Ally post 1

Part I:

The first image shows a TV airing a news story about Osama bin Laden. This news clip provides testament to just how important knowledge about current events has grown to society. The clip represents peoples’ desire to know what is going on in the world every second of every day. As the image on the TV is a photograph, it appears to be rather objective. It shows the truth that, whether currently dead or alive, Osama was, at some point, alive and standing in front of a particular tree-covered hill. However, this truth is by no means absolute. For example, the right side of Osama’s face is darkened. As a viewer, it is impossible to determine whether this shadow was created by the angle or by some technological “touch up.” Regardless, the darker face adds a somewhat mysterious or even sinister tone to the image that would not otherwise be present.

The second image portrays a burger, fries, and soft drink from Burger King. While for some people this image may immediately bring to mind clogged arteries and childhood obesity, the intent of the picture is clearly to represent a very fresh, filling, and tasty meal. Bright green lettuce and fire truck red peek out of a soft, fat bun. Meanwhile, in the background, golden yellow fries sprout out of their container as if they were blades of grass and a large cup is nearly overflowing with ice and cola. While it is a photograph and therefore holds a greater truth value than, say, a drawing, there remain several subjective elements to the photograph. The truth it attempts to convey is that food from Burger King looks like the food in the picture: crisp and delicious. However, the way in which the photographer chose to picture the meal takes away from the objectivity of the image. The way he arranged the food (burger in front), the lighting (bright), the angle from which he shot (straight on), and in particular the specific meal he chose to photograph (not greasy or scrunched) all help to create a deceivingly appetizing meal.

The third image is a Jim Bean advertisement. It shows a girl jumping out of a cake while a group of men laugh and watch appreciatively. In the bottom right-hand corner is a bottle of Jim Bean. This scene attempts to represent a sense of “forbidden” fun. The caption further helps to enforce this idea as it proclaims that the guys in the picture will deny the experience. Little of this photograph can be considered “true” as it was quite obviously staged. Everything from where the men were standing and what they were holding to their facial expressions to the black and white coloring of the picture, which helps create the sense that the picture is a “memory,” was most likely carefully planned and carried out. Therefore, the only truth that can be drawn from this photo is that a group of men was once assembled and told to appear surprised as a woman perched inside a fake cake and pretended to be jumping out of it.

The fourth image depicts a narrow trail wandering through a grassy, rolling hill. The caption labels the path “Your Road to Health, Hill Park Medical Center.” So, clearly, in addition to the obvious representation of a field, the image also portrays a sense of wellness. The thriving vegetation and unpolluted landscape give off an aura of health and wellbeing. The ad seems to imply that the medical center can leave people rejuvenated and strengthened simply by the serene yet vibrant setting. The landscape is almost undoubtedly an actual, true picture. However, the subject of the photograph, the angle from which it was taken, and the lighting were quite possibly manipulated by the photographer, making the photograph not entirely objective.

The fifth image pictures the cast of the TV show “Friends” holding a frame around themselves. More than simply depicting a group of six random people, this photograph represents, as the name of the show implies, a strong bond of friendship. The characters appear to be huddling together and even leaning on one another in the picture, as if in testament to how friends stick together and support one another in real life. While this was certainly not a “candid” photo (as very few people randomly stick their heads through empty frames just for the fun of it), it was also not ridiculously untruthful. The characters are staged, certainly, but they do not pretend to be anything more than they actually are: friends.

Semiotic Analysis:

Image number three:

Signifier: Jim Bean + signified: “forbidden” fun = sign: Jim Bean creates “forbidden” fun for the drinker

Ideology: drinking and having some reckless fun are natural for men

Image number four:

Signifier: Hill Park Medical Center + signified: wellness and health = sign: Hill Park Medical Center brings about a sense of health and wellness

Ideology: complete wellness and rejuvenation may be attained by a simple process

High Art:

This wood engraving by Winslow Homer is labeled, “The Army of the Potomac — Sharpshooter on Picket Duty.” This engraving is considered “high” art primarily because of its historic importance. According to the information about the artist on the Rollins Cornell Fine Arts Museum website, he was hired by Harper’s Weekly to introduce the readers to the “real” Civil War. Homers pieces of artwork allowed ordinary people to “experience” the Civil War and thus became very significant.

Low Art:

The Smurfs ad, on the other hand, functions as a representative of “low” art. It has no historic or moral significance. In fact, it’s primary objective is to sell Pez candies. In addition, there is nothing particularly unique about it that causes it to stand out amidst the countless other ads that resemble it.

Part II:

I believe that mass media has a democratic function in our society. Media presents many different views. When they are presented with different views, people have more opportunity to decide for themselves the ideals in which they wish to believe. For example, movies like Brokeback Mountain present scenarios far from the “traditional” family. By viewing films such as this one, people are introduced to a “different” way of living. Not only does media introduce people to different ways of thinking, it also allows them to express their own viewpoints. The movie Sicko expressed the not-too-uncommon view of America’s failing health system. While this movie, and many other pieces of media, often criticize the way this country is being run, it is through their criticisms that people eventually wake up and take notice of situations and, ultimately, take action. Media has allowed this country to progress as far as it has by allowing people to introduce, and receive, new ideas.