Horoscope

I never really trust what I read on what I read on the website about my horoscope. It never seems to be correct; I believe that it is just a vague prediction the media has made up for the horoscope signs. However, I have friends who read their horoscope on the daily and actually go about their day based on what their horoscope says.  Maybe I am expecting too much from my horoscopes, I guess I want it to be accurate kind of like a psychic. Of course, that is a little over the top for me to wish for. After all, such a specific request cannot be given to such a general and vague category. For an example, my horoscope reads,” When that impulse hits you, make sure to jump on it- things need some shaking up today, and you are just the person to do it! It’s one of those days when you can tell you’re on the right path.” I am confused about this reading, but I think it is just words of encouragement. However, I am going to an internship fair tomorrow, so I’ll be sure to take this to consideration. 

Mission Critical and Casual Arguments

Overall, I found the mission critical and casual argument website to be  very informative. The mission critical website has a break down of each important point of an argument and etc. Each link goes in depth of the points. Where as, the casual argument website is more general. However, what I found to be the most helpful would be the exercises available. Just like any other subject, or a way to intake information, I believe it is very helpful to have exercises as reviews for the topic of subject I am trying study for. If I had to choose between the two, I think the casual argument website is easier for viewers, it is in fact more casual compared to the critical website. There is additional information in the directed link for the topic. It makes searching for specific topics very convenient.  Given that these websites provide such in depth information about each topic, helped me understand the different parts and analysis of the arguments. 

Making Invalid Conclusions

There have been various of times where I’ve drew an incorrect conclusion on the basis of observation, which is also commonly known as making assumptions. Although it is bad and not encouraged for people to judge a book by its cover I have done this a couple of times. For an example, I’ve recently noticed that my one of my friends, who seemed to be a nice and caring, turned out to be a selfish and conniving person. I thought she was a nice girl because she was a little soft spoken and she would always seem very friendly whenever I am around her. Sadly, this was just an act she put up. Once I got to know her, she turned out to be very mean and she lied about everything. Telling stories about how she have a tough life, but in reality she is a spoiled child.  This probably explains why she doesn’t have many friends in school. After knowing all this, I am no longer her friend as well. This is a perfect example of why it is important to know someone first before making assumptions. 

Media Literacy

According to the textbook, Media literacy is the ability to understand and critically analyze the influence of mass media. In society today, it is almost impossible to avoid all contact with mass media. It is everywhere. It is quite hard to avoid their traps of influencing on our lives and decisions. Advertisements for products using thin figured models, portrays the image of society needing to look like that. Mass advertisements for electronics, such as an IPhone or the newest model car, often portrays the message that it is a necessity in order to be on the same social status as everyone else. It is important for everyone to know how the mass media is influencing us. Most people do not realize it or are in denial of being influenced. This part of the chapter is most interesting to me because I did a research paper on this particular project, this is why I feel so strongly about the effects and influences the mass media have on society. It is impossible to avoid the media, but it is important for us to analyze their messages.

Internet Plagiarism

Plagiarism is something that should be prohibited. I do not think it is fair for those to use someone else’s hard work and not be given credited for it. In this chapter, Brook J. Sadler and Russell Hunt both have different opinions about the topic of plagiarism. They’re both professors at Universities, and both have completely different stances on how they feel about plagiarism. Sadler listed ten wrongs of internet plagiarism. Sadler basically believes that plagiarism should not be tolerated, and it is dishonest. If plagiarism is accepted, then that means that there would be suspicion to higher education. Hunt, on the other hand, believes that plagiarism should be welcomed. He states that by allowing students to plagiarize, gives them the opportunity to understand the difference between the power to copy and the right to copy. I believe Sadler makes the better argument about this topic because she gives more valid reasons as to why it is wrong, and supports why she feels that way. Hunt does bring an interesting side of this but I still believe Sadler made the stronger argument.

Internet

Internet is a common tool that we all have access to. Researching can be done all in one setting. I am on the internet everyday, whether it is on my computer or through my phone. I read the news everyday on the internet. It keeps me updated about daily news in my community and all over the world. Other social networks such as, Facebook and Twitter also play a huge part of keeping me updated with most recent news. Everyone is capable of voicing their own opinions through the internet, and I also believe it is the place for it to be heard. I believe that the internet has helped me expand my views and my opinions as well. The news usually present one sided view points which causes it to seem bias, and reading the different opinions through the internet bring topics that I was never aware of before.

The Role of Advertising in the Media

I found this section to be interesting because I now have a better understanding of the role in advertising in the media. The main focus a marketer must have is their target of audience. They must know who their target goal is in order to achieve a successful advertisement. In modern times, it is easier to track what is the most viewed or popular choice. For an instance, the “like” button on Facebook is another way to see what is most popular. This shows that Internet advertising is a popular way of advertising, and attracting more audience. Seeing what is the most talked about topic, can definitely lead to more customers. The text also used an example of television shows, such as reality TV shows like Jersey Shore or American Idol. Since these shows have such high viewer ratings, there are more production of advertisements out there for these targeted audience.

Advertising and Children

Both Margo Wootan and Robert Liodice make a good argument about their perspective on advertisments who target children. Wootan argues that these advertisements target children, to influence their food selection and this is a huge factor that contributes to obesity rate. Wootan also made her argument stronger because she supported it with bunch of facts and nutrition guidelines. Although I agree the media have an impact on influencing children for their food choices, I do not believe it is entirely the advertisements’’ fault, instead, parents should be the blame as well. They have the control of deciding what is allowed for their children to consume and they are the one who are also responsible of understanding their children’s health. Therefore, I found Liodice’s argument to be stronger because he states that it is the company’s job to advertise their product but it is entirely up to us as consumers to decide what we want. It is important to understand more about a certain product before purchasing, or consuming it. If all stand by this rule in mind, advertisements should not be the blame for obesity.

Marketing Strategies

We live in a consumerism society. There are advertisements everywhere we look. In the past week I’ve encountered a couple different marketing strategies when I went to the mall. When I went into Macys, my friends and I were browsing around the make up section. There were people who were working on the floor who insisted on doing a free make up trial on each of us, and we would also get a free product without any purchase. We were quite skeptical about this offer so we denied, but the sales person was very insisting so we all sat on their chair and got our make up done. After they did our make up, they convinced us to get the starter kit for a special and limited price. They informed us that Madonna uses the same makeup products. The salesperson used a celebrity to try to lure us into buying the product. I found this strategy not effective. No matter which celebrity uses it, if it does not fit me, I will not buy it. They should have a different approach when trying to sell their make up. Another strategy that I found was when I went to Target. My experience at Target was much like the example that was used in the textbook about Wal-Mart. There were signs everywhere “Price Cuts” “Lowest Value”, on these signs there were the previous prices on there, so we can compare and see how much we are actually saving if we buy the products now. I have to admit that this strategy works on me, I always go to Target and come out with more than I plan to.