Media and Privacy

There is a fascination between the media, an audience and someone [celebrity or well-known person] else’s tragedy. As many of us have heard, this week Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver are getting a divorce. Apparently Arnold fathered another woman’s child (who worked for him) over 10 years ago. At first all the news channels talked about the split alone. Then we found out there was infidelity. Then we found out there was a love child. Then we found out the mother was someone that worked for him. There is this continuous cycle of information as though you are watching a movie. None of us know these two people, but because they choose to be in the spotlight we can know their most intimate secrets. Media does not have emotion. It is simply a way to showcase entertainment, whether at the expense of someone’s privacy or not. When a “juicy” story like this comes to light, no one is a fan. The celebrities become subjects for our for us to watch. I think this story is another reminder of how media consumes all aspects of life. There can be a story about the world supposedly ending, a cheating star or the newest popular song, we will hear about it on TV, the radio and the internet. Media knows everything.

Bimbo's initiation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFrBG4xyaF8

Here in Bimbo's initiation, we see Bimbo being scared and torments but a gang of people asking him "Wanna be a member?" Bimbo responds with a no, which reveals individuality and leadership, however, his unwillingness to conform leads to more physical and psychological torture. Bimbo continues to tell the gang no, even though they are scaring him and trapping him in numerous way. It isn't until Bimbo encounters Betty Boop, that he replies yes when she asks him "Wanna be a member?" The dance the Betty Boop does is an example of how the female is viewed by society, as an object. Betty Boop dances and shakes her booty in Bimbo's face, smacking it several times, and his mood changes for being scared to being fascinated with the dance she's doing. The display of Betty Boop's sexuality, as well as Bimbo due to his gaze toward Betty, connotes Murvey's idea of to be looked at ness. This is also telling about our culture today, as well as during the 30's when it was made. Men are fascinated with women, more specifically because of their sexuality. The fascination can even be strong enough to make a man change his mind about something, as seen through Bimbo. The video reveals that there is something that we all desire that is strong enough to make us conform. Sometimes what you desire is stronger than what you fear, and we see this through Bimbo as well. Furthermore, Betty Boop represents a time when "Flappers" were very popular, and the sexual content in this short, represents part of the ideology of the Flappers, who were know to stir away from the status quo by drinking, smoking, and treating sex as casual (like men do). Her display of her sexuality further works to emphasize the image of the woman as an object. ~JF

Spears Can Hit Way More Than One More Time

OK, so I hate publicly admitting this, but I LOVE Britney Spears. I am obsessed with her music, especially her latest album. I think she is pure, musical genius. Her music can be inspirational and empowering to get up and dance (something I enjoy). As far as her personal life, well, lets just say that she has come a long way, and as far as I am concerned, she is a role model to many people for how she handled her meltdown.

Let me start with I looked up to her when I was in 2nd grade, which was about 12 years ago. That was when “Hit Me Baby One More Time” was what all us little elementary school kids were jamming out to, and all the boys of course, had crushes on her.

Now, lets fast forward roughly 8 years later. B Spears (as I refer to her) now has 2 adorable kids, and also 2 divorces. She also decides to shave her head and literally falls apart for the entire world to see, courtesy of the media. Now, I love my celebrity gossip magazines and E! News, but during B Spears’ mental breakdown, I couldn’t help to think “Didn’t think the media ever once think to leave her alone?” I know I would want my privacy if I was having personal issues, but it seemed like the media didn’t care.

Despite the unwanted media attention, B Spears’ pop stepped in and helped her get her life on track. Before her current album, she had another major record and a sold out tour. I am sure this album will be even bigger than the last one. And I, for one, will allow B Spears to hit me more than one more time.