Reflection

I’ve started to take a step back and look at the culture of my area from an outsider’s stance a while ago when I first started CGS. The subjects in my classes got me thinking of what an outsider would think of us. From doing this project I picked up on mostly negative things our area values. Starting with what was prominent in most of my posts, which were the stereotypes; this is a value of not only Fairfield County, but our nation. We are starting stereotypes at a young age by having them in our children’s TV shows. Teaching them of un-acceptance and out casting from the very beginning. This then progresses to be our source of entertainment as we get older. Making jokes of all the most recognized stereotypes out there, like in The Big Bang Theory they have the most common group of stereotypes: dumb blonde, Indian, Jew, and Nerd.

            In Fairfield County specifically, we have the issue of valuing social class and wealth. Being one of the wealthiest counties in our country, we are known for being the most stuck up, back stabbing, and uncaring. Although I’ve grown up in a town and school that isn’t as famous for being stuck up, I know many friends that go to schools such as Darien High School where social class means the world to them. Where you stand in that school is determined by not just what you wear but whom you wear, then there are also the certain standards for behavior—doing anything outside the norm will get you shunned. This is where my McDonald’s observation comes in yes they all may eat there, but they choose to hide it by strictly using the drive through.

            What I find to be undervalued in Fairfield County is acceptance it is rare around here. What ever happened to accepting people for who they are? I don’t like the use of stereotypes, if you are a male and ask me to make you a sandwich I will most likely not make you a sandwich. The last thing I ever want to hear which for some reason I hear a lot is “you’re a woman you belong in the kitchen.” This project has made me realize that even though America is diverse, we are the least bit accepting of difference. 

Arthur

I chose to watch three episode of Arthur for my required 90 minutes of cartoons. It brought back so many childhood memories, but it was very weird watching it now and realizing how easily entertained I was. One half of an episode really struck me, (there are two stories per episode) it was about Brain, the smart nerd character that was training to be in a free throwing basketball contest to earn money for the library. He slipped on a banana peel and broke both his legs (very realistic) so he was bound to a wheel chair which made him declare the library was doomed in the upcoming contest. A young girl who is also in a wheel chair, but has been her whole life over heard Brain say this and reassured him that he could still win the contest with her help since she is on a wheel chair basketball team. Now this is where it starts to get interesting, she convinces Brain to give it a try by writing mathematical equations that prove he can still shoot a hoop from his wheel chair. I then thought of the connection that the two kids in the wheel chair are both considered nerds. The show went on and after they practiced shooting the young girl brought up the math once more on her notepad and that’s what they really bonded over, she even wrote one of the formulas down on his cast because Brain wanted to memorize it. What really shocked me was when the two of them decided to write down the Pythagorean theorem on Brains cast for decoration. To any elementary student hearing a fellow student using mathematical terms that aren’t introduced until high school would be considered geeky and nerdy. Introducing kids in wheel chairs to children who probably don’t see that very often, you would probably want to stay away from any idea of creating an outcast situation. By portraying the only two kids in a wheel chair as nerds to an audience that most likely aren’t used to kids in wheel chairs will make them assume that anyone they meet who are binned to a wheel chair is a nerd. I don’t think the producers thought this part through very well because we want to be teaching our kids of acceptance, not stereotyping. 

McDonald's Social Customs

Fast food has always been a weakness of mine—although terrible for you I just can’t get enough especially when you’re so hungry and its right there ready to be handed over and eaten. The largest fast food chain is McDonald’s which is one that I frequent. Shamefully being there many times I know that everyone is a customer of McDonald’s, but different groups of people are found in different areas of the place.

            In the drive through of McDonald’s I tend to find more cars consisting of Mercedes, BMWs, Audis, Escalades, pretty much more expensive and newer cars that a wealthier person or family would own. As you would imagine inside those cars you usually find the preppy soccer mom with a car full of private school kids fresh out of school, or just wealthy people in general. You are always bound to find one when going through the drive through, but for some reason if you ever walk inside there are never anywhere to be found. It’s interesting because everyone is aware of the how important your social image is in a wealthy community and being caught inside of a McDonald’s could possibly spark rumors of losing money and having to cut corners, or not having enough class as the other members of the community.

            Inside the actual McDonald’s you can usually find more middle to lower class people, obese people, and minorities. Now you might write me off to be insensitive and racist, but it is merely just an observation. Interpreting this these are usually the people who come here often, it says a lot more about these people who can “bear” to be seen inside. Some are there because that is all they can afford for their family, others are because of an addiction, and others are there just because they wanted McDonald’s. This is more of a no eye-contact atmosphere; the bright lights, cheesy decorations, and chairs and tables nailed to the floor set a mood of eating and getting out fast. I will admit, the times that I am inside I try to get out as soon as possible.

            There is one more group of McDonald’s consumers that are seated instead outside in their parked cars. Here you usually see the stressed and rushed businessman or woman quickly getting in a burger and fries before returning to work. There are also the emotional eaters who can be compared to walking out for a quick smoke to relieve some built up stress, instead they come to get a quick snack that gives them relief. These people range from wealthy to poor.

iPhone Friend

Zooey Deschanel iPhone Commercial

 As an avid New Girl watcher, when I first saw this commercial featuring Zooey Deschanel I was quickly intrigued. Her quirky daily life was depicted as a rainy day spent with her iPhone friend Siri (voice command). She looks outside as she asks her iPhone friend Siri the obvious question of “is that rain outside” the useful iPhone then shows her the weather. The lovable and childish Deschanel keeps up the conversation with her iPhone friend when suggesting to get tomato soup delivered as Siri responds with giving her a list of near by restaurants that deliver. Apple using such an enjoyable character as Deschanel makes their iPhone look appealing to everyone. Since the newest and fanciest technology is often associated with angry businesspeople or rich snobs. Lets not also forget about the biggest disadvantage of new technology, how complicated it is to learn how to navigate it. By having Deschanel talk to Siri, iPhone’s voice control, she personifies the phone by making it seem like an easy helping friend she can talk to when no one else is around. Personifying the iPhone with such a happy and loving character creates such an image for a cell phone. If you buy this iPhone you will have a happy and loving friend by your side that can give you information anytime you need.

In particular I really like the end scene of the ad—dancing out of the room with the iPhone. The image that is left in your head is of a girl who just got the weather report, soup delivered to her house on a rainy day, set a reminder for later, and is now happily dancing out of the room with this phone that accomplished it all in an instant. I don’t know about you, but I would want that phone. Very clever Apple.

Another very important marketing ploy they pulled was choosing an actor of a popular TV series. From now on anytime you watch New Girl you will associate it with the iPhone. This ad is an ad that just keeps on giving. 

The Big Bang Theory Based off Stereotypes

The Big Bang Theory is one of those shows that I really like, but can’t stand at the same time. What I can’t stand is the loud fake laughter they put in the background of the show that is followed by the horrendously stupid jokes, but for some reason I still always find my self-laughing along with the fake audience. After looking more carefully at the characters I realized the terrible stereotypes the show is made out of. They’ve got the dumb blonde woman as well as the Indian who is still controlled by his parents. Since I am known for picking out the sexist things in the world I figured I would go down another path and focus my efforts on the Indian character Raj. 

Raj is part of the nerd clan, but is a shy character that although wants to meet and socialize with woman cannot speak a word to them with out alcohol. He is also the dumbest character out of the group, he is constantly being corrected on his mistakes by other characters as well as saying odd and spacey things such as “Big or small I don’t like rabbits they always look like they are going to say something, but they never do.” Another interesting thing to think about is in one episode Raj had won a title in the list of “Most Interesting People of the Year” in a big magazine for something related to stars and space. Although his friends may have fake smiled and congratulated him, they were all shown later bickering as to why Raj out of everyone would receive this title and down playing his large achievement. I found this prominent characteristic of Raj to be rudely stereotypical of foreigners. For foreigners, specifically those from impoverished countries, have the stereotype of being dumb because of the bad education systems many are known for as well as from speaking another language and not being able to communicate as well.

 One of the biggest stereotypes that I found specifically to Indians and Middle Easterners was Raj’s controlling parents. We occasionally get to see him video chatting with his parents, they first come off as over concerned and loving like any parent would. Then they soon have to reassure that Raj is not dating an American because he has to save himself for his arranged marriage as well as other conservative concerns for their son. Most conversations with the parents end in yelling and Raj slamming shut the computer. This is another well known stereo type of the controlling Indian parents that don’t want their child to become Americanized. The Big Bang Theory is sending a message to its viewers that make them think that these stereotypes are very real and very acceptable which is false.  

"Serve The People" Speech by Mao Zedong

Purpose: Uniting china, communist or not, to work for the better of china; use soldier's memorials to come together as well as mourn the death. 

Audience: The people of China; the attendees of the memorial meeting for Chang Szu-teh.

Context: Took place directly under the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, on September 8, 1944--about 5 years prior to the communist take over after winning their civil war. 

Section 1 Comrade Chang Szu-teh and Death

Purpose: Quickly states the dedication of the Communist party including Comrade Chang Szu-teh. Introduces the idea of death, specifically the significance of someone's death varying. If you die for the people its weightier than dying for the fascists. 

Effectiveness: Works well to make the Communist party look good and trustworthy in this time of losing someone as well as making Szu-teh death look heroic. 

A. Chang Szu-teh/Communism

Appeals: Pathos- "wholly dedicated to the liberation of the people and work entirely in the people's interests" Also Szu-teh being one of the battalions that passed. 

Technique: Very positive connotation of the Communist party. (Previous quote) 

B. Death

Appeals: logos-- uses a quote of an ancient Chinese writer Szuma Chien. 

Technique: Metaphor, juxtaposition, and parallel structure that creates an antithesis--the weight of someone's death

Section 2 Uniting 

Purpose: Not being afraid of criticism, working with outside parties to fix problems, we need everyone in China to come together and unite as a whole. Using the memorials of fallen soldiers to unite. 

Appeals: Logos-- when they listened to Li Ting-ming (not a communist). Ethos-- stating that they already lead 91 million people. Pathos- "Chinese people are suffering, it's our duty to save them" "must care for each other, must love and help each other" talking about death as well. 

Technique: 

• Imagery-- "We hail from all corners of the country..."
• Metaphor-- "Pluck up our courage"
• Connotation-- respectful and united: "must care for each other, must love and help each other"

Effectiveness: Works well, Mao gets his message across, as a reader you feel united as though you lived in China at the time. Works all the appeals in there for a good message. 

General Evaluation:

Mao uses very little rhetorical devices in his speech. In a way this becomes a rhetorical devise in order to really get his message across. The short speech was straight forward and got to his points, he only needed a few to add to the inspiration of his message. He does this well because his biggest rhetorical device of the antithesis sets a serious but positive mood to what he has to say. 

Inspiration Vs. Manipulation

Aung San Suu Kyi and Malcolm X both are very motivated people who look to spread this motivation from with in them to the outside world; to use this for a better community and a better country. They want change for a higher quality of life, not just for themselves, but for their nation. Although, these two inspirational speakers are fighting for the same message, they have different ways of achieving it whether it is written towards self-realization or being upfront on the issue.

            Being courageous is the first step to motivation--for taking these risks of failure and setbacks of being thrown in to jail or hurt. Both speakers want this to be achieved for this reason. In Aung San Suu Kyi’s words taken from her “Freed from Fear” speech “Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.” She views fear as a common weakness that gets in the way of achieving the courage to stand up. Whether it’s fear of losing your power or being scorned by the power that governs you—“for fear is not the natural state of civilized man” this is why it has to be forgotten, and we have to learn how to work past it. Now here is where Aung San Suu Kyi and Malcolm X both come together and split apart; the two of them speak of the courage and attaining it, but Malcolm X is more direct and harsh with his message. He makes you feel dishonorable by being direct and saying “If you don’t take this kind of stand, your little children will grow up and look at you and think “shame.” He pulls on your heartstrings to—although good—manipulate you to take that stand. “Let your dying be reciprocal” as in be the one to lead to the pack, everyone else will follow in your footsteps; this is how Malcolm X uses the being the majority in his manipulation.

            This is where the two speakers differ greatly, Aung San Suu Kyi has a more calm and collected tone which she uses towards her inspiration for the listeners and meanwhile Malcolm X bridles his anger as his tone and aims it in the direction of manipulation. I think of Aung San Suu Kyi as more of a philosopher tone, she reminds me a lot of Thoreau who famously wrote “let your life be the counter friction to stop the machine.” They both write, like in this quote, about overcoming the fears to be the one to stand up. Their messages are something to think about that you have to let sink in and a lot of the time those are the most powerful. For instance she writes, “Saints, it has been said, are the sinners who go on trying.” The in depth thought it takes to process this helps you come to a self-realization that in return motivates you. In contract Malcolm X tells you directly what is wrong and what you have to do to fix it. “Any time you demonstrate against segregation and a man has the audacity to put a police dog on you, kill that dog, kill him, I’m telling you, kill that dog.” Here he tells you what is wrong with our society—our own policemen keep us from carrying out our own law. Also telling us the remedy for a particularly common situation, killing the dog. Malcolm X does not hold back in the least, his angry tone causes him to lash out with intense statements such as these. This can scare people into the manipulation of doing what he says.