Video resurrected the radio star.

Video not only demolished the music industry's original process of hit-making, but elevated the artist's opportunity to become recognized. Video crucified the radio star. However, it also revitalized them. Even in the digital age, we can easily point out the radio star's resurgence process. The radio star eventually became their "own personal Jesus" in the sense that they were ultimately resurrected by video's enhancement powers (not to mention the nearly literal "Rock n' Roll Jesus" effect).

Photo by: mojicollo

It was The Buggles' groundbreaking "Video Killed the Radio Star" that first aired on MTV. The symbolical "kill" originates in the fact that rock video would forever transform the radio star. "The title and lyrics of that video are at once prophetic and paradoxical." [Williams, K. (2003) Why I [Still] Want My MTV] Music video would now become the new experience of not only listening, but seeing music happen. Music video was essentially in radio format, but a televised form of video. This televised form is what ultimately made it such a paradox. Today we see some of our favorite artists writing, directing, and producing their own music videos. Take Lady Gaga's music video "Born This Way" into account. We've come to an age of time where artists can use their groundbreaking art and transform it into virtually anything they desire.



MTV and music video brought about the resurrection of the "radio star" in the attempts to build on the iconography of the "rock star." This is where the whole sex, drugs, and rock n' roll theme originates. As a sign, the rock star is ultimately used as a sexual symbol and cultural icon. Sexual connotations are purposfully communicated from the phallic shapes of the guitar and microphone to the perverted movements in which these instruments are played. "If wit is the spoken or oral manifestation of stardom, then sex appeal is the tacit, and yet vital, manifestation. Rock stars dress and act in ways that are designed and culturally determined to be sexy." [Williams, K.]

The legacy of the radio star would ultimately become a bigger picture once they became visualized as a rock star represented in their own music video. Therefore, the dead radio star was ultimately resurrected into the visual and the iconographic destiny set for them by none other than the televised music video. Perhaps each and every digital enhancement of stardom can be considered the radio star's own Easter (in the sense that the radio star becomes resurrected. I'm referencing this in comparison to Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead in biblical studies). Talent is currently being discovered on YouTube and television shows such as American Idol. Therefore, the radio star may have died in the radio realm, but lives on in the digital age.

Media Literacy- asking the "right" questions

In order to define media literacy, we must first consider the various perspectives taken on it. Moreover, it is important to keep an open mind when defining such a complex term. The important reality to grasp is that none of these perspectives are necessarily wrong. In the same sense, one could also argue that any of these perspectives are necessarily right. It is in our philosophical nature to seek what every living being seeks- truth. In that same light, we would have to go into defining the word "truth."

So what is truth? One could state that truth is what we make it or what we believe it to be (as an individual). Our ideologies play a huge role in how we view the world. For example, most Americans strongly believe that capitalism (economic and cultural)is predominately good. During the upcoming election, most staunch republicans will vote for whatever or whomever defeats Obamacare. This overall belief shows the hegemonic effect of American culture and society. Moreover, a great example of hegemony is when political beliefs (Republican or Democratic) take over the reasoning to vote (without thinking critically about it). "It is hard to suggest to somebody who already 'knows the truth' that there is more going on than meets the eye and ear. However, that is the situation in which we find ourselves." [Williams, K. (2010) A Media Studies Reader]

Photo by: Wesley Fryer

This brings forth the critical/ cultural perspective definition of how to define media literacy. We all come from different backgrounds and environments. That's the beauty of our world. Although the world is beautiful in that sense, we need to learn to become critical (even when it seems the most difficult). Henceforth, we need to make sure that we are asking questions about the world we live in.

For example, one could easily make the simple statement that the sun is bright. A majority of society can agree with this statement until we start to question it. First, one could question how bright the sun really is. Anyone who obtains scientific knowledge about the sun could easily pitch you a scientific definition. We could also go into more detail and ask why the sun is so bright. This can result in a wide variety of answers. Asking someone of the Christian faith, one may come across the answer of "because God made it that way." In the same sense one may come across the scientific answer "because of it's extremely hot temperature, gases and amount of energy it gives out."

To think critically about both of these answers, one must realize that neither are right nor wrong. We can look back at Plato's The Republic. There is a Theory of Form titled The Allegory of the Cave. Plato's point is that "we may acquire concepts by our perceptual experience of physical objects. But we would be mistaken if we thought that the concepts that we grasp were on the same level as the things we perceive." [Cohen,S. (2006) The Allegory of the Cave] The following video depicts a brief example of the Cave. Perhaps we may find ourselves trapped within our own "cave" at times. An important idea to keep in mind is that one's reality is not necessarily someone else's reality.



Critical theory can be defined as "an appeal to a widened notion of rationality, a resistance to all forms of domination, an orientation to praxis, and the centrality of the concept of emancipation." (Williams, K.) Our knowledge and interests (technical, practical, and emancipatory) all lead us into a sense of personal empowerment. Our social subjectivities (which are neither good nor bad) become the root of prejudice, stereotypes, or any preconceived biases in society. This all goes back to hegemony and the assumptions we make (even when we're not aware we're making them).

If we're going to perceive the works of media (or practice media literacy), we need to practice reading Hermes. Much like Semiotics (the study of signs), Hermeneutics can basically be defined as the school of interpretation and how we perceive. In detail, Hermeneutics involves a total of 12 categories. Generally, we focus on five: Natural, Normative, Scientific, Philosophical, and Depth Hermeneutics. I will most likely discuss these five further in later posts. Furthermore, perception works in various ways. There are many schools of thought and ways of viewing as well as different interpretations of how to view. In order to become truly (media)literate, it is important to take them all into perspective.

As Tallim has it, "Media literacy is the ability to sift through and analyze the messages that inform, entertain and sell to us every day. It's the ability to bring critical thinking skills to bear on all media— from music videos and Web environments to product placement in films and virtual displays on NHL hockey boards." In the same sense, it's more about asking the "right" questions rather than having the "right" answers. [Tallim,J. (2010) What is Media Literacy?]

Website Navigation Critiques

The first website that I decided to focus on was the official website of one of my favorite musicians, Tori Amos. www.toriamos.com features an easy-to-use, yet unique style of navigation structure. The website features six navigation templates:news, music, tours, photos, press, and store. The navigation panel also includes links to itunes, twitter, facebook, myspace, and last.fm.

As the founder of the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, the site features a link to her organization at the bottom (www.RAINN.org) The structure of the site is very easy to follow laying out a quick preview of each section out on the homepage. The only thing that I saw could improve was that it had no drop-down feature for each template. The homepage was also very lengthy since it pretty much lays out every detail.

The next website that I decided to explore was Starbucks' official website www.starbucks.com. The Starbucks website features a basic overview of their coffee and who they are. It features a basic navigation structure, but unlike the Tori Amos site, it simply features a promotional video along with a panel. The panel includes: coffee, menu, coffeehouse, responsibility, card, and shop. Further down you can explore what is new in the world of Starbucks coffee as well as promotional ads. At the top, there is a search tab which allows the end user to search the site.

Because Starbucks is a corporate company, I understand the conservative use of fonts and color. I enjoy the basic layout. However, there is almost too much text in the drop down menus. The good thing about this site is that within the homepage, the enduser can familiarize themselves quickly and easily. Just like the other site, it also links to social networking with facebook,twitter,and google+.

The next website that I chose to review was www.choosemyplate.com. This is the website linked to the food pyramid. The website is a lot less complex than the other two websites I looked at. The panel features templates including: home, about us, News and Media, Site Help, and Contact Us. A lot could be improved on this website when it comes to layout options. It features a pretty blue background, but it makes eating healthy appear boring.

Using a more lively array of colors would make it pop out to the end-user. Though the colorful plate in the middle adds brightness and draws the user in, it needs to be a more active site. I do like that it features a clipboard including photos of food at the top. All in all, the homepage is informative, but it could definitely use some touch-ups.

Team Byrne

After reading through both of these articles, it ended up that I agreed more with David Byrne's "Learning to Love Powerpoint." Although Edward Tufte does make a persuasive argument in "Powerpoint is Evil," Byrne's article is significantly easier for me to comprehend.

While Tufte claims that Powerpoint "elevates format over content, betraying an attitude of commercialism that turns everything into a sales pitch," Byrne describes how useful it can really be as an art. To me, Tufte makes absolutely no sense when he argues how ridiculous it is to be taught at an elementary age. At one point, Tufte even suggests that kids would be better off if school were closed on Powerpoint presentation days. He then describes how much more constructive writing an "illustrated essay" would be for them.

I completely disagree with Tufte. Even though his argument about Powerpoint being distracting may be true at times, it is an overall decent program for everyone to use. I remember first learning powerpoint at an elementary age and finding it much more fun than just listening to a professor drone on. Being part of a technologically drawn generation, I believe that it is important for children today to learn programs like powerpoint. In the long run, it will help them become technologically advanced. I think it just gives them more of an incite to just how fun and artistic presentations can be.

Byrne states "The content, I learned, was in the medium itself. I discovered that I could attach my photographs, short videos, scanned images, and music. What's more, the application can be made to run by itself -no one even needs to be at the podium. How fantastic! Although I began by making fun of the medium, I soon realized I could actually create things that were beautiful."

photo by: Wonderlane

I agree with Byrne because even though he pokes fun at the program, he still finds it interesting and useful. The article is filled with fun facts about the program and focuses on the idea that it can be used as an "artistic agent" for presentation. To me, this was very clear and convincing.

Therefore, I am on David Byrne's team because it was clearly more interesting to read about Powerpoint as an art as opposed to reading Tufte's complaints.

Website Ideas

In my Computer Mediated Communications class, I have been asked to start brainstorming some ideas for my website. Many topics come to mind. I think that it would be a good idea to make it a Shepherd based site. At first, I was thinking on basing the website on the Shepherd Wellness Center and what they have to offer students and community. This website would include dates of events, classes offered, and information about the facility itself. Even though the center already has its own website, I think that it would be good to have one based off of the students and community.

Many other ideas also come to mind. I am also a huge fan of the Communications Department and was thinking about creating a website specifically for the Comm. Program and developing ideas from that. This site would include lists of events as well as descriptions of the classes offered. It would be really cool to have a website that truly captures the students and faculty of the Comm. Department. We are very much like a family here, so I think that it would be interesting to make a website that is basically about "us." The website could also include updates about Comm. graduates and what they have been up to after graduation. It would also be really exciting to work on with the new studio coming in.

Other things that come to mind include a website about coffee and coffee-drinking. As a college student, I love coffee. Many people don't know much about how many different types of beans there are and where they come from. It would be cool to have a whole website about types of coffees. It could include recipes, information about the different regions the beans come from, and about the coffee-drinking experience itself. Who doesn't love shops like our local Lost Dog Coffee or Port City Java? The website could also focus on the local shops and what they have to offer.

Another idea I had was to create a website featuring day trips. There are so many historic locations around this area and many people don't realize it. The day trip website would include features that show you how to economize your day trip or mini vacation. It would feature tabs like which restaurants to eat at, which hotels to stay at, and which hot spots to check out. Places like Washington D.C. or Ocean City are right nearby and offer so many activities to make your day trip/vacation fun.

There are so many ideas that come to mind, but it is difficult to choose. I'm not very sure which one would work out better, but I am excited to get started. In a few days, my ideas could change. This is what I have for now.

Comm 203: Wrapping Up Communication and New Media

It is now time to close this blog for my Communication and New Media class. The class gave me a really good incite on how the media works. It was a great way to learn the basics of media literacy and how media technologies affect society today. The course helped me learn exactly how media technologies have impacted culture all over the world. I had a fantastic time learning the basics of digital media production and media literacy. Through blogging, movie editing, presentation, graphic story-telling, and sound design, we accumulated knowledge that I never thought possible. The possibilities are endless in the field of Communications and I truly enjoyed everything the semester had to offer me. Next semester, I will continue to blog for my future classes in Communications. I look forward to what the next semesters have to bring.

In case anyone was interested, this was the selected winner from the Tori Amos video contest that took place a few years ago. I am a huge Tori Amos fan and remember when this contest actually went on. I wish I had had the time and skills at the time the contest took place. It's fun to see exactly what can be done with this type of project.



Zepronepsid

Comm 406: Relay and Public Service Advertising

In our Public Relations group for Relay, we are working to maintain the public image for the campaign. Our job is basically to make sure the students as well as the community in Shepherdstown,WV are aware of what the campaign is actually about. We are basically the information providers. Our jobs include sending out press releases and making sure that information and ads for the campaign can be put into newspapers, fliers, etc. For each idea, our group has come up with various events. For all of the events, we decided that it would be a good idea to create a "like" page on Facebook. We also thought about building dinners and bake sales (which would raise money) around each event. For the Pirate theme we thought it would be a good idea to have a movie night at the opera house showing "Pirates of the Caribbean" which would also raise money. We also thought that it would be a cool idea for everyone to change their language to "pirate" on Facebook for that day. For "Rockin' Relay" we came up with the idea of having a Rockband contest where you would donate money to play the game. The winner's name would be posted on Facebook after. For the superhero theme, we thought of having everyone change their Facebook picture to their favorite superhero for the day. We also brought up having a Spiderman web-shooting contest in which people would donate to play. We also thought it would be a good idea to give all the cancer survivors capes to wear during the events. We thought that advertising all of these events at local schools would be affective. Fundraisers at these local school could also help to raise money. Even though we have all of these ideas, I think that they could use some extensive work. Comparing it to the "Public Service Advertising," article, it seems that we have a lot more work to do. I think that Relay for Life needs to be thoroughly researched in regards to just how much Shepherd University has raised in the past years. It would also be good to see where we rank in comparison to other universities. The most important thing that we would need to do would be to stress that Relay for Life is not only for Shepherd students. We need to come up with some other good ideas to urge the Shepherdstown community that all of the events are open to general public as well. In order for this campaign to be effective, we need to make sure that students as well as general public know what Relay for Life is all about. The campaigns that I read about in the article were successful because of their constant drive to stress the issues as well as come up with creative events. I think that our events are very creative, but there is always room for improvement.

Jeffrey Simms Photography