5-1: Topic- Vehicles

 For this week’s pop culture topic I will be discussing about vehicles in general these days and how they don’t last like older models or foreign vehicles. I know it may be on the outskirts of the targeted material but I believe that it is a relevant pop culture topic in today’s society. I believe it to be a legitimate topic because vehicles and usage portray most, if not all of the elements that define pop culture.       

First of all, popular culture is defined as the system of attitudes, behavior patterns, customs, tastes, and beliefs (Browne, 2005).It also states that it is the entertainment, diversions, icons, rituals, and actions that shape a society’s everyday world (Browne, 2005).  This verifies that my topic about vehicles is legitimate. The main thing that I want to express is that vehicles that are made in this era, do not last nearly as long as ones from the 1960’s era for example. The metals that are used are less stable and rust out much quicker. The reasoning for this I believe is because it is lighter (the steel used) than from other generations. The older cars where made solid, and they were made to last. That is why you see so many muscle cars for instance.

The way the economy has become and as well as the market has played crucial effects on this in my opinion. Not only is it cheaper for them because they use lighter and cheaper parts, but I think they plan this for a reason. If the vehicles break down and rust out, that just means you will have to buy another. For example I have noticed many newer pickups that are rusted out more than a model from 15 years ago. Many people use trucks and light vehicles as a means of life and work, so this could affect them very negatively. When I buy something, I expect it to last as do most people. But the trend that I am seeing more and more is just staggering in my opinion. I’m a car person, so I feel strongly about the matter and that is why I am expressing it. If anyone reads this, just take a look around at vehicles and you will notice what I am talking about.  

4-1 weekly analysis- Charlie Sheen

 For this week’s pop culture topic I will be discussing a television show and its actor and what are the thoughts of others. I know it may be on the outskirts of the targeted material but I believe that it is a relevant pop culture topic in today’s society. I know that there are many people, who enjoy it, but I don’t see how and I would like to express my reasons why.  

First of all, popular culture is defined as the system of attitudes, behavior patterns, customs, tastes, and beliefs (Browne, 2005).It also states that it is the entertainment, diversions, icons, rituals, and actions that shape a society’s everyday world (Browne, 2005).  This verifies that TV would follow under this category because it is a source of entertainment that shapes society and the world we live in, or at least in this country. For example, you have these reality shows with people being overweight, and to me that is wrong. As for sitcom television, it is a little different. The topic I want to talk about is the Show Two and a half Men starring, or used to star Charlie Sheen.

As you all know, Charlie Sheen is under the spotlight once again for his childish ways. He has been fired from the hit Show Two and a Half Men. He was the highest paid actor on T.V., but due to his previous stunts and remarks he is no more. Actually he doesn’t have an acting job at this point, and to be honest it will be pretty hard to find one. I like the guy as an actor, but he has some personal issues that need to be addressed ASAP. He’s on drugs, has porn stars hired as nannies to take care of his children, or they were until they were taken away. I think that this guy needs some serious help to get his life back on track. After that is completed, then he should worry about his acting career. He better do something fast thought, the last time that I read up on this, he pays over $100,000 in child support a month.

Again these are my own personal thoughts about the topic and I have been dying to get that off my chest. Please feel free to respond if you think the same or differently. Everyone has their own opinion.

References

Browne, R. a. (2005). Profiles of Popular Culture. London: Popular Press.

http://frosty-popularcultureblog-dfaust.blogspot.com/

1-3- Reading and Composing Indians: Invented Indian Identity through Visual Literacy

Derick Faust

HUMN341-Q1WW

Assignment 1-3

Journal Article Analysis

Professor: Jessica Price

3/3/2011

Reading and Composing Indians: Invented Indian Identity through Visual Literacy

My name is Derick Faust and for assignment 1-3 we were required to write a paper in regards to an article that we picked out and analyzed. I chose to pick an article that was in relations to Native Americans because it is something that I am interested in, and actually am a part of. My Great-Great Grandmother was full blooded Cherokee, so when it comes to Native Americans I am extremely interested in it. The name of the article that I chose is titled: Reading and Composing Indians: Invented Indian Identity through Visual Literacy. It was written in 1996 by: DA` NIELLE NICOLE DEVOSS AND PATRICK RUSSELL LEBEAU. I will be going over some relevant information on the article as well as giving my own personal analysis of it as well in the space provided below.

The first portion of this paper requires the student to actually describe what the article that we picked and what it means to us. But before I do that, I would first like to define popular culture. According to page one of our text popular culture is defined as the system of attitudes, behavior patterns, customs, tastes, and beliefs (Browne, 2005).It also states that it is the entertainment, diversions, icons, rituals, and actions that shape a society’s everyday world (Browne, 2005). The authors of this article were giving their own opinions and using their own terminology for the first couple pages of this article before actually getting started on the topic. I was interested in the article because its main focus was targeted towards Native Americans and I am fascinated with their history so that is my reason for choosing it. The authors actually start talking about the Native Americans/Indians on page 49 of the article. Something at the beginning of the article that caught my attention was how the authors mentioned that it was a struggle to grasp the differences of text and image and still allow for more understandings of visual and multimomodal means of knowledge making (LEBEAU, 2010). From my understanding on what they are trying to say is that is difficult to balance the different means when it comes to understanding this civilization, because there are many ways to do so.
     They begin to go in depth at first on how America reads Indians in this current time and era. According to this article, there are two icon dynasties for Native Americans, and I actually agreed with what they had written. The first one would be that they represent brave warriors that are "one" with the land and nature (LEBEAU, 2010).On the other hand, the other views of them are held as them being savages and very violent, seemingly always ready for war (LEBEAU, 2010, p. 49) .I believe that there is no right or wrong answer for that statement. Just like in today’s age, you have the bad, the good, and the ugly. There were certain tribes who displayed both aspects that were discussed. Like in any civilization as I have stated, there is always some form of savage and some that are kind and have a good spirit.
           As I was reading through this article, it mentioned how Indians are used as icons for sports teams. This caught my attention because I am fascinated with Native Americans and I am a huge sports fan. The authors used examples of professional sports teams that use them to portray the teams. Some of them that were mentioned were the Washington Redskins, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, and the Florida Seminoles, just to name a few (LEBEAU, 2010, p. 49).It also brings up the topic that there are even cars named after them and other things like Redman Chew, and the jeep Cherokee, just to name a few (LEBEAU, 2010).
     All of the information that was provided was valuable and very interesting in this essay. They make valid points and arguments that I would have never even thought of if it was not brought to my attention. They make compelling arguments  that throughout time, the Indian symbol is one that has not been updated to current times or with current images, and as well as cultural updates (LEBEAU, 2010, p. 50). Another thing that was mentioned that caught my eye was that very few Indian women have been portrayed throughout history other than Sacagawea for the most part, and if it wasn’t for Lewis and Clarks expedition, she would never have been noticed either (LEBEAU, 2010, p. 50). I also noticed that many images of Indians that are portrayed is them in their war gear or with some type of animal.
     On page 53 of the article, I noticed that a group of students from the University of Michigan created their own tribe called the “Michigauma" (LEBEAU, 2010, p. 53). They celebrated rituals and performed tasks like they did back in the old days. I thought that overall, this analysis was complete and accurate and was very informative. It could have left some things out in the beginning and end, but overall it was good. The readings are taken from the drawings of this ancient civilization and also the writings of this population as well (LEBEAU, 2010, p. 59).

     In conclusion, I hope I have provided the reader enough information in regards to the topic. I have covered the credentials that is required throughout the article. I have successfully analyzed the article and interpreted it to the best of my knowledge. I hope the readings and information have proven to be informative and helpful.

References

Browne, R. a. (2005). Profiles of Popular Culture. London: Popular Press.

LEBEAU, D. N. (2010). Reading and Composing Indians: Invented. The Journal of Popular Culture , 45-72.

Webster. (1995). Handy College Dictionary. England: New American Library.

http://frosty-popularcultureblog-dfaust.blogspot.com/

Reality TV: 3-1

           For this week’s pop culture topic I will be discussing reality television and what are the thoughts of others. I know it may be on the outskirts of the targeted material but I believe that it is a relevant pop culture topic in today’s society. I know that there are many people, who enjoy it, but I don’t see how and I would like to express my reasons why.   

First of all, popular culture is defined as the system of attitudes, behavior patterns, customs, tastes, and beliefs (Browne, 2005).It also states that it is the entertainment, diversions, icons, rituals, and actions that shape a society’s everyday world (Browne, 2005).  This verifies that reality TV would follow under this category because it is a source of entertainment that shapes society and the world we live in, or at least in this country. For example, you have these reality shows with people being overweight, and to me that is wrong. Why would you put someone on TV who is just exercising, but yet America loves to tune in on this type of event.

Another one that comes to my mind and which I cannot stand is Jersey Shore. I think that show should not be allowed on the air. It demeans women and put a stereotypical image on men and women as well. The people who watch this sort of stuff may think that it’s ok to act that certain way because the people on TV are doing it. I believe that show itself makes society and everyone who watches it a dumber and dumber each time it is viewed.  The viewer’s of these shows, and even shows like Man. Vs. Wild believe that it is ok to go out and portray the images that they see and it effects the society by doing so. If people hang on to the belief that this is the way things should be, or even if they believe that the stuff is real, because it’s not, it’s all setup like a soap opera, then they will begin to exhibit similar patterns and behaviors. In my opinion, these behaviors and patterns should not be repeated because in the end we will suffer from becoming too arrogant and bullhead.

Again these are my own personal thoughts about the topic and I have been dying to get that off my chest. Please feel free to respond if you think the same or differently.Everyone has their own opinion.