Post #4

Marxism may be understood through the social classes of a society which may be solely controlled by the elite.  This makes me question..."who is in charge?" Why are there certain shows that make it on each broadcasting network? Its funny because the movie productions go through such a grueling process on finding the right star to play their movie.  The producers and casting directors originally thought of George Clooney to play in their movie, "Jurassic World" though with specific studying on target audiences the producers knew George Clooney didn't have the youth to pull in a young crowd, therefore they saw the success of upcoming star Chris Pratt and chose him to lead in the summer blockbuster. 

There are certain ideologies the movie industry incorporate within their movies that are connected with social ideas.  Still woman lead roles are not as abundant as male lead role and the diversification of incorporating a different ethnic group is thin within the movie industry.  What if "Jurassic World" cast a Asian or Hispanic lead?  Would the sales differentiate?  Or even a homosexual individual to star?  There are certain social and political aspects that may have not been broken, though through time our ideas and way of thinking will evolve than fifty years ago.  With Marxism, individuals need to stop and think freely and question everything.  Why are "they" focusing on these certain issues? Why are "they" promoting these certain marketing ads?  What are "they" promoting as distractions so they do not focus on certain issues.  Its the responsibility of the individual to think outside of the box and make themselves informed to make their own opinions.

Post # 3

Within the time in this Media class, I personally noticed how influential media truly plays towards target audiences.  Of course, media is used for entertainment but it also goes more in depth than just for entertainment.  Within understanding the dynamics of Semiotics, I learned that there are symbols and signs that provide substantial meanings toward the audiences directly and especially unconsciously.  The media is connected with political, social and marketing signs that affect audiences. Whether, the audiences notice at all Media plays a vital role in incorporating marketing tools to sell merchandise or even a simple idea.


From watching, "Freaks and Geeks" episode, I am able to ascertain the role Marxism plays by exploring diverse roles characters evolve throughout a day and, especially with time.  In the episode I see how each character change in their specific roles within each social group within their lives.  For instance, an individual may be a leader at work but easily a weaker character status within their family hiearchal group.  The show depicts life in a high school and how status' role change from each clique'.  In my viewing and also in life individuals need the security feeling to belong.  Individuals want to feel a sense of security of belonging to a family in a group. 

Sherlock Holmes

The definition of synecdoche is in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa. After viewing the pilot episode "A study in pink" from the BBC Sherlock Holmes to me, I think that the cabbie is a part of Moriarty. He is representing only a piece of Moriarty, perhaps the murderous side. I would assume that as the series progresses and Sherlock solves more crimes we would see additional parts of Moriarty's persona come out through the various actors committing the crimes on behalf of Moriarty. 

One of the most obvious symbolism in this episode was how Dr Watson started off using a cane and limp only to lose the limp and the cane later in the episode. According to the episode Dr Watson has seen combat in Afghanistan and was wounded, but he did not say what kind of wound. I would say that it was more of an emotional wound rather than a physical and the cane and limp represented his psychological turmoil over the war. However, as the episode progressed and his friendship with Sherlock progressed the emotional wound started to heal until there was no need for the cane. This would further be substantiated by Sherlock finally finding out that it was a left shoulder wound and not a leg.

This episode also uses many codes to the viewers. I noticed that throughout the episode whenever Sherlock analyzed what he is seeing a word would pop up a split second before Sherlock would say what it was he analyzed. This was a code to the viewer to have them feel that they are in the position of figuring out the clues and are active in solving or analyzing the case.

Blog Post #1 BK AD

The social aspects of semiotics within this particular as depicts how our society has molded majority of individuals into a sexually demoralizing generation.  An individual with innocence will just view an attractive woman with her mouth wide open ready to attack the seven incher sandwich, though majority of individuals decipher the hidden subliminal sexual innuendos surrounding Burger King's controversial ad.  The use of intertextuality within the ad depicts the use of selling food in a sexual hidden manner.  Hence, Sex sells.
If meaning are created by society, therefore by studying this particular ad it depicts how mainstream sex has become and our acceptance of demoralizing the act of sex.  Many different cultures around the world may view this ad and view the derogatory use of food used as a sexual enticement to buy Burger King.
The ad uses very precise key wording such as, "Blow your mind away" and "seven-incher" which correlates that bigger is better.  The American woman is shown in a profile view and her facial expression is in a bewildered, amazed and somewhat hesitant look, though she has her mouth open for what awaits her.  The ad portrays women as a mere subject and objectifies her to please the superior sex, men, stripping away her voice and allowing her to please men in a oral fashion. 
Burger King is branding their products in correlation with sex, promoting to the younger generation that its sexy and enticing to eat at Burger King. 
Who knows you may find someone to appease your superficial sexual appetites as well!  There are no real substance at Burger King, but there are quick, shallow "fixes" that will suffice momentarily but will keep you hungry for more and more.  This portrays how our society is just looking for quick, false fixes and move on to the next hunger.