Assignment 1-3 Article Analysis

SpongeBob Square Pants: Pop Culture Tsunami or More?

The author (Rice, 2009) does an excellent job of expounding on the elements of the show and explaining who SpongeBob Square Pants is. This is especially beneficial for audiences like me who have never watched this popular television show. As noted in my analysis, my thirteen year old niece is a huge fan of the show which prompted me to select this article as my research.

Originally geared toward children, SpongeBob Square Pants enjoys broad audience appeal. There is a growing adult population that regularly views the show. The show even has celebrity followers like Bruce Willis, Sigourney Weaver, and Dr. Dre.
The article expounds on the brands’ enormous marketing success with SpongeBob toys, video games, house slippers, underwear, fishing poles, and so much more. The author further analyses the elements of the show that appeals to such broad audiences. For example, many episodes feature lessons Sponge Bob learns via human trial and error. The show also contains humor and relevant issues. The author incorporates media research to identify what attracts children to certain television shows. The article explains for example, that children are attracted to shows that provide purpose and active viewer response.

The article provides a thorough analysis in an effort to understand the inner workings of SpongeBob but it primarily focuses on the show’s appeal to children. This was somewhat surprising given the percentage of adult viewership the show enjoys. I was looking for a more in-depth analysis on why the adult population is also interested in the content of the show.

Overall I was pleased with the analysis and walked away with an increased understanding of the shows’ ongoing success.

References
Rice, J. (2009). SpongeBob Square Pants: Pop Culture Tsunami or More? The Journal of Popular Culture, Vol. 42, No. 6, 2009. (EBSCO HOST)

Weekly Analysis 5-1

Lady Gaga

At first glance I thought Lady Gaga to be a pretty strange character and I wasn’t quite getting this wave of excitement and growing mass appeal. Perhaps because I’m older and a bit conservative, I was initially repulsed by her image. I confess that I‘m guilty of passing judgment. Then I saw her appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show which I found rather surprising and something prevented me from turning the channel. I must confess that after the Oprah interview, I found Lady Gaga to be a sensitive, loving, and caring person. She even demonstrated her lovely singing voice with a beautiful rendition of a slow love song. Perhaps her outlandish costumes and jaw dropping appearance was not necessarily a cry for attention, or a shock effect, or the need to stand out. Perhaps this is her form of self-expression and her independent sense of style.

The article on Personal Appearance in the text (Browne, 2005), states that “since the beginning of time people have used their bodies for ornamentation…Using the body as a canvas on which to practice art is in itself a form of advertising.” Lady Gaga has taken this concept to a whole new level.

This is the reason I believe her fans love her so. Perhaps her bold and daring attitude is what they long to possess themselves and she represents their wild and crazy side and is clearly unashamed to show it. Many of her fans refer to her as the new Madonna and she lovingly refers to them as her “monsters.” Some fans call her a freak and she let’s everyone’s freak come out. They love her for that. They dress in all manner of feathers, bubbles, crowns, lace and other Gaga-inspired finery. Other fans call her an icon and an inspiration.

Her concerts are quite a production. She has a three-sided stage and dancers with half-skeleton heads and bodysuits on. ... She changes costumes about six times, and there are vibrant colors, and a light show.

Her controversial image has angered and provoked churches and other conservative groups. Yet the mean spirited comments do not seem to be slowing her down.

This latest pop culture sensation has a big heart too. She recently donated all the proceeds to her concert to the Haiti relief fund. This was very generous indeed.

Only time will tell the long-term success of this newest sensation. For now, Lady Gaga has a lot on her side – adoring fans all over the world, and a unique sense of style that captures your attention and a lovely voice and talent wrapped up in one.

Reference –
Browne R. (2005) Profiles of Popular Culture. Popular Press.

That girl is a monster. Retrieved February 2, 2010, from http://www.nouse.co.uk/2010/01/26/that-girl-is-a-monster/.

Lady GaGa Fans. Retrieved January 2, 2010 from http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1628658/20091221/lady_gaga.jhtml.

Weekly Analysis 4-1

What is a Twitter?

Yes you read my question right. What is a twitter? As a card carrying cave dweller I find myself wondering why our society needs a millionth avenue of communication. Terms like tweets and retweet (a reposting of someone else’s tweet) is all the rave. Everyone from celebrities to the mail man tweet their daily business and affairs. Why anyone would be interested in the daily ins and outs of others puzzles me. Keeping track of my own life keeps me occupied enough. Let alone tracking someone else’s. I assume twitter followers are employed and enjoy it for sport and games or they simply see something I do not. I suppose I have other pressing matters like eating, bathing, writing this paper, and living. But to be fair and objective let’s examine this topic a little more closely.

I’ve stumbled across some interesting definitions but my top three are:

• Twitter is a communication tool that provides a way to share and discover what’s happening right now anywhere in the world. (Getting to know Twitter, 2009).

• Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent messages. People write short updates, often called “tweets” of 140 characters or fewer. These messages are posted to your profile or your blog, sent to your followers, and are searchable on Twitter search. (Getting to know Twitter, 2009).
• Twitter is micro-blogging. It is social messaging. It is an event coordinator, a business tool, news reporting service, and a marketing utility. (Web Trends, 2009).

All you need to access Twitter is an internet connection or mobile phone. The Twitter search allows users to see what other people are saying and doing on Twitter. Users can locate their friends and start following them or invite friends to become followers. Followers are people who receive your Twitter postings and updates. New messages are added to your homepage as people post them so you always get the updates in real time. Users can see who they’re following and who’s following them.

Although your Twitter profile is public by default, you can protect your profile to approve followers and keep your updates out of search. You can even block people from following you. They won’t be able to follow you or send you any messages. You can even block spammer as Twitters’ support program monitors block reports to see whose “causing trouble” on Twitter. Twitter recently added follow and update limits for stability and control.

Twitter is used by television news networks (that ticker streaming across the bottom of the television screen), it’s faster and more immediate than a blog, and everyone from magazines to move stars use Twitter as a quick way to connect with an audience.

Even President Obama effectively used Twitter during his presidential campaign in getting out his message.

The article in the text Advertising: The Soft and the Hard Sell (Browne, 2005), states that advertising is constantly with us. It’s has become our way of life. It saturates our markets and nowhere can we turn without noticing some form or another. It sounds as if Twitter is receiving its share of advertisement. The more Twitter is relevant and understood, it will continue to grow and draw many more users. It already has the celebrity advantage.

Okay I can see the value in Twitter if I want to shoot my mom a quick message to say ‘I’m running late’ or ‘check out this week’s Macy’s sale’, but why not use the phone? I’m concerned that long, reliable, and more intimate forms of communication such as phones, letters, and emails will get lost in the shuffle. I guess Twitter is another option for the progressive and technologically astute population. Innovation is certainly a force to be reckoned with. I’m not sure if I’ll be joining the ranks of this community anytime soon.

Twitter Support: Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved January 28, 2010 from http://www. Help.twitter.com/forums

What is Twitter? Twitter Explained. Retrieved January 27, 2010 from http://www. webtrends.about.com/od/socialnetworking/a/what-is-twitter.htm

Browne, R. (2005) Profiles of Popular Culture. Popular Press.

The iPod nano 5th generation

This past Christmas I purchased an iPod nano (Apple, 2009) for my twenty year old nephew who happens to be a great kid in general. He’s made the dean’s list for the past two years, and runs track at the University of Akron, in Akron, Ohio. After buying the iPod, the case, the product replacement plan, and an iPod armband so my nephew can enjoy his music while jogging, I had paid out well over two-hundred dollars. Well great kids are worth spoiling.

I can see the appeal of Apple’s newest model the iPod nano 5th generation. This is an all in one music player, movie player, and then some. It features a larger 2.2 inch display with 240-by-376 resolution and a built-in microphone and speaker. It’s small, easy to carry, has a glossy finish and comes in a variety of colors. It holds up to 4,000 songs or up to 16 hours of video. It features a built in video camera, FM radio with Live Pause (Live Pause allows you to pause your favorite radio station and tune back in - even rewinding as far back as fifteen minutes, then fast forward to catch up to the live broadcast) and iTunes Tagging (allows you to tag songs you like on the radio but do not know the name of the song or artist who sings it), built in pedometer, and a spoken menu that allow listeners to hear many of the names of menus, song titles, and artists without viewing the screen. It supports twenty voice-over languages ranging from Chinese to Polish. It’s even environmentally friendly as it is mercury-free, has arsenic-free glass, and it’s highly recyclable.

Being that I base many of my purchases on customer ratings and reviews, I felt at ease making the purchase. One review by Rob Mead (TechRadar, 2009) concluded that “the iPod nano is a ragbag of features. Its strengths as a small, compact and user-friendly portable media player shine through, but the video camera and FM radio are plain daft”. Another review by Bob LeVitus (the Mac Observer, 2009) concluded that “the 5th generation iPod nano is easily the best and most feature-packed iteration yet. I'm disappointed that it can't shoot still photos but my only real complaint is the same one I have had for every iPod I've ever reviewed -- the included earphones are still uncomfortable and mediocre. This otherwise excellent little device deserves better”. My nephew made it clear that while he appreciated all the bells and whistles, he primarily wanted to see his music list and the music that was playing. So based on my nephews’ preference, the iPod nano passed my test.

In the article Fads (Browne, 2005), the author states that “America is a nation of faddists…we are therefore dedicated to having and enjoying fads, even being controlled by them, those generally short-lived crazes in which we pour our unconscious and conscious attention for a while before moving on to another”. Surely time will tell if the iPod nano is just another fad. I predict that some version of the iPod will be around for years to come only to be improved upon.

References

Apple (2009). Don’t just listen to the radio. Pause it and tag it, too. Retrieved January 22, 2010 from http://www.apple.com/ipodnano/features/fm-radio.html

Apple iPod nano 8GB 5th Generation Newest Model (2009) Retrieved January 22, 2010 from http://www.walmart.com


Rob Meade (2009). Apple iPod nano 5th Gen.16GB review. Retrieved January 22, 2010 from http://www.techradar.com/reviews/gadgets/ipods-and-portable-audio/ipod-and-mp3-players/apple-ipod-nano-5th-gen-16gb--636187/review

Bob LeVitus (2009). iPod nano (5G) In-Depth Review. Retrieved January 22, 2010http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/review/ipod_nano_5g/

Browne, R. (2005), Profiles of Popular Culture. Popular Press.

The Blackberry

Remember when cell phones were large and bulky? I remember pulling up next to a car at the red light and talking on my cell phone with the big battery on the back. This person looked over at me like I had just landed from Mars. They started laughing with the person beside them while looking over in my direction. No doubt the topic was the enormous size of my cell phone.

When it comes to the latest in technology, I am clueless. My thirteen year old niece helps me operate the features on my cell phone. She was really impressed when I upgraded to a flip phone. I figure I just need to make calls and receive calls.

Blackberries are pretty cool and fascinating for cave people like me.
It functions as a cell phone and digital organizer. It has a calendar, address book, alarm clock, and email capabilities. Internet browsing, navigation system, text messaging, photos, music, blog, video, games, and a social life wrapped up in one. What does this thing not do?

Okay I know for you advanced tech fans with blackberries and other fancy gadgets this conversation is redundant so just consider it to be a refresher.

In the the article, Watching TV Makes You Smarter (Johnson, 2005) the author talks about the developmental benefits of watching television via intellectually challenging shows such as “24”, “The West Wing”, and “ER”. The author argues that these shows mentally stimulate viewers with the use of complicated plot threads with realistic characters and relevant social issues. I assert that blackberries can make one smarter by developing technological skills and driving efficiency and effectiveness both professionally and socially.

The demand and popularity of blackberries are evident in the consumption, manufacturing, and revenue of this impressive gadget. I’m going to get me one.

What does a blackberry phone do? Retrieved on January 13, 2010 from http: //www.ehow.com/facts

Johnson, S. (2005) Watching TV Makes You Smarter. Retrieved on January 13, 2010 from Petracca, M. & Sorapure, M. (2007) in Common Culture 5th Ed.

These three individuals now have a lasting place in history: President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Michael Jackson. They're fascinating and inspirational. They are trailblazers who have greatly impacted our world. They are admired and impressive, and they represent something larger than themselves. For this reason Michael Jackson will be remembered for his musical genius despite his personal and legal troubles, and President Obama will be remembered for being the first elected African-American United States President, who both electrified and inspired millions, and Oprah will be remembered for her transparency, and personal connection with millions of viewers long after her show ends. These icons are globally recognized and have transcended age, race, and nationality.

Motown founder Barry Gordy called Michael Jackson, “the greatest entertainer who ever lived” and Colin Powell referred to then candidate Barack Obama, as a “transformational and inspirational figure”, and Oprah Winfrey has been called a ‘cultural icon for the neoliberal era’ by author Janice Peck (The Age of Oprah, 2008). The article “The Masks of Mickey Mouse – Symbol of a Generation (Brockway, 1989) identified numerous reasons for the continual fascination with Mickey Mouse. Likewise there are numerous reasons these three icons will have lasting appeal.

I cannot describe the enormous sense of pride I felt when Barack Obama was elected our nation’s 44th President. This proved to me that anything is possible in America. If you’re a Michael Jackson fan, you were indeed a part of the shock and devastation of his untimely death. Oprah Winfrey is a dynamic woman I greatly admire. She’s inspired me to live my best life.

These individuals are my personal icons because Michael’s music makes me smile and dance, Oprah makes me think and reflect, and President Obama’s election challenges me to reach for the stars…

Colin Powell endorses Barack Obama for President. Retrieved on January 13, 2010 from http://www.guardian.co.uk.

Motown Berry Gordy pays tribute to Michael Jackson at Memorial. Retrieved on January 13, 2010 from http://www.examiner.com.

The Age of Oprah: Cultural Icon for the Neoliberal Era. Retrieved on January 13, 2010 from
http://www.paradigmpublishers.com/books/

Brockway, R.W. From Journal of Popular Culture 22, no. 4 (1989). The Masks of Mickey Mouse In Browne, R. B. (pp. 79-88).

Rap and Hip Hop

Love it or hate it everyone in America has heard of rap and hip hop. Americans love it, abhors it, or is indifferent to it. It’s hard to ignore because it can be heard everywhere. Personally I am not a fan. I struggle to rap my mind around this mass appeal. In my view, the lyrics drown in the beat and what little I do understand leaves me clueless. Once or twice I’ve found myself enjoying the rhythm of a song but primarily I find the language to be vulgar and offensive.

Yet this phenomenon has captured the attention of the younger generation and not just in the inner city. Rap and hip hop has made its way to the suburbs, radio, television, movies, and awards shows. Even the President once stated that he enjoys rap artists such as Jay Z on his iPod.

The sales of CDs and downloads of songs continue to indicate a strong market and demand.

The regular use of profanity and the disrespect for women is offensive. Yet this pop culture phenomenon has exploded fills the bank accounts of the artists and producers while negatively influencing the younger generation and segments of the more mature.

Rap and hip hop has been around for over twenty years. When I was young, I enjoyed rap trail blazers like Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff, Run DMC, and others but the lyrics were fun and clean. Women in videos had clothes on. Violence and vulgar language were absent from the equation.

Then again it’s all about taste. I’m sure my form of music annoys some but at least its uplifting, inspirational and relaxing.

A closer look at rap and hip hop reveals an outlet for anger, rage, and racial disparities. The more hard core gangsta rap calls attention to various social and racial issues. I’m sure a lesson or two can be found if one digs deeper but I contend that more positive messages and cleaner language can be just as effective.
Given the current crisis we are living in economically, politically, and not to mention war and combat, I find that messages of personal empowerment, unity, or peace would be more fitting. Unfortunately these positive messages would come across as a bit soft or weak to the rap artists' peers.

Hip-Hop Revolution: The Culture and Politics of Rap (CultureAmerica) (Hardcover) - Jeffry O.G. Ogbar

Retrieved January 8, 2010 from Music: Hip Hop Nation – Time at http://www.time.com/time/magazine.

The Golden Arches

Just about everyone on the planet is familiar with the two golden arches. McDonalds has been an American staple and has even earned international acclaim. I have such fond childhood memories of this golden place. McDonalds was my reward for excelling academically in school. I could select whatever I wanted from the menu. I would bust with pride as I dug into my hot fudge sundae, French fries, and Big Mac. I swear McDonalds has the best French fries in the land. Remember the Happy Meal and the toy?

McDonalds is the perfect example of a pop culture artifact because it has both national and international recognition, and it transcends generations. People from all walks of life have enjoyed McDonalds. McDonalds is the subject of fond memories and stories for so many people. The fact that my nieces and nephews enjoy it as much as I did at their age makes McDonalds a really special place. It would be tough to imagine our culture and world without McDonalds.

According to Module 1, popular culture is our way of life and consists of the eighty percent of what is manufactured, distributed, and consumed. I define popular culture as any person or entity that is mainstream, an integral part of our society, and greatly impacts our culture.

Popular culture is relevant in business because in many ways it drives the course of business and determines how business operates. Where would business professionals be without cell phones, or blackberries, or the internet, email, or computers?

Popular culture has great relevance in my own career and will continue to do so in the future. Having an understanding of the internet and search engines, learning my agency’s newly advanced phone system and intranet, and being comfortable with emails as a communication tool, all directly impact my job performance. Having an understanding of popular culture is no longer an option but a necessity for personal and professional development.

Retrieved January 7, 2010 from McDonald's. St. James Encyclopedia of Pop Culture, Jan 29, 2002 by Catherine C. Galley & Briavel Holcomb at http://findarticles.com