Response to Amal Hassan on Binary Models

     Amal Hassan's response to Binary Models was insightful and made me think of them in a new light! She states in her blog that we are faced with binary models in everyday life without even knowing and I completely agree with this statement. In addition to eye opening content, she also provides us with basic information on Binary Models to better understand her response. I also admire Amal's honesty towards her confusion on this lecture because all of us can relate to her. Overall, Amal did a great job composing this response and I got a lot out of it. The link to this post is here http://themirrorjournal.blogspot.com/2015/09/binary-models.html

Response to Jalyn Farrow on Plagiarism

     Jalyn Farrow did an awesome job responding to our first lecture on plagiarism! To be honest, I totally forgot about this lecture even though it is a significant one. Anyways, Jalyn's post gave me a much needed refresher on the importance of not plagiarizing. Plus, she reminds us of how easy it is to plagiarize and the critical consequences following it. I also admire her honesty for telling us that she has accidentally plagiarized because I know all of us have as well. Overall, Jalyn's response is relatable and informational. The link to this post is here jaytfarrow.blogspot.com/2015/09/plagiarism_17.html

Media Critique on USA Today: Dating App for Bacon Lovers

          On September 17, 2015 an article about a dating app for bacon lovers was posted to USA Today. This article is obviously eye-catching because who doesn’t love bacon? However, it clearly violates the seven yardsticks and elements of journalism. For starters, the article violates the first of seven yardsticks, newsworthiness. The topic of the story is not peripheral to society and readers will forget the content in minutes after reading because it leaves no impact on a broad audience. In addition, in just one glance it is easy to tell that this article lacks the element of verification. The length is only five sentences and includes a short video that primarily promotes the Oscar Mayer app. Clearly the article does not include any sources except the firsthand perspective of the journalist. For example the article states “Ted Crunch reports that meat processing giant Oscar Mayer has launched Sizzl, a dating app functionally similar to Tinder that matches users based on compatible tastes in bacon;” there seems to be potential in this sentence for interviewing. The problem of violating the element of verification could be easily resolved by providing readers with background on this app and why it was established. For instance, this article could have reported the feelings that Ted Crunch has on the outcomes of this app or gather Tinder’s point of view of Oscar Mayer coming out with a similar app as them. Overall, the article comes across as an advertisement more than informational. However the most appalling aspect of the article is that it was posted under the national news section! This is somewhat embarrassing to our nation that this would be considered news. Although the article is striking, it does not belong in the news even if bacon is one of the best creations of all time. The link to the article is here, http://college.usatoday.com/2015/09/17/oscar-mayer-releases-sizzl-a-dating-app-for-bacon-lovers/

Magazines

          I could never wrap my head around the reason for magazines, but the lecture in class really cleared that up for me. In my past, nebulous mind I thought the sole purpose of magazines was to entertain. Although magazines do entertain, I learned that in the past, magazines were targeted towards a vast audience. Clearly this concept has changed, but I am glad I acquired this information because I also thought magazines were originally created towards a specific group of people like they are currently. In addition, I admire the way we dug deeper into the statement that magazines contained a national audience. For example, I learned even the alliterate engaged in magazines which affected the literacy rate in a positive way. It came as a shock to me how magazines gave alliterate children the opportunity to go home and teach their parents how to read! This also came off as irony in a way because usually my parents help me with homework. That is the reason why I love how the class dives deeper into a concept because I end up learning something interesting. Plus, I was riveted that this once insignificant form of media to me led to the innovations of a national identity for the U.S, national advertising, photo journalism, personality profile, long form investigative journalism, and serialized fiction! This lecture not only cleared up magazines for me, but also the significance of them.

Gutenberg

          The lecture in class about Gutenberg has a moral behind it; you don’t have to be the smartest person in the world to accomplish something that can benefit our society. Gutenberg’s invention of the movable typing press granted us with the opportunity that we take advantage of such as, the world literacy rate. It came as a shock to me how much the literacy rate for America proliferated! Instead of idolizing our phones and other modern technologies, we should adore our ability to read and chance of education. Less unfortunate countries covet our opportunity at education when we (including myself) complain about the effort needed to attend school.  This lecture made me question the repercussions our world would face if Gutenberg never invented the metal moving printing press. For example, I probably would be at home learning basic skills around the house while only the wealthier children of merchants were receiving an education. Therefore, I wouldn’t even be writing this blog or have the chance to attend J and C at Manual High School if it wasn’t for the invention of the movable typing printing press.

Newspapers!

          The lecture on newspapers kept me engaged the whole time as a result of a bunch of interesting information at one time. I filled up two pages front and back! Anyways, I was surprised on how far the newspaper dated back! I never knew the Romans could come up with the resources to create a newspaper. I was also somewhat moved to learn that people were put in difficult positions to make the newspaper happen and to provide the public with the truth. For instance, John Peter Zenger and Alexander Hamilton. Zenger was put on trial (before the first amendment regarding the right of press) for being honest about a powerful figure in his writing. However, Hamilton, his lawyer, convinced the judges that truth is the ultimate defense against libel. Thus, Hamilton being one of the first people to encourage this concept. Although I was moved to hear this information, I also felt saddened that newspapers are losing tradition. However, I was optimistic about the outcomes of newspapers after Mr. Miller told us why newspapers will continue to thrive. Honestly, before the lecture I have always been doubtful that newspapers will continue, considering the low-tech generation is decreasing. After coming up with a list of pros in class, I see newspapers with a new light and am confident that newspapers will never perish.

Binary Models

At first, binary models was easy to grasp, but as we started going more in depth I wasn’t holding on as well. The binary models were coherent because I realized every day we are faced with elitist and populist news. For example, before this lecture if I read People magazine, I was totally unaware it was a populist form of media. I also realized most journalism media are leaning towards the populist category. If you turn on the local news a majority of what they air is crime scenes, which for the most part aren’t newsworthy. Their goal is receiving as many viewers as possible instead of relaying important information. Plus, it gives older people a pessimistic view on our society even though crime rates have decreased! I know my grandma is affected by this because the local news makes her anxious about everything! Conglomeration also set off a light bulb to me because we are also affected by this all the time! For example, if I was really admiring a series of books, the larger company would realize the admiration and repack content for fans to serve as fodder and produce different forms of this book series such as a movie. However, this can be a con because the content could become trite especially for people that aren’t fans. As we started progressing in the lecture onto monopolies, the information became muddled. The concept was hard to understand because I could not determine what a monopoly was in the first place. Overall, it was a very captivating lecture.