news. Not watch reality TV. |
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