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.

Evaluating Evidence

Evaluating evidence is one of the topics that are discussed in this chapter. I found this to be very informative and interesting. The textbook discussed about direct experience and false memories. Sometimes direct experiences are not as reliable as it seems. Our brains tend to interpret the experience rather than record the sensory experience. False memories are just as believable as real memories. This occurs when one alters their own memories, creating false memories, and actually believing them, which makes them seem realistic. This is also known as false memory syndrome. Researchers also suggest that false memory occurs for people who do not engage in critical thinking about their memories, being more attentive and analytical about events can prevent false memories. I found this to be very interesting because there are times were I recall a memory but then question about whether or not if it really happened. This happens not too frequently, only with events that happened long time ago.

Perspectives on UFO

There are many different perspectives on the existence of the unidentified flying objects, also commonly known as UFO. Scientists Edward Condon, J. Allen Hynek and Royston Paynter all have different views on this topic. Condon believes that there needs to be more official proof, although the UFO have interesting evidence, there needs to be a specific study on it in order for there to have credible evidence. He also believes that the sightings have a lot to do with meteorology and not another life form from elsewhere. Hynek believes that there are aliens that exist but there needs to be a more in depth study of UFOs’. There needs to be more proof of UFO sightings in different countries in order to be supported. Lastly, Paynter is the most skeptical about UFOs’, although there is evidence of the sightings, there needs to be more physical evidence in order to support these conclusions. I believe Paynter makes the best argument because if there are physical evidence of aliens before anyone can fully believe the existence of aliens.