VAGABOND post-class 4/1 [response to Clem]

As Jameson says it creates a privation of history by making a new representation of something that exists. Also it changes its ideology.

Clem,

I agree with the connection you've made. It's interesting how what is unnoticed, unsaid - the notion of the gap and the rupture, if you will put it - is what our ideology thrives on. I feel as the the dominant hegemony lies within the mystery of it all because when it is pointed out and made aware, no one realizes that the way we perceive and believe is all manipulated a certain way.

I thought about the gender ideology, how men perceive alpha males - better males - as controlling, aggressive, and capable of taking care of those around them. I also thought about how women are "followers" - as my boyfriend who constantly jokes that men are better at navigating/has a better sense of direction because they are leaders. Maybe throughout time, we have been conditionalized to believe that maybe men are indeed from Mars and women are from Venus. Does this explanation really explain our differences, or is it just me who finds it as an excuse that further separates us?

What I'm trying to get at is, who and since when did this kind of stature come to being? Who is responsible for this kind of ideals?

VAGABOND post-class 3/16

Today we talked about Jenkins and did a wrap up/review for Poster, also covering how the function of telephone has changed - probably would count towards the notion of shareware - and the involvement the public now has with the media.

Telephones were made to connect two parties. However, as time progressed, conference calls were enabled. Next, texting was invented (probably from the idea of a telegraph/letter)....Now everything in our lives guarantees instant gratification - google on the go, stay connected via facebook, get your emails outside of work etc.

I also thought about the Victoria's Secret fashion show that happened not too long ago. The audience gets to watch the elimination process of their search for the next Angel and down to the final 2, the public's input matters because "we" got to decide one of the girl's future. In fact, my roommate and I both voted via texting as well as through the website.

VAGABOND post-class 3/4

We furthered our Disney discussion in class on Thursday with Dr. Rog, looking at a picture in Myanmar and a video of a drunken couple we drank around the world - at Epcot. It is interesting to know that a lot of the Laotian civilians are able to recognize Disney characters but not any other English words such as sweater. However, the most disturbing aspect of this is knowing that there is no established trade relations between Myanmar and the US, yet the fair/carnival had all the Disney characters and merchandises that splashed their names as well as the US army's logos on them.

After thinking that maybe the US is the only country around the world that is represented by a corporation, I decided to do some exercise on my own:
First, I thought of Italy. Food aside, I thought of gladiators and Vatican City.
Next, I thought of Hong Kong. I thought about the diversity of the city and the British establishment and the changes that occurred after the Chinese took it back.
Then I thought of Australia and I thought about their history and kangaroos.
I did this for several countries (...) and then realized that I cannot think of anything to represent the US.
Yellowstone National Park is more of a California thing, Statue of Liberty - perhaps, the White House?
I am conflicted. I am not sure if this occurs because America is such a large country that every state has state pride so it is still divided after all?
I don't know but it is definitely notable that those who have never been to the states get a satisfaction of going to the "closest" one - ie Paris, Tokyo - and when given the chance to come to the states, it is often a trip to Disneyland without fail.
In fact, I cannot recall how many of my friends have been to a country where Disney has a branch at and they would make a conscious effort of making a trip there.

VAGABOND post-class 2/25

The fantasy world we know as Las Vegas and Disneyland poses a threat to our culture because of how predominantly people fail to realize the way it alters the way we think and perceive the world.

America and other Euro-centric countries always believed they're "better," hence they usually do not bother to learn a second language and expect other to conform to their social norms (as proven by many communication scholarly - I'm not hating. And it is also shown through centuries of assimilating others to be like "us.") Maybe this kind of psychological approach works because according to de Saussure, your value is determined by what others deem fit. Therefore when you're charging hundreds of dollars per ticket, you're putting a price on what is considered "privileged" hence people around the world think of "Disney" as "American" and if you've been to Disney, you've seen America whereas if you go to Yellowstone National Park, you might not even make a mere impression during your story telling.

In Disney and Vegas, this is one of the places where customer service is priority because people shed big bucks just to enjoy a time in the happiest place on Earth - where as K.Kriggle puts it, you forget about poverty, hunger, and war. Similar to fine dining, you expect everything done and prepared to a t because of the price tag.

I agree with Clem because those who are not privileged enough to even leave their hometown/state, will never get to experience "life" as we know it. We know know the "Paris" in Vegas and Epcot are not essentially Paris. But the replica of it makes us think we know when we don't. The replica doesn't have the essence of the authentic - it is no where same in actual size or function and it clearly does not "represent" the French culture. Yet we are able to see Harajuku girls and think of Japan when Japan clearly has different "culture" various across cities - similar to America and the difference from coast to coast.

What I'm trying to say is: I see the threat as Clem pointed out. I believe that those who may never have the opportunity to see the world would ultimately make the claim, "uh, well yes, I love Chinese food and the oriental atmosphere" when they barely understand the culture and believe that ethnic Chinese cuisine gives out fortune cookies when, in fact, they don't. At least not in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, or Taiwan. Similar to what we said in class, people think of Italy and their mind conjures up the image of Venice. However, the problem is essentially how Rome is different from Venice, Florence, Naples, Tuscany, and Milan...

VAGABOND [rambles]

The following is something I have posted on my Xanga, Myspace, Facebook note, as well as my own personal blog because it is so phenomenal and is exactly what a lot of our theorists that question popular media, mass production, and mindless behavior talk about:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but
shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more,
but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and
smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees
but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more
problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,
drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too
little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our
possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and
hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to
life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but
have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer
space but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air,
but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less.

We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold
more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less
and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small
character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of
two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one
night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer,
to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the
stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time
when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

-George Carlin

VAGABOND post-class 2/11

In class the other day, we discussed Walter Benjamin’s writing on the concept of value in terms of mass production. We used a lot of art works as examples because we recognize the "authentic" prior to actually seeing it as a result of mass production. Textbooks, among other forms of media, has made it possible for one to understand the importance of the original work. Benjamin states “The presence of the original is the prerequisite to the concept of authenticity.” This quote seems to be questioning whether or not all the products in mass production have the same value as the authentic. I do not think replicas are of the same value as the authentic because there is the existence of copyright laws is made to protect those who come up with original ideas, without it no one would ever want or bother to create otherwise. Does something need to be a commodity and "worth" buying in another person's eyes for it to be of value? I don't really know but I suppose it's just rubbish if no one sees it "worthwhile." So what makes something original? Perhaps only the figment of your imagination is and once you put add reality into the equation, there has to be changes in order to make the idea constructable.

VAGABOND post class 2/9 [& response to K.Krig]

First of all, I would like to start with a response to King Kriggle's post.

I think you did a great connection with The Matrix, I certainly see the connection now. I also see what you are saying with the "natural flavors" and he "artificial flavors." While I think we are still far from never being able to eat grapes or watermelon, it is still rather traumatizing to think of how somewhere down the road, no one would be able to understand the authentic from the replica.

I remember eating those popsicles that look like a slice of watermelon but taste like nothing but pure sugary awesomeness. True that there is a hint of watermelon but nothing like the real thing.

To be honest, I have no idea of what the future entails. But there's instant everything - ramen noodles for example. A student who graduated from my high school went off to MIT and figured out a way to dehydrate vegetables but is able to recover the essence of the carrot and lettuce and green onions in the process of adding hot water. Amazing, really.

VAGABOND, post-class 1/28

After our class discussion this week about intertexuality, I started to think about the epic movie that made IMDB.com's top 250 movies-of-all-time list after the 3rd day it was released - Avatar.

It was absolutely amazing and I definitely would have camped out at the theatre just so I can relive in that 3D experience over and over again. However, looking back, I admit that the story line was far from original. It is true that it was great and entertaining but it really was nothing new. In fact, rumors had it that the script for Avatar was basically Pocahontas' original screenplay with the names alternated. There are also several movies where the plot line intertwine with Dancing with Wolves and Matrix...etc.

I was disappointed and being the rebel that I am, I definitely refused to just believe that "all ideas that can be think of have been thought through." Creativity is still present in Avatar, is it not? Did James Cameron not come up with the mind blowing visuals? The idea of representing it through a different media has certainly proved to be successful.

VAGABOND, post class 1/21

As mind-boggling as semiotics are, it is far more applicable than I had ever imagined it to be.

Looking back at Winter 2009, Tiger Woods' sex scandal has certainly caused a riot in the world. The golfer is said to be having an affair and then details on his other mistresses became publicized. Companies such as Gatorade, Gillette, and Accenture are said to terminate his contract in December, ending his sponsorship deals.

In class today, we distinguished logos from bp petroleum and exxon mobil in a powerpoint slideshow. It was interesting to see how we can spew out the company's name in a heartbeat. We also talked about the first thing that comes to our mind when we see these logos. This demonstrates the importance of semiotics and how it has manipulated our thinking. For example, gas stations also represent places that we can buy beer, make phone calls, use restrooms etc.

This ties in to why companies such as Accenture ended the contract with Tiger Woods: consumers associate Woods' image with their company.

Unfortunately, Woods' image as a hardworking athlete is not what matters right now, but human frailties are tied in because Accenture's primary ad campaign lies in Tiger Woods' image. This can result in loss of future clienteles because they will associate Woods' personal life with the company's brand.