Reaction Paper #10 due 11-4

Here is the article.. it goes along with the video we watched today in class.

http://www.wired.com/techbiz/it/magazine/16-03/ff_free?currentPage=all

1. How has going digital changed the notion of "free"?
2. What does the author say are the main advantages of free?
3. From your own point of view, what are the biggest disadvantages of free?
4. Would you pay $10/year to visit your favorite free website or would you find something else that is free?

Happy B-day, Internet

The first communication on what would be come the Internet marks its 40th anniversary today.

Speaking of PR

Alex Rodriguez's interview about steroids.

Decline of newspapers

Graph of newspaper subscription rates. Ouch.

Box office visualization

A neat visualization of box office profits over the years.

Reaction Paper #9 10-29

Here are the articles:

http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/issues/stereotyping/women_and_girls/women_beauty.cfm

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9A03E4DC1E3EF933A15756C0A96F958260

http://seedmagazine.com/news/2006/09/the_media_assault_on_male_body.php

And a couple short ones:

http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/briefs/childrenshealth/hb050801a.htm

http://www.newsweek.com/id/112714

What is your reaction to these stories (be sure to share specific details from the articles)? (You don't have to share this, but:) do you feel the same pressures from the mass media? What do you think about little kids having their school photos retouched? Why do we value perfection so much in our culture? Will things get worse before they get better? Lastly, is there anything, either with advertisers or the mass media in general (especially those magazines aimed at young women) that can or should be done?

Inside Edition on Super Mario

Reaction Paper #8 due 10-22

For reaction paper 8, I'd like you to write a review. It can be a review for a TV show, movie, album, video game or book.

Pretend you are writing for The Campus Chronicle. Your audience is DMACC students. You want to keep your writing somewhat formal, but it doesn't have to be too stiff. Be sure to proof read. Here are some good tips on how to write it. Please read:

http://www.howtodothings.com/hobbies/a2206-how-to-write-a-movie-review.html

It will help if you review something that you are passionate about -- whether you love it or hate it.

Here are some readings for inspiration.

Roger Ebert hates the movie "North": http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19940722/REVIEWS/407220302/1023

But he likes Pulp Fiction: http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20010610%2FREVIEWS08%2F106100301%2F1023

Indiana Jones: http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20000430%2FREVIEWS08%2F4300301%2F1023

This guy goes in-depth with "Armageddon": http://criterioncollection.blogspot.com/2005/09/40-armageddon.html

Mario Kart Wii Review: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=185351

Remember to be as specific as possible. Don't just say "it had good acting." What made the acting good? What made the story interesting? What made the action scenes boring?

YouTube $

YouTube revenue ideas (NY Times).

If it makes you subscribe, do a Google search for the headline and click on it (it will let you link to the full article via Google).

Reaction Paper #7 due 10-15

Here's the article:

http://dir.salon.com/story/tech/feature/2002/08/20/jenkins_on_donahue/index.html

Please summarize the author's points when it comes to video games and violence.

Do you agree or disagree and why? Do games like Grand Theft Auto deserve their bad reputation?

8 myths about video games:

http://www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

Which of these surprised you, and why? Do you have any experiences with video games that provide conflicting evidence to any of these 8 points?

Reaction paper #6 due 10-8

Ok.. nothing to read for this one. Here's the deal:

1. Pick an hour-long show that you'd expect would have product placement. The new Jay Leno one would be a good one. (A nature show probably wouldn't be)
2. Take out a piece of paper and make two columns. One for regular commercials and one for product placement.
3. Keep careful track of each product mention or visual within the show. Keep track of each commercial during the break.
4. List some of the product placements in your paper and how they did it.
5. Analyze the findings. How much product placement was there? Was it identified or not? Did the products overlap with any of the regular commercials? Was the product placement seamless or awkward? Did the target audience for the products seem to make sense for the typical audience who might be watching the show?
6. What are your thoughts on product placement? Are you ok with it? Why would some people not be ok with it? Does it bug you that shows have to integrate the products into their shows? Would it be better if it were kept out of shows? Any other thoughts?