Comm101-framing

In chapter 28, the theory of framing is discussed and it almost sounds like agenda setting.  It is a little different though.  Let's say for instance you see a report on a robbery of a quik mart or gasoline station.  If the report sets up the possible reason for the robbery a certain way, like if it was a bad neighborhood and it was bound to happen, then that is an example of how it was framed.  Under a community perspective.

Other stories that we may hear or read about are also framed differently.  Newspapers tend to catch our attention with sometimes excited headlines or headlines with a direct intent.  Typically they use a person's name to get your attention.  Depending on the reputation of that person, the person whose attention this does catch, will think, "what has he done now"  or emphatically think "what's going on with him."

Framing not only  gets us to prepare specific feelings but it also has the intent to do so.

Comm101-agenda setting theory

In chapter 28, the theory of agenda setting is discussed and how it relates to media.  Has anyone ever watched the news and try to  pay attention to the order of the stories that they report on?  Try to pay close attention to what they report on first because you have to wonder what has precedent over what story.  I noticed that the light hearted stories usually get cued at the very end of the program because it is easier to close the program with.  The usual stories are the really tragic ones because they are more important to report on  and then they transition into more informational reports and then maybe back to a tragic story again.  

I remember when we had the fires in southern California.  Every day there was  a report at the beginning of each news station's broadcast that told us about the progress of the containment by the firefighters.  After that, which makes sense, they interviewed some people who had to evacuate.  

When it comes to news stations, they have their choice in what to report and in what order to report it in.  But when something like a fire or murder or trial is the most popular event, each station knows better to get the news and information on that as fast as they can.  Its important for them to hold down a reputable image for he station.    Agenda setting is different for any media provider.  It just depends on the audience that its geared towards.

Comm 101-framework of semiotics

In chapter 26, Focault is discussed to where he describes that framework and interpretation is required for semiotics.  It discusses how a yellow ribbon is used to symbolize someone waiting for a loved one to return from war or to show support for troops.  Focault thought it was wrong to view signs and symbols seperate from mass media messages.   In fact, I think it is because of mass media that we are able connect strongly with the way signs and symbols are presented.  Just look at some movie posters, book covers, or even some artbooks.  Their are all sorts of symbols that wee see in news reports that leave us with a particular image to connect a certain emotion with. Especially if it is a news story about something tragic.  Have you ever seen a story about someone who was shot, and they conduct the news story about it?  The last shot is usually a shot of the vigil of where they died.  You can't help but feel sorry at least that it happened.  

Comm101-Postman's view on television

In chapter 24 Postman argued that television is detrimental to society because it has led to the loss of serious public discourse.  He also stated that it changes information from discursive to nondiscursive, from propositional to presentational, from rationalistic to emotive.

Why do we watch television?  Is it to seek information or to absorb information that it gives to us, whether it be informative or not?   A lot of it is mainly to entertain and to amuse us.  Even the news is somewhat of a theater production.  There's no way we tell a story to one of our friends like news reporters do.  It would just be weird and funny.  We use it as an escape from our lives.  We delve into a program that makes us feel something.  Maybe a show about a hero who saves lives and we feel relieved that he did.  Or  show about permiscuous people which makes us feel excited or intrigued.  Its all for amusement.  You can't help but feel the content of the programming strike a chord with some people, or pull on your heart strings if it is a real heart warming moment.

I think effective television is supposed to do this.  To make you feel something.  Other wise it what would be the point.

Comm101-the elctronic age

In chapter 24, it describes eras in which society upgrades its methods of spoken and written word to evolve into different mediums.  As it progresses to describe these eras, one, I think is more amazing than the others.  

In our day and age it is possible to communicate with anyone and everyone through the use of television, radio, and even the internet.  Its amazing to know that this is possible.  Its a wonder why we still get mail in its original form.  As it stated in our book in this section, the book may have extended the eye, electronic circutry extended our central nervous system.

When we come home from work, or at school doing homework while listening to music, or writing an e-mail while surfing the web and instant messaging, our brain is in constant connection to all of these sources.  The way we process this is probably a significant achievment in our psychological tolerance.  I'm writing this blog, while watching tv and also instant messaging on AIM.  

Comm 101- Malcom X and Martin Luther King

In Chapter 22 both King's and Malcolm X's differences are explained in terms of their views on action against civil rights violations and their views on their dramatic influence with their famous speeches. 

One the one hand, you have King's message of nonviolence which heavily influenced many people to join his cause and be supportive towards it.  On the other hand you have Malcolm X's message to stand up for yourself and take action which also influenced a lot of people.  It was like they were two sides to the same coin.  They both wanted to take action against civil rights violations toward their people but each had different methods on how to accomplish it.  Both men had the same message but each had different ways to speak their message to the people.  One was more passive and the other more militant.

Comm 101-Motive from verbal symbols

In Chapter 22 Burke believed that language is a strategic human response to a specific situation.  He said that verbal symbols are meaningful acts from which motives can be derived.  

I'm watching the presidential debate right now and both candidates use certain words more often than I have ever heard in my life.  One word is change.  Change is a word that they use when they want to get people to listen to what should be changed in this country.  It is a word that motivates the listener to consider the view point.  

Another word that is used a lot is "Americans." I guess it is a good word to use when you're talking about a specific group of people but I wonder why its used by both men every time they talk about us.  I feel that its a more passionate word that shows pride in your people and nation but from a critics view point, well I guess, I would have to keep the same opinion on that.  It does instill pride.

Crisis was another word they used a lot to describe the financial situation of the country.  Now this word just makes me feel like I'm about to have a panic attack, so I had to listen to what each candidate suggested we do about that.  

Comm 101-Classification of speech

In chapter 21 , it talks about Aristotles classification of speech rhetoric.  One is forensic speaking which is most suitable for a courtroom.  If you watch any courtroom dramas everyone looks very serious and determined to lay the ground work out for their point by giving the judge and jury some background and facts on the particular case.  It always sounds professional and comtemplative.

Deliberative speech pertains to something like political campaigns where politicians go in front of an audience and speak their points and where they stand on cerain subjects.  They paint a picture for people on the outcome of situations if decisions go this way or that way.  The point is to try and sway people's opinions and views so that come election day, they might have their vote. 

Finally epideictic speech gives praise or blame to something.  A lot of speeches are ones that remember someone and what they did if they were a good person or people.  It helps to inspire and motivate people to respect something or someone for what they did.  This kind of speech can also get more people to get active in certain organizations.  Like this month, for breast cancer awareness, there some commercials and reports on tv about it which get people informed on what the organizations do for this cause.  It could inspire someone to be more supportive and maybe involved with it.

Comm101-metaphors

In chapter 19, metaphors are discussed to clarify certain concepts to people.  People can use metaphors to help themselves or other people to understand what life is like or what work is like or to describe anything.  For example, people use the phrase, "all the world is a stage"  which probably means that you are in this world to perform, however that may apply to any person.  Or another one, "grab the bull by the horns" means to go at life with determination and preserverance and hold on, never give up.  

Without metaphors to describe things, I think that it would be very boring because I think they are fun and useful.  Without them, it wouldn't give people the necessary tools to help analyze their surroundings and situations.

Comm 101-Force of an organizational practice

Its a lot to absorb, but in  chapter 20, Deetz says that the force of an organizational practice is strongest when no one thinks about it.  It goes on to explain that if anyone had a question about how the way things work within an organization,  the person explaining it would be hard pressed.   They would then answer a non answer like "That's how things are done around here."  

I guess it is better to instill the thought into an employee of what they have to do rather than why they have to do it.  Of course, if you have a job where you do the same thing everyday, you probably wouldn't have to think about why you have to do it.  All you know is that you'll get the job done.  

What if you did want to make a difference or change the way some things worked?  What would you do?  Would you figure out a way and implement it into your work ritual to see if it worked better?  Or would you run it by a supervisor and see if he gave you the chance?  Everyone brings something different to the table, as the saying goes.  Each with their own strengths.  I think that should be recognized, instead of one solid unbreakable decree of "that's how its done."  With everyone giving their suggestions and strengths to accomplish goals, success could be just moments away, and with efficiency and ease.

Comm101-Ritual

In chapter 19, it talks about how ritual can be used to define a culture or an organization.  They talk about the Balinese cockfights and how it was more than a game.  

In other cultures ritual is very important to continue an existing way of life.  Everything from Department stores, to fraternities, clubs, sports teams, and ethnic tribes are all examples of organizations that use ritual to define what their particular culture or organization is about.  It is a way of reminding themselves where they come from.

In a traditional Samoan tribe, everyone has a job to do and they usually work in a team or assembly line structure.  Preparing a day's meal is cool.  There are the fisherman and the coconut gatherers, the cooks, and the basket weavers, to name a few jobs, who all work together to prepare the meal for the day.  Everything is done so efficiently and deliciously that its amazing what they can cook just by using rocks and a hole in the ground with some banana leaves.  

In the end the meal is set and the chief is the first to eat.  No one else can eat until the chief is done.  It is a custom of loyalty and respect.  

Ritual is very important to keep an ideal going.  History is made on rituals and without them, what kind of history would any culture had without them.

Adaptive structuration pt2

In chapter 18 adaptive structuration is discussed in relation with group decision making. 

Another way this theory is applied is through surveys.  I work at a place that prompts surveys from people's transactions on their purchases.  It is a survey that lets the customer evaluate and grade the store in different areas of performance.  At the very end of the survey, there are other cateogories which allow the customer to write in whatever comments or suggestions they have to help improve the store. 

I have witnessed some changes to our store over the years as a result of comments and suggestions, as well as some complaints.   These surveys go directly to headquarters and the database for executives to make decisions on whatever they want based on people's opinions.

Comm101-Adaptive structuration

In chapter 18 Poole's theory of adaptive structuration is described.  Hopefully I am understanding this correctly.  It sounds like whenever there is a problem in society that has erupted over time, means to control that situation are presented for people to take control for themselves.  As with the example of the "pill" stated in our book, I guess people can also take control of their own safety.

An example would be if a recent outbreak in burglaries happened in a quiet suburban neighborhood.  People would adapt new rules to help prevent those burglaries from happening.  An example of prevention would be a neighborhood watch program or buying an alarm security system for their homes.  Also, if someone who once left their doors unlocked most of the time, maybe then they would start locking their doors when they aren't home.  It seems like of if decision making involves evaluating the surrounding elements and situation, people would start adapting new rules to help with their decisions, so it will seem like second nature to them.