Do media cause individuals to develop negative body images?

I think the advertisement business has a huge affect on people's body image. We see ads all day long about these beautiful, sexualized, idolized, skinny models and I think that it truly affects society and what we think we should look like or be like. And that is a scary thought, that these things affect us so much. And if it doesn't inflict outer pain, it definitely affects our minds. I have 3 room mates all tiny petite girls who are 5'2 and they complain about their perfectly skinny bodies, and it makes me sad that they can't just be content with how they look. And it also bugs me because I'm 5'8 and a little curvier and it just feels like when they criticize themselves they are also criticizing everyone around them. So no one can escape from these body images. You just have to deal I guess and accept you for you and see the beauty in that.

Do media represent realistic images of arabs?

In class, we discussed what is the difference between an Arab and a Muslim. For those of you who don't know an Arab refers to someone who comes from Saudi Arabia. While a Muslim is some who follows the faith of Islam. But in the media, do we have an accurate assumption of these people. I think the media gets it wrong a lot of the time about everyone. They assume. And we all know that when we assume it makes an ass out of you and me. So what is this image... Its obviously a negative one that scares people. But what is the root of this? Was it 9/11 that caused this negative connotation and fear or has it always been present? I think that it has always been present but with 9/11 this image has only increased. And I don't think things are going to change for a while... Not until we (all of us in this world) stop with our hate and judgment and wars, SO basically until we have peace. And since that is not happening any time soon, we just have to accept that the media is going to make judgements about people. But its up to us to make our own opinion, because if you don't have an opinion about something you're more than likely to fall for anything.

Is hate speech in the media directly affecting our culture?

The first amendment states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." 
When it comes to the issue of hate in society there are many opinions. Hate, is a very powerful word. Add speech, and the issue complicates itself. Expression of one's thoughts is a right but when extremists are brought into the picture your right to express yourself changes. Extremists full time job is to hate, and when they broad cast themselves in their repetitive manner the message of hate is passed along in our society. I know that when someone is being constantly negative around me it affects me and my day and I end up being in a foul mood therefore spreading more hate around. Its a contagious and sad situation. So when I see on the news or in a commercial someone bashing someone else, it not only makes me sad but it also sends me the message that not only the person they are bashing is bad but they are a bad person too. When you send the message of hate, you are not only hurting someone else you are hurting yourself. 

Does video games promote violence?

I think this is an age old discussion. If kids are playing video games where they kill people they are more likely to develop aggressive, violent behavior. Is this necessarily true though? I mean we could argue this for just about every product out there creates some kind of behavior that would not necessarily develop unless being exposed to it on a regular basis.
I was watching the E! channel and there was this commercial for E! investigates children who kill. And they flashed through the children, and one of the kids was explained as a video game obsessed child who turned violent and killed his parents. Just a thought but that kid probably had some serious psychological issues, and video games where he killed people probably weren't the best thing for him.
I think that how often and for how long children use video games is a very important factor. Because if they are being exposed to it every day and there is no time limit, yes they are going to be affected by the material (thinking that what happens in the video game can happen in real life, therefore how one acts in the video game is how one can act in real life). I really don't know though, because I have only played 2 video games in my life: mary-kate and ashley & mario race. And those were chill, and I only played them for like a half hour on rare occasions. So I think it can go either way, I think it really depends on the environment the child grows up in that leads to future behavior.

Is Advertising good for Society?

Reading this Article (Unit 2, Issue 7) I understood both sides of the arguments. For the yes side, the more you know about a product the more likely you'll be able to make an educated decision on if you want/need to buy it. As for the no side, what kept flashing into my head was my woman's studies class in high school where we learned about the effects of fashion advertisements on young women's self esteem. So I can understand where Godrej was coming from about the anxiety of not buying a product because we feel less hip or whatever.
In my opinion I think that advertisements have both good and bad in them. Advertisements for me can be inspirational, fashion wise. They can be annoying, like commercials on the television. I sometimes feel like I am learning something. They can be a lot of different things, really.
But the best advertisement I have ever seen is: Dove Campaign for Real Beauty. It is shocking, inspirational, outrageous, and genius. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei6JvK0W60I
I really encourage you to watch it, because I think there message/campaign/issues are everyone's issues. And although this video is directed at women, I think men can relate to the social pressures put upon them.

Reflection on "Fox primary: complicated, contractual"

Reading this article made me think that these four candidates and Fox news are being shady. They mainly spoke of Sarah Palin and her potential run for President, and how as a contributor she gets a paycheck. Which is great for her, but being exclusively to a network seems a little weird to me. I think it would be more normal if a former governor or something (whatever political position one held) had a contract with a network that made them exclusive, but to have someone who is currently in office just seems like Fox is trying to buy people off. And to add in the factor that four of their contributors are more than likely to be running for President... Shady. I think Fox is clever for keeping their contracts in tact for so long, as for the candidates it has both good and bad in it. Good since they are able to get national air time, and a pay check while bad because they don't get to speak with other networks and broaden their social network. I can't wait to see when people start announcing that they are in fact running for President. It will be interesting to see how the press responds.

is blogging viewed as journalism

I think that blogging and journalism are two different things. Like for instance I am blogging MY opinion about a subject, I don't necessarily have anything to back up my opinion. While in journalism, you have to back up you're facts. But I do think blogging is a great way to get experience and have people view your work. There are some great blogs out there that I read on the regular (postsecret, nylon mag, etc.), some like nylon are associated with a magazine, they are updates on what is going on: for example trends, places, music, up and coming things, or their new faves. And yes journalist do tell you what's going on but its different... its more professional, more censored, more typical than a blog will ever be. Hope this makes sense, but then again its just my opinion.