Forbes Article!

All I have to say is the Forbes 'Best-Ever Social Media Campaigns' article was quite INTERESTING




Never had I heard of/seen more than half of those ads, but some of them are very clever. They knew that people are spending more time on the computer than the TV, so they took advantage and it successfully worked.

I remember being freaked out by the Blair Witch Project upon my first view, and it took me a while just to watch it again, but I was way too young to realize it as a social media attraction. I only had my sister telling me how 'FRIGHTENING' it was, but I couldn't imagine coming across information about it in message boards and various websites. The commercials were good enough for me to NOT want to see it. But, now I'm a big boy, and that movie is brilliant!

The other ads like the "Will it Blend?" ad were so easy to accomplish, yet so powerful (in the social media world). I should start a viral video series called "Will it Play?" and take votes on what to put on my turntable and see if my needle will play it. It's technically stupid (especially because it will ruin my needle), but the same concept applies. If I got picked up by the top needle makers for turntables, perhaps I could be paid to show how amazing their needles and tonearms hold to various objects?

Hmmm....

Radio Schmadio

Radio pluggers have a tough job, but the more experience they gain, the more of a chance they have in getting a band 'noticed'. However, I could care less for radio play. The only radio I listen to is Pandora, internet radio. There are so many bands in this world that the radio is at a disadvantage, and only by word of mouth can bands become the most popular 'underground' band.

I prefer listening to real music -- sounds made by real artists who work hard at what they do; not Lady Gaga attempting to be severely artistic in her psychotic ways and creating dance music for little girls to sing to when they have no idea what the lyrics are about (reminds me of the Madonna 'Like a Virgin' story told by my communications professor).

The radio used to influence and put out so many different bands because the internet was costly and -- well -- that's it! Because of the internet, people have stopped listening to the radio, stopped subscribing to certain music magazines. I like to keep one step behind the digital age and purchase vinyl records.

Also, I love experimental/instrumental music like: Explosions in the Sky, Russian Circles, Isis, Don Caballero, etc. Where else can I listen to these bands besides the internet radio? I always assumed that it has been the same employees in these local radio stations and there is no real growth to that! They just play the 'popular' music but what is really popular? I went to a music show in Maryland this past Monday to see a band I've been following for four years -- and the place sold out! Yes, it was full of spring break high schoolers and jocks who only knew a few songs off the last album, but it's okay because we were all there to support them. Also, it feels cool actually knowing a band and hanging out with them before and after shows, especially once they become so popular (without radio influence).

Currently I'm listening to Murder By Death who I became interested in a few years ago upon seeing them play live with one of my favorite bands, Thursday. If the radio wins you over, that's fine; if your friends and random people recommend music, listen to them more haha.

THE VIDEO DOESN'T HAVE THE BEST SOUND QUALITY, BUT IT'S AUDIBLE. DON'T HESITATE TO CHECK OUT THEIR MUSIC -- MUSIC FROM REAL ARTISTS.

This is Psycho(graphics)!

The purpose of the survey, as said on the VALS site, is to "find out about a person's product ownership, media preferences, hobbies, additional demographics, or attitudes". My professor wants me to relate my survey results to my "purchasing habits".

According to my results, I am an "Experiencer" and an "Innovator". The descriptions of an 'Experiencer' surprisingly do represent me. I have worked for over four years at a retail store, so any type of new fashion trend is quick to reach my knowledge. It nailed the fact that I spend most of my money on entertainment (vinyl records galore) and socializing (movies with friends, out to eat with friends, etc). However, I do disagree with the statement that "Their purchases reflect the emphasis that they place on looking good and having 'cool' stuff" because I buy clothes so that I feel comfortable; not for trying to look good or suit other people. Also, I do not care about having "cool" stuff because what is cool? It's a word with an infinite amount of definitions. If I'm allowed to substitute the word 'cool' for 'interesting', then perhaps I can jump on that train and go for a ride.

As for being an Innovator, my lack of self-esteem pulls me away from believing I'm of that title. I do try to be successful, but that's within the standards of society. My consumer purchases are practical, not "upscale, niche products". I do very much agree with the description pertaining to my 'image' as "expression of their taste, independence, and personality" -- I am independent, but I do love the social life and being outgoing. I can purchase a record of a favorite artist, go home and let it spin while lying in bed, and after relaxing a bit, I can then call up a friend and we'll go get something to eat. I enjoy the little things, and with enough of them, they can weigh just as much as one big, fancy, niche product.

Analyze This (starring Tarzan, not Robert De Niro)

Advertisements, within communication, are the sender and you are the receiver. They have one purpose: To make you aware. I'm going to analyze the above ad, following questions given via this link.

1) Once my eyes scanned the picture, a humorous mood was set. After looking at the bottom right corner to read the fine print, I felt upsetd and even sympathetic towards wildlife; I wanted to help. It becomes funny with innocent Tarzan swinging from tree to -- no tree, but a desolate forest. The fine print says "15km² of rain forest disappears every minute" which had me feel upset because it's an actual statistic and I spent three minutes just looking over the ad, so that'd be 45km².


2) The positioning of the picture was to symbolize a 'downfall'. The trees flow downward like a river into the distance and the Tarzan character has already slipped off his grapevine and falling downward to the treeless ground.

3) The pictoral elements produce a humorous interpretation; however, the text triggers interest in the statement given by the WWF (World Wildlife Fund). In body building, muscles can increase faster by working two or more muscles at basically the same time (i.e. bench presses), and this ad increases popularity and interest from viewers by working two different emotions at the same time.

4) There is no 'white space' in this advertisement. The Earth is very important (holds all living and nonliving organisms/things), so the creators chose to show as much of the Mother as possible. The green forest consumes 1/4 of the entire picture (symbolizing decay), and the rest is the grey clouds covering the sky, and the ground full of stumps from where the trees were. These stumps look like small hands reaching from the ground, ready for Tarzan to land into their control.

5) Plenty of signs and symbols, some of which I have already discussed. Other signs/symbols include the bull dozer at its "next victim". You can see this as two signs: The dozer is going to continue his destruction, or the tree is standing up to the dozer, especially with its family surrounding him saying "I got your back". Other symbols include:

• Tarzan's body language -- Nothing on which to hold; freefalling


• Dark colors -- Green (Earth); Grey (Unhappy, Unsettling, Gloomy).
  

6) The only character in this ad is a male, and he is identified iconically as Tarzan (especially with the leopard-printed shorts). With his back facing the viewer, we cannot see his facial expression, but his body language clearly indicates he's frightened -- there is nothing to metaphorically grab for safety. There is only the speculation of his facial expression.

7) The background tells us that the picture is of a rain forest, most of which has been destroyed by 'man'. The nature background of trees and clouds signifies reality and how important they are to we as humans and biotic and abiotic factors.

8) The action that takes place in this ad consists of a man having let go of a vine from a forest, in hopes of there being another one on which to grab; however, there is no vine because there are no more trees around him. This signifies Tarzan (the forest) needs help; needs respect; needs the Earth.

9) The theme of this ad is downfall/atrophy/collapse. If no one helps the rain forest, Tarzan dies; everything dies.

10) The language of the text is a fact that is easy to read, but has so much power that can be heavy on the brain if thought about too much. It provides information and develops an emotional response. Upon reading the text, I nonchalantly said, "Wow, that's...crazy" and immediately started feeling upset because:

• This is really happening
and

• I can't do anything to help

11) The typefaces of the ad are diminutive, signifying not that it's unimportant, but that it needs your help so that it can grow (like the forest). The white letters are clear/pure and are very subtle. Seeing these letters are like coming across an abandoned puppy: you just want to help it.

12) The advertisement is a call for help by the WWF. The WWF wants as much support as possible, and by making such great ads like this, support should be inevitable. It plays a huge role in American society because 'man' is destroying the land to build material things. Within that is a huge argument because there will be jobs, but there will be cluster of people making life busy and completely unappreciative of the ground beneath their feet.

13) The thirteenth question asks about lighting, shot angles, and colors. I do believe I have covered those topics and briefly discussed their significance. With that, let's move on to the last question (in this case: last answer)!

14) This advertisement is pretty clear in its attempt at making the viewers aware of a particular situation; in this case the unnecessary man-made destruction of a beautiful rain forest. The WWF needs support, and the ad was made for viewers to think which leads to them doing research on the facts behind the downfall of the Earth's rain forests, and how they can help to overcome this issue.

The 14 questions have left me exhausted. Yet, looking beyond any advertisement, there is so much respect given to the creators or signifiers (in regards to semiotics) because of the effort and time taken to develop and create such a significant ad. Visit the given site (located at the top), and use that towards an advertisment you typically see each day. Perhaps an ad that you typically overlook on a daily basis -- I'm sure there is something more to that ad than you think!

Semioticians Enjoy Semiotics!

When discussing the definition and meaning of "Semiotics", you cannot help but be severely confused. Understanding "semiotics" is important for not only receiving a good grade in my Communications class, but for also being aware that it has been here since the foundation of language, or specifically communication in the social world.

Semiotics are signs and codes, and semiology is the study of those particular signs and codes. Now you're asking, "What are signs?" Examples of 'signs' include:

Road signs,

Paintings,

Drawings,

Sounds,

Words,

Body Gestures.

An easy example of the usage of semiotics is when you walk along the beach and see footprints in the sand, you then distinguish that someone had previously walked by. However, two individual people could take the same definition but have completely different interpretations. Read the "funnies" in the newspaper -- semiotics understand the humor of them, and semioticians can point out the political implications that are hidden within the artist's work. After reading the newspaper, check your email. Communciation is the sending an receiving of information; e-mail is a technological form of communication. Semiotics are more difficult to understand without watching someone's body, eyes, and mouth move when from them you're receiving information. Within semiology, there are three symbolic signs associated with technological communication:

Index,

Icon,

Symbol.

When you see a hyperlink, that's an index; using emoticons, you have identified an icon; small images scattered around the computer that cause your brain to interpret them in a simple way are the symbols (i.e. Windows logo).

If you're still looking and feeling like Bush in the above picture, use the internet to search information on semiotics, because going to a Library and asking the librarian, "Do you have any books on Semiotics or Semiology? -- You know, the study of signs?" He/she will just be as blank as paper.

Learning Styles!

ACTIVE-----REFLECTIVE
5

SENSIBLE-----INTUITIVE
3

VISUAL-----VERBAL
5

SEQUENTIAL-----GLOBAL
1


Upon taking the learning style survey (located here), the results show that I am an Active, Sensing, and Visual learner. Also, I am "fairly well balanced" between a Sequential and Global Learner. If you click the link below the results there is information regarding each category.

The descriptions say that I can immediately grasp the "big picture" but with a shadow of "fuzzy details" -- This is true! I enjoy being in group projects/discussions because someone in the room is bound to completely know the details that helps me thoroughly understand the problem. Yet, at the same time, I can also figure out the details and not get the big picture -- hence the balance!

I hope to look more into these descriptions and acknowledge the kind of learner I am without being overwhelmed!

listen to your heart

It's cliche, but in certain situations, it's vital to listen to your heart.


I ended a 2 1/2 year relationship just a couple weeks ago, and it was one of the toughest occasions in my life. For her, it was a surprise; for me, I was lava building up inside a volcano that reached its limit. I had realized a while ago that I was only thinking that I still loved her, finally I listened to my heart, which told me I was completely unhappy and not in love with her anymore. I then searched for everything inside of me to hopefully seize any kind of buried treasure, but it was lost at sea.

There was a response to my last post about the ability to listen to relationships, and by that I meant listen to your heart which holds the relationship. Love is the foundation of any relationship, and without the ground, the building falls through.

I've had this time to be absolutely sure of my decision, and each day I am feeling a sense of freedom from all of the pressure built up over the last couple years.

I still completely care for her, and I'll always think about her, but my heart told me the truth and for that I am thankful.


I was listening to "Untitled" by Interpol, and my interpretation of this song best fit my situation, so for that here it is: