Spiderman and Superman

Artifact-Spiderman

beliefs -He believes he can help those in trouble.
Myth - He is a man dress as a human spider.
Hero - He has senses when bad things are going to happen; he can fly; and climb buildings.
setting - New York, 2002.
Ritual - To help others.
Stereotype - He is a good person, who wants to save other good people from the bad people.
formulas - Superhero, romance, action, scientific.

Artifact- Superman

beliefs - He goes when the world calls him.
Myth - He was born on a planet that is now dead, so he is being raised in Kansas by his adoptive parents.

Hero - He has special powers, he can fly as well as sense when he is needed to help.
setting - Kansas or Earth in general. 2006
Ritual - To save the Earth from harmful people.
Stereotype - He is a good person who wants to help others. As well as saving Earth, from the harmful creatures.

formulas - Superhero, action, scientific.

Artifact- Commonalities in Each Column

beliefs - They both go when needed for help.
Myth - Live with someone other than their parents.
Hero - They both have special powers, such as flying.
setting - Living on Earth, and helping others that live there.
Ritual - Help others.
Stereotype - Good person, who wants to help save others from harmful creatures.
formulas - Superhero, action, scientific.

Spiderman and Superman

While viewing the movie Spiderman, I found the formulas that could be identified were romance, action, and science-fiction. The romance formulas came throughout the film. Peter who is the main character in the film is a teenage student. He is very much interested in a popular girl, name Mary Jane. Peter is not at all popular; actually he would be considered a weakling. The action formula begins to show, after Peter gains his special powers. The science-fiction formula would also begin after he gains his powers and becomes the human spider or Spiderman. (Raimi, 2004).
The two movies I chose to show their commonalities are Spiderman and Superman Returns. Spiderman or Peter is an orphaned teenager growing up in New York; being raised by his aunt and uncle. He is just an average kid, until he is bitten by a spider while on a school field trip. Peter then learns he has special powers. These powers consist of climbing walls, sensing when someone needs help, and throwing webs. (Raimi, 2004). Superman or Clark Kent, has been raised on a farm in Kansas by his adoptive parents. Long before Superman was born on this planet, he was born on another planet that has died. Although he was raised in Kansas, by humans; he is still not one of them. Clark, can do things humans can only dream of doing, therefore he must live a boring dull life until he can secretly become Superman. He only becomes Superman when the world cries out to him or needs help. (Singer, 2006). The two movies have several commonalities the first would be that they were both raised by someone other than their parents. Neither are the bad guy, both are out to help those in need. Another commonality is both only become the creature when needed.
Yesterday’s formulas are still the same in many ways, but have changed as well. Today’s formulas are comedy, romance, horror, action, or scientific. Yesterdays were those as well, but in yesterday’s formulas many movies were made about mid-evil times. Those movies still exist today. Some movies from yesterday’s formulas were made by performance of plays instead of films. Viewing something by play would change the formula than if it were viewed my film. So, in this case, the formulas would change. Since many of the formulas are still the same today as they were yesterday, they are still accepted in today’s society.
If I could be a director of the film, I would change the romance formula in the Spiderman movie. Instead of the movie having romance, I would just let him help everyone. I would have more real life examples; this would show that he is more of a hero, instead of trying to get the girl.



References
Raimi, S. (Director). (2004). Spiderman [Motion Picture].
Singer, B. (Director). (2006). Superman Returns [Motion Picture].

Christmas Rush

Every year on December 25, we know we are going to exchange gifts. So, why is there such a rush after December first? I personally obtain my Christmas gifts all year round. I know am going to have to buy for my immediate family as well as my in-laws. Now, I know not everyone stays the same size, so you cannot exactly purchase clothing. You can buy perfume, designer purses, or toys. I also understand that not all toys are offered all year, but why wait until the last minute. People, who do this, take chances on not purchasing the correct gift or it being too late to return the gift. I understand if you have to purchase an additional gift for a new someone in the family or at the office, but why wait until it is Christmas to start buying gifts. For example, I personally know one woman in my neighborhood, which has 26 grandchildren a long with children, great-grandchildren, in-laws, and friends to buy for; she never starts her shopping until the second week of December. Is it the rush or excitement of purchasing gifts all at once? What happens if you forget someone?
According to the American Research Group, in 2007 the average shopper spent 859 dollars on gifts. Before 2007, many people spent as much as 1,052 dollars on gifts. (2009 Christmas Spending Plans Slightly Below 2008 Levels, 2009). Frequently this much money was spent from those who are last minute shoppers. If you spend all year round, buying and storing up, then it seems you do not spend as much. Technically you do not, for the unpretentious fact that you catch things on sale or at a bargain price so you do not pay full price. If you are a last minute shopper, you do not always catch those deals, because you are in need of a gift to mark someone off your list. So, why the last minute shopping? Why the rush? Why not take your time, purchase nice gifts all year long, and enjoy the Christmas holiday?


References
2009 Christmas Spending Plans Slightly Below 2008 Levels. (2009, November 24). Retrieved December 8,2009, from American Research Group Inc.: http://www.americanresearchgroup.com/holiday/

Assignment 5-1

Legalized or Not?

The topic I would like to discuss with everyone is the drug usage in our nation. Many people are voting to legalize marijuana. Eighty seven percent say it should be legalized. (Tyger, 2007). Many say if it were legalized it would take the marijuana growers out of jail and make room for real criminals. That is true, but marijuana is known as a “gate way drug”. Although it is used in many other countries as a medicine to cure different illnesses, should it be legalized for everyone to use?
According to the article since 1990, nearly 5.9 million Americans have been arrested on marijuana charges. This has increased by 800 percent since 1980. The prison population in the United States is higher than the European Nations by ten to six times. In 2000, more than 734,000 people were arrested in this country for marijuana-related offenses alone. (09De). As I stated earlier, marijuana is a gate way drug. The article states, that it is like any other substance. In this case, it could be like harder drugs. So if marijuana is legalized should we legalize everything else as well? Although marijuana has never caused death as other substances have, could it later? I am sure that at one time, prescription drugs were not causing deaths and were taken correctly, but in time all things change.
My personal opinion, I have seen harder drug usage in the area where I live, so marijuana is a gate way drug. The people who I personally know who are on harder drugs, started experimenting with marijuana when they were at very young age. I understand that not everyone who smokes marijuana becomes a junkie, but there are quite a few that do. I think American should work on being a drug free environment. If you legalize one drug, the next will be to legalize another and before you know it crystal meth, heroin, and crack cocaine will all be legal. Although, the jails are being filled with marijuana growers instead of murders; should drugs be legalized? I grew up in the early 90s, you rarely heard about people overdosing, unless they were a movie star who could actually afford expensive drugs. Now days, there is something on the news everyday about someone who died from an overdose. No, these people do not die from a marijuana overdose, but somewhere in their life this person had smoke marijuana. Therefore, the marijuana “buzz” was not good enough, or it got old; so their goal was to move on to bigger and harder drugs. Marijuana just gave them the first buzz, to get over their fear of experimenting with drugs. So, in my opinion, no I do not agree with marijuana being legalized.



References
(n.d.). Retrieved December 02, 2009. From http://legalizationofmarijuana.com/

Tyger, R. (2007). Retrieved December 02, 2009. From Marijuana.com: http://www.marijuan.com/legalization-decriminalization/23871-legalize.html

Assignment 4-1

What Is Your Truth?

So what is the truth? Everyone has their own. Such as everyone has their own story, their own view, or image; but is it always the truth? The article states, “People can take everything away from you, but they can’t take away your truth. But the question is can you handle it? Can you handle my truth?” (Myers, 2009). This article suggests that the history of celebrity in western culture is closely linked to the history of communication technology. In this case, it suggest that new research has to find away to reach larger audience quicker. This causes the public to tune in around the world for the flow of information. (Schickel, 1985). According to the author, Richard Schickel, the celebrity image is useful ideological symbol for constructing meaning within the modern western capitalist. In other worlds, celebrities are just idealist; their images are not always real. Which in many cases makes their images not true? The article suggest that celebrity people are more false in value. They do not always accept their images, some in fact reject the social values formed by their celebrity images. (Myers, 2009). If a celebrity is brought out into the public and revealed as a normal person, many may not recogonize. If a celebrity is placed on a stage or in a movie, everyone knows this person. The true images are not always seen on stage. So, these images seem in so many movies are not true. These images are fake or false.
The name of the article is “Can You Handle My Truth?” Authenticity and the Celebrity Star Image. So, why do so many people hide or give a false image? Why do they not just give a true image? Is it the fact they cannot handle their own truth? In my opinion I think people do not reveal their own truth because they are afraid of not being accepted. For example, when you begin middle school, as a girl you begin wearing makeup, tighter jeans, watching your weight; things that were not important to you before. This is because you want to be accepted by other children your age. The makeup makes you look older or adds a different look about you. Many celebrities use makeup to look younger or uplifting their age. The tighter jeans, show off your figure as well as catching young gentlemen’s eyes. Watching your weight, it because the media puts so much on girls to be skinny. If you are overweight, you do not get accepted as well as if you are skinny. Therefore, when you enter the world where you have to hide your actual truth, you begin to change yourself to a fake; inorder to be accepted.
The article discusses the relationship with Britney Spears and Kevin Federline. Britney was always view as the girl next door. She wanted to be viewed as an average person. After all, she did produce an official Web site and her own reality television program to present the real person. (Myers, 2009). To me, she is trying to introduce her truth to the public. Her reality show is helping to bring the real Britney closer to her fans. This is a way of coping with being a celebrity and its pressures. (Myers, 2009).



Reference
Myers, E. (2009). “Can You Handle My Truth?” Authenticity and the Celebrity Star Image. Journal of Popular Culture, 42(5), 890-907.
Schickel, R. (1985). Intimate Strangers: The Culture of Celebrity.

Assignment 1-3

What Is Your Stereotype?

My favorite television show is the Golden Girls. I have watched every episode several times. I don’t have a favorite person in the show, I like them all. The show is about four women who are elder who live together. Sophia is the oldest, she is very sarcastic. Dorothy is Sophia’s daughter; she is very realistic and serious. Next there is Rose, is very silly, many would call her dingy. Finally there is Blanche, she loves all men. She is always out to get her a new man. Putting all of these women in one house and you get a very entertaining television show. The question is why this television show is your favorite television show. Well, I love to watch this television show. There is never a dull boring show; it is always funny and entertaining. (Harris, 1985)
According to dictionary.com, a stereotype is a conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image. ( An Ask.com Service). To me a stereotype is an opinion about something. It is how something is looked at of viewed by others. This television show would have different stereotypes hidden in it. The Golden Girls television show would have implicitly well hidden thought-out different episodes. The girls always have drama, as well as trust, and honesty. This show would rarely have explicitly stereotypes during an episode. There is rarely any violence or harsh words. The stereotype of this show would have to be funny, entertaining; the girls all have trust and are very honest with each other. The drama stereotype comes into play when something happens. For example, in one episode, Blanche and Sophia are dating the same man. Therefore, there was a case of drama. Blanche couldn’t understand why a man would want her and Sophia who is older. (Harris, 1985)
The contributions of this stereotype may have come from life experiences. Many men have several different girlfriends at one time, therefore there is drama. Cultural family beliefs may have contributed to some of the stereotypes, such as trust and honesty. These women are like family, since they all live together. Therefore they have built trust and honesty.
My opinion, I think stereotypes emerge because people are so judgmental. Once people form an opinion about you, it is hard to change it. Many people form their opinion without knowing you or anything about you personally. For example, if I was a drunk in my younger days, but after I got married I joined church; there would still be someone with and opinion that I am still a drunk in church. Everyone has an opinion that shapes the stereotypes about others. Like the example I gave before, someone would say,”oh she hasn’t changed and never will.” That would form an image or opinion about me. This is the reason there are many stereotypes on the world.
In my own personal opinion, stereotypes do not fulfill very many functions. Forming a stereotype is simply forming an opinion. This can either hurt a person or support a person. Labeling a stereotype on someone or something follows them throughout the whole career or lifetime. In this case stereotypes are positive. The stereotypes influence the way people view the television show. The Golden Girls show is view as a funny and entertaining television show. Although, there is drama in the television show on different episodes, the drama is view as entertaining. Therefore, the drama would have a positive stereotype.


References
An Ask.com Service (n.d) Retrieved November 27, 2009 from Dictionary.com: http://dictionary.reference.com/
Harris, S. (director). (1985). the Golden Girls [Motion Picture].



Assignment 3-1 Deidre Farley

Idols: Reality or Religion (Assignment 1-3)

“Idols: Reality or Religion”

Religion has been on a steady decline for many years. The reality show “American Idol” is the starting of music culture. According to the article, this has been an attempt to the article; this has been an attempt to distill potential religion-theological implications for contemporary culture. (DiBernardo, 2009). The holy bible states, “You shall not have not other Gods besides me. You shall not carve idols. You shall not bow down before them and worship them.” There are more idols those realities in the world. (DiBernardo, 2009).
There is a mockery being done of the bible when you call it the golden globes. For in the bible it was a golden calf. In this article, music is presented in the form of culture in comparison to the Holy Bible. In other words, the golden globes, idols, and religion have a long history with each other. Although the reality show was just for entertainment, it has now been transformed into a mockery of the Holy Bible. You cannot help but look at the way “American Idol” captures the popular culture’s imagination. The reason this reality show is such a mockery to the religious world is because they are searching for an idol. Not only are those who audition for the part to become an idol, but those who tune in every week, vote, and post blogs, as well as accessing the videos are also a part of the mockery.
I completely understand the articles point, in the bible it says not to have any other idols, but the world has disowned the bible to earn money. Many people today, who are religious, say I can’t watch this of that because of nudity or profanity. These same people will turn in every week to watch a reality show that is searching to another idol in the world except God. This reality show was more than likely made for entertainment, yet it will destruct many homes and lives. Putting another idol in the world will help to destroy the world.
One who is superficial or fake cannot be spiritual. In other words, entertainment cannot be spiritual. One another note, how about the taking pray out of schools, or the ten commandments out of public places. Thou shall not kill should be placed everywhere in this day and time. Where I am from, religion is a big part in people’s lives. Although Christianity is not the only religion, other religions have the same beliefs that you should not kill, steal, or make false gods. Although the article states that many believe that “American Idol”, is a mysterious allure of a superstar idol. (DiBernardo, 2009). It still mocks the illusions of the Holy Bible.

References
DiBernardo, S. (2009). American Idol: A Religious Profanation. Journal of Religion & Popular Culture, 1-1.

Your American Dream, Can you Reach It?

What is a myth? In my opinion, a myth is something that is believed and lived, but is not true. Many people live and believe the myth that is taught throughout their lifetime. An American myth is very much like an American dream. Most people believe the American dream having luxuries, happiness, and respect. In my opinion my American dream was to work hard, be honest, and to treat others the way I wanted to be treated; I would have the American dream.
One artifact that represents the American dream is the Great Immigration period. During this time people from all over the world came to America to live. Many of the immigrants arrived at Ellis Island in New York between 1892 and 1954. The reason for this was to have freedom and to be allowed to follow their personal dreams. Many of the people ever planned to return to their original homes. The percentage of people to return was about two. The peak of immigration periods were early spring through mid fall. There was never much violence in during the immigration periods. The people just wanted to be in America. They had plans of starting their life over here. (Researchers, 2009)
Another artifact that represents the American dream is Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. was as Baptist minister and a social activist that lead many civil rights movements. He won the Nobel Peace Prize. Martin Luther King Jr., came from a middle-class family. He wanted his life to be different. During the time that Martin was growing up, blacks and whites were separated. Martin wanted to be treated the same. The only hatred Martin had in his heart was toward racial segeration. Martin Luther King Jr., was a non-violent man. He did not believe in violence. His American dream was to be treated equal. At this time, this was only a myth. Although his dream is somewhat fulfilled, there are still some people out there that are racist. (Martin Luther King Jr., biography, 1996-2009)
I chose these two artifacts because they both had a desire to have something different. At the time of this, it was myth; not everyone could stay in America and not everyone got treated equal. Both of these situations have a goal to achieve, but yet, it can still be a myth that is not ever going to change or enhance the life of others.
Some people in America set their goal so high it is virtually impossible to achieve; therefore it is unrealistic. The reason for this is because people are never satisfied, or happy with what they have; there is always something bigger or better. Competition is the main problem with making the American dream a myth instead of reality. People always want to be able to say look what I have got. This has affected me my whole life, as it has others. My American dream was to have happiness. Although I have had happiness, I have had heartache. I have shed tears as well as had laughter.
A movie that comes to mind when I think of the American dream is the “Butter-cream Gang” by featured family films. In this movie, two boys grow up as best friends. One boy, Scott, stays behind with his family and learns morals. The other boy, Pete, leaves the small town for a big city, he joins a gang experiments with drugs. He later returns home to the small town. The two boys are reunited, but things now have changed. Scott has a goal to help others, work, and be happy. While Pete, is out stealing from the honest town people, doing drugs, and miserable because he wants have Scott has. This is how people are today. Many have set their “American dream” in arms length, therefore they succeed. While others have set their “American dream” high as the sky, therefore their dream never comes. The smaller set dreams become reality, while the high set dreams will always be a myth. (Neibaur, 2004)





References
Martin Luther King Jr., Biography (1996-2004). Retrieved November 20, 2009, from BIO True Story: http://www.biography.com/articles/martin-luther-king-jr.9365086?part=1

Neibaur, B. (director). (2004). the Butter Cream Gang. [Motion Picture].

Researchers, L.C. (2009, November 3). Selected Images of Ellis Island and Immigration, ca.1880-1920. Retrieved November 20,2009, from Prints and Photographs Reading Room: http://www.ask.com/barq=Ellis+Island+Immigration&page=1&qsrc=6&dm=all&ab=4&title=selected+images+of+Ellis+Island+and+Immigration%2c+ca.+1880-1920+u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.locgov%2Frr%2print%2Flist%2F070_immi.html+sg=PljYxrql48N%2BwwyNLigoDN6HfRUrgOHBpZpLD2w


HUMN341
Assignment 2-3