I Forgot My Phone…

By Trinity Thomas & Heather Doyle

We chose this video because it encapsulates the typical day of the average person who lives in this technological era. It’s impactful because the story doesn’t revolve around a lazy, introverted teenager (the stereotype that new technology is usually associated with), but rather an outgoing, healthy young adult woman. This video presents the idea that technology isn’t only affecting the younger generation but also those who were in the generation before us; we are all still struggling to find a balance between using technology and being able to “unplug.”

The video displays the point of view of a woman who spends all day around people wrapped up in their cell phones, and how that affects her relationships with them, or lack thereof. The irony is, social media and technology are a huge controversial issue with strong justifications for either argument, but it is clear in this video that the woman feels she is never allowed to stand up to her friends. If it truly is a controversial issue, the woman might have felt confident enough to tell her friends that they needed to “unplug” for the day. However, she neglects to speak up for worry of being rude, but aren’t her friends the ones disrespecting their time together? This just proves that people don’t practice what they preach: although many argue that we must use our technology less and appreciate spending time with loved ones, we don’t see anyone giving up their phone for something as simple as taking a hike. In addition, the ones who actually act on that ideal are the minority at this point, and feel that they would be the bearer of bad news if they were to encourage others to “unplug” as well.

We chose this video because it really forces its audience to think about the “so what?” side of this controversial issue. Although nothing is ever spoken directly to the audience from anyone in the video, their actions speak louder than words. It is clear that the woman is irked by her friends’ constant use of their beloved cell phone, and yet, for some reason feels that she is not allowed to speak up and tell them that she feels ignored.

So what? What does this mean? It means that as a culture, we have developed an addiction. Dictionary.com defines addiction as, “The state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming.” When we read over that definition, one word in specific caught our attention: enslaved. It sounds so negative, so dark. Some might argue that using that word to describe the act of being addicted is an over- exaggeration. But, is it, really? Looking at that video, it seems as though the woman is fighting against the cell phone for the attention of her friends - the people who are supposedly spending time with her, but instead being overtaken by their tiny, personal computers. The woman recognizes that forcing them to put down their phones will only fix the problem while she is there to monitor it. Once she and her friends depart from their outings, there is no one there forcing them to free themselves from their technological obsession. Because of that factor, this video presents the idea that this addiction is never going to truly be cured because the people who truly need to “unplug” are the ones who don’t have enough will power to stay unplugged once they are alone to make the decision for themselves.

Our hope is that this video will spark some interest in the class because it is a familiar topic to them and they can relate very easily. In addition, we hope that this video plants a seed in our classmate’s minds to think “so what?” and come to the realization that this addiction really does matter.

’tis the Season

by Rachel Head & Selig Freeman


Merry Christmas! Tis the season for people to drink hot coco, have awkward family get together, and of course the ever favorite experience of corporate carnality. Step into any shopping mall in the USA and you will be greeted with Christmas cheer and gumdrop sugar fairies as the speakers blast twenty different versions of the same over-played, tired, holiday song about how great snow is. Now, all of this is great and totally appropriate... In December. But what happens when Christmas is advertised way to early; say after Halloween? We choose to discuss the over-sold, under appreciated topic of Christmas. This holiday has been transformed from a family friendly, and quite frankly religious experience to ‘who can get the most stuff this Christmas?’

The first celebrated Christmas was December 25, 336 AD. But, the members of the church who celebrated that first night would not recognize what we have transformed the holy day into. In fact they wouldn’t have the slightest clue what we were doing. Something they might start off with is “Why is there a tree in your home?” It wasn’t until near the eighth century in Germany that the now well know Christmas “tree” was introduced. Sometime later we started to create stories about this popular holiday. In England, Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in 1843. What makes us so focused on this holiday? How many books about the Forth of July can you name? And that is our country celebrating its birth! Flash-forward to now, America 2013, we can buy anything and everything Christmas. Towels, music, lamps, dish wear, clothing, candy, everything Christmas. Where did we go wrong? Where did the religion leave and Wal- Mart step in?

Now, we are in no way saying that Christmas should be restricted from those practicing other religions or lack thereof, we are just suggesting that it should be less focused on the consumer aspect. So many people have this ideal that they deserve their Christmas gifts. You spend 364 being good just so you can spend one day getting presents. When it comes to gifts it’s always what do I want, what am I going to get, I sent my Christmas list yesterday. Our culture spends so much time focused on the future of opportunity it forgets to remember the days leading up and the people in those days. I know that personally, my mother always seems to shut others out during the holidays, not because it is intentional by any means! She just gets caught up in the stress of wanting a perfect holiday with perfect gifts and perfectly happy children who adore what she got them.

Why do the holidays have to be so stressful? What we should be focusing on during the holidays is others. And NOT just what should I buy them so they will like my present more than what this other person is going to give them. The use of Christmas and the surrounding holidays as a way of profit shows quite a bit about our society in general. We as a culture value success, whether it is monetary or social, over family and religion. Sure, there are some individuals who go against the grain and really show a good case for traditional Christmas family bonding and love. But let’s face the facts- you don’t care how much Great-aunt Barb likes your sweater you gave her as long as she likes it more than what your cousin gifted her.

We would just like to wish Merry Christmas, and a happy New Year everyone. Enjoy the family quarrels and disappointing gifts of socks. We know we will enjoy ours. And maybe, just maybe, take a moment to breath and truly enjoy your family. Not everything has to be about money you know. Happy Holidays to all.

What’s the Skinny?

By Erica Cornelius & Waylan Stevens

Society’s fascination of living a healthier lifestyle has become a huge part of popular culture during recent years. The celebrity endorsement has shed some light on numerous diet crazes along with “get thin quick” schemes. Most of these diets can be very harmful to the body and take a toll on your lifestyle. Along with diets a new wave of wacky exercising equipment has started to be developed more. These equipment advertisements promise easier gain in muscle or toning with little to no effort put forth. Most of these workout equipment is made so there can be profit made opposed to people’s lives actually being changed to be healthier. The whole healthy lifestyle craze is fueled by the social pressure to be thin and attractive in order to be accepted in society. These norms have been fueled throughout the last two decades through celebrities, media portrayal of beauty, and stereotypes about weight.

The Trim Track and the Ab Circle Pro are two unique exercise machines. They are not usually found in gyms. Therefore, people are forced to buy these types of equipment. So many people who are dying to lose weight are willing to spend quite a lot of money on machines like these, even though they can get the same results by simply working out at the gym. Going to the gym would probably be either the same cost or less as these fancy workout machines, but people are so obsessed with their body image and desperate to lose weight that they automatically believe the good results that they hear. Some of these machines, like the Trim Track, are not so bad and might be easier than going to the gym every day. This machine provides strength and endurance training and is very robust and resistant. It is also attractive, appeals to all ages, and can even be fun to use. On the other hand, machines like the Ab Circle Pro can be very misleading. Like many other expensive machines that are not found in gyms, the Ab Circle is falsely advertised. People watch these commercials and instantly believe what they see and hear because it apparently works for the celebrities that are endorsing it. However, odds are that these celebs are already super fit and are just doing it for the paycheck.

Weird diets have been on the rise for many years through celebrities endorsing harmful body thinning secrets. The diets have ranged from the popular Atkins, Zone, and South Beach diets to more harmful Master Cleanse, Cookie, and Liquid diets. Celebrities use wacky diets in order to lose weight fast for movies, photo-shoots, or award shows. The only reason they choose to do these strenuous diets is to lose weight fast, not necessarily to keep weight off. One of the harmful diets is the Master Cleanse diets where the dieter only drinks a lemonade mixture of lemon, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper along with laxative tea in the evening and a glass of salt water in the morning. This Master Cleanse diet was made famous by Beyoncé when she was trying to lose weight for her role in the movie “Dreamsgirls”. Another extreme diet is the liquid only diet done by Matthew McConaughey in order to lose weight for a role in a movie. The actor would only drink liquids all day including protein shakes, smoothies, and water for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. These are examples of some extreme diets done by celebrities to lose weight fast for important events. These diets are often taken to the extreme in society where people do them for a long amount of time to lose a large amount of weight. This can cause unhealthy consequences to the body and, in some cases, death just to pursue a social accepted body.

Weight has been a huge controversy in social issues for a while. There have been many stereotypes toward body types along with the way media portrays beauty. Some stereotypes are based on one’s appearance. For example, a skinny person would be seen as mean, conceited, hardworking, and confident. On the other hand, a bigger person is stereotyped as passive, nice, lazy, and insecure. All of these are judgments that are made just from the appearence of a person opposed to what their personality is like. Adding to these weight stereotypes, the media likes to shed light on a healthy, attractive America where everyone is thin and happy. In every type of commercial for a product or advertisement there are young, thin people integrated into the advertisements so there can be a social connection built. Through this false display of beauty in media, there is an image of a “healthy” body etched into society’s mind.

Whether it is wacky exercise machines, extreme diets, or media’s portrayal of healthy, society’s fascination of living a healthier lifestyle has become a huge part of popular culture. Celebrities play a huge role in endorsing certain diets and workout systems that may not work. The popular media advertises with attractive, thin people in order to move toward a healthier America. Stereotypes on body image still remain a factor in everyday life that can play a role in how people are perceived. Healthy lifestyle choices are still fueled by social pressure accepted in society. These norms have grown tremendously throughout the last two decades through these factors. So the real question is: What’s the skinny America and why do we have to be thin in order to be accepted?

From GTA San Andreas to GTA V

By Austin Jesse & Brittany Kier

From the time of time Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was released, to the release of Grand Theft Auto V, society as changed. The first noticeable difference is in the prostitution part of the video game. In San Andreas it is shown behind closed doors, or it shows you a rocking car. In Grand Theft Auto V it shows you inside the room. Not only are you in the room, but you can choose the view you want, and whether you want to flirt with her or touch her.

The second major difference is the drug culture. In San Andreas, drugs are part of the culture, but they are mentioned seldomly. In Grand Theft Auto V there is a character named Trevor. Trevor’s whole character is based around using, making, and selling meth and consuming alcohol. When you switch to this character he wakes up in random areas with random people, stumbling around because he is drunk. There are missions where you kill competitive drug cartels, and you save his business. There is a side character you meet in a few missions, who is referred to only as chef. This is Trevor’s meth cook, who runs his operation.

As time has progressed from the release of San Andreas to Grand Theft Auto V the players age has gotten younger. When San Andreas came out it was played mainly by adults and older teenagers. Due to the violence and sexual content of the game parents did not want their children to play this game. With the release of Grand Theft Auto V the people playing the game got younger, now it is mainly teenagers, and middle schoolers. Even though Grand Theft Auto V is considerably more violent and has more sexual content than Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, parents feel more comfortable with their kids playing this type of game because it is socially acceptable today.

The graphic content of this game has progressively gotten more violent. In San Andreas It was more of a kill from a distance type thing. In Grand Theft Auto V it is up close and personal with different way to kill people, such as curb stomping their head and lighting their house on fire. Not including the mission where you kill a whole family, just because they a Trevor’s rivals, or that there are missions where you become a hired assassin.

San Andreas has been out considerably longer than Grand Theft Auto V, but Grand Theft Auto V has already sold more than 2 million more copies. Grand Theft Auto V was just released in September, whereas San Andreas was released in 2004. This is a prime example how some of the scenarios and ideas portrayed in this video game have become more acceptable through the years.

In the time of just nine years, the release of Grand Theft Auto San Andreas to Grand Theft Auto V, something that was once frowned upon by society can become widely accepted.. Just take the examples of violence and sexual content portrayed in this game. It has gone from a few followers to a nation. The age of the player has dropped through the years as this game has become more accepted by society. The sales for this franchise have also jumped considerably from just a few years as this game of violence, drugs, and prostitution is now accepted by society.

Body Shots

By Kyle Bardel & Bekah Bamert

Athletes in the heat of the game are never worried about their appearance or image. It most likely is the last thing on their mind, the only thing on their mind is their game. However, when off the field, court, track, what have you, their personal appearance is very important. Typically, athletes are perceived in specific ways, but why is this? Male athletes in their photo shoots tend to appear as dominant, or in control. Females are always positioned in erotic and sexy poses or stances. Very rarely are the situations switched. The way these athletes are depicted says a great deal about our culture. There are plenty of occasions where our culture is putting men on a pedestal, leaving women depicted as less significant and this is one of them. A man being more dominant then woman is a theme seen in pop culture for as long as pop culture has been around, it is our species’ backbone per se.

In the male photo shoots, dominance is the common factor in every picture. Never is the man seen in a fragile sense, or at a disadvantage. The male is constantly in control and the main focus of the image. Women on the other hand are very rarely seen in that way. While women may be in similar situations, the aspect of control and dominance is taken away by her pose or stance. When in a photo shoot with both men and women, this theory stands true. Not only in photo shoots is this concept true. We see it every day in advertising. Magazines, billboards, television, newspapers and social media all have examples of this. In an article by Dr. Nerdlove this topic was discussed thoroughly. Women are not viewed as women in these situations, in the image itself women become things or objects. Men are the important figure when viewing these images.

Not only are men viewed as more superior then women in imagery. It also happens in day to day life. Whether it is in relationships, in the work environment, or in literature men are the focal point and superior being. A popular occurrence involving relationships is that often the question raises of who wears the “pants” in the relationship. The “pants” refers to the more dominant partner. The male is definitely expected to be the more dominant partner. When relating to the work environment, women are facing issues regarding salary. Women in the work force are always lobbying for equal pay. The issue with pay is that although a man and a woman may have the same title or job, it is thought that the male still does a better job, thus earning more pay than their equal co-worker. Literature is also holds great examples of men over women. One form of literature that exemplifies this theory is comic books. Male and female superheroes have very contrasting appearances. The women superheroes are always seductive and in more revealing outfits. The superhero Black Widow’s main super power is her ability to seduce men and persuade them into either giving her information or doing what she wants. Most often in a sexual and non-dominant way. Male superheroes are often given super powers like super strength, quickness, or other supernatural abilities.

All of these examples of pop culture exhibit men being more dominant or superior than women, and there are numerous other examples. Maybe this depiction of men and women is true in most ways, but perhaps it is false. There are many different views on whether or not this representation of humans should continue to be made or not. Acts and protests against this type of portrayal have been increasing in the last few years, causing high debate on this subject. Perhaps in time this idea of men and women will fade away, and a new perception will become the norm, however with the amount of examples seen still today that is highly unlikely.

Lorde's “Royals”: There Is No We In Luxury

By Eric McCarter & Laura Hackfeld

For this cultural artifact discussion, We decided to focus on the significance of the song “Royals” - co-written and performed by 17 year old singer-songwriter Lorde. The song has become popular , crossing-over from New Zealand to America in the past few months. Upon first hearing the song, you can establish that it is a catchy song because of the simple beat that is heard throughout the entire song. You may not understand instantly what Lorde is saying within the verses, but after listening to it a few more times it becomes clear that the intent of this song is to bash the system that is brain- washing us. Lorde's voice is no different from any other pop voice the general public hears today, but the message behind this song is sure to offend our representatives in pop culture. It is clear through the lyrics that Lorde is representing those people who do not care about the care-free, luxurious lives of celebrities, including herself. She makes references to that of Beyonce and Miley Cyrus, stating in her lyrics “You can call me Queen Bee (Beyonce) and Baby Ill rule... Let me live that fantasy” (Chorus). Lorde references these artists to announce that we hold these celebrities on a pedestal because they enforce into our minds that we can all live these luxurious lives and act with a care-free attitude because there won't be any penalty. It has become so common for these celebrities to have these lifestyles that it almost seems mandatory in pop culture for them to live that way. What Lorde is saying in her song “Royals” is that there are people in this world who do not care to live that lifestyle, nor do they care about the celebrities that live that lifestyle. “And will never be royal (royal)” Everyone cannot live the luxurious life and that's what pop culture is leading the general public to believe. In effect people will try to live as similar to a celebrity as possible.

This artifact was chosen because this has taken a toll on pop culture. For Lorde she has been labeled as a feminist and many other social titles because of the meanings behind her songs and who she references within her music. Compared to most pop stars presented in the music industry right now, Lorde is possibly one of the most exceptional pop stars in terms of her songs. Lorde was able to lure the pop culture into a trap which allowed her to ridicule the fantasy lifestyles and publicize that there are people in this world who have cracked the code and realized we can not all live that life and it's okay if aren't. We will never be royals.

There is still this idea that artists in pop culture are enforcing into our minds that we should live the luxurious lives and by listening to performers like Miley Cyrus and Rihanna we can receive instruction from how they act in their videos and in their everyday lives. It is a system for these modern pop stars, they have to brag about their luxurious lives and represent their hometowns in their music... they have to dress in name brand clothing , and if they are in a relationship it is important to stay open to the public about the quality of the relationship. People who are absorbed by this are those very people who raise these celebrities up on a pedestal and empower them to believe that they are near invincible. Thankfully Lorde was able to send out this rebelling message. She used the components of a average, simple pop song” and altered it with her empowering lyrics, letting these pop stars know that everyone does not hold them above their heads.

The Evolution of the iPhone

By Jake Wagner & Jimmy Kruse

The iPhone has been a part of culture since 2007 and has quickly taken over the world of “smart phones” since its release. The iPhone has been at the forefront of technology since its release because of its ability to adapt to our ever-changing cultural needs. The people at Apple know exactly what they are doing and have created a device so convenient and smart, that hundreds of other companies have been able to make a name for themselves through the needs of applications and other aspects of the iPhone.

When the iPhone was first released it wasn’t the sleekest looking device. Its physical features were bulky, curvy, semi high-definition resolution, and mostly made from plastic. As the years have progressed however, the appearance of the iPhone is constantly becoming more futuristic and incredibly sleek. It now has sharper features, a bigger screen, higher resolution, and is made out of aluminum and glass. From the original “slide to unlock” to the new “touch I.D.”, which is a fingerprint scanner on the home button of the iPhone, Apple has been progressing their technology at a very fast rate. The iPhone 3Gs was the first hand held camera phone to able to take outstandingly HD photographs and that was released in 2009. In 2005 people would’ve never imagined being able to talk on a screen with somebody anywhere in the world, be able to record HD slow motion videos, have HD panoramic photos, see the inside your house at any time, or simply scan your fingerprint to unlock your phone. But now, having the FaceTime feature is just apart of our culture. You can have face-to-face conversations with a person that you would never be able to meet in person. I mean...WE CAN LOOK AT PICTURES OF SPACE IN OUR HANDS. iPhones have and will stay in the lead of the smart phone game for a long time.

How are these huge technological advancements affecting our culture though? Yes, many of the advancements greatly help the business world, gaming world, and photography world, just to name a few, but what exactly are the side effects? The generations growing up with this technology as the norm will never actually have to pick up a book again or actually speak to anybody in person. The technology in iPhones has completely eliminated ever waiting for a message, ever having to go to a library, or even going to a store to purchase something. Apple is creating a device that can run the world from the palm of a person’s hand. This creates a precarious situation for our youth. They have the ability to get everything they need on one device so why should they go out and still be social? Could the iPhone destroy actual social interactions with only online social interactions? The iPhone is forever changing and effecting everyday life as previously stated. It is just up to us as a society to decide when, where, and how is the appropriate time to use this technology given to us. There are also pros to having this technology in our society. For instance, though some may think it’s bad for kids to not have to look things up in a library anymore, now assignments can be given more often and require more detail. The amount of information that one can get in a matter of seconds now is insane. The processor in the newest iPhone has the same capabilities as a standard laptop. Many solutions to everyday needs now can be searched on an iPhone and answered immediately. So, should Apple slow down with their technological advancements? The only real answer is that it depends on what we as a society use to our advantage. We can either sit on our butts and take selfies for instagram all day, or we could send a person to the moon using our thumbs and an iPhone.