Week 14: Discussion #2

A time that I drew an incorrect conclusion was recently this weekend. I was spending the entire weekend with a group of friends, and one of them brought a girl. From the looks of it, it seemed like they were a couple until someone told me the girl was his ex-girlfriend. After that, I assumed they were going to get back together after this weekend. During Saturday night, we were having “girl talk” and I decided to ask the girl if they were going to get back together. She said no and that they were hanging out for the first time in years. Afterwards, I felt like a complete idiot for thinking they were getting back together. The girl thought her ex told us they were getting back together, but I assured her I only thought they were going to get back together. It proved me wrong yet again, that assuming something is never the right ways to think because there is more to it than you think. 

Week 12: Discussion #3

The topic that caught my eye this week was sensationalism and the news. The news covers a lot of stories that are currently happening, but not all news will interest us. According to the Boss textbook, “most people prefer heartwarming, true-crime, or disaster stories over critical analysis of national and international issues” (pg 344). This is true for me too. When I am surfing the web for news, I skip pass anything that sounds like politics or anything that does not relate to me. If a story about a tragedy pops up, I immediately click the link and proceed to read it. As people, we have empathy, and newscaster and journalists play on that. When we see others in distress, we feel for them and want to reach out and help. That is why Newspaper cover stories and headlines are usually related to topics that will grab at our heartstrings. This strategy is good for the news because it will grab people’s attention and make them want to know more about the situation.

Week 12: Discussion #2

Brook J. Sadler believes strongly that plagiarism is unfair to both students and teachers, and should be punishable to those to take part in it. Universities should punish students by expelling them and making them an example of how plagiarism is not tolerated what so ever, especially in higher education. On the other hand, Russell Hunt does not believe plagiarism is bad for students. He thinks it is good for students to us it to reach professor’s requirement on writing. Both Sadler and Hunt provide a good argument with reasons to support them. Sadler focuses more on the negative side of plagiarism, while Hunt tells us why students might use plagiarism. I believe Sadler has the stronger argument because she explains thoroughly the effects of plagiarism to both the students using it, and the students who are not. Overall, plagiarism is the short way out for a paper, but there is no short cuts in life.

Week 12: Discussion #1

The media is very influential to our daily lives. News is written, published, and read by everyone around the world. The place where I get the most news is off Facebook. When people I know read an article online or decide to share it, then it pops up in my news feed. From there, I am able to see what news interests them and maybe it would interest me too. It will also show others who read the same article too. I find that fascinating because Facebook is a social network that not only connects people around the world, but also brings news to us in a new, modern way. What I read in the media sometimes makes me bias in certain situations. I do not do it on purpose, but when I remember certain things I read in the news, it makes me more wary about decisions I make, especially major decisions. Overall, the media is a strong, influential thing in all our lives, no matter how we use it.

Week 11: Discussion Question #3

According to the Boss textbook, product placement is a type of advertising strategy where “a real commercial product is used in fictional media, and the presence of the product is a result of an economic exchange” (pg 320). We mostly miss the products when we are not focused on finding them, but when we are aware of it, we see it everywhere. Brands such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi are major companies who participate in product placement. Companies pay a lot to have their brand and logo displayed on major television shows. When viewers watch the shows, they will see the advertisement and perhaps buy these company products. Companies shell out money for advertisement hoping they will generate even more money in sales to compensate for the cost and make a profit. Product placement is influential to everyone, especially towards the younger generation. What they define as “cool” on television will influence them to buy the same products to make themselves look cool.

Week 11: Discussion Question #2

After reading Wootan’s and Liodice’s articles, I can say Liodice’s argument is more strong and valid. Wootan’s position is placing blame on negative food advertisement targeted towards young children. She believes that implementing the Guidelines for Responsible Food Marketing to Children will lower child obesity levels. These Guidelines are very particular in placing food in the category of “bad food” or “good food.” I do not believe that food should be classified this way because it will not teach children to choose a healthy diet. If we teach children why a healthy diet is important, they themselves will make the conscious decision to eat healthy. If we restrict the “bad food” from them, all they will want to eat is the unhealthy food. Liodice believes these Guidelines are “ridiculously restrictive” (Boss, pg 336) and I could not agree more. Parents should be responsible for teaching their children to eat a healthy diet. The parents should set an example for the children to follow. Even though food advertising for children can be influential towards them, if they understand what a healthy diet is, they will be less likely to consume unhealthy food on a regular basis.

Week 11: Discussion Question #1

Marketing strategies surround us 24/7. It is quite difficult to miss. I consider myself an impulse shopper, but I can place some blame on the companies who come up with these strategies. This week, as I was watching a show online, the same advertisement for a new face product played on repeat. By the end of the show, I was intrigued by this product and looked up more information about it online. Next thing I know, I’m buying the product at Target. What hurts my wallet even more is when I’m waiting in line and I pick up a magazine from the rack next to me. I’ll read an article and halfway through it, it would be my turn to pay. Wanting to finish the article, I would throw the magazine in the pile of items I’m buying. Lastly, when I shop for makeup at MAC, I always go back to that one salesperson. I feel she knows my style and taste, and would recommend products that would suit me. I felt a bit depressed when I read about guilt response in the textbook because it is true. Every time I go see the makeup artist at MAC or if I pass by the counter and stop to chat, I feel terrible if I don’t pick up something before I leave. Marketing strategies are extremely effective towards consumer and I feel terrible knowing that I always fall into their traps.

One of the more effective marketing strategies would be product placement because popular shows have a high audience/viewer count. With so many people watching the show, product placement is a good way to have people notice the product within a show they like, and prompt them to buy it the next time they see it in the store. One of the least effective marketing strategies would be advertisement on the radios. For me, once I hear the start of a commercial on the radio, I skip to another channel, and continue to do so until I find a station that is playing a song.