My grand padlet by

What do you want to learn in this course? What is this course interesting to you? What topic(s) are you most excited about?

connorremillard1 — 2023-09-08 03:20:35 UTC

I want to learn about media, how it works, its importance, how it affects our society, and how it will affect the world's future. I also want to learn a better way to communicate my thoughts and ideas because I feel like that's a struggle. I want to be excited about writing about anything and have joy in communicating my ideas. Topics that interest me are ads, such as how they are made, the proceed behind them, and how effective they are to someone viewing them.

two ways in which colonial media systems helped construct” Canadian” identity?

connorremillard1 — 2023-09-14 22:20:19 UTC

Colonial media plays an important role in Canadian identity it shapes Canada to be more united. Here are two ways colonial media has helped form a Canadian

Colonial media such as newspapers, radio, and advertisements helped create a sense of unity and shared identity within the country. for example, newspapers would cover huge Canadian achievements such as the CPR the Canadian Confederation, or winning World Wars, the newspapers would frame these topics as great Canadian achievements, and this sense of "We did this together" will create a sense of unity with Canadians. Another example of colonial media playing an important role in creating a Canadian identity is World War propaganda to encourage Canadians to join the army to support our allies, in both World Wars troops would join the army to be patriotic for their country. These show common values with Canadian citizens.

Canada has two languages in the country, French and English, Canada also has a diverse culture with many different cultures in this country. Canadian media outlets play a role in promoting and preserving these linguistic and cultural identities. Canadian media is very accepting of new and different cultures within the country, They provide writers, artists, and thinkers a platform to voice their unique cultural ideas, adding to the rich fabric of Canadian culture. All the different cultures in Canada are recognized and celebrated.

Select a magazine cover, print ad, or advocacy campaign image. How many different meanings can be taken from the ad? Identify and (convincingly!) explain 2-3 different meanings conveyed by your chosen media example. (2-3 paragraphs)

connorremillard1 — 2023-09-25 02:21:42 UTC

I have selected an advertisement because I thought it was interesting and clever. The ad is from LinkedIn, LinkedIn functions similarly to a digital professional networking site. It's a website and app where users can create profiles highlighting their work experience, abilities, and education. They can network with others, such as coworkers or possible employers, to expand their professional network. It's frequently used for job searching, recruiting, and staying up-to-date on industry news. Consider it a digital resume and a tool to network with individuals in your industry.

The main message of this LinkedIn ad is its ability to improve one's professional image while discreetly masking less professional qualities. LinkedIn strategically portrays itself as a platform for making and developing professional relationships, achieving this through promoting accomplishments, qualifications, and career highlights. This advertisement tastefully highlights polished aspects, encouraging users to create a respectable and qualified persona. In summary, LinkedIn ad highlights the platform's capacity to enhance one's professional reputation by expertly emphasizing the most important qualities, making it a critical tool for career and company success.

The connotative meaning of the ad is that we

What did you learn from the documentary? What was most compelling? Which concepts from the reading were raised in the film? Has brand culture changed in the years since the documentary?

connorremillard1 — 2023-10-23 16:09:41 UTC

The documentary I watched shed light on the remarkable influence that brands exert over consumers, especially noting the significant growth in this influence since the 1980s. It highlighted how, in the modern era, many brands place a greater emphasis on cultivating the image and perception of their brand rather than the inherent qualities of the product they offer. This shift in focus underscores the strategic importance of branding in the world of marketing and commerce.
What struck me as particularly fascinating was the portrayal of Disney Paradise, where brands were omnipresent, but everything was seemingly "local" under the Disney umbrella. It vividly illustrated the intricate way in which large conglomerates can shape the experience of a space to appear authentic and community-driven, while ultimately maintaining centralized control. This approach reflects the pervasive nature of branding and how corporations can blur the lines between authenticity and commercialization.
The documentary also made me reflect on the present-day reality of brand culture, where the ubiquity of social media has made advertising even more pervasive. It's become increasingly challenging to engage in any form of media consumption without encountering ads, showcasing the evolving tactics that brands employ to reach and influence their target audiences. This underscores the enduring and evolving power that brands hold in our society, shaping not only the products we buy but also the very way we perceive the world around us.

Which theory of media effects, addressed in our reading this week, most corresponds with your own view(s) and why? If none do, say that and explain why they conflict with your own perspective(s).Support with reference to an example. (2 paragraphs)

connorremillard1 — 2023-10-23 16:10:33 UTC

The Uses and Gratification model aligns closely with my personal perspective on media consumption. I find this model to be the best fit for my views because it mirrors the way I approach various forms of media. I select media outlets like Instagram or YouTube with a clear purpose in mind, seeking content that aligns with my specific needs and preferences. Whether I'm in the mood for entertainment, humor, or information, I actively choose media that caters to these needs. The Uses and Gratification model provides a framework that resonates with my belief that individuals are active agents in their media consumption, consciously selecting content that fulfills their unique requirements, whether related to information, entertainment, social interaction, personal identity, relaxation, or other motivations.
While the Uses and Gratification theory closely mirrors my media consumption habits, I also acknowledge that no single theory perfectly encapsulates the complexity of our relationship with media. Although the U&G theory is the one that most closely aligns with my views when I consume media, it's important to recognize the multifaceted nature of media engagement. People's interactions with media can be influenced by various factors, and our motivations may evolve with time and circumstances. Consequently, I remain open to the idea that my media consumption is shaped by a blend of theories and perspectives, with the Uses and Gratification model serving as a primary lens through which I view and understand my media choices.

Pay attention to the number of different ways you are subject to surveillance, whether through tracking apps, information-gathering algorithms, CCTV, or other means. Is this more or less than what you were expecting? Do you think it is accurate to say we live in a "panoptic society" Why or why not?

connorremillard1 — 2023-11-02 21:54:53 UTC

I believe that we are currently living in a "panoptic society," in which monitoring affects our lives in a number of ways. The extent of social surveillance is astounding. Consider Spotify, which analyzes your musical choices on a daily, monthly, and even hourly basis. This information is used to create playlists that are personalized to your changing emotions and listening habits throughout the day. While this may appear to be a beneficial use of user data, the issue is how many media businesses abuse such data, selling it to marketers to allow precise ad targeting. Equally unsettling is the international spread of CCTV cameras, which not only track your face but also extract enormous personal information, allowing them to predict your behavior and decision-making. This invasive and prophetic aspect of surveillance highlights a negative feature of our panoptic society, in which government institutions may discover detailed information about individuals based merely on an image, resulting in an uncomfortable and demeaning experience. Overall, I believe that the panoptic society we live in is primarily negative, with small perks such as Spotify's music suggestions being outweighed by our society's extensive surveillance.

Our existence in an increasingly networked world is definitely trapped in a "panoptic society," in which monitoring has spread its roots into every aspect of our everyday lives. Monitoring takes many forms, from seemingly harmless tracking of our music choices by companies like Spotify to much more sinister government-led projects like everywhere CCTV networks. Spotify's customized playlists, which are chosen based on our listening patterns, are a good use of user data. However, when user data is commodified and sold to marketers, allowing them to bombard us with specific advertisements, the dark underbelly of monitoring emerges. The most terrifying form of our panoptic society may be seen in nations such as China, where face recognition technology paired with massive databases can successfully anticipate our behaviors and decisions. Governments' unsettling capacity to gather an abundance of personal information from just one picture is a significant invasion of individual privacy, creating sentiments of fear and inhumanity.

Design a culture jam – such as a subvertisement – that subverts or disrupts corporate advertising. Include an explanation of your culture jam, including the reason behind your choice and the issues raised by culture jam.

connorremillard1 — 2023-11-03 18:13:36 UTC

Facebook's improper collection and exploitation of user data is a violation of privacy that poses a number of problems. One of the most serious drawbacks is the loss of individual privacy, as Facebook's activities entail the collection and use of huge amounts of personal information without explicit approval. Users commit their data to the platform, expecting it to be managed properly and openly. When this trust is abused, it not only violates the rights of persons but also opens the door to possible abuse. User data, which frequently includes sensitive facts like as location, hobbies, and personal relationships, can be used for targeted advertising, manipulation, or even sharing with other parties without the users' knowledge.

The effects of Facebook's data breaches go beyond individual people. Manipulation and illegal sharing of user data have the potential to have a huge influence on society. This includes the spread of disinformation and the amplifying of polarizing material on the site, since algorithms may utilize the collected data to reinforce users' current ideas and preferences. Also, the free gathering and exploitation of user data may result in the fusion of power in the hands of tech giants such as Facebook, which may use this information for political and economic impact. The Cambridge Analytica incident, for example, demonstrated the harmful impact of data exploitation on democratic processes, as user data was used to alter public opinion and influence elections.

Facebook's actions unfairly enable the company to control the digital landscape, increasing the harmful societal effects of data theft.

Pay attention to your news consumption this week. What are your primary sources of news and how do you assess their credibility?

connorremillard1 — 2023-11-23 19:17:05 UTC

I receive most of my news from Instagram and SportsNet, but I do listen to news on topics I'm interested in, such as updates on the artists I love or sporting events. I'm especially interested in learning about new music releases from my favorite musicians and getting up to date on sports news. Of course, I get news for current events, but I'm not actively looking for it.

Several ways are used to analyze the reliability of news I come across. First, I look at the authorship of the publications to determine the source's knowledge and dependability. In addition, I check the information's timeliness to ensure that it is current and relevant. Before creating my own interpretation of events, I cross-reference the news with other sources to confirm the accuracy and consistency of the material.