DWA #14

In Neal Gabler's "Our Celebrities, Ourselves," Gabler portrays celebrities as a center focus in the media today. As many would think, celebrities are not publicized as much for their work as they are for their melodrama lives. Of course, people in society enjoy the countless movies, CD's, and pieces of art celebrities bring to the table. Society, however, really grasps onto narrative lives of these celebrities. They enjoy the thrill of tuning in on celebrities' dramatic lives filled with ups and downs on a daily basis. What makes their lives even more interesting, is that they are real! They aren't some make believe fantasy someone made up and wrote about in a book. These lives are evident and easily accessible by just turning on the TV or picking up a magazine. People are so intrigued by these famous individuals because they can identify with them. Celebrities' "real" lives make people watch them, love them, identify with them, and most importantly follow them. Society invests so much time in the celebrities' lives because they care about what happens next. They want to know the gossip when it happens. These celebrities use mediums of the media to reach out to their viewers and give them a direst look into their intriguing lives. We watch because we find satisfaction in these over the top lives. Through celebrities, we find ourselves. We find real life situations that not only entertain us, but also allow us to connect with them. As our fellow dear Jennifer Aniston has gone through multiple heart breaks in a struggle to find true love, we too have gone through the ups and downs of relationships in an attempt to seek eternal happiness. We can identify in her struggles and watch her to reassure ourselves that it's okay to have love trouble. We see ourselves not only in Jennifer Aniston, but also in the countless celebrities that live through the same life struggles as we do. We live through the lives of celebrities which creates a strong bond between the melodramatic lives of the famous and the typical lives of the ordinary.

DWA #13

In Jeffrey Rosen's The Naked Crowd, Rosen touches on multiple aspects of our society that reveal a lot about our time. In "Exposing Ourselves," Rosen shows the lack of privacy in our society in order to gain acceptance and trust. He says, "Today, by contrast, intimacy and trust are are increasingly obtained not by shared experiences or fixed social status but by self-revelation: people try to show their trustworthiness by revealing details of their personal lives to prove that they have nothing to hide before a crowd whose gaze is turned increasingly on all the individuals that compose it". He uses the example of online dating and how people reveal personal information in hopes of gaining the trust of a compatible partner. In "Sincerity to Authenticity," Rosen points out how image is becoming more important than reality. Politicians who seem sincere, genuine, and enthusiastic will gain approval. Image is gaining importance in our society. In "Personal Branding," Rosen touches on the idea of people being sold as products. People seem to have to sell themselves to strangers by carrying themselves in a way that is suitable for emotional connections and being favored by the crowd. This encourages spectators to look from the inside out instead of the outside in. This allows the people to grasp the authenticity of the individual. In "The Comfort of Strangers," Rosen points out that there is not such thing as public intimacy. It seems impossible to make emotional connections with strangers who know nothing about us. However, there is a therapeutic feeling for some who reveal personal information about fears and anxieties. If they receive positive feedback and acceptance from strangers, these people are left with less anxiety and fear. Our technological world is making it easier for people to expose personal information to strangers around the world. Is this a good thing? Yes connections can be made, however, it makes us wonder the substance behind these relationships. They are based on information that one chooses to reveal, not the true character of the person.

Sobchack

Sobchack's piece, "The Postmorbid Condition," focuses on the use of violence in films. She describes the violence in movies in the 1960s and 1970s as "meaningful". She says, "this new interest in violence and its new formal treatment not only literally satisfied and intensified cultural desire for 'close-up' knowledge about the material fragility of bodies but also -  and more important - made increasingly senseless violence 'civil' sphere sensible and meaningful by stylizing and aestheticizing it, thus bringing intelligibility and order to both the individual and social bodies increasingly random and chaotic distraction." She describes this violence as having meaning and purpose in the films. It added character to these films and made sense. She then describes today's films' violence as meaningless and senseless. She points out how these films add in violence just for the heck of it. Film makers have to add violence in every film. Sobchack says, "those films that describe violent bodily destruction evoke no tears in the face of mortality." This violence lacks the emotional portion of movies due to its overuse. I agree with Sobchack to a certain extent. I agree that most violent films tend to provide more violence that what is needed. This detaches the audience from experiencing and identifying with the film. I do, however, think some films use violence correctly and can move their viewers with the emotional aspect. Films today have the ability to take away the real meaning behind movies with excess violence. Violence used correctly provides the audience with a much more enjoyable experience.

DWA #11

         In "Monster Culture (Seven Theses)," Jeffrey Jerome Cohen vividly describes the monster in various cultures. He used seven theses to describe the multiple roles of monsters in culture. His first thesis described the monster as a cultural body. A monster is created out of the fears and anxieties of a particular time period. What these people view as horrendous is seen through their monster. His second thesis says that the monster always escapes. A monster is everlasting and cannot be destroyed. Monsters live in multiple time periods through various cultures. In his third thesis, Cohen describes how monsters cannot be categorized. Monsters are too complex and unique to be placed in any particular category. Each monster has multiple characteristics that cannot be grouped into one. Cohen describes the monster's differences in his fourth thesis. He explains how monsters are the outsiders in culture when it comes to the cultural, political, racial, economic, and sexual aspects of society. Monsters exceed the norms in these categories. In his fifth thesis, Cohen draws out the strict role of the monster. Monsters tighten the boundaries of those who are cultured and prevent the freedom of these people. Monsters take advantage of their powerful roles to limit the freedom of the cultured society. In thesis six, Cohen identifies the people's fear of the monster as a desire as well. The people fear the monster itself, but they also envy the monster's power and freedom. This desire gives the people a sense of admiration toward the monster. Finally, in thesis seven, Cohen states how monsters are created. We, the people, create the monsters in our society. By ostracizing the outsiders, we form these monsters of our culture.
       This analysis of monster culture is backed up by sufficient evidence. The fears of a society build up the monster of the time. For example, in our society, we fear the threats of terrorist attacks because of the events of 9/11. We tend to identify terrorist attacks with the ethnicity of the terrorists of 9/11. So whenever one sees a Muslim at the airport, there is a fear built up that links to terrorist attacks. Our society built up this monster. Cohen uses an AIDS example to help explain the idea that monsters never escape. In the 1980's, vampires were linked to AIDS awareness and linked a fear of AIDS to a fear of vampires. This built on the anxiety towards vampires. However, vampires today are seen in Twilight and True Blood. These vampires are still feared but in a different way then the 1980's vampires. This monster has not escaped, just created fear in a different way in a different time period. Monsters cannot be categorized. For example, Voldemort in Harry Potter is not easily identified. He is a soul, a snake, a professor, a ghost, and a villain throughout the series. These multiple characteristics prevent Voldemort from being classified. Monsters are the outsiders of culture. Cohen uses the example of racism towards blacks as an example. In America's history, there was a bias against African Americans of the time. They were seen as inferior to whites. The people feared the dark colored skin due to its outsider status. This created a monster in culture. Cohen uses the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park to describe how curiosity of the monster is usually punished. Monsters have this extraordinary freedom over the people in society. People often envy the freedom of these monsters and long for their power over the culture. However, through all of the fear, it is ultimately we, the people, that create these monsters.

DWA #8

Medhurst's work was very interesting to read. He describes how the old school Batman was a homosexual and gave off homosexual vibes to viewers. He uses Wertham's opinion as evidence to support his own. He describes Batman as being a threat to innocent children who watch his shows. Batman tends to sway his audience towards a homosexual world. Little boys watching Batman are already going through that stage where they resent girls. Batman takes this stage a step further by portraying women as mean, evil villains. This creates an even stronger resentment towards women and moves them a step closer to the homosexuality nature. The men in Batman are also given strong, masculine features which gives little boys in the audience a sense of admiration towards these men. The piece describes Batman's house with its decoration of feminine flowers. This gives off a homosexual vibe. To me, the writer is looking too much into these subtle occurrences. I do not believe Batman is gay and I disagree that watching Batman will turn little boys into homosexuals. This is absurd. These over the top features are only meant to draw in the audience and entertain the youth of the day. Medhurst also tries to describe camp. Camp is theatrical over exaggeration that is known to be over the top and cheesy. I had a hard time understanding camp. I still have a hard time understanding camp. To me, camp seems to exaggerate the opposite of what things are meant to be, but in a way that's evident to the audience as well. For example, Batman acts goofy and silly throughout the show. Batman, however, is a superhero who takes his duty to the welfare of the people seriously. So when these two aspects of Batman are put together, camp is created. The subtitles "POW" and others add to the campy feel of Batman. I thought this reading was interesting, but I though it was a little out there. I don't agree with Medhurst and Werthams' views to a certain extent.

DWA #6

       In the movie "Boys Don't Cry", Hilary Swank plays a daring role as Brandon Teena. Brandon was born a girl. He is, however, attracted to females and longs to have a male body. He sexually identifies himself as a male and plans to eventually get a sex change. Brandon faces many physical and emotional dilemmas throughout the story. His natural instinct is to pursue sexual relations with females, but his female body prevents anything serious. Brandon finds himself at a low point in his life. At the bars one night, Brandon meets Candace who eventually introduces him to Lana Tisdel. Lana is at a low point in her life as well until she meets Brandon. Brandon and Lana attract one another and give each other some purpose in their lives. They form this conditional bond that creates a powerful sense of trust and love. They both hope for a future together. Lana, however, doesn't know about Brandon's sexuality. She believes Brandon is truly a male. When she eventually finds out Brandon is a female, she is shocked. She does not, however, turn on Brandon and resent him. She still shares a bond with him that will never go away. She loves him, no matter what his sexual orientation is. This, to me, is a symbol of true love. Love is an everlasting bond that does not just disappear when faced with obstacles. It is a bond that unites two people forever. Lana and Brandon both truly care about each other and love each other. This love is dependent on the personalities of the two, not on their physical appearances. They share a deeper love that isn't just apparent on the surface.

DWA #3

         Wrestlers portray personality in "Never Trust a Snake" by Henry Jenkins. Wrestlers are different from the public stereotype. Wrestling can play with emotions. It is acceptable for men to go beyond social rules and show emotion in the ring. Wrestling also breaks the division between social classes by giving priority to strength rather than money. My favorite part of the reading was the part called "Perfect Bastards". It vividly depicted the character of the wrestlers. A wrestler does not have internal conflicts. "Always he is undivided, unperplexed by alternatives, untorn by divergent impulses; all of his strength or weakness faces in one direction" (Jenkins 303). Each wrestler decorates their exterior in order to show their pride and try to intimidate their opponents. The wrestlers exaggerate their emotions in order to enhance their appearance. The audience feeds off the wrestlers' energy. The people cheer and boo for each wrestler. The wrestlers seem unreal with their over the top attitudes and appearances. What I can't understand is how the wrestlers are able to tune out the outside world and focus only on the competition ahead of them. Their eyes are on the prize of taking that win home. The amount of dedication they put into their wresting is too great for me to even imagine. I thoroughly enjoyed this reading because it gave me some insight into the lives of the wrestling community. I am unfamiliar with this scene because I'm not the biggest fan when it comes to violence. I don't understand how some people can find such enjoyment in such a brutal sport. I can, however, identify with the sincere emotion but into something one loves. Dedication is the ultimate characteristic. These wrestlers are great examples of dedication.

DWA #2

      Men and women present themselves in different ways. In "Ways of Seeing," Jon Berger vividly describes the roles of men and women in society. Men have a physical presence and seem to show what they have to offer through their exterior. Women, however, tend to watch themselves. They are conscious of their appearance to themselves and others. Berger mentioned that a woman is both the "surveyor" and the "surveyed". Women constantly survey themselves and critique their every flaw. They are also aware of the people that watch them. Women judge others just as much as they judge themselves. This is a very intriguing topic and it is very relevant today. The media always shows women as objects and men as the dominant figures. Women are critiqued on their every move as the men just sit back and observe. It's obvious why women are so self conscious. The appearance of a woman is a preview of what she has to offer.
     Berger also talks about the topic of nakedness versus nudity. He says "to be naked is to be oneself" and "to be nude is to be seen naked by others and yet not recognized for oneself". Nakedness reveals the true identity of the person. Nudity is a display for others and not showing the true identity of oneself. This concept is confusing to me. I used to think that nakedness and nudity were the same thing. After reading this, however, it gave me a different perspective on these words. Being naked is putting one's true self out there. Being nude is showing one's physical appearance but not really showing the person inside. Nothing can be hidden when naked.
     I liked this reading a lot. It gave an interesting perspective of different topics and really made me think. In the words of Berger, "men act and women appear". Even though stress is put upon females for their appearance, it is up to the man to show what he has to offer as well.

DWA #1

        American culture is very unique. It shows a sense of unity as people of different backgrounds come together under one flag. American culture defines freedom. Celebrating our pride as Americans is my idea of American culture. Celebrating our country allows our country to come together and become one. This sense of American pride unifies our country and helps us to identify with our fellow Americans.

        The image above symbolizes American culture. The different facial features and skin colors allow the audience to see the different ethnic backgrounds of Americans worldwide. Even though they are all different, they all share the same pride for their country. They decide to put aside their differences and celebrate as a country. The smiles of the people show their enthusiasm for the U.S. The audience sees the confidence of the people through each individual smile. The waving of the flags suggests that the people are celebrating their dignity and admiration for America. Seeing the different ages of the people allows the audience to see the universal pride of the multiple generations. American pride is shared throughout multiple age groups. The thousands of people show how big the United States is. It shows how thousands of people can come together to celebrate their country. American culture is seen through the pride and diversity of the American people.