Critical Thinking: Evaluation

Prior to taking critical thinking I was oblivious to the media, advertising, and the way it shapes our world. I have developed many skills that allow me to process media messages in a more rational way. Using healthy skepticism and tentativeness daily have altered my way of thinking and has resulted in a completely different opinion on the media.

As I flip through the channels, my T.V. is flooded with advertisements telling me I need more. I settle on a show where the main character is drinking a Pepsi conveniently placed toward the camera. I need a break from the T.V so I flip open a magazine, my brain is overwhelmed with beautiful women that I strive to look like. I hop into the car and drive to Target. I drive past 10 billboards all advertising different things. Before this class I did not see anything wrong with advertising everywhere I turned. However, now that I'm more aware and I notice these messages. I regret all of the years I fell for what the media has told me I need and have to look like. As I'm writing this I am looking around my room and have stumbled upon little things. Do I really need 20 pairs of nail polish? Did I buy it because the media made me think that natural nails are ugly? Do I only love these colors because advertising has told me I should love them ? Although, I have spent many years set on the idea that having the next best thing will ultimately make me happier, developing critical thinking habits are definitely a step in the right direction to rewiring my brain to rationally react to the media.

Researching companies and their ultimate goals through advertising has shown me that 90% of companies lack logos. Businesses will do whatever it takes to sell a product even if that means corrupting people's thoughts. No, Nike cannot make you a better athlete, McDonald's cannot give you love, and Pepsi will not create adventure. This form of advertising causes people to rely heavily on products in hopes that they will do so much more than what they realistically are capable of. People are drawn to products because they want to fill an internal gap. Sure, this gap may be temporarily filled, but will it last long? No. This creates a constant desire, making it almost impossible to be content with what you have. Being aware of this sneaky advertising will help me decipher what I choose to believe and how I let it effect me.

Critical thinking has also made me more aware of how the beauty industry has effected me throughout my teenager years. Beginning in middle school, I developed this idea that I was not good enough. That my pale skin made me ugly, that my curly hair was not beautiful, and simply the way I was created was not good enough. I would look through "Seventeen" and think that maybe if I wore  a shirt like the one in the magazine that I might look as pretty as the model. I never did look as pretty as that model because I was not that model. I could not photoshop myself in real life, I could not have my makeup done everyday, and most importantly I could not be anybody but myself. After, watching Miss Representation and analyzing beauty advertising I have been able to distinguish that it was the media that instilled this perfect image in my head. Now that I am aware of everything that goes into advertising I can train my brain to put things into perspective and realize all that goes into a picture.

Critical thinking has impacted me in such a big way. I am so happy I took this class because it has  helped me develop as a person and provided me with thinking tools that I will use forever. Although, I have grown to strongly dislike the media and what it has done to me as I've grown up,  I now have the skill set to decide how it effects me. For that I am very grateful, thank you Mr. Maxwell.

Obama kissing Chinese president

United States of Benetton released one of the most controversial advertisements of all time in 2011 showing China's president kissing Barack Obama. The image reads "Unhate" promoting sexual equality, but also peace between the conflicting countries. This ad likely offended many people, but it undoubtedly stuck with every single one of them. Where do you draw the line between memorable and offensive in advertising? Controversy is a very effective way to be remembered as a company, but it may create a negative connotation with the brand. Was it disrespectful to show two very important men kissing?....probably, but will i forget this advertisement?...definitely not.

Although, memorable I have no clue what United States of Benetton sells or even what the brand is. The main thing that stuck out was"Unhate" in the left corner. My immediate reaction was that the company promotes love and peace which is a good thing. Despite a positive message the advertisement does not hint at what they sell, it just states the name. It would be more effective if they said "United States of Benetton selling the best clothes and shoes" I JUST WANT SOME CLUE AS TO WHY OBAMA IS KISSING THE CHINESE PRESIDENT.

If the advertisement did state what the products they sold were I think it would be very effective and would definitely spur interest. This is a clear example on how memorable controversial ads can be.

Carls Jr Objectifying Women- Negative Influence On Society

Miss Representation opened my eyes to how truly disgusting and degrading advertising can be. Companies use attractive women as sex symbols to sell a product. By doing this they generate a stereotype that women are only good at being hot and what they say doesn't matter. An advertisement would never have a woman wearing a turtleneck talking the whole commercial about how great a product was, but why? If a woman isn't sexy nobody cares or pays attention, there's something wrong with that.

In this commercial the girls begins the commercial by saying "I love going all natural" and it is inferred she is talking about being naked because it shows her appearing to be topless. As she walks around men can't stop looking at her like she is a dog. This shows our society that this kind of behavior towards women is acceptable. She then eats a burger at the end, but the whole premise of the commercial is based on her sex appeal.

These commercials will continue to ruin society's view of women and their role in society. Carl's Jr needs to sell the burger for it's delicious ingredients and how it is made, not a beautiful woman endorsing it, that draws all the wrong attention.This commercial was very gross and I don't think it should be allowed to air on TV. Until this form of advertising stops, many women will continue to be seen as objects instead of people.

Question #14: What is "stealth marketing" or marketing under the radar? Is it ethical? Would you throw a party or post on social media for money?

Marketing under the radar is placing products in a generally casual or desirable atmosphere,disguised enough so it is not clear that the products are being advertised, but obvious enough to be memorable.  People see the products and think to themselves "Wow.. Sprite is a company that generates fun"  or "the cast of Modern Family uses that washing machine I will remember that brand next time I shop".

I do believe it is ethical if the advertisement is just a pop-up (characters use or mention a product) on a TV show or a company hires someone to throw a party endorsing the company. However, I don't think it is ethical for people specifically celebrities to lie and say that they use this product everyday, when in reality they are just reading a script. Lying for advertisements isn't ethical, but to slyly show off a product is acceptable.

I would post on social media for money if i actually used/liked the product. Posting on social media reaches a wider audience and is more effective then throwing a party which only advertises to around 100 people. I've seen many celerities endorse products through social media such as Kylie Jenner who often advertises apps for the iPhone or hair extensions

Tegan and Sara Music Ad Disguised

I was bored on this Sunday afternoon and decided to start a new show on Netflix called "Young and Hungry".With my recent knowledge on advertising I was blown away at how many placed products appeared throughout the show. I can't tell if critical thinking has ruined my ability to appreciate television and media or opened my eyes.

In this scene the main character puts on the perfect song to "set the mood". She sings the lyrics and dances to show she enjoys the song. It seems like it came off her everyday playlist and her character genuinely likes the song. This advertisement is so subtle yet gets the point across so effortlessly.

After hearing the song, Josh says "Tegan and Sara? I karaoke to this song all the time!" Gabi replies with "Me too!" Viewers react by thinking "Hey this is a catchy I want to buy it!" This advertisement uses the technique "Plain Folks" because it is showing a romantic song that everyday people can use for dates or even just hanging out. The songs comes off as upbeat and fun, something that makes you want to dance. I don't think I would've thought of this scene as an advertisement prior to my class which makes it effective.

It is directed to teenagers and young adults ranging from (16-25). The people in the show are young and attractive and live desirable lives. The sing along between the characters and hinted popularity make the song very appealing to people of this age group.

Progressive// FLO

       Flo is a character that I have adored for many years now. Her quirky features and distinct humor always made me laugh. She is the perfect face for progressive because she creates a lighthearted face for an insurance company which too most people is boring and not an upbeat idea. 

      She advertises saving money and package deals which uses the bribery technique. Her average everyday worker look is very appealing and makes the company seem very trustworthy and friendly. Flo has become a well known figure and used on many commercials, Progressive stresses the repetition technique. As soon as you get Flo's voice you automatically know who the commercial is for. Her name is also significant because it is unique. If her name was Amanda or Courtney the commercial may not be as effective or memorable.

REAL

      Real women with real bodies. The everyday women is not going to look like she walked off the runway although she may aspire to be. Sending out the message to love yourself the way you are is a great way to appeal to the masses using the "plain folks" technique.

     Victoria secret advertising  thin women saying "love my body"  upsets many people and causes them to feel poor about themselves. People come in all shapes and sizes and are equally beautiful. Advertising diversity is almost always popular.

    Aerie shows smiling giggly girls who instantly make the viewer smile back. Although not perfect their beauty is unmissable. As a girl myself, a genuinely happy person is more welcoming and lovable than a Victoria secret model making a sexy face. I would rather feel secure with my image while viewing an advertisement than thinking I'll never look like that.

  Aerie did an excellent job with this advertisement and I was completely impressed with the message they stand behind. I hope the fashion industry will follow this example and preach self love. 

(Victoria Secret advertisement)

(Aerie ad campaign)

Easy Breezy Beautiful

Katy Perry is known for her fierce and beautiful lashes so she is a perfect fit for this mascara commercial. The use of an icon like Perry is the advertisement appeal "need for attention". Everyone wants her perfect lashes so if she uses it then everyone else's eyelashes can look like her's?

The commercial is centered around poetic verses and flowers( hence the name Full Lash Bloom). The words  create a rhythm that fit perfectly with the upbeat music in the background. They tell a story about how Perry's lashes got so long which grabs people's attention because viewers want to hear what happens at the end. The pinks and florals create a girly vibe and beautiful aesthetic.

Covergirl  includes "Easy Breezy Beautiful, Covergirl" at the end of every commercial which creates a trademark for the company's advertisements. This is the ad technique of repetition because these 3 words are directly associated with the company and are memorable . The words all have positive connotations with them and are very light and flirty which women of all ages wish to be.

Do a Dollop Daisy

The famous "Daisy" jingle has stayed in my mind for the past five years. I will never forget these classic commercials for they are memorable and effective. The advertisements target families and have the "plain folks" appeal. By showing average families people are gravitated to use the sour cream for simple kid friendly meals. The advertisements also use the advertisement technique of repetition. Almost every commercial has the jingle in it so right away the audience knows that it is a Daisy commercial. The repetition of the song results in a memorization by viewers and eventually they will sing along and get it stuck in their head. 

I think these commercials are very effective because although I haven't seen a commercial in quite sometime I could still recite the whole jingle. When I think of sour cream the only brand that comes to mind is Daisy because the song has stuck with me. I think creating a jingle for a company is an extremely smart way to advertise. Stanley Steamers, education connection.com, and Empire also went down the same route. Conclusively, a catchy tune can make for a successful advertisement and it has definitely worked for Daisy. 

Got Milk?

The Got Milk? advertisements are based off the the "need to achieve" appeal. Celebrities ranging from Tyra Banks to Tracy McGrady are all photographed with a white mustache with the ultimate goal of encouraging more people to drink milk . In the photos they look powerful and beautiful both things that the average person strives to be.

In this specific photo Chris Bosh is dunking for the United States olympic basketball team. There are tons of people in the background taking photos and cheering as if he is a God. Then at the bottom of the page it says "Power Up", implying that milk will lead to great things such as being an Olympian.  The emphasis on his muscles and the intensity in his face all scream strong.

These advertisements were on every school cafeteria for many years, although I rarely see them these days. I always hated milk, but I loved celebrities. I thought that by drinking milk I could one day be like them. Celebrities are effective spokespeople because they are a clear definition of success and are easily recognizable establishing credibility.

Disguised Advertising

The popularity of Youtube has significantly grown in the last 5 years.  People across the globe are able to find guidance, comedy, and tutorials all through videos. The Youtube community makes you feel like there are 500 close friends giving you advice or telling you a joke, this is one of the biggest appeals. In beauty videos specifically, companies will send Youtubers their products in exchange for a shoutout in a video. The Youtuber will recommend the product as one of their "favorites" or "everyday products" then leave a coupon code down below. For many years I would buy a product just because a Youtuber said that it was great. This form of advertising is very sneaky and it took me many years to realize the hidden advertisements.

This video is titled "What I Ate Today" and this specific Youtuber is known to have a very toned body.  People are constantly trying to change  their bodies and get into shape, so by showing us what she eats many hope that if they eat the same they will look like her. After taking you on a short step by step guide on what she eats everyday, she proceeds to talk about this "food box" that she is obsessed with. This advertisement is conveniently placed after every viewers mouth waters from the clips shown previously. Polina describes each of the snacks in the box and says how much she loves everything. By the end of the video, I'm really hungry and want to click the link below to buy the box.

This form of advertisement is effective because it is personal and focuses on health. She keeps eye contact with camera as if she's recommending the box to a close friend. It doesn't seem like an advertisement because she's reviewing it (although the reviews will never be negative).

Barack Obama's "The Choice" is centered around the idea that every American has the chance to make a difference and create opportunities for our country. He describes his plan in contrast to Mitt Romney's plan, highlighting that Romney's ideas have been tested and ultimately failed. Obama makes it seem as though Romney's presidential policies will mainly helps the wealthy class, while Obama will help those who are struggling in the lower classes. His use of setting and word choice appeals to the masses in a personal way.

This political advertisement begins with Barack Obama suggesting that the viewer has a choice to make within the next few months. He is not talking to the camera, rather what seems to be another person. The conversational atmosphere of this advertisement makes it seem very personal and shining light on the idea that Obama is a real person, who has friends, and truly cares about the country outside of the office. The setting is what appears to be an average home, with an average lamp, an average couch, and some average throw pillows. This appeals to the "everyday American" and forms a connection that President Barack Obama is just like everybody else. As he discusses his plans for presidency, clips play of him talking with normal people at a dining room table and meeting with an educator at a school. These concepts also appeal to the "everyday American" because it seems that he is  trying to help the all of the social classes, not a select few of wealthy Americans that pay him for political power (super PACS).  The advertisement ends with a slide of the word "FORWARD" in bold. This strong word leaves a lasting effect by creating a positive connotation between "forward" and Barack Obama. Viewers will now associate Obama with moving the country forward in the right direction.

Barack Obama clearly states Mitt Romney's plan if elected, but then says that is has been proven to  fail. He brings up that Romney's plan will cut taxes for the wealthy class, while his plan will help expand the middle class. The lower class is much larger than the wealthy class, therefore this statement is extremely appealing to the greater portion of America.  He then presents the ideas of investing in education, paying down debt, investing  in manufacturing, and investing in homegrown American energy. These are all extremely appealing to every American no matter what social class you come from. Obama concludes with the statement "Sometimes politics seem very small, but the choice you face, couldn't be bigger."  This urges people to vote and make their dreams for America a reality.

Politics and the English Language: Question #3

Q: Orwell says that every writer "asks" himself at least four questions: What am I trying to say? What words will express it? What image or idiom will make it clearer? Is the image fresh enough to have an effect?" What do you think of these questions? Do you agree or disagree that they are the most essential questions for writers to ask themselves? Explain why.

I think these questions must be asked in order to create a clear visual. Writing is supposed to evoke emotion and paint a picture for the reader. In order to achieve this imagery, a writer must choose the best vocabulary and figurative language to convey their ideas. Too often writers will use a word just to use it because it is big and sophisticated. By asking these questions, the writer has to think about their word choice and make sure certain words are truly the best fit to create a clear image. Re- reading your work is essential as a writer and these questions are the best way to check your work.  Everyone reacts differently to words, so making sure that the words you use are universally understood for every audience is important. I completely agree with Orwell, it is definitely necessary as a writer to ask yourself these questions. 

A photo of George Orwell reviewing his work