The Corporation

There were certainly a few surprises from the film as well as subjects already covered in this class and others. The data on wages for factory workers in Asia were a little surprising. I already know how profitable outsourcing is for large corporations but the numbers are still staggering to hear. The two college students selling themselves as billboards for advertising was extremely agitating. Not only were they both ignorant on how marketing works and it’s cultural flaws they continued to throw themselves out in the media, conducting interviews and enjoying every minute of it. My one question from the film would be how did American economic policy become so wrapped up in respecting corporations as human beings and giving them so much freedom. I thought the old propaganda scenes were well placed in the film and they did explain the legal history of corporations but there was something missing. I was hopeful after watching and listening to the business people who were able to create a more sustainable corporation. I think more personal businesses that are more sustainable will grow and I hope to be part of one someday. Michael Moore’s quote at the end of the film was very intriguing and true "A greedy man will hang himself if he can make a profit for it." This sums up the documentary for me very nicely.

Letter to President Obama

Dear Mr. President,

For many years I have been told that I live in the greatest country in the world, and I enjoy personal rights in a true democracy. I have also heard that anyone in this country can pull themselves up by their bootstraps and be successful. Our competitive economy combined with democracy allows anyone to do this. What I have been told, is far from the true situation The United States faces. I believe in the American dream and the same ideals as you, however; there is so much degradation of society and the environment it is difficult to stay firm in these beliefs.

It is hard to believe in American democracy when society closely resembles one controlled by the corporation. Yes capitalism is great, it allows people and businesses to pursue greatness without harsh social restrictions. In a corporate state however, one can argue that there are more and harsher restrictions than a communist one. These might be more subtle but they are definitely there. For example, subliminal messages in advertising, changing human behavior to fit consumption, and keeping options limited to a few big corporations. I think The United States is beginning to resemble a corporate state more than a democratic one.

After reading "Culture Jam" by Kalle Lasn I have solidified my opinion and growing concerns more than ever. Lasn has many ideas to revolutionize American media and take power from the corporations and give it back to the American people. Lasn, founder of Adbusters magazine calls forth a generation of "culture jammers" to make American life more authentic. From changing one’s perception of beauty to creating an obsession with branding and icons, corporations are involved in people’s lives too much. Marketing and advertising is rampant whether it is in sports, television, food, fashion, or music. It is interesting to consider the impact corporations play in culture. There is an obesity epidemic in The United States right now and the fast food takeover by large chains is a major cause.

One section of Lasn’s book stands out as being particularly important because it explains the nature of The United States’ economic system. It is a fairly simple system growth depends on increasing one thing, gross domestic product. The problem is that life is not this simple, and GDP does not factor in any externalities, environmental degradation, or social injustice. There is something wrong when a war or an oil spill is considered good for the economy. This growth and consumption needs to be regulated, between the signs of excess pollution and waste this is clearly an unsustainable path. Corporations cannot be given free reign to grow and continue to pollute the earth as well as people’s minds with advertising. There is a branch of economics that considers the environment and uses a better indicator, this should be incorporated in the country’s policy.

I am writing as a concerned citizen for the public’s livelihood and steward to the environment. This letter is not about deforestation and poverty, or Nike and McDonalds. It is about those things but it is important to consider the big societal picture. There is only so much time before American culture withers to microwave meals and corporate-branded schools. Trying to solve the issue of media literacy ad the environment is a hard political battle but something needs to be done about the corporations running the country.

Sincerely,

Paul Smith

Culture Jam II

Culture Jam.
The cover image for this section of the reading shows three young women bearing company logos as tatoos on their arm. I thought the next chapters would focus once more on corporate advertising and consumer connection to images but the reading went much deeper than that. It was very interesting to read about people's corporate connection and obsessions down to the very principles and lifestyle they live.
The first few pages focuses on the girl who makes herself vomit, the man who has distorted his vision of sexual attractivness, and a steroid user. People would not seem to notice but each of these examples is proof that media and bombardment of corporate messages create unhealthy human behaviors.
The section I found most interesting is the "Global Economic Pyramid Scheme." After taking ecological economics it was breathtaking to realize that there is an alternative to conventional economic theory. It is crazy that humans are basing their economic system on a model that needs to continue to grow and that their are no environmental or social limitations to growth. This model also does no account for negative externalities, so there is no price for pollution or environmental injustice. The system is crazy, we are grasping to this ancient statistic called GDP that does not account for anything accept "goods" and "services." It is crazy when oil spills are good for GDP, Wars? good for GDP, meanwhile volunteering and riding your bike to work are terrible. As Lasn explains this is a certain doomsday scenario, that is going to hit much harder than black Tuesday or Friday.
The new activism section is a motivating section to read because it makes one feel guilty for being part of the "slacker" generation. This section also provides guidelines for a culture jammer to follow. My question is what is the best way to convey this message to the masses? Through new activism? Politics? Is personal choices of a few really changing things?

The Corporation.
What stood out the most about this film is the initial definition of "the corporation" as having all the legal rights of a person. This is immediately problematic because the definition is implying that a corporation has the same goals and emotions as a real person and that is far from the truth. As Michael Moore suggests in the film the profit motive and greed turns corporations into wrongdoing. The statistics on Nike's profit and the difference in factory employee revenue to retail price is terrible. I already know how much companies make off from international production especially Wal-Mart. I feel this message is not resonated across the United States enough, and if people knew thing would be different.

Culture Jam

A common theme presented in "Culture Jam" is the disconnection with nature that is present in today's society. Usually a text such as Lasn's would make me feel guilty more than anything but reading it on a deserted beach in the Outer Banks I feel thankful more than anything. I feel thankful because I would not consider myself part of the cult that is brainwashed by mass media images and advertising. This week I have had no access to internet and television, and it feels great. This is the reason for my late posting. Even though I think I am not affected by advertising and misleading information Lasn points out that everyone is affected at some level. This is why being critical of news and information is very important or being "media literate" as the class suggests helps weave out the damaging effects media images. It is sad to think of families not being able to enjoy the beauty and pleasure in nature or the outdoors. It is also scary to think that information overload and desensitization for images changes people's moods and their ability to enjoy things such as natural beauty.
In terms of rapid fire images or "jolts" as described by Lasn it is interesting to read about the channel surfing effect. I would consider myself a channel surfer when I watch television, but this is because I am more disgusted with the images I flip through more than dissatisfied. Commercials, reality television, and non-intelligent shows; which happens to make up most of television are all turn-offs.
Similar to reading the articles on Google and Facebook there is a sense of a changing attitude in humans. Excess time surfing the internet and following chat rooms had changed the human brain in a way that is destructive to society. How can humans fully appreciate the environment when there is a constant bombardment of images from corporations and marketers that are against the ideals of a healthy culture and planet?

March 1st post

"With Friends Like These"

a. Facebook is not only an expanding social networking tool, it is an advertiser’s dream with the neoconservative freedoms of capitalism backing it.

b. I would agree with Hodgkinson that Facebook has become an important part in the market of investors buying shares. It is crazy to fathom the growing numbers of Facebook users, and the amount this business is actually worth. For example buying 0.4 of the share is worth $60 million, that shows how influential it has become to wealthy investors and corporations. I also agree with Hodgkinson’s description of the privacy options on Facebook. There is no doubt that everyone’s information is out there, no matter what the privacy settings are. This article made me go back on my own Facebook page and look through the privacy policy. I am aware of where my information goes but I doubt many kids in high school know that Facebook is more than a tool to chat with friends and look at pictures. I disagree with the point that corporations are benefitting from Facebook selling users’ preferences on their profile. Although I am sure it happens, I do not think most users are going to list their favorite drink, potato chip, or restaurant. Companies would have to go through tons of information to gain insight on consumer habits. I also disagree with Zuckerberg’s tactics of listening to users and helping them find their way into cyber-friendships. I think his goals, and the other original founders are completely oriented to Facebook as a business and only want to help sponsors, corporations, and shareholders.

"Making of a Literate Mind"

This article really examined many of the topics we have been discussing in class. For example, production techniques, and advertising strategies. There is a purpose for advertisers attempting to get us to react to or to have an emotional response to an image. Our brain, and our limbic system will see advertisements and remember them, but the ads are too quick for us to deconstruct or think about them thoughtfully. One point that stood out for me was that media, and corporations have a single goal in mind, and undermining the health and education or children is an acceptable externality. There are countless examples, in the article they mention McDonalds takeover of Sesame Street.

"Still Killing us Softly 3"

1. People are de-humanized in advertising to create a stereotype and grab people’s attention

2. Woman are portrayed in a variety of formats either as sex symbols, as passive, or promoting a body type.

3. Only parts of woman are used in ads for example breasts, promoting the idea that they are present because of their body

4. Ads create and continue gender roles, particularly for children in the Calvin Klein magazine ads

5. Advertising has people chasing a fictitious body type, achievable with certain genetics, maybe?, computer imaging, and starvation. This creates self-esteem and health issues

Kilbourne uses a lot of images and advertisements to present her research. Her sarcastic and humorous tone did not appeal to me but it did not take away from me believing the message. Without a doubt women are stereotyped in advertising and like it said in the ad publication culture and ads are inextricably linked. Although she does mention how men can be victims of this too her presentation focuses on women. She could have made her argument more clear why the image of a women is more profound and debilitating for society.