Evolution of...

      I've noticed somewhat recently that things have a sort of 'Darwinian' approach. This has been brought up in class a few times. Things are going to have to evolve or die out. So, I was thinking... Is our society too  geared on moving on?
I'm sure we've seen this scenario "[insert name here]'s MIRACULOUS COMEBACK!'. This star's miraculous comeback brings me to mind of an analogy. One must ride the wave of fame, or end up being swallowed up along with all the could have beens, the forgotton and the unchanged. Like the never ending waves, one must adapt to each minute current and ripple; or risk toppling off.
I suppose it is understandable that nothing can remain static forever; look at humanity's erratic history. Plagues, wars, diasters, weather anomalies, etc. In order to survive we must adapt to these changes in order to master wherever or whenever we are.
Personally I think that North American culture is too geared on moving. We are carouselling in an endless loop of media, pop culture, cars, sex, drugs and money. I've heard that we reap what we sow, and I believe that we are facing the consequences of rushing forward with little concern of our consequences.
How many times do we ask for a ride in place of walking or an alternative mode of transport? How many times do we leave or throw our garbage? How many resources do we gobble up for modern convienience?
[these questions are obviously generallized, and there are many execptions; only to make a point].

Mix and mingle, or isolate?

Is it important for cultures to protect themselves from outside media infuence?

What a broad question... Personally I think that it is all very circunstantial. Say that a target culture or group was prosperous; ie) wealth, a sizeable population, so an and so forth. I'd say that it is okay for the group(s)/culture(s) to "mix and mingle"

However, say a group/culture is endangered; not many people, poverty, etc. In  that circumstance, I'd say efforts should be placed into perserving, protcting, and rekindling this said group.

My own philosphy is very "live and let live". Ultimately, it is that bunch of people's choice to mix and mingle, or to seclude themselves.

While I generally think that it is beneficial to meet new people, adopt more ideas and values, and the like. However, I think that there should be a sort of 'fail safe'. Something to record or keep track of one's culture or values.

-Simon

List of media(s) I've encountered..

Here's a list of some of the media related things I've encountered in the past two days:

-Diana Krall (jazz musician)
-My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (television show)
-Facebook (does it need explaining?) [if so, it's a website]
-Koji Kondo (composer; for 'The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary')
-Nintendo's 3DS (handheld consol)
-Doctor Who (British television show)

These are all I can think of at the moment.

How much are we immersed in media?

I find it kind of funny, that how unaware I was of how much, or to what degree we are immersed in media. In class, we were asked to record what encounters we have had with media. I thought that, since I do not own a television and I rarely listen to the radio, I would not have much to record.
However, I took into consideration the areasof advertisements and music.
I'm always listening to music. Jazz, classical, soundrack, alternative, blues, country, Latin, the list goes on. Now that I am armed with more information; I see a bit more of how much we are immersed within media, pop culture and trends. Kind of depressing LOL
I expect to post of what media I have interacted soon....
TTTTEEEEEAAAAA TTTTTIIIIIMMMMMMEEEE!!!!! :D :D

Fads, Icons, Trends and a Vampire

What is a fad? What is a trend? What is an icon?
In class, we discussed the differences between fad, trends and icons. Several questions had arisen upon the differences between them.
I think an example of a fad would be Guitar Hero (all copyrights reserved), in school, for a brief amount of time (a few months) Guitar Hero was all the rage. I heard discussions, conversations and the like on the subject. Now, about two or three years later, I have yet to hear a discussion at all relating to Guitar Hero.
Hmm... Icons... What of icons? Well, I think that icons are a broad term. There are many different icons in the world. Icons represent things, objects, companies, and so on. Some are well known, such as a four leaf clover representing luck. Some are a bit more obscure or implied, such as red lipstick representing lust.
Trends, to me are a bit harder to define. In my mind, they stand as a middle point. Where icons last for many years, and fads fizzle out into the murky lands of obscurity; leaving trends somewhere between the two. There have been some trends I can think of, none of which have been "in my time''. When I hear of trends, as shameful as I think of it; I think of the 60s' where it was all flower power, peace signs and the like.

Food for thought

      Is it possible that we, as people in North America, are too immersed in labels? Look around in school, and perhaps everywhere. Virtually everyday we are bombarded by the slogans and trademarks of companies; we see it on our clothing, on books, school supplies, on bottles, boxes and the like. I understand that copyrights and so on play a factor; but what I'm most concerned about, is how it could affect people.
Since we're constantly being exposed to advertisements, I feel that we have became desensitized to how it influences our minds and ergo, our behaviour. How do we know that we are not influenced by advertisements already?
Advertisements at heart, are meant to appeal or decieve people into buying or supporting their product, and over the years, these ads have become very efficient at drawing people's attention. That is understandable with the many different ways of communicating with one another. These days, I think that advertisements have become hyper-aggresive when you compare it to any other time in history. With that being said, what will happen in the future?

My first post

TO BE CONTINUED