Adolescent Interview

     After viewing the video, NPR Interview with Sherry Turkle “In Constant Contact We Feel ‘Alone Together’” and “Jane Gonigal:  Gaming can make a Better World”, I developed a set of interview questions to ask an adolescent.  I wanted to confirm that their theories on how adolescent view and react to technologies were indeed accurate.  The interview questions were divided into six categories:  general questions regarding the social media accounts and use, adolescent view of parental use of technology, communication/social skills learned through social media, cellular telephone use, view of self through social media and education.  I interviewed a 17 year old male student.

     The interviewee stated that social media is a distraction from homework because one is expected to be connected at all times.  There are advantages as well such as getting help with homework.  When the interviewee was asked about the reason for the first social media site, the response was that it was what all his friends had and he wanted to be like his friends.  The interviewee makes a valid point here.  What is seen as an advantage can become a disadvantage when not used with caution. 

     When asked about the parental use of technology, the interviewee felt that his parents needed to use more technology to “catch up with the world” (Anonymous, 2015).  Technology is seen as the future and parents are not pacing with the changes.  The interviewee felt that his parents have never placed technology ahead of communicating with him and he does not feel that his parents expect him to be constantly in contact with him.  The reason for his parents never placing technology ahead of him was not explored.  It is possible that the parents don’t have the technological skills necessary or it could be because connecting with their son is more important.

     With the increasing use of social media, the concern has been a declining emphasis on face to face communication and social skills.  It appears that adolescent still prefer to communicate face to face than through social media.  The interviewee wanted to see and hear the reaction of others.  His communication skills were rated 4 on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the best.  The interviewee is able to communicate in a variety of ways with people who have different characteristics and personalities.  Social media has not impacted his communication skills.  However, social media does make it easier to talk with someone face to face because you have already read about them.  “Most people will put their lives on Facebook so you already know what they like to do and talk about” (Anonymous, 2015).  It appears that not everyone puts their complete lives out there for all to view.  Some people are selective in the parts that are shared.  You will neve4r learn everything about a person from their social media site.  Face to face interaction is still important.

     The above comment transitioned the discussion into whether social media is a reflection of the interviewee.  The interviewee portrays some feelings accurately on social media such as sports and relationships.  Other issues are private and should remain private.  When asked about social media, the interviewee stated that cyberbullies were not cool and bullying make them look bad.  It’s the coward’s way.  The interviewee was never a victim of bullying and has never bullied.  I felt that the questions regarding bullying were person and probably better suited to an anonymous survey. 

     Cellular phone use was explored as Turkle believed that children are receiving cellular phones at an early and earlier age.  The interviewee received his first cell phone at the age of 11 because he was playing baseball and traveling without his parents.  The cell phone was bought to stay in contact with them.  The interviewee does admit to spending all day connected through his cellular phone.  This is normal behavior because his generation uses technology for everything.  When asked if there was ever a time that he was without his cell phone, what did he do, the interviewee responded that he was once grounded and his phone was held hostage.  During that time, he slept and did exercise. He felt completed disconnected from society.

     The final issue discussed was who is responsible for educating our adolescent.  The answer I received was shocking.  I expected the interviewee to place responsibility on teachers and the educational system.  Instead, the interviewee felt that the “world around us”  (Anonymous, 2015) is responsible.  “We see it every day and by seeing it every day you begin to pick up on things” (Anonymous, 2015).  Teaching technological skills is the responsibility of all of us…..in the classroom and outside of the classroom.  Parents, we need to do our part.  We can’t push this enormous task off to the school systems.  Our adolescents have spoken.  It is up to all of us.

     I have made assumptions based on a sample size of one.  This sample would need to be much larger in order to make any convincing arguments.  While technology is important to our future, adolescent acknowledge this fact, they are also aware of the societal limitations.  They are fully aware of our part and their part in teaching future generations.  Even with all of the technological advancements, face to face communication still has a place in society.

References

Anonymous. (2015, July 25).  Adolescent Interview on Social Media. (C. Truitt, Interviewer)

McGonigal, J. (2015, July 24). Jane McGonigal:  Gaming Can Make a Better World. Retrieved from www.youtube.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE1DuBesGYM&feature=youtu.be

Turkle, S. (2015, July 24). NPR Interview with Sherry Turkle “In Constant Digital Contact , We Feel Alone Together”. Retrieved from www.npr.org: http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=163098594&m=163179068

Deconstructing: Budweiser: Lost Dog

     The video advertisement Budweiser: Lost Dog (Budweiser, 2015) was deconstructed.  This advertisement was selected because it was originally aired during the 2015 Super Bowl which meant a large audience was captured.  Generally, companies pay large sums of money to air their advertisement during prime Super Bowl time.  In the year twenty fifteen air time was $4.5 million dollars for 30 seconds of commercial time.  Budweiser spent $9 million dollars to air the 1.01 minute commercial (Herbert, 2015).  The commercial features a white, working class man wearing jeans, flannel shirt and a corduroy jacket, the perfect image of the American working class, a yellow Labrador retriever puppy and of course the Clydesdale horses.  The Clydesdale horse images represent Budweiser beer.  The advertisement begins with the puppy getting lost, separated from his “best buds”, the Clydesdale horses and his owner.  Through many tragic experiences the puppy finds his way home, but before crossing the field encounters a vicious wolf.  The Clydesdale horses break free of their stales and save the puppy.  The scene ends with the man, his puppy and the Clydesdale horse sitting in the barn with the man drinking a Budweiser beer.  Then the scene flashes to a large red banner with large bold white text displaying the words:

Budweiser

#Best Buds

Enjoy Responsibly

ã2015 Amheuser Busch Budweiser @Beer.  St. Louis, MO

     The interesting component of this advertisement is that the character never says a word.  It’s like a silent movie.  The camera zooms in on the face of the man that shows sorrow for the loss of the puppy, the horse’s fight to leave the barn and find the puppy, the fight within the puppy when confronted with the wolf.  The colors of the advertisement are neutral except for the red hat with the product logo and then the final banner at the end.  The advertisement appeals to man’s sense of fight, loyalty to friends and the desire to celebrate after adversity.  After viewing it, I was left with a desire to grab a beer and celebrate the reuniting of man and his best friend (the puppy).

   The assignment has helped me to understand that we cannot let the emotions generated from viewing media dictate the actions we take.  We must consider the reasons for the advertisement and the consequences if we indulge in the product being advertisement.  The advertisement makes us want to be like the images shown.  We have to be aware of the techniques used to illicit the desire to consume the advertised product. 

References

Budweiser. (2015, January 28). Budweiser: Lost Dog. Retrieved from www.youtube.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAsjRRMMg_Q

Herbert, G. (2015, February 02). best_super_bowl_commercials_budweiser_lost_dog_2015_ads_winner. Retrieved from www.syracuse.com: http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2015/02/best_super_bowl_commercials_budweiser_lost_dog_2015_ads_winner.html

Marshall McLuhan

     McLuhan’s theory states that media influences our contemporary life and has an effect on human behavior (Marshall McLuhan Speaks Special Collection:  Introduction by Tom Wolfe).  It alters who we are and our pattern of thought.  Any great new medium of communication alters the entire outlook of the people who use it.  The new media (telegraph, television, radio, internet) when it emerges changes how we think and our behavior.  The recent analysis of a video advertisement supported McLuhan’s theory.  The purpose of the Budweiser advertisement was to sell beer.  I am not a beer drinker, but the communication of their message was so gentle.  You didn’t realize that your thoughts regarding beer were being changed.  Instead of thinking of the consequences of drinking, I kept thinking how nice it is to have best buds reunited and enjoying a refreshing beverage.  The advertisement changed the way I felt about beer. Beer is just a small product.  Think of the influence media has on how we make decisions about bigger purchases like cars and homes.  Who doesn’t want to drive the bright red car that just expanded itself because a little blue pill feel into the gas tank or the car that can go from 0 to 60 in 1.2 seconds and hugs the road around sharp turns?  Media has this effect on even bigger issues like endangered animals and starving children. Who isn’t drawn to the images of the children suffering from hunger or the sad faces of injured puppies?
     The way we think and later react is influenced by the media.  It impacts society and our culture.  Media has the potential to modify our knowledge, belief, morals, laws, and customs.  The essence of who we are and what we believe can be swayed by media.   Remember the modest dress of women and men.  Over time, men and women have been portrayed with less and less clothing and more and more exposed skin.  We have become desensitized.  The same can be said of profanity.  Profanity has become the norm instead of the exception.  The outcome of exposure to media has not been all negative.  Media has also helped society except the differences of people.
     McLuhan is said to have observed his children studying for school, watching television, talking on the phone and listening to music all at the same time.  He believed that the new generation of students was bound to sit bored in classrooms run by print bound teachers.  I’m not sure if all students are bored, but our school system does lack the proper training to teach our students to critically think about media.  New York State common core has standards that require students to be able to “evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums (e.g., print or digital text, video, multimedia) to present a particular topic or idea”, “integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally” and integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) in order to make informed decisions and solve problems, evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source and noting any discrepancies among the data” (www.engageny.org).  It is the responsibility of the educational system to ensure that the next generation has the necessary skills to make informed decisions.  In order for the teachers to guide the students, the teachers must have proper training in new media literacy.
     New media literacy is a powerful tool.  It can help a diverse society connect or it can be used to guide people in the wrong direction.  In of all itself, new media literacy is not an evil to be dispelled.  It’s a tool to be understood and utilized in a positive manner.  Society has to be able to critical think about the components of the medium being used and determine its usefulness.

References

http://www.marshallmcluhanspeaks.com/introduction/. (n.d.). Retrieved from Marshall McLuhan peaks Special Collection: Introduction by Tom Wolfe: http://www.marshallmcluhanspeaks.com/introduction/

www.engageny.org. (n.d.). Retrieved from New Yorl State Common Core Learning Standards: https://www.engageny.org/resource/new-york-state-p-12-common-core-learning-standards-for-english-language-arts-and-literacy