A Video - And It's Voice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gyj6I5Fxeko

As people express themselves through their voice, certain elements such as tone and attitude produce and manipulate vocalics. Meaning certain aspects of the voice can be controlled to what the speaker deems fit. As anything else it is easier to interpret such properties when in action. The video that we are going to interpret is a clip from Whose Line Is It Anyway.

 In the first twenty seconds of the video the sound of the voices and its loudness was used to impersonate pitch and pronunciation. Wayne Brady and Ryan (the tall gentleman) was attempting to enact a European accent. In doing so a distinct change in softness to loudness was used between pitches to pronounce in extremes a European accent. Other examples of this can include;

- Forty five seconds in: Wayne also used a high pitch tone to say "OUCH" to demonstrate pain. 
- Forty Seven seconds in: Collin (the bald gentleman) said "AA too CRAPEE", this was his pitch line and to emphasize it he used a slow to fast rate change within his sentence as well as an inflection in the last three words of his sentence.
- Two minutes and twenty five seconds in: Collin used a significant rate change in his voice. This rate change in the word "Actiiiiiooooonnn" was used to exemplify slow motion characteristics. In doing so the rate change of the word slowed down significantly, thus gathering the other three participant’s attention in the process. Roughly forty seconds after Collins rate change, Wayne Brady does one of his own for the exact same reason. Wayne say "III DIDDNNN'T KNNNOWWW" to again over emphasize slow motion.

 We can all see that the environmental comedy is extremely associated with the style of vocalic'. This helps us understand that everything from tone to rate change was used for laughter, in the effort for audience entertainment. As we understand the vocalic we understand the person and as we understand the person we understand their reasoning. This can only help us be better interpreters in a vocal world.

 Before I let you go, the last minute of the video was by far the best to analyze on a comedic level. After the water is spilt, Wayne emphasizes sarcasm through ownership of more water. He says "I couldn't possibly have anyMOREE water". In changing the tone, volume, and rate of "MORE" a comedic representation was used to show snottiness, jealousy of the other, and dominant class in the resource of water. Ryan and Collin then reply in a metaphoric act in the same type of pitch, tone, and rate to show they have more points. Now even though you can’t drink points this metaphor is used to show they have more value within their points then Wayne's water.    

Ethics of Illegally Downloading Music

Illegally downloading music? Wheres the ethics in this practice? Millions and millions of people daily (including me) download music illegally off the internet, but is there an ethical presence in their mind?

Since this practice is so abundant and seems to be what is rational/good for each individual, then what is considered ethical? We make choices between competing moral principals and this issue shows a constant act of reasoning - its free! Aristotle's ethical philosophies are relevant as good character, reasoning, and moral virtues are present. This brings forth the dealing with morals or the principles of personal morality. Most people would find that their personal morality in this issue is not of a major concern. It is a voluntary act that currently does not effect their wallets.

If Aristotle presented this issue through the accordance with rules or standards for right conduct or practice then perceptions would most likely change. This type of view point would mostly relate to the unethical dilemma of hospitals advertising.

From a categorical imperative approach, the looking-glass will help us see the other side. Yes there is an issue with the act of downloading tracks illegally, buy why? Who is it effecting? This view point helps us consider the companies and artists that we are effecting. If this issues continues to grow with no solution, how will the artists be able to keep making these tracks if there is no profit? In hindsight there would be no tracks to download if the artists can no longer produce them.

The principle of utility has a great impact on this issue also. What is the greatest good for the greatest number of people? Lets imagine that suddenly no one could download a single song illegally and ethically the problem was fixed. Would the artists really benefit from this? Since word-of-mouth is mostly used to sell music, where would the word spread from if the majority of the people that used to spread that word didn't have in their possession the songs anymore. In result the advertising of the song slows and so could the sales. Whether or not what is considered "Right" is done, doesn't mean everything will turn out for the better.

In conclusion our society should possess more of an ethical process then just right or wrong. We should consider who it effects and how, then weight that against our ethical and moral principles. Our societal web is vast and thus so should be our decision making process.

Advertising Diary

In my 24 hour period.... well combined 24 period of observing, my exposure to advertisements was vast. The diary of this observation began on the way to New York City to drop off my sister and then pic up the next morning. The drive began around 3 O'clock from an open country area by my house. The advertisements leading out of my county seemed to be of a certain category. The ads were of hundreds that included day spas, car dealerships, minor league baseball teams, gatorade products, real-estate agents, gyms, home town businesses, and an uncountable amount of golf courses. Once in New York City the ads shifted drastically. From country ads of spas and golf courses changed into liquor products, clothes, fashion, cosmetics, Cologne, sex appeal, movies and an obscene amount of famous peoples faces advertised on behalf of a product.
What does this tell us? It tells us its all about traffic and the streamline of which it exists in. As you saw in the country environment the ads are a little less extreme and fits more towards the need of necessities. Since advertising technology is also less evolved then in the city, ads become repetitious and less diverse on a daily basis. In the city the technology of advertising is at its peek (although so is clutter!). Since this technology is now so convenient, shifting ads can be done in seconds in some cases. For example the technological billboards can show series of images, detailed designs, and motion pictures before you even drive a block.
These ads are also shown based off time and location. The most sensible time frame for myself is after 6 p.m. Which is also best for ages 20 to 40. Statistics show this is when we are at our most alert for a purchase or an implant of a product. Implant meaning the seed or idea planted in your mind to grow into an action (the action=purchase). The ads are developed and locationalized based off that one in-particular fact. In conclusion we can see that thousands of ads are shown to us on a daily bases. Roughly the average number of ads seen on a daily bases is 3500, but considering the environment of New York City we should quadruple that sum. This amount of clutter is very extreme, although in our day in age we are now domesticated toward it.

Interviewed Facial Expressions

Over spring break one of my closest friends took a cruise down the east cost to multiple luxurious getaways. The cruise lasted a week in a half between him and his girlfriend. During their visit to Kutztown I got to ask and hear about the entire trip. The assignment was to observe the facial expression of a single person, although his girlfriend ended up assisting in this task.

For intensive purposes the names of the observed participates are Joe and Jess. Joes's facial expressions are considered to be a withholder, meaning the face does not exhibit any emotion. This limited facial movement is said to be a "poker face" and ironically he usually wins when we play poker. His girlfriend Jess on the other hand is a revealer, this is opposite of a withholder meaning the face tells it all. These opposing facial expressions made it easy to cross examine the reactions of reliving the trip to see which emotions should be portrayed or not.

The first question that was asked to them was "How was the trip?" In response they said great, exciting, and very very fun. During their response's I saw very noticeable eyebrow movement in Jess, translating to interest and surprise. Her eyebrows moved up in multiple parts of her response which gave me this nonverbal translation. Joe on the other hand due to his withholding nature was harder to grasp. Giving that I had Jess to observe also, I was able to pic up on Joe's very subtle eyebrow movement. Cross analyzing Joe and Jess it was concluded that a happy and surprising nature was exhibited in Joe after the first question.  The second question that was asked was "With all the activities you guys did were you able to have significant alone time?" Immediately after this question, maybe even before it was finished there was a flashing eyebrow movement initiated from Joe to Jess. Jess responded with a rolling of the eyes, a hint of laughter, red cheeks (embarrassment) and a wink in my direction telling me its all true. This developed flirtation was a very sexual nonverbal response. Even though nothing was said the truth ran free nonverbally. The questioning then stopped before the conversation got to far or for at-least this blog lol.

We can conclude that nonverbal meaning is intense and during interaction is always modified between others. This not only gives us a sense of meaning but a feeling of self concept.

Observation Of A Couple

Last week I chose to observe my two friends who came to visit me during a baseball game. This couple is not only an entertaining one but often have unusual arguments, making it an easy decision for this study. First the environment for this observation took place during one of my home baseball games. As a pitcher I often have to sit in the bullpen which is down the left field foul line closer to the crowd. During this particular day right behind the bullpen sat the couple. So from the baseball field over the fence into the crowd was the line of observation. The beginning of this observation showed the couple representing intimate proxemics, multiple relational examples of haptics, and commonly used facial and eye expressions. The level of immediacy was being demonstrated at a high level. Generally the more immediate behaviors we exhibit, the more we like some-one or are interested in that person. Posture cues that directly correspond with immediacy were also shown. The girl on most of the the boyfriends words were leaned into by an upward movement of the body. Then the symmetric positioning showed both arms and legs in correspondence with the general body position. Body tensions were also being relieved with subtle movements towards each other and rocking movements of the legs. Compared to the crowd their movements were very inclusive, which excluded all of the crowd allowing only them two to be included. This inclusive nature takes some effort as face to face parallel ignores everything else. More or less this is an A and B conversations so C your way out. This is all understandable considering they are in there first months of their relationship. Most people demonstrate a high level of attention during these stages and doubtfully it will last for time to come.

Speaking from a territorial stand point the personal space of the boyfriend could include not only him but the girlfriends. Showing either two primary territories or a primary and a secondary territory. If someone were to violate, invade, or contaminate the girlfriends space it would turn into the boyfriends obligations. Who knew so much could be taken out and interpreted from a simple glance into a crowd at two people you happen to know. From now on nonverbal communication is not only demonstrated but is an out right way of communication.

Not A Magazine of Choice

More often than not when a magazine is purchased the person who bought it relates to that genre of media. The magazine was chosen due to their likes and dislikes as well as its over all relevance to the buyer. Meaning a sports addict would usually buy sports illustrated and a golfer would probably buy golf digest.
The magazine that I have chosen to analyze is Cosmo. A magazine that is Globally known for women and the intimate interests they express. Its funny because reading it wasn't the worst part, buying it was. At checkout I felt a de-emasculating image surrounding me. The cashier was probably thinking what a wuss this person is for buying this magazine. Although thats what this blog is about, buying a magazine that doesn't directly relate to you.
The history of Cosmo dating back to as early as 1866 has represented itself as a women's magazine. Today Cosmo expresses itself as a broader magazine, discussing topics not just for woman that cover relationships, proper sex, health, careers, self-improvement, celebrities, as well as fashion and beauty. The magazine to my surprise did show broader topics but 95% of its content is still sex and woman.
What does this tell us? This tells us that the image of Cosmo is already imprinted. Unless a dramatic change of its topics are implemented then Cosmo will always and forever be known as a magazine for women.
The signaling of the magazine inspires relationships, romance, fashion, and beauty that directly relates to women. Cosmo also showed signaling through style, designer clothing, advertisements, and popular fashionable products. As the magazine did cover most of these categories, the majority of its visual advertising was of sexual context. The visual signaling seemed to tell women how they should be, look, act, and pursue sexually.
The circulation of this magazine is over 96% women mainly between 18 and 34, closely followed by 18 to 24 year olds. In conclusion this magazine represents the lifestyle that "All" women should pursue. A way of life that women should almost obey and not just take into account.

As I analyze the communicative properties of space, I have chosen to analyze my bedroom. It is the most convenient and the easiest to represent amongst these properties. At this time in school I am a commuter to Kutztown university. I live off campus in a three bedroom apartment, living with only one other person. The third person transferred mid semester leaving us with a guest room, which all sounds nice until the end of the month when the cable and electric bill is only split two ways! The whole apartment is shared including the bathroom except our actual private rooms. A nonverbal agreement to me has been made that all is to be shared except what is in our rooms, maybe the occasional drink in the fridge is also off limits lol. My bedroom is my private territory, which is pretty much my only private territory at school besides possibly my car. I retreat to my room for privacy, relaxation, and even voluntary solitude. From what I've seen in the rest of Kutztown the amount of space in my room is above average. The room consists of two bow windows, a nook for my desk, and a decently  sized closet. The visual aspect of the room represents me and my interests. In one quick peripheral glance you would see baseball equipment, golf clubs, some dirty clothes on the floor (due to a lot of baseball practice), and posters of interest. The posters consist of some alcoholic beverages, baseball, and famous athletes (which are autographed).

After learning about space it seems that solitude is preferred when in my private territory. It would be safe to say that every time I go into my room I shut and lock my door. The reason of which could me be saying nonverbally that when I'm in my room thats my alone time and I don't want to be bothered. I've never really thought about it but maybe when I'm in my room I don't like the possibility of intrusion. The funny thing is that I know that no one is going to barge into my room, but I do it anyway for no reason. My best guess for me doing it is for piece of mind.

The last use of property and space would be my girlfriend and her designated corner. Since shes at my place more time than none suddenly a small primary space has been assigned to her. Its in the corner next to the fan, consisting of a pile containing her stuff. I know now its hers and I shouldn't touch it and if I do I don't think it would be a good idea lol.

 

Trump Endorses Romney, Al Jazeera vs CNN

Mass communication involves the study of interpretive skills between journalism, public relations, and advertising. As a communication studies major I ask myself questions to differentiate forms of media that could or have impacted our culture.

The form of media that I have decided to compare and contrast is a recent story of Donald Trump endorsing Romney for U.S. President. One version was created by CNN on February Second and Al Jazeera's version was created on the third.

To my surprise there weren't many significant differences to the approaches on stories between countries. Conservatively speaking the differences were subtle, although the socio-cultural understanding of these differences could be significant.

In CNN's version many words of credibility were implemented to distinguish a feel of Trump and Romney. Words that include flirted, praising, smart, tough, and television star. In my opinion this passage created a feel of argument, slight support between the two candidates, but most of all an opinionated passage for CNN. Giving me the idea that CNN was not only telling us the story but subtly implementing their opinion also.

If CNN was just supplying the viewers with a story their is no reason to include Donald Trump as a past TV star or Trump's motive for a White House bid. To me this suggests that America not only enforces a social responsibility (for any media) to create their own opinion, but assumes that everyone needs to be supplied with an immediate truth (opinion in disguise). 

Al Jazeera's version on the other hand is more focused on the immediate situation. Supplying no opinions or poles if this duo will work or not, nor any public hints on what the rest of the country is thinking.

Again this is very subtle, but even in articles of this nature and length, differences are shown. In conclusion a clear agenda setting is produced by CNN and most other major networks rather then a simple clear story for the reader encode and interpret.