My newest (and last) assignment was to select an archetype or recognizable character from the media and analyze how they are portrayed in the media. Being a proud member of Facebook’s “That’s What She Said!” group, I had to choose my favorite regional branch manager from Dunder Mifflin, Scranton branch…Michael Scott.

On NBC’s “The Office,” Michael Scott is “the man on top”* of a less popular paper supply company office in Scranton, Pennsylvania. I’ve chosen to analyze this character because he is a man seen very often in the media. The upper management nincompoop that makes you question the validity of your career, while still making you appreciate him for his knowledge that you hope to someday possess. They make bad decisions and don’t listen well, but for some reason make more money than you. On the other hand, they seem to keep their community together through their antics. However, Michael also stands for everything that is, for lack of a better word, old fashioned. This may sound like an employer that hasn’t come to terms with the streaming, fast-paced world of today; actually, he is a man who knows how business used to be done- properly, efficiently, and with the customer in mind.

Unfortunately, the new is always challenging the ways of yesteryear, and I would have to say that the biggest threat to Michael is Ryan- the young and attractive temp who arrives in the first season of the show. Ryan, staying under the radar for most of the show’s start, later leaves the Scranton branch- only to appear again with a job at corporate. Now, Ryan is above Michael on the corporate ladder, giving him more power and revealing his ideas for the company. Michael, at first, does not mind any of the new changes (an online site where customers can buy paper, as opposed to old fashioned sales representatives), because he is just so happy that his old temp, his little buddy, has made it to the top. Slowly, after Ryan begins to push more innovative and hi tech ideas (company Blackberries for all of the employees) Michael begins to see that newer isn’t always better. His personal views are soon justified when it is revealed that Ryan had committed fraud by using his website to post faulty sales. With his past deeply rooted in old fashioned business techniques, Michael goes out to reclaim customers lost by the fraud investigation with a smile, his trusty assistant Dwight Shrute and gift baskets filled with assorted goodies.

While some might say that these older business ethics and morals are outdated, one cannot dismiss that fact that some of the leading industries and companies today started as “mom and pop stores” that held pride with their customer service. Michael can be a tad exhausting, ridiculous, and inappropriate, but he still gets the job done. His career is his life and he shows this through his commitment to his employees and his customers.

Personally, I think this is a fair assessment of the character Michael Scott and others like him. While the media portrays them as outdated and inefficient, they are what the backbone of today’s’ businesses are made of. Now keep in mind, this is purely my own evaluation and it is based upon my own viewing and what I have gathered from the show. I would appreciate comments (good or bad) about the post, the show, or my analysis.

 *that’s what she said

Since the first patent was granted in 1790 to Samuel Hopkins of Philadelphia for “making pot and pearl ashes”(a cleaning formula used in soap making), patent offices have been the first stop for inventors and business men worldwide. All of the greatest inventions have gone through the same process to become profitable ideas and creations. From the x-ray and the AED, to the slinky and the hula-hoop, everything we see today has been “marked” with copyrights and trademarks to ensure that their owners can reap the benefits of their own ideas without the worry of duplication.

Currently, anything as simple as the image of a smiley face or a slogan can be copyrighted. In fact, Donald Trump, the real estate mogul best known for skyscrapers and his interesting hair, is attempting to trademark the phrase “You’re fired!”This saying stems from NBC’s new hit show The Apprentice, starring Trump. Now aware of the show’s success, Trump is trying to feed this “cash cow” of a show by trade marking the famous phrase that sends his contestants home every week. He plans to use this phrase to create profit T-shirts bearing the slogan, in his Atlantic City Casinos, and in board games as well. Unfortunately, Trump was unable to have his patent passed because the patent office believed that the new slogan would be confused with “Your Hired”, an educational board game designed to give middle-school students a taste of the job hunt.

Many people are thankful that the patent wasn’t accepted. In an interview by Lloyd Grove, real luxury retailers in New York were among those people. A large banner with the new catchphrase has made these retailers, “a tad peeved that every single day they have to look at a humungous banner of The Donald glaring down at them.”

Although the patent wasn’t accepted, Trump did have the right to trademark the phrase. Did he really need to find yet another market to accrue income in, maybe not, but by the first amendment he has the right to do this. Still, many view this act as trivial and unnecessary. One person said,

“You know how Donald Trump tried to trademark the phrase “you’re fired?”  Well, I’d have vowels trademarked.  Then the world would be like a giant episode of “Wheel of Fortune” and I’d be Pat Sajak.  That would be so bad ass.”

http://www.xanga.com/MrScott/254220450/item.html

Personally, I do think that this is a little ridiculous. And yes, it would have been a great investment for the Donald; but does he really need it? In the end though, I would agree that Trump’s actions were not in violation of any law. If a man can trademark the phrase “Your Fired!” then that really shows the full extent of our rights in this country as America citizens.

(At least he didn’t patent his hairdo. That wouldn’t have made much of a profit.)

As fast as technology is advancing, there will always be new ideas and theories just waiting to be put into production. With the rate of technological advances in recent history, there has been a push to fulfill the needs of disabled students by providing effective and functional assistive communication technology. There is much more technology available now than previous years. In Assistive Technology in the Classroom, David L. Netherton and Walter F. Deal attempt to instill the importance of assistive communication technology in the classroom.

The article begins by laying out perspective on the subject; from a teacher’s point of view. Since teachers and administrators are trained to teach students in varying styles, settings, and some students identified with special needs, they are constantly attending in-service meetings and training workshops to keep up to date with the latest instructing techniques. These teachers and administrators go above and beyond what is reasonably expected of them to adhere to certain individuals that require extra attention. Fortunately, state legislation has made it possible for new technological improvements to be easily accessible for those students with special needs.  

The article then goes on to explain in full detail what exactly assistive technology is. Plainly put, it is any piece of equipment, software, or adaptation that would assist a student with tasks otherwise difficult to accomplish. This could be something as easy as an on-screen magnifier for their laptop, or something as intricate and complex as a hat with infrared beams used as a computer mouse for handicapped students.

Reading through the article, I was surprised to see the sheer volume of equipment and technology created to better serve students. In my Mass Media class, I was somewhat unsurprised listening to my instructor’s lecture on how technology is such an integrated part of our everyday existence. But when I read this article- when I read about the lengths teachers will go to include all of their students equally- I was baffled.  I read a story about Henry, a 7^th grader suffering from a neuro-muscular disease. After finding a new software program to help him with communicating less formal, everyday conversation, the school’s technology teacher had his class design a new part for Henry’s wheel chair to incorporate his laptop (for lighter, more portable transportation). This story really proved to me the importance of technology and its place in the classroom. Not only are students able to function like they should-without the constant reminder of their inhibitions- but now, teachers are bringing the process of conceptualization and development into the room and creating young engineers for the world’s future.

In this article, David L. Netherton and Walter F. Deal bring the topic of assistive technology into the light by showing real world examples and emphasizing the ease and benefits of such products. These students might have been left out in the cold 20 years ago, but with the help of today’s technology, students like Betsy who have been using aids like laptops their whole schooling, will be able to complete their education and excel in life right beside their fellow classmates. We are no longer in the dark ages, the world is changing, and everyone has the right to experience it to their fullest ability.

The assignment this week was to explore an online branded community. To give an example, our professor showed us whitegoldiswhitegold.com, an online branded community supported by the Got Milk campaign. After the first few minutes on the site, not to mention a ridiculous photo shoot in space with a fictitious rock god, I was ready to find my own website.

During the weekend, I was having some trouble finding a site that would fulfill the requirements of the assignment. Just when I thought I would have to use the teachers example, I found one. I was flipping through channels when I stumbled upon one of those funny M&M’s commercials. I’m sure you know the ones I’m talking about; the ones with CG M&M’s characters living life like a normal person and hinting to the fact that everyone has a little M&M in them. At the end of the commercial, it said to log on and “make you own character”.  So of course, I jumped on my laptop and logged onto http://www.mms.com/us/. Once I was on the site, I was surprised by how much was there; it wasn’t just home to some mediocre games and lame wallpaper for your computer, but much more. Almost at once, I found a link to the “make your own M&M” page and started adding features and accessories on my character to really capture my inner M&M.

After that, I started looking at the other features on the site. Along the top of the page was a site menu bar with buttons like the M&M’s Newsletter, Cooking recipes, as well as M&M’s NASCAR affiliate. Also, there was a link to a site where you could print your own messages on the color of M&M you liked best. This was old news for me, but I couldn’t believe it when I saw that you could print your own pictures on the M&M’s too.

All things considered, I really enjoyed the site. It was truly engaging, not to mention enormous. There was so much on the site that I wouldn’t have been able to see it all in one sitting. It seemed like every different type of M&M had its own different site; I spent 15 minutes just playing games on the Halloween themed M&M’s Dark website. The site really tried to reach out to its customers-from all age groups. The games were engaging and the recipe ideas and fun projects inspired by Martha Stewart were creative. They sure have come a long way from the groundbreaking introduction of the Peanut M&M.

As kids, we were warned about the dangers of violent video games such as Mortal Combat and Grand Theft Auto.  My parents, fearing that their precious child would become the world’s next Kip Kinkel or Columbine shooter, heeded the advice of the television reporters. In the lunch line, while other children ate their giant Lunchables and boasted about their lenient parents, I would pout and eat my whole grain, veggie filled, turkey sandwich. It killed me that some parents would let their children go around, playing violent games that were going to “rot their minds” and I had to resort to going to birthday parties at the arcade just to catch a glimpse of the disgusting, pixilated carnage that all my friends were talking about. Now that I’m older, I see the validity in my parents’ actions. What I first thought was a drone-like devotion of the media has slowly changed into a deep interest in the well being and security of my future.

The media and its effect on youth has been a topic of interest for behavioral studies since the late 1950’s. The main reasons that violent video games have been the most recent topic of concern is precisely for that reason; they are the most recent form of major media that has been developed and popularized in the last several years.  Psychologists Douglas Gentile and Craig Anderson stress the importance of limiting   time spent with violent video games. In their research, they have concluded that there are three factors that make violent video games so harmful:

·         These games are highly engaging and interactive.

·         The games reward violent behavior.

·         Children repeat these behaviors over and over as they play (Gentile & Anderson, 2003)*.

While these facts are true, the real problem lies in their proof. Evidence going back to Pavlov and his dog shows that positive reinforcement following any action will create a link in the brain between said action and its reward. For example, little Timmy Jenkins has just finished decapitated the warlord of planet Zorgon on level 23. After a brutal battle, he is rewarded with a cosmic ceremony where his video game character is showered with gifts, health, and of course, a bounty of women. What does this mean? Will playing this game make Timmy a bloodthirsty hunter bent on destruction and conquering all he sees? Probably not, but if not limited to an appropriate allowance of game play, Timmy’s little sponge of a brain could surely blur the distinction between reality and make believe. After hours of slaughter and rewarded brutality, Timmy might start to associate violence with gratification, not to mention women as tangible objects to be won (but that’s another blog…).    

Now there will always be those that don’t agree with the idea that the media has an effect on its viewers.  They will blame other parents for the tormented youth of today or blame government for the horrifying test grades as they decline every year; but while data is still being gathered, everyone should still use common sense when it comes to choosing what their children are exposed to. I’m not saying that no one should ever play these games, I’m just stating that parents should be cautious of what their children are being exposed to. As long as children are conscious of the fictitious morals in these games and understand that violence is never a solution to a problem, a couple of hours here and there won’t do any damage. I guess I was wrong about my parents…again.  

 *Gentile & Anderson, 2003

 Sited Research

 Anderson, C.A., Berkowitz, L., Donnerstein, E., Huesmann, L.R., Johnson, J., Linz, D., Malamuth, N., & Wartella, E. (2003). The influence of media violence on youth. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, Vol. 4, pp. 81-110.

Anderson, C. A. & Bushman, B. J. (2001). Effects of violent games on aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, aggressive affect, physiological arousal, and prosocial behavior: A meta-analytic review of the scientific literature. Psychological Science, Vol. 12, pp. 353-359

Anderson, C. A., Gentile, D. A., & Buckley, K. E. (under review). Violent Video Game Effects on Children and Adolescents: Further Developments and Tests of the General Aggression Model.

The term “alternative” refers to just about anything that isn’t considered mainstream. In today’s technologically driven world, the sudden surge in the communication and networking industry has creates more opportunities for alternative news and media sources to branch out; through blogs, zines, magazines, weekly newsletters, and the plethora of networking websites, alternative media has made a comeback from its mainstream oppression. After reviewing several media sources over the last week (both mainstream and alterative), I can definitely agree with the idea that alternative media has made its mark in the world of media and communication.

Wiretap.com is a website busting at the seams with the latest news and controversy, all coming from the perspective of the nation’s youth, Generation Y. On the home page, a side menu lists the site’s main topics. The front page had a story about the common misconceptions of voting. Can I vote without a driver’s license? What if I recently moved? Just seeing this page at all, let alone on the home page of the site, made my day. This year’s push to get the youth of America to take part in the presidential elections has been a main focus since the last election; kids are now realizing that they really do have the right to choose their future. Another distinctive feature on the site was their list of updated blogs. Each blog was different. Ranging from political film reviews to tips on being more economically conscious, the blogs seemed to be a hit among their followers. It’s this kind of highly interactive media sources that are changing the way that news and ideas are communicated. The stories on wiretap.com are different from those in the New York Times or other more corporate news sources. Wiretap.com’s focus is involving the youth of today so that they are conscious of what life will be like for them down the road, while still trying to evoke change along the way.

On the New York Times website, I found pages more devoted to the one-sided face of media. Don’t get me wrong, the information on the site was extremely interesting and I enjoyed all of it; I just preferred the more closely connected feeling I observed on Wiretap.com. On the New York Times site, everything was traditionally based journalism. While the stories were very informing, they seemed detached – most likely because the journalists are trying to be non bias. 

This week, my assignment was to identify the various roles that media plays in their reporting.

The “New York Times” reporters who appeared in the selected podcast were all notable experts on the matter of politics. These reporters (Sam Roberts, Gerald Mullany, Janet Elder, Larry Rohter, and Adam Nagourney) all focused on the latest poll numbers for the presidential candidates, as well as reactions to the turmoil on Wall St. In the podcast, reporters seemed to speak quite a bit about McCain and his image- how many see him as “Mr. Hot”, and how his opponent, Senator Obama, fulfills his role as “Mr. Cool”. Also, they went on to say that Barack Obama has the advantage in this race because he is “sharp, cool…forceful.” Its statements like these that provide warrant to my position.  These “New York Times” reporters are giving their opinion on the characteristics of these delegates based on previous actions and overall consensus.  McCain has recently been altering his priorities to win his followers over; but now, between his new bank policies, bail out talks, and pulling back on campaign activities in some states, McCain seems to be very unstable in his campaign. The reporters also state that McCain, in a time crunch, has completely changed his campaign focus from talking about the issues to “sowing seeds of doubt” into the minds of Obama followers.

Besides acting the role of psychologist, the speakers seemed to take on the role of the “soothsayers” of the political spectrum. Like presidential fortune tellers, these reporters predicted the exact behaviors of the candidates and what they will most likely do next.  When discussing the presidential debates, one speaker predicted that there would be a very low amount of viewers for the last debate because by then, most voters have already made up their minds. Later, they predicted that John McCain may not, at the age of 72, live through his presidency and asked “would voters be ready to have Palin as their president?”

Generalized portrayals and predictions like the ones I heard in these podcasts were created for one purpose: to get people to think about the topics at hand. Is the press over-generalizing the opponents in this race? Yes. Are they making guesses as to what will happen later on down the road? Of course, but this is a good thing. The press helps to rationalize things being said and done by the government so that everyday people can be sure their voice is being heard.  

(because I know you are just “stumbling” until you can think of your next status update or tweet)

This blog is a hodgepodge of social media and all around captivating content. There’s no telling what I might cover. Whether it’s controversial, corrupt, bizarre, or baffling, you can bet you’ll find it here.

So, just sit back, take another sip of your grande, non-fat, double pump, no frappe, caramel machiatto, and take a peek at what’s REALLY going on out there.

The story goes that a 40 year old man on a Greyhound bus traveling through Canada walked up to a 22 year old man carnival worker named Tim McLean and sat down next to him. Seconds later, the attacker (Vince Weiguang Li) begins to stab the victim repeatedly, in the neck. Once all of the other passengers had jumped out of the bus, Li continued to decapitate the victim until he finally removed the head; afterwards, Li walked to the front of the bus, showing the other passengers what he had done, held up the head in his hands and dropping it on the floor.

Apparently, Li was under the impression that McLean was an incarnation of the devil. Passengers recall him exclaiming that he had,”Killed the devil!” Some of the passengers trapped Li in the bus until the police could arrive. Meanwhile, the bus driver went to the other end of the bus to disconnect it, fearing the attacker would drive off. While some members of the public blame the passengers for not trying to at least stall the attack, I don’t blame them. In a fight or flight situation like that, most people would have ran off of the bus, in fear that they would be the next victim. At that time, no one knew why Li was attacking, so anyone would have fled.

During my trip back down to Eugene, no matter how hard I tried not to, I kept envisioning the attack as if it was happening right next to me, just like this man describes.