Through this class we have learned not only what pop culture is, but how it affects us. Going into this class I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. What could I possibly learn about pop culture that could benefit me? This class has proven me wrong thinking that there is nothing more to pop culture than celebrities and movies and music. However, I didn’t enjoy some of the long readings that seemed to repeat themselves, which ended up just confusing me by the time I had to take a quiz on them. Overall this class was entertaining and educational.
In class discussions were usually entertaining. I enjoy how everyone is required to get involved in the discussion because it keeps the class from getting monotonous. While some people tended to speak more frequently than others, everyone had the chance to contribute. I think a lot of this class is your own opinion on pop culture so hearing every ones ideas led me to create my own ideas about pop culture.
I have taken your classes before so I am used to doing online blogs. Blogs are an interesting way to get us to contribute. I enjoy doing them because it allows students to read each others thoughts on different topics, instead of turning in a hard copy of a paper to the professor that we wont ever get to share.
The final project is also different from any other final I have done in my college career. While in most classes we have a long test and essays in this one we actually get to have some fun. Making a boardgame is just as beneficial to me as taking a test because while creating the game I have learned things about pop culture that will stay in my memory. Rather than cramming for a test and then flushing everything I crammed in there, I think a lot of these things have really helped me learn about pop culture.
I wasn’t aware how much pop culture affects our daily lives. As a consumer I now have a different perspective on some issues that deal with pop culture and mass culture. While a lot of the time I think its just culture, there is no need to over analyze every little detail, I have been opened up to the idea that some things do happen for a reason and not without a hidden intention. Overall I think this whole experience is one that I will always remember. Its not usual for students to go to a bar for class, or make a phone call, or watch a popular movie and then take a quiz on it. This class is out of the ordinary while still teaching me theories and ideas about pop culture.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Ads and Pop Culture
The two ads I evaluated for this weeks blog were two ads for a airline company. I’m not sure if they were selling tickets, but I think it was just selling the idea of the product. The advertisement from before 1990 had a picture of an airplane flying in front of a globe. Pretty standard airline ad, it showed exactly what the product does and showed that the airline flew around the world. The advertisement from now was of a man and a woman making out in a swimming pool. Looking at the ad you would have absolutely no idea what they are selling. In the bottom corner of the advertisement is a logo of the airline company and it said something along the lines of, “we’ll fly you to a romantic destiniation” or something dumb like that. However, the main focus of the ad were these two good looking people making out.
The first ad is trying to sell exactly what it is. Its trying to make you chose them to fly around the world. The second ad is selling sex. Its an airline company and all it is selling is two people making out which does not relate to an airline company at all unless you are interested in joining the mile-high club. The ads tell us a lot about the culture of the period they were produced in. The ad prior to 1990 was still in the culture where ads sold the product, they didn’t hide behind subliminal messages or fake images, but they sold the exact product. I would say now that our culture sells images and ideas rather than products. It’s the same with Nike, you never see the shoes or the clothing or the product, you always just get sold the idea and image of Nike.
Now a days we are so image driven that consumers care mostly about the image they are buying. People want to buy what is most popular and most appealing. When an airline company sells sex, which to some is more appealing than an airplane ride, they are drawing in consumers who are concerned with image rather than product. Selling sex doesn’t show us that they have comfortable seats, or good service, or cheapest tickets, it just says that if you are sexy you chose this airline which is completely ridiculous.
In the reading it talked about advertising and it said this “Now they say less about the product directly, and are more concerned with sending up or parodying ads by citing other ads, and status.” This is exactly what ads these days are doing. Rarely can you watch advertisements on tv or look at them in magazines and know what they are trying to sell you. We are a culture consumed by our obsession with image and advertisers know this.
The first ad is trying to sell exactly what it is. Its trying to make you chose them to fly around the world. The second ad is selling sex. Its an airline company and all it is selling is two people making out which does not relate to an airline company at all unless you are interested in joining the mile-high club. The ads tell us a lot about the culture of the period they were produced in. The ad prior to 1990 was still in the culture where ads sold the product, they didn’t hide behind subliminal messages or fake images, but they sold the exact product. I would say now that our culture sells images and ideas rather than products. It’s the same with Nike, you never see the shoes or the clothing or the product, you always just get sold the idea and image of Nike.
Now a days we are so image driven that consumers care mostly about the image they are buying. People want to buy what is most popular and most appealing. When an airline company sells sex, which to some is more appealing than an airplane ride, they are drawing in consumers who are concerned with image rather than product. Selling sex doesn’t show us that they have comfortable seats, or good service, or cheapest tickets, it just says that if you are sexy you chose this airline which is completely ridiculous.
In the reading it talked about advertising and it said this “Now they say less about the product directly, and are more concerned with sending up or parodying ads by citing other ads, and status.” This is exactly what ads these days are doing. Rarely can you watch advertisements on tv or look at them in magazines and know what they are trying to sell you. We are a culture consumed by our obsession with image and advertisers know this.
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