The IPod Culture
The IPod has become very popular in our culture over the last several years. Music has always been a big part of people’s lives. The Apple IPod allows the music to go where ever the listener goes. Look around the next time that you are out shopping, the amount of people with the famous white headphones on their ears is amazing. The IPod is very different than any other MP3 player on the market. It has many different styles and colors so that it can be a reflection of the person. (Some Call it Culture, Others Call it Cult Activity) The IPod allows you to create your own listening favorites on one device. There is no changing the station or the CD. It has hours and hours of music available whenever you want to listen to it.
This allows a person to create their own space while they are surrounded by people. If they don’t want to interact with people they just plug in their IPod and they can block out everything else. (Some Call it Culture, Others Call it Cult Activity) Music and change your mood or enhance your current mood. By picking the kind of music you want to listen to can make life more enjoyable. (Some Call it Culture, Others Call it Cult Activity) By being able to choose the music that makes you happy you don’t have to listen to something that doesn’t appeal to you. (Some Call it Culture, Others Call it Cult Activity) How many times do you find yourself changing the channels on the radio or skipping songs on a CD? The problem with the popularity with the IPod is that listeners are alienating themselves from new acquaintances when out in the public. It kind of reminds you of someone living in a bubble. They seem to be unreachable when listening to the IPod. There are pros and cons for the IPod just like any other technology. It is a personal choice.
References
Some Call it Culture, Others Call it Cult Activity. Retrieved March 29, 2009, from http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~krystles/iPodCulture.html
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Article Analysis - Assignment 1-3
Article Analysis
The Commodification and Consumption of Tattoos Article
The article, An Ironic Fad: The Commodification and Consumption of Tattoos, seems to be aimed towards the general audience. It does seem to lean more towards the audience that doesn’t have tattoos. Kosut talks about the mass appeal and the recognition of tattoo as an art form. He also talks about how tattoos often lean toward trendiness and conformity, instead of rebellion and transgression. (Kosut, 2006) Kosut also talks about how tattoos assist in selling products and is simultaneously a product that is consumed. It is amazing how many people have a Harley Davidson Tattoo. Generally if they have a Harley tattoo, they also own a Harley Davison motorcycle. This article uses subject-specific vocabulary. “Inked” is a reference to having a tattoo.
This article focuses on how the tattoo craze has grown since 1990. It is not just for people who want to rebel or the “biker” type. It is considered a form of art now. Many tattoo practitioners have art school background. (Kosut, 2006) Kosut refers to it as painting on the skin instead of a canvas. With academic training they are able to use newer designs and brighter inks. (Kosut, 200) When someone gets a tattoo it is based on their individuality and personal preferences. Their likes and views are represented by their tattoo.
The reason that tattoos have become more popular is that there are so many athletes, stars, and musicians now have tattoos. No matter where you look you will find someone who appeals to your lifestyle or musical taste. (Kosut, 2006) This article has a lot of information about tattoos and shows a non-partial view.
The research that was done really gave this article the facts needed. The author began the article with vocabulary that was understandable by most all ages. As the article progressed it became harder to understand some of the vocabulary used without looking it up in the dictionary. This makes it harder for people to understand exactly what the author is trying to get across to the reader. For example, Kosut uses words like “semiotically pillaged”. Not everyone would understand what this means. Even though some of this article is hard to understand the author is able to get his ideas across to the reader and is logically organized. The one thing that has stayed with me from this article is that the views of tattoos have changed majorly since 1990. Tattoo’s are accepted by all genders, classes, etc. in our culture today.
References
KOSUT, M. (2006). An Ironic Fad: The Commodification and Consumption of Tattoos. The Journal of Popular Culture, 39(6), 1035-1048.
The Commodification and Consumption of Tattoos Article
The article, An Ironic Fad: The Commodification and Consumption of Tattoos, seems to be aimed towards the general audience. It does seem to lean more towards the audience that doesn’t have tattoos. Kosut talks about the mass appeal and the recognition of tattoo as an art form. He also talks about how tattoos often lean toward trendiness and conformity, instead of rebellion and transgression. (Kosut, 2006) Kosut also talks about how tattoos assist in selling products and is simultaneously a product that is consumed. It is amazing how many people have a Harley Davidson Tattoo. Generally if they have a Harley tattoo, they also own a Harley Davison motorcycle. This article uses subject-specific vocabulary. “Inked” is a reference to having a tattoo.
This article focuses on how the tattoo craze has grown since 1990. It is not just for people who want to rebel or the “biker” type. It is considered a form of art now. Many tattoo practitioners have art school background. (Kosut, 2006) Kosut refers to it as painting on the skin instead of a canvas. With academic training they are able to use newer designs and brighter inks. (Kosut, 200) When someone gets a tattoo it is based on their individuality and personal preferences. Their likes and views are represented by their tattoo.
The reason that tattoos have become more popular is that there are so many athletes, stars, and musicians now have tattoos. No matter where you look you will find someone who appeals to your lifestyle or musical taste. (Kosut, 2006) This article has a lot of information about tattoos and shows a non-partial view.
The research that was done really gave this article the facts needed. The author began the article with vocabulary that was understandable by most all ages. As the article progressed it became harder to understand some of the vocabulary used without looking it up in the dictionary. This makes it harder for people to understand exactly what the author is trying to get across to the reader. For example, Kosut uses words like “semiotically pillaged”. Not everyone would understand what this means. Even though some of this article is hard to understand the author is able to get his ideas across to the reader and is logically organized. The one thing that has stayed with me from this article is that the views of tattoos have changed majorly since 1990. Tattoo’s are accepted by all genders, classes, etc. in our culture today.
References
KOSUT, M. (2006). An Ironic Fad: The Commodification and Consumption of Tattoos. The Journal of Popular Culture, 39(6), 1035-1048.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Assignment 7-1 The Snuggie
The Snuggie
The Snuggie has received a warm embrace from pop culture. There has over 4 million sold since September 2008. (Puente, n.d.) The Snuggie is an oversized fleece blanket with sleeves. (Puente, n.d.) This allows you to be able to move your hands and arms, yet still stay covered with the blanket. You can get up and move around even. The commercials even show people wearing them to games, outside, etc.
The concept is not new. There are other products on the market like it. (Puente, n.d.) The marketing approach it took along with a reasonable price is what has set the Snuggie apart from the others. (Puente, n.d.) Most consumers that watch the commercial are sitting on the couch with a blanket on so it is very appealing to them.
The Snuggie has become a huge hit with most consumers. There are a few like Jay Leno who doesn’t think much of the Snuggie. According to Puente, Leno claims “Why not just put your robe on backwards?” The Snuggie reminds you of a robe put on backwards. There is just more material to the Snuggie than a robe. It covers more of your body than a robe does. I guess everyone has a different opinion of the Snuggie. Some people like them and some don’t.
References
Puente, M. (n.d.). Pop culture embraces the Snuggie. USA Today. Retrieved March 15, 2009, from Academic Search Complete database.
The Snuggie has received a warm embrace from pop culture. There has over 4 million sold since September 2008. (Puente, n.d.) The Snuggie is an oversized fleece blanket with sleeves. (Puente, n.d.) This allows you to be able to move your hands and arms, yet still stay covered with the blanket. You can get up and move around even. The commercials even show people wearing them to games, outside, etc.
The concept is not new. There are other products on the market like it. (Puente, n.d.) The marketing approach it took along with a reasonable price is what has set the Snuggie apart from the others. (Puente, n.d.) Most consumers that watch the commercial are sitting on the couch with a blanket on so it is very appealing to them.
The Snuggie has become a huge hit with most consumers. There are a few like Jay Leno who doesn’t think much of the Snuggie. According to Puente, Leno claims “Why not just put your robe on backwards?” The Snuggie reminds you of a robe put on backwards. There is just more material to the Snuggie than a robe. It covers more of your body than a robe does. I guess everyone has a different opinion of the Snuggie. Some people like them and some don’t.
References
Puente, M. (n.d.). Pop culture embraces the Snuggie. USA Today. Retrieved March 15, 2009, from Academic Search Complete database.
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