Key notes
Waves of feminism
First wave: early 20th century, suffragette movement (right to vote).
Second wave: 1960s – 1990s, reproductive rights (pill), abortion, equal pay.
Third wave: 1990s – present, empowerment, reclaiming of femininity (high heels, sexuality etc. See Angela McRobbie's work on women's magazines).
Fourth wave? 2010 – ongoing, use of new technology and digital media (e.g. Twitter) for activism.
Fourth wave?
Many commentators argue that the internet itself has enabled a shift from ‘third-wave’ to ‘fourth-wave’ feminism. What is certain is that the internet has created a ‘call-out’ culture, in which sexism or misogyny can be ‘called out’ and challenged.
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/10/07/female-journalists-women-trolled-feminism-sexism_n_5946346.html
1) Summarise this example for the rest of the class in one paragraph
The story here is that three women who were all journalists received the exact same message on Twitter threatening that there is a bomb that will explode outside of their house. It highlights that women with opinions are targeted more with death threats and are in more danger.
2) What was the initial incident or situation that sparked this example?
A Twitter post threatening that a bomb will blow up outside three journalists house at 10:47.
3) In your opinion, is this an example of a valid campaign or something of a witchhunt against people who are not doing any serious harm?
In my opinion this is an example of a valid campaign as women in positions of power that have made a career and are able to give their opinion are being threatened for this. There is no valid reason to do this and needs to be addressed. Although the threats turned out to be fake they could have just as easily been real and shows that something has to be done to prevent this.
http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2014/9/emma-watson-gender-equality-is-your-issue-too
1) Summarise this example for the rest of the class in one paragraph
The example is about Emma Watson's speech to the UN for gender equality not only for women but also men as well. The speech was given using examples from her own life explaining how she was lucky and didn't have any inequality growing up.
2) What was the initial incident or situation that sparked this example?
The initial incident was the constant fight for equal rights for women
3) In your opinion, is this an example of a valid campaign or something of a witchhunt against people who are not doing any serious harm?
In my opinion this is an example of a valid argument to gain equal rights for men and women and will have a much bigger impact coming from a well known celebrity who is known for her leading role in a massive movie. This shows viewers that even a female with an established career still wants to fight equal rights for female.
1) Summarise this example for the rest of the class in one paragraph
The article is about a footballer accused of rape and a petition to stop him from returning to his former club gaining 160,000 signatures preventing this from happening. It caused huge uproar and ruining his career which many believe is not enough.
2) What was the initial incident or situation that sparked this example?
The initial incident that sparked this was the alleged rape of a woman by a footballer.
3) In your opinion, is this an example of a valid campaign or something of a witchhunt against people who are not doing any serious harm?
In my opinion this is definitely an example of a valid campaign and the fact that it is a famous person accused of the dreadful act just raises the stakes in how carefully it has to be dealt with as it cannot be seen that because he is famous he cannot get away with it.
Friday, 5 February 2016
Weekly Homework
Winning MIT design for Hyperloop passenger pod revealed by Elon Musk
The article is about a new mode of public transport called the hyper loop that can travel at speeds of 600mph. The new transport is being tested in California on a mile test track currently being built by SpaceX. However a problem is getting the pod to stop again.
- Hyperloop will begin testing in 2016
- Elon Musk to build the test track
- The hyperloop between LA and San Francisco
In my opinion this will be a good mode of transport so long as all the problems are sorted out and it is 100% safe for the public to use. It however shows the advancements in technology are rapid.
The article is about how new technology available to police allows them to scan a persons identity and look into there records including internet searches and social media posts to determine a threat level allowing them to put them on a list labelling them as a potential threat to society.
- Real Time Crime Center
- processing “billions of data points, including arrest reports, property records, commercial databases, deep web searches and the [person’s] social media postings”
- officers can know at a glance what level the threat is: green, yellow or red.
In my opinion this is a invasion of privacy and is not fair to label people for crimes they have not committed and may never even commit by just looking at their internet searches. It is an example of how technology is being used more and more to invade peoples privacy.
Friday, 29 January 2016
Identities and the Media: Feminism
Media Magazine reading
1) Read Playing With The Past: Post-feminism and the Media (MM40, page 64 - our Media Magazine archive is here).
2) What are the two texts the article focuses on?
Pan Am - first broadcast on ABC in 2011, is a period drama set in the early Sixties focusing on the lives of pilots and stewardesses working for the Pan American World Airline.
Beyoncé
3) What examples are provided from the two texts of the 'male gaze' (Mulvey)?
In Beyoncé's song Independent Woman (when part of female group Destiny's Child) declaring herself as an independent woman, whilst objectifying herself for the camera and the ‘male gaze.’ The lyrics "I got beauty, I got class, I got style an I got ass....I even put money in the bank account. Don’t have to ask no one to help me out." Whilst singing these lyrics Beyoncé reinforces her ‘credentials’ by openly rubbing her chest and body, whilst playfully looking down the camera, clearly submitting herself to sexual objectification and openly acknowledging the ‘male gaze’
4) Do texts such as these show there is no longer a need for feminism or are they simply sexism in a different form?
Nevertheless, throughout the series of Pan Am the women use their appearance to empower themselves, frequently donning their uniforms to gain access to places they want to be, using their looks to their own advantage, and allowing the audience to find pleasure to a certain extent. There is no longer a need for feminism as women in particular have found other ways to empower themselves, although using appearance as empowerment isn't morally the right thing that is just the harsh reality.
5) Choose three words/phrases from the glossary of the article and write their definitions on your blog.
Post-feminism – An ideology in culture and society that society is somehow past needing feminism and that the attitudes and arguments of feminism are no longer needed.
Third wave feminism – Was a movement that redefined and encouraged women to be dominant and sexually assertive.
Patriarchy – An ideology that places men in a dominant position over women.
No More Page 3
1) Research the No More Page 3 campaign. Who started it and why?
Founded by Lucy-Anne Holmes and the mission statement is "to persuade the editor of The Sun to voluntarily remove topless models from Page 3 of its daily newspaper."
2) What are the six reasons the campaign gives for why Page 3 has to go?
The Guardian describes Page 3 overall as "demeaning, tasteless and unnecessary" for women to display their bodies.
3) Read this debate in the Guardian regarding whether the campaign should be dropped. What are Barbara Ellen and Susan Boniface's contrasting opinions in the debate?
Baraba Ellen debates: It’s important to stay aware of hypocrisy, but the snobbery/autonomy arguments don’t wash. Page 3 is the Old Order – reeking of male dominance, of women as sexualised and neutralised objects (Stripping celebrities at least bring a sense of their public personalities).
"This isn’t about puritanism, snobbery, or censorship, it’s about women being reduced to smutty sideshow turns within the context of family newspapers."
Susie states: In that scenario women’s free speech is in a) baring their boobs if they want and b) complaining about it if they choose. How can we criticise Islamic State for insisting all women cover up, and the next, er, insist women cover up?
4) How can the No More Page 3 campaign be linked to the idea of post-feminism?
If the campaign is successful then it proves that women are just more than objects in the media. It demonstrates that women can be effective and dominant for what they believe in.
5) What are your OWN views on the No More Page 3 campaign. Do you agree with the campaign's aims? Should the campaign continue?
I believe the campaign should continue as women in the media are always seen as objects. It's time for women to be seen from a more professional view rather than sexually. This will motivate and aspire young girls to have good role models then if there is no more page 3.
6) Do you agree that we are in a post-feminist state or is there still a need for feminism?
I believe that there is a need for feminism, with many different factors. The role of a woman in society is to look after her children. However, for example in court a woman cannot choose to take full ownership of her child as there are laws to help the father. In some aspects feminism is still needed but woman already have as many major rights such as being able to vote which shows that a post-feminist state will not be the worst thing ever.
1) Read Playing With The Past: Post-feminism and the Media (MM40, page 64 - our Media Magazine archive is here).
2) What are the two texts the article focuses on?
Pan Am - first broadcast on ABC in 2011, is a period drama set in the early Sixties focusing on the lives of pilots and stewardesses working for the Pan American World Airline.
Beyoncé
3) What examples are provided from the two texts of the 'male gaze' (Mulvey)?
In Beyoncé's song Independent Woman (when part of female group Destiny's Child) declaring herself as an independent woman, whilst objectifying herself for the camera and the ‘male gaze.’ The lyrics "I got beauty, I got class, I got style an I got ass....I even put money in the bank account. Don’t have to ask no one to help me out." Whilst singing these lyrics Beyoncé reinforces her ‘credentials’ by openly rubbing her chest and body, whilst playfully looking down the camera, clearly submitting herself to sexual objectification and openly acknowledging the ‘male gaze’
4) Do texts such as these show there is no longer a need for feminism or are they simply sexism in a different form?
Nevertheless, throughout the series of Pan Am the women use their appearance to empower themselves, frequently donning their uniforms to gain access to places they want to be, using their looks to their own advantage, and allowing the audience to find pleasure to a certain extent. There is no longer a need for feminism as women in particular have found other ways to empower themselves, although using appearance as empowerment isn't morally the right thing that is just the harsh reality.
5) Choose three words/phrases from the glossary of the article and write their definitions on your blog.
Post-feminism – An ideology in culture and society that society is somehow past needing feminism and that the attitudes and arguments of feminism are no longer needed.
Third wave feminism – Was a movement that redefined and encouraged women to be dominant and sexually assertive.
Patriarchy – An ideology that places men in a dominant position over women.
No More Page 3
1) Research the No More Page 3 campaign. Who started it and why?
Founded by Lucy-Anne Holmes and the mission statement is "to persuade the editor of The Sun to voluntarily remove topless models from Page 3 of its daily newspaper."
2) What are the six reasons the campaign gives for why Page 3 has to go?
The Guardian describes Page 3 overall as "demeaning, tasteless and unnecessary" for women to display their bodies.
3) Read this debate in the Guardian regarding whether the campaign should be dropped. What are Barbara Ellen and Susan Boniface's contrasting opinions in the debate?
Baraba Ellen debates: It’s important to stay aware of hypocrisy, but the snobbery/autonomy arguments don’t wash. Page 3 is the Old Order – reeking of male dominance, of women as sexualised and neutralised objects (Stripping celebrities at least bring a sense of their public personalities).
"This isn’t about puritanism, snobbery, or censorship, it’s about women being reduced to smutty sideshow turns within the context of family newspapers."
Susie states: In that scenario women’s free speech is in a) baring their boobs if they want and b) complaining about it if they choose. How can we criticise Islamic State for insisting all women cover up, and the next, er, insist women cover up?
4) How can the No More Page 3 campaign be linked to the idea of post-feminism?
If the campaign is successful then it proves that women are just more than objects in the media. It demonstrates that women can be effective and dominant for what they believe in.
5) What are your OWN views on the No More Page 3 campaign. Do you agree with the campaign's aims? Should the campaign continue?
I believe the campaign should continue as women in the media are always seen as objects. It's time for women to be seen from a more professional view rather than sexually. This will motivate and aspire young girls to have good role models then if there is no more page 3.
6) Do you agree that we are in a post-feminist state or is there still a need for feminism?
I believe that there is a need for feminism, with many different factors. The role of a woman in society is to look after her children. However, for example in court a woman cannot choose to take full ownership of her child as there are laws to help the father. In some aspects feminism is still needed but woman already have as many major rights such as being able to vote which shows that a post-feminist state will not be the worst thing ever.
Weekly Homework
First driverless buses travel public roads in the Netherlands
The article is about how in Netherlands there are buses that can now drive themselves and passengers on specific routes preprogrammed into the buses computer. it can take six passengers and has been trialled down a 200m stretch of road with six passengers on board.
- six passengers down a 200m stretch of street in the first trial of its kind.
- maximum speed of 25 kilometres per hour
- The WEpod team intend to equip the vehicle with additional technical equipment such as cameras, radar, laser and GPS to track the environment the vehicle will travel in.
- regions in the Netherlands from May 2016 onwards
In my opinion this shows how far technology has come as we are now able to take people around on public transport without the need for a human driver. However this also shows that maybe we are becoming too reliant on technology and are expecting too much of it.
Apple issues global recall for AC power adaptors after ‘electrical shock risk’
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jan/28/apple-recalls-electrical-shock-risk-power-adapters
The article is about how Apple is recalling chargers used between 2003-2015 due to the fact that they can be dangerous and give electric shocks to users. This was also with Apple's travel kits. It was only the two prong adaptors that got recalled.
- The affected adapters were made between 2003 and 2015
- use a two-prong plug into the power socket
- used across Europe, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, New Zealand and South Korea
- Apple two-prong wall plug adapters may break and create a risk of electrical shock if touched
- Apple said it was aware of 12 incidents involving the fault
This is an example of how no technology companies can guarantee no faults. this shows no technological giant even Apple is fault free and shows the faults in new and digital that can happen and put customers at risk.
Monday, 25 January 2016
Post Colonialism : Edward Said
1) Summarise the three theorists we have looked at: Alvarado, Fanon and Said.
Alvarado - looks at four key themes in racial representations: exotic, dangerous, humorous and pitied.
Fanon - typical black stereotypes which infantilize, primitivize, decivilize and essentialize
Said - Edward Said looks at Orientialism - the west are more superior to the exotic/dangerous east
2) Watch the opening of Yasmin (2004) again. Does it offer a positive or negative view of British Muslims? To what extent does it reinforce or challenge Edward Said's theory of Orientalism - that the west is superior to the exotic or uncivilised east?
In the opening of Yasmin, there are both positive and negative stereotypes presented. For instance, the positive aspect comes from the prayers the young boy recites which shows how he's carrying out traditional Islam values. Furthermore, in the beginning the old man washing off graffiti on a shutter which has racist words on it is shown in a positive way as the old man calmly washes it away and doesn't have a violent reaction to it. The negative aspect comes from the main protagonist Yasmin who goes against her own culture. In the clip, Yasmin undresses herself out of her hijab and traditional clothing into jeans and a jumper. This shows how Yasmin is hiding her culture.
From Edward Said theory, it is evident that Yasmin prefers western culture and values. Her job is on the other western side and this could impact the way she feels about her own culture as she feels much free when at work in comparison to where she lives. Overall, Said's theory is reinforced in showing that the west culture is superior.
3) Finally, choose THREE clips for EACH of the theorists and explain how you could apply that theory to the clip. Pick a selection of clips on YouTube from TV, film, music video or advertising and embed them in your blog before writing your analysis under each clip. Note: this means you need NINE clips in total on this blogpost.
Alvarado
Topboy: this clip shows how gang culture is a big issue in the UK. It represents black britishgangs in particular. This analysis also reinforces Alvarado’s Theory of dangerous/pitied (1987). The characters are victims of their environment. In “Top Boy (2011)”, Dushane and Sully represent black people to be ’dangerous’ as they are associated with gangs, violence and drug-use. But, Ra’nell represents the ‘pity’ category as he is left to provide for himself as his mother is taken into a mental hospital.
Ill Manors: the film uses Fanon's theory through the props, the use of guns signify drug and gang culture which links to the key factor of decivilizing by showing the representation of gangsters and pimps in the UK.
Said
East is East: this movie is accurate is showing the difference of western and eastern cultures. In the movie, the father (who is pakistani) marries a british white woman. This is a major culture difference and the kids show this as they are brought up around strict pakistani family values, one of the sons is about to have an arranged marriage but escapes to be with a british woman evidently following in his fathers footsteps.
Alvarado - looks at four key themes in racial representations: exotic, dangerous, humorous and pitied.
Fanon - typical black stereotypes which infantilize, primitivize, decivilize and essentialize
Said - Edward Said looks at Orientialism - the west are more superior to the exotic/dangerous east
2) Watch the opening of Yasmin (2004) again. Does it offer a positive or negative view of British Muslims? To what extent does it reinforce or challenge Edward Said's theory of Orientalism - that the west is superior to the exotic or uncivilised east?
In the opening of Yasmin, there are both positive and negative stereotypes presented. For instance, the positive aspect comes from the prayers the young boy recites which shows how he's carrying out traditional Islam values. Furthermore, in the beginning the old man washing off graffiti on a shutter which has racist words on it is shown in a positive way as the old man calmly washes it away and doesn't have a violent reaction to it. The negative aspect comes from the main protagonist Yasmin who goes against her own culture. In the clip, Yasmin undresses herself out of her hijab and traditional clothing into jeans and a jumper. This shows how Yasmin is hiding her culture.
From Edward Said theory, it is evident that Yasmin prefers western culture and values. Her job is on the other western side and this could impact the way she feels about her own culture as she feels much free when at work in comparison to where she lives. Overall, Said's theory is reinforced in showing that the west culture is superior.
3) Finally, choose THREE clips for EACH of the theorists and explain how you could apply that theory to the clip. Pick a selection of clips on YouTube from TV, film, music video or advertising and embed them in your blog before writing your analysis under each clip. Note: this means you need NINE clips in total on this blogpost.
Alvarado
Topboy: this clip shows how gang culture is a big issue in the UK. It represents black britishgangs in particular. This analysis also reinforces Alvarado’s Theory of dangerous/pitied (1987). The characters are victims of their environment. In “Top Boy (2011)”, Dushane and Sully represent black people to be ’dangerous’ as they are associated with gangs, violence and drug-use. But, Ra’nell represents the ‘pity’ category as he is left to provide for himself as his mother is taken into a mental hospital.
Kidulthood: The use of gangs and the mise en scene (dressing up like gangsters) represents young teenagers as not being able to fit into the proper society therefore they commit crimes, this generates the dangerous element. Another example of how teenagers in London are represented in the opening of Kidulthood is being kind and caring. This is shown when the young girl dies due to the result of bullying, and after she dies the other characters in the film feel pitied.
Anuvahood: this movie contains the humorous element consistently throughout and is used mainly with the main character Adam Deacon, The banter amongst the group is funny and relatable and as a result gives the movie a quirky edge as well as the street image it intentionally portrays.
Fanon
Adulthood: this movie is the sequel to Kidulthood and looks more in depth into drugs and crime therefore making the theme of Fanon's decivilize more apparent by showing the characters as gangsters and pimps.
Skepta - Shutdown: this music video links to Fanon's essentialize factor apparent as the people in the video all look similar. Especially through the concept of the black and white costume colour scheme to show that the people are all united.
Ill Manors: the film uses Fanon's theory through the props, the use of guns signify drug and gang culture which links to the key factor of decivilizing by showing the representation of gangsters and pimps in the UK.
Said
East is East: this movie is accurate is showing the difference of western and eastern cultures. In the movie, the father (who is pakistani) marries a british white woman. This is a major culture difference and the kids show this as they are brought up around strict pakistani family values, one of the sons is about to have an arranged marriage but escapes to be with a british woman evidently following in his fathers footsteps.
Bend it like Beckham: this movie is shows culture clash humorously as an Indian family in London tries to raise their soccer-playing daughter in a traditional way. Unlike modernised elder sister Pinky, who is preparing for an Indian wedding and a lifetime of cooking the perfect chapatti, Jess' dream is to play soccer professionally like her hero David Beckham. Wholeheartedly against Jess' unorthodox ambition, her parents eventually reveal that their reservations have more to do with protecting her than with holding her back. When Jess is forced to make a choice between tradition and her beloved sport, her family must decide whether to let her chase her dream.
Anita and Me: Meena Kumar, a 12-year-old Sikh girl, lives with her family in the predominantly white, working-class, fictional mining village of Tollington in the Black Country in 1972. Meena meets Anita, a white, 14-year-old girl whom Meena comes to idolise. However, Meena finds it harder and harder to fit in as her Indian heritage keeps on resurfacing, and Anita's new boyfriend proves to hold strong racist attitudes toward those he regards as "darkies". This movie is good in presenting the differences between eastern and western culture.
Friday, 22 January 2016
Weekly Homework
Shops can track you via your smartphone, privacy watchdog warns
The article is about how shops can tarck shoppers using the unique identifier through wi-fi. The technology is use to see how customers use the store and is also used to give specific offers to each person. The technology is used outside of shops in airports, transport hubs and even using city-wide Wi-Fi networks.
- The technology, which has been available for the last couple of years in some form, is capable of tracking a smartphone using the unique identifier that it broadcasts via Wi-Fi
- It is the same as that used by beacons which track smartphones using the unique Bluetooth identifier
- every smartphone puts out when the wireless communications service is switched on.
- The difference between Bluetooth-tracking beacons and Wi-Fi tracking systems is that the modern smartphone leaves Wi-Fi on, even when manually switched off for data connectivity, as a way of pinpointing its location
In my opinion this is an example of how modern day technology is being used more and more against the audiences it is built for and even invading privacy in many cases. This show that new and digital media is not all good and is used for things we don't even know about.
News Corp denies rumours company wants to buy Twitter
The article is about rumors that Newscorp wanted to buy Twitter or at least a stake in it. The article is about how Rupert Murdochs company denies these rumors saying that they are not buying Twitter and say that the rumors are just rumors.
- Twitter’s shares, which rose as much as 14%, pared some gains and were up 5.2% at $17.55
- A spokesman for News Corp said there was no truth to the rumors
- Twitter trades at 28.12 times forward earnings
- peer median of 36.06
- Facebook has a PE of 33.08
- LinkedIn Corp’s is 52.64
In my opinion if this is true and Newscorp is planning to buy Twitter then it is an example of how New and digital media is taking over traditional media institutes including one of the most well known ones, Newscorp. This shows that the future of news is online and that traditional means like print will eventually become a thing of the past.
January Essay Learner Response
WWW: focuses mainly on the question and some understanding demonstrated
EBI: lacks substance, very little reference and examples of news
2) Read through the mark scheme. Of the six different statements, write which you think is currently your strongest and which is weakest. Explain WHY and, for the weakest, what you are going to do to improve in that area.
Strongest - A good essay, showing good critical autonomy.
Weakest - A clear individual case study, with range of examples.
3) Read through the exemplar A grade essay. What does this essay offer that yours does not? Identify THREE things you can take from this essay to improve your own responses in future.
EBI: lacks substance, very little reference and examples of news
2) Read through the mark scheme. Of the six different statements, write which you think is currently your strongest and which is weakest. Explain WHY and, for the weakest, what you are going to do to improve in that area.
Strongest - A good essay, showing good critical autonomy.
Weakest - A clear individual case study, with range of examples.
3) Read through the exemplar A grade essay. What does this essay offer that yours does not? Identify THREE things you can take from this essay to improve your own responses in future.
- It offers a comprehensive plan for the essay to show the examiner that the candidate know what he/she wants to speak about in the essay.
- it introduces the case study very briefly which I did not do therefore missed out on marks there.
- it has a very wide range of recent examples making her arguments very strong in order to show the examiner that he/she have done their research.
Improved paragraph:
A marxist approach to audiences being a producer/consumer of news would be that trusted brands, such as the BBC, maintain hegemonic control over audiences. Through Pareto's law that 80% of the media is controlled by 20% of large organisations. The BBC is the main source of news audiences go to in order to consume news. Although the audience can leave comments on online articles and express their personal views, the BBC have the ability to remove any content they desire. Advances in technology allow audiences to consume a variety of news but doesn't allow audiences to respond/react to it as there ultimately is a limit as the BBC want to maintain a strong image.
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