Assignment 4-2

My focus is on the movie Terminator 2. In this film the hero, is played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. The character Arnold plays is that of the terminator. The movie was made in 1991. In Terminator 2, it is the terminator's job to protect John Connor. Though a robot, the terminator risks his existence at all costs to protect John even when outmatched by the newer model T1000. Essentially, the terminator's job is to protect the good guy from the bad guy with a lot of action scenes in between. The terminator is a robot, so he can be forgiven for acts like stealing another man's clothes, shooting a security guard's kneecaps, and almost killing a group of guys threatening John. The terminator does as John says, because the terminator is programmed by future John to protect current John. The biggest question to the terminator's status as a hero is a lack of choice. With saving the world for now, a lack of choice can be forgiven. The date of the movie affects the status of the hero in that he is a robot. This is a time before the year 2000 when everyone is looking toward the future with a mixture of optimism and fear. This creates a sense of moral ambiguity, which is reflected in our hero.

Assignment 3-2

My understanding of the word ritual is an event, ceremony, or series of actions performed with regularity. How often it is done is not as important as long as it is done more than once. Often times, a ritual is a tradition within a family or group of friends.
The biggest rituals in our society tend to be religious, but non-religious holidays also play a part. Black Friday is ritual for many looking to get the best deal on gifts.
The celebrated holidays are three in my family: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. As a child, my family and I used to go to the mall every Friday. On Thursdays, my fiance and I had date night, which involved going out to eat or going to the store.
Weddings are among the most prevalent rituals today. Most everyone is married at some point in there life, and if they are not, they have at least been to a wedding.
My ritual for my family would be almost a summer holiday. All of the big holidays take place late in the year, and summer just seems to pass by without notice. Summer brings more ideal conditions for outdoor celebrations akin to the Fourth of July. My ritual would incorporate other aspects of holidays into its use.

Assignment 2-1

Not many things in popular culture play a bigger part in our life than television. Something many of its users don’t know is that the way they view television will change whether they want it to or not. Everything is in motion to remove every last pair of rabbit ears in American households.

Like everything in our lives, our televisions will soon go digital. “The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the bill 33-17.” The Senate approved the bill the week previous (Shreve 2005). This made the transition official and set a date for the change. People would have to receive digital signals to view television or not view it at all.

The latest in the switch do digital is a bump in the road. Another member of the Bush team resigned. “John Kneuer was named administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration in May 2006 by President Bush” (Dunbar 2007). As administrator, he was Bush’s top adviser in the transition and left as so many do when things were starting to be criticized. The date is set at February 18, 2009 and the government has spent “$5 million of the total was earmarked for consumer education” (Dunbar). It is the five millions dollars that is in question as many Americans are unaware of the change.

At the same time, the government is trying to ease the transition. “The approved bill sets aside $990 million, which would provide 23 million coupons worth $40 to use toward the cost of a converter” (Shreve 2005). It is an attempt to help those who are unable to afford the transition or those who find the change inappropriate. Either way it is a change that is costing taxpayers money, and most of them don’t even know it is happening.

References

Dunbar, J. (2007). Digital TV Transition Chief Resigns. Retrieved Nov 11, 2007 from

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071110/ap_on_hi_te/digital_tv;_ylt=AjgDdnTe01UBOioMr1w94ras0NUE

Shreve, M. (2005). House Oks Switch to Digital TV. Retrieved Nov 11, 2007 from

http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid={271E7104-6CE3-4DA5-8B4C-AA0BB45160E6}&siteid=google

Assigment 2-2

Three examples of icons are McDonald’s, Madonna, and the Mona Lisa. McDonald’s is the dominant fast food chain. Available at exits off highways across America and most developed cities, McDonald’s has ingrained itself in America and now across the world. The golden arch signifies burgers and fries at low prices. Madonna is the most notable symbol of female pop music and once embodied female sexuality in entertainment. The Mona Lisa is one of the most popular pieces of art and sought after by millions across the world.

McDonald’s is an icon to me, because they changed the way we eat. Fast food is now a part of our culture. Families very often find themselves at a fast food restaurant than at a dining room in their home. Madonna not only became the voice of pop but also its body. By embracing sexuality in her performance, Madonna paved the way for stars like Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears. As years passed, Madonna stayed on top with her ability to adapt to the changing pop scene and showed a different generation her talent as an artist. Even those without complete exposure to art recognize the face of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.

People around the world share a love of McDonald’s that borders on obsession. Madonna has impressed millions of fans of music around the world. The Mona Lisa’s appeal is untouchable—literally. These three examples represent icons today and will live on for a long time to come.

Assignment 1-3

Charity work by celebrities is not a new topic but has received more press as of late with top names joining the mix. The nature of the work varies, as does the amount of time spent. Whether planned or not, every time a kind act is accomplished someone is there to document it.

Celebrities are able to turn television spots into acts of good. Hillary Swank cut nine inches of her hair to donate to Pantene Beautiful Lengths on the Oprah Winfrey show (Oprah 2007). The act being televised could lead to others following her example, but it also puts Hillary back in the spotlight for a moment. A name that is a little more familiar is that of Paris Hilton. Hilton plans to take a trip to Rwanda with the Playing for Good Foundation. Hilton’s intentions are little less clear as the trip was delayed and not yet complete (ANI 2007). It’s difficult to gauge if this is just a fulfillment of a promise she made to do some good after her jail conviction or an act of kindness.

A trend away from rehabilitations and haphazard romance toward acts of kindness is a step in the right direction even if the step is made after a few nights in jail. It is a pleasant surprise to hear of positive change rather than the impending doom the world faces. If it takes a celebrity to make us all fall in the right direction, then cutting hair on a daytime talk show or a delayed trip to Rwanda will not seem staged.

ANI. Paris Hilton hell-bent to keep her date with Rwanda. (2007, Nov 1). Retrieved from http://in.movies.yahoo.com/071031/139/6mnby.html

Oprah chops Hilary's hair — for charity. (2007, Oct 31). Retrieved from http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071101/ap_en_mo/people_winfrey_swank;_ylt=Au0JNhohv0ihV.OxZ1j8H7IwFxkF

Assignment 1-1

Popular culture is the music, movies, television, books, etc. that is widely available for us to enjoy. To me, it means the creation of art without any focus on if it is considered good or enjoyable; the focus instead is on whether it is profitable.
Popular culture is relevant in a business environment, because it is a way to communicate with your peers.
My example of a pop culture artifact is the magazine Us Weekly, because it is available at most anywhere. Inside, it tells the gossip of all the stars that are a focus of popular culture and their latest mishaps or successes.