Magazine Audiences

I currently subscribe to two magazines, "Arizona Highways" and "Food and Wine".  The
"Arizona Highways" subscription was purchased with the intention of being a coffee table/toilet reader for my house guests.  Don't get me wrong, I love scimming through and every once in a while I find something interesting enough to read.  On the other hand my "Food and Wine" subscription was made for the sake of my passion for cooking and my affection for pairing great wines with great meals.  I find every issue of this subscription fascinating and useful and will probably be a subscriber as long as they continue to publish the magazine.

Never have I picked up an issue of "Food and Wine" and wondered what they were trying to communicate with me: it seems obvious that food trends and wine reviews are at the core of this magazine.  Unfortunately all too often in life we are manipulated subliminally by media.  We don't think of our purchases and aspirations as irrational, but if you think about it, where or from what did these ideas and purchases stem from?  So I'm going to take a deeper look at what my "Food and Wine" magazine is telling me.  What values does it convey, and how does it convey them?  And finally, does the overall message of this publication match up to the values that it supports?

The first impression of a magazine is clearly the cover, it's no wonder that "Playboy" sells around 7.5 million issues a year!  I gathered a few of my past and current "Food and Wine" magazines to examine their covers and found one commonality, sharp and contrasting colors.  Combine the attractiveness of the color schemes with plates of tempting (and gorgeous) foods and you've more than halfway sold me.  And in typical fashion they also employ large block lettering 3-4 times on the cover to preview the contents.  This helps to direct the eye from the visual stimulation to the information.  I'm going to use the August 2012 issue for my disection, although, every issue will carry the same messages and values in my opinion. 

My first impression of the cover is that food is art.  Art makes people sophisticated, right?  Just look at that tomato salad, it looks AMAZING!  The best part is you don't even have to like tomatoes.  I have received several issues with some kind of fish on the cover and I HATE fish!  Nevertheless, they make it look so good I'd try a bite?!  So on another level I see enjoyment on this cover.  Another aspect of this cover caught my attention is the use of the bold block lettering to identify what's in this issue, specifically "FOOD CITY".  The title of the magazine in my opinion should be "Food and Wine AND Travel".  Travel and destinations play a big part in this magazine and, again, travel is worldy and sophisticated, right?

Moving through this issue most of the advertisements are for higher-end beer, wine and spirits and "quality" food products.  Of course, they need the advertising dollars to publish and circulate their magazine, but why these brands?  The key advertisers are Stella Artois (funny how in Europe this is the opposite of sophistication, nicknamed "the wife beater"), Kraft "Olive Oil" mayo, Baked Lays, and various other wines and foods.  All of these brands are considered to be higher quality and although the value of quality may come at a higher cost aren't you worth it?! 

The majority of the remaining advertisements are travel related.  Most people that are passionate about food are also passionate of where it came from.  Also, like food, life should be enjoyed and explored.  What better way to explore life and food than traveling?  The target consumers of the adverstisments are based on the values of quality (of product and life itself), sophistication and being well traveled.  There is also comfort.  I can't point out if it's in the magazine itself or perhaps the thought of food makes me comfortable.  Maybe it even stirs up old memories.

Another trendy value that seems to be prevelant throughout this issue as well as others is environmental consiousness.  Whether the article contain points about organic farming, sustainable wine vineyards, wind-powered breweries or many other things, it is apparent that "going green" is a big issue and value this publication wishes to support. 

The last and perhaps most personal value that is observed throughout the magazine is companionship.  A lot of the pictures throughout the magazine portray either a couple or a group of people gathered 'round the table eating and drinking.  It is, afterall, the American way.  Food and drink ALWAYS bring people together and usually so in fun and celibration.  Personally I love to have dinner parties at the house.  And even if the party isn't centered around food, like the Super Bowl, I still make great food and have great drinks for my guests to enjoy.

Overall I think this publication does a good job conveying and connecting it's values and mine.  I know it may be easier for me to say as a "foodie", but I think anyone with a passion for food and wine would enjoy the magazine.  And as easy as it is to say doesn't mean that it connects us all, but, everyone has to eat!

http://www.helium.com/items/1945803-the-relationship-between-food-and-travel
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505125_162-28243939/10-signs-that-going-green-is-just-a-fad/
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=4939541&page=1

3D Gamelab Wrap-up

Overall 3D Gamelab was a good experience and I would definitely be interested in using the program again in future classes.  The only problems I encountered with the program was that dates can get confusing.  As an example I would see that an assignment was due on Monday, when I knew it was due on Wednesday.  Also as a newcomer to online learning it was difficult for me to stay on top of things...yes, because I'm a procrastinator.  The other good point for me was the fact that the Mastery Quests did not have a final due date...yes, back to procrastinating, but I work better under pressure and it has been nice for me to knock these out the final week of class.  If I could change one thing about this system would be to add more assignments, give the students more options.  Maybe have 1500pts XP worth of assignments, yet keeping the 1000pt XP goal.  I know that if a certain subject interested me enough I would work over the grading scale just to devour the information.  And if perhaps the subject matter didn't interest me that much, I would have more options to complete the course.

Gamifying Education

To be honest I'm surpised that it took this long to "gamify" education.  Kids love games and hate schoolwork, at least the majority I'd say.  And it seems that even the students that like schoolwork would excel using this technology.  In my opinion gamifying education is a GREAT idea!  It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that the educational system has not exactly grown with the times and I think this is a step in the right direction.  A good point made in the video (http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/gamifying-education) is that it is in early stages and more research and time needs to be put into this project to work out the glitches.  No system is perfect but this is truly progress.  The only other downfall I can see is that only about 62% of families in America have internet access at home, making it harder for students to complete assignments on their own time.  Personally I have found the system easier to understand, more engaging and more rewarding than traditional classroom curriculum. 

Twitter Gadget

If you notice to the right hand side to my page there is now a "Twitter Gadget".  I think this gadget lends a bit more activity to the blogsite while still keeping it personal to me, afterall, the feed only has tweets from people I find interesting to follow.

The first person I put on my list was Anthony Bourdain.  Over the last few years I have developed a passion for food and drink, in part due to watching his show "No Reservations".  Bourdain combines a brash east coast personality, profane humor with immense cultural respect and a fervent love of food and drink.  Having dropped out after a couple years of college he attended one of the most prestigious culinary academys in the world, the CIA (Culinary Institute of America).  As many aspiring chefs do, Bourdain started off as a prep cook before working his way up to Executive Chef at Brasserie Les Halles in New York City.  His fame and notoriety stemmed from his passion and ability to write and came to fruition after the publication of his infamous book "Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly".  Since then he has published numerous more books, articles and blogs while hosting two popular television shows and making guest apperances alike.

To combine the theme of food and drink I added Robert M. Parker, Jr as the second personality on my twitter gadget.  As one of the foremost experts on wine in the world I use Mr. Parker's popular publication "The Wine Advocate" in deciding what to pair with meals and what wines I want to add to my cellar.  Though he is known in some circles as the most infuential wine critic in the world and has be awarded some of the highest honors in the world of wine, as far as I know, he is not a Sommelier.  Nevertheless, any one person could easily argue that his years of experience and access to practically all the wines in the world makes his expertise unmatchable.

Technology - good or bad?

We as humans are progressing and learning at exponential rates.  In just a little over a century technological advances have been nothing short of astonishing.  Families used to produce most of their own food on their own land and now Dominos is just a (i)touch away.  People had to be thrilled at the introduction of the first automobiles...and now we fly to space!  We are living in the information age; times in which the next impossibility is realized.  While it's plain to see the benefits of most of these advancements what are the disadvantages?  With so many questions and viewpoints that concern these issues one could easily spend a lifetime researching and studying them.  What I want to focus in on though is what I believe to be the most important questions to be asking.  Do these technoligical advances have adverse effects on our health and well-being?  And are there any detrimental effects on planet?

It is easy to see that technologies and their byproducts have created harmful consequences to our environment.  The central valley of California has the perhaps the biggest concentration of air pollution in the United States with 4 of the top 10 most polluted cities nationwide.  Most of this pollution stems from automobiles and irrigation pumps (which run on diesel fuel).  The nuclear power plant disaster in Japan was another great example of what a mess our advances can make.  While the disaster was actually caused naturally by an earthquake, technology (nuclear energy) is to blame for the aftermath.  There are tons of more examples and simple proof that technology has indeed comprimised our environment.  Luckily the majority of the world has recognized the impact of our actions and are now working on rectifying our mistakes.  Our generations are doing what previous generations did not.  Researching the effects of technologies instead of just introducting them to the world without knowing what the side effects will be.

The link between environmental issues and human health problems is not only obvious, but it is also being examined continously.  What I'm more intrigued with is health problems related to the internet, mobile phones, television and other forms of technology.  If you add up the hours we average on the internet (32/month), watching television (151/month), sleeping (186/month) and working (184/month) it totals 553 hours of our time.  The average month has 660 hours, leaving just a little over a hundred hours for us to run our errands, groom ourselves, eat and all the other things we do.  That doesn't leave us with much time outdoors (quality time, not work), or for socializing (at least face to face).  Humans need touch and are losing it to electronic commnications.  While it is easier to connect this way it does not satisfy our physical needs.  There are also links of too much time using electronic tools that lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, ADHD, and perhaps the biggest problem in American society obesity.  In a video I watched on Nature Deficit Disorder, Richard Louv suggests that a big player of obesity in society is that we use our energy differently now.  Video games, television, and the internet don't let us burn energy as good as playing outside does.  And because obesity is linked to so many severe diseases and disorders one can't help but wonder if the information age will also be known as the "fat and lazy" age.

Google assignment

Picture 1.

The first string I used was the entire name, both handwritten and typed pieces.  Mrs. Henry M. Robert Jr. is exactly what I searched for.  The first hit for this search was for Wikipedia Daughters of the American Revolution.  While interesting this did not produce the information I was looking for.  The second string I used was the date typed at the top of the letter February 26 1939.  Yahtzee!  The first hit here was from the FDR Library and was what I would call a great hit and a very credible source.  Although the 2nd link to come up from the 1st search (the name), was a dot gov site and was probably the best information.

Picture 2.

The first string I used for this picture was "backround map arrested", unfortunately this didn't pan out with the first hit being a Nashville area crime map.  The second string I used was right on.  I used "background map ap newsfeatures" and the first hit was a direct link to the information about the picture.  As far as the link being credible it was the library of congress's government website, so I would say that the information here would be authentic.  In my opinion this was an easy search with a very credible result.

Picture 3.

String one here was the name on the complaint J.F. Blake.  The first hit from this search was the Montgomery Advertiser newspaper.  It took some reading to get to the information I was seeking but it was there.  The second string I used was the date, but typed out "december 1 1995".  The first hit here was too a CNN article written in March of 2003.  The article had no mention of the name on the complaint, but is definitely a credible site.  The final string I used was "empire theater montgomery 1955" where the first hit was from Troy University and again had no mention of the name on the complaint.  As all of these sites seem to have credibility and would easily let me determine the significance of this police report I would have to say that the first string and Montgomery Advertiser would be the most significant and credible source.

Picture 4

The last was the easiest, I used the string "february 10 1964" I used this first because it also had the vote pass numbers on it and seemed I suppose legitimate and important.  The first hit took me to the senates official government site where I found complete and credible information.  I also used the string "eighty eighth congress" which turned a first hit for wikipedia with the same info.  It seems obvious to me that the credibility is stronger with the government website.

Digital Divide - Section II

"They Call Me Cyberboy"

In this passage from Douglas Rushkoff, I seemed to be on the journey of a guy on a rant more than information that I was yearning for.  The author here takes you on a little voyage throughout what seems to be mostly personal experience and sentiment for the Internet.  He explains how it felt to be part of the movement in the start of the World Wide Web and it's evolution to date.  The information really isn't anything interesting or new.   Yes the internet has been turned into what America is, a capitalist system.  I don't thing Rushkoff gives a fair opinion here.  Yes, big business has invested a lot into the use of the internet and how it's presented to the public.  On the other hand, there are many tools that millions of people use everyday that are not "pay sites" or loaded with advertisements.  Perhaps the one thing in this article that should have been touched on more is the fact that the internet has become exactly what lazy Americans make everything else, convenient.  Maybe in the decades and centuries to come we'll figure out how to not have to wipe our asses and never have to leave the safe cushiness of our sofas.

 Social Currency

Another article by Rushkoff, except THIS one was interesting.  Here he speaks more to the everyday consumer, because lets face it, almost everyone has some type of smartphone these days.  Still, some of his content is a bit confusing to a layman like myself.  Here Rushkoff focuses on "content" and how users in the wireless world don't want this "content" as much as they want human connections.  Content is the confusing term here to me, or maybe it just incorporates everything that is not a text or telephone call.  Be that as it may, I would most definitely agree here.  People always yearn to be in contact with others and different avenues that can help accomplish this are always going to be popular.  Look at texting for example, teenagers are developing arthritis because they text so much.  I'm sure these companies are trying to develop "content" for nothing more than a buck.  It's always about profitability.  I think Rushkoff just has a bone to pick with "the man" that's oppressing his tech savvy amigos.

"Love Online"

Ahhh love, maybe the most classic of everything classic.  A common language that does not speak Korean, is not affiliated with the Republican party, but certainly has it's wars.  Older generations, for the most part oppose or are at least certainly skeptical of "online relationships".  Henry Jenkins does a perfect job here in my opinion, he explains this phenomenon from personal experience; through his son.  It was most interesting to find, that in the case with his son, there was still a desire and need for physical stimulation.  But this was different, perhaps a letter that your girlfriend had written.  Have never touched, kissed or even seen each other in person, an object sent in a box halfway across the country would suffice.  Cyber love is VERY real, especially this day in age.  Younger folks may find each other because they're both into the WCW, but even older generations are sticking their toes in.  EHarmony and other such companies are generating flames for folks that don't have time or are maybe limited by the number of suitors in their small town.  And I think Jenkins most interesting thing to note was that people with better online communication skills that may not be great face-to-face have found a great place to fall in love.

"We Can't Ignore the Influence Of Digital Technologies"

 The title says it all.  The thesis here is that we can't disregard technologies because they are new or even maybe slightly flawed, after all what isn't.  Nothing is perfect, and progress is inevitable.  The case in point here is using Wikipedia for citing in higher education classes.  Scholars and educator seem to be torn on the use of Wikipedia because of error and the fact that ANYONE can add to the content.  Cathy Davidson quickly points out that even refereed scholarly books have mistakes.  Another point she makes is that it is probably more important to check who is adding this content to the sites, are they reputable sources?  The fact is that Wikipedia isn't going anywhere and people are going to continue to use it for information.  Scholarly review and use of this and other information systems should be the emphasis here.  Isn't that how all information has been produced through the years?  Scrutinize and redo.

My Love of Guinness

Guinness is a megabrand, known globably much as Coca-Cola. I wear rugby shirts emblazoned with their logo and at the same time care nothing for the sport itself.  I have worked at a Guinness Liscenced Irish pub for the sheer reason that I believed it had to be better than any other bar in the city.  I have taken my love for Guinness to extreme highs.  Bartending in the "perfect pint" competition at the Wrigley mansion in front of Diageo (the company that owns Guinness) executives and distributors.  The next stop on my agenda is to visit the original brewery in Dublin, Ireland.  The funny thing is, there are plenty of other great beers out there.  Why am I so in love with Guinness beer?

My first sip of Guinness beer was a very short lived one.  I was a young lad, in my "partying" prime, a time in my life that's all pretty much a blur of Bud Light and "experimentation".  I remember thinking to myself how much of a man it takes to drink a Guinness.  It's crude oil appearance was daunting and it's legend struck fear into my youthful, inexperienced palate.  But, what the hell, I'd try anything once, after all, I'm part Irish!  I cracked the can and without hesitation proceeded to chug, as soon as my overstimulated taste buds picked up on the flavor my upchuck reflex kicked in.  Call me a glutton for punishment, but I was hooked.  I would not let this beer defeat me. 

Personally I have been "lovemarked" by the company for a few different reasons. Perhaps the single greatest reason that ties me to Guinness is in it's Irish heritage; must like my own. In advertising, Guinness and the Irish flag are often coupled, which speaks to folks of Irish decent on an ethnocentric level: saying Irish is better, YOU are Irish, YOU are better and drinking Guinness shows that. Being an American, Guinness by way of my Irish heritage gives me a sense of belonging to a particular place and ethnicity; it links me to my forefathers. Much like the pride and devotion I have for the Fresno State Bulldogs, which is rooted in the fact that I grew up in the Fresno area, Guinness takes me back generations. These are my people, this is my beer! 

Guinness says one is intelligent, sexy, proud and it makes you feel alive inside.  At least, that's what their advertising would have you believe.  In the last 10 years Guinness has came across the pond and taken America by storm; picking up major advertising spots with ESPN and tons of major televised events.  Their first famous advertising campaign slogan "Guinness is Good For You" started in the early 1920's and was banned decades ago.  Recent studies have shown that the product actually does the same as a low dose aspirin in the fight against heart attack.  In present time the company has recognized that young Americans are a huge market that is straying away from the fizzy yellow beer drank by their fathers and grandfathers. 

This is my favorite Guinness commercial - http://youtu.be/SgvkSuHGa2U

Digital Divide - Sec 1

The Digital Divide: Section 1

"Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants"

This article written my Marc Prensky brings to light an important subject concerning our future generations.  Has our education system progressed in parallel with technology?  And the answer, in my opinion, is no.  And in combination with this main idea he also pushes for the answer of "how" does our instruction methodology and content need to be altered.  The fact that people born over the last 30 years have been subject to more technological advances than the previous generations is obvious.  Video games, texting, computers and the internet have all been tought to these "Digital Natives" from their childhoods.  Perhaps the most interesting question Prenskey presents is the difference between learing new stuff or learning old stuff in new ways.  I'm not sure as to where he gets his "facts" but if they are true (and it would make sense to me), that newer generations watch 20,000 hours of T.V., Play 10,000 hours of video games and yet have only read 5,000 hours.  Adaptation, change and progress are inevitable, however, literacy, mathematics and history will stay the same.  How we teach todays students is definitely outdated.  Perhaps the real question is how is this going to be dealt with and who is going to be held responsible.

"The Internet"

As I didn't find this article as interesting as the last, Stephen Johnson certainly makes some valid points.  His thesis is basically that the internet has challenged our minds by being participatory, forcing users to learn new interfaces and by creating new ways for socializing.  It is a certainty that millions (if not billions) of people use the internet.  Johnson's piece states that over 275,000 blogs entries are posted every day in America alone.  I for one use the internet to pay my bills, keep up with friends, read the news, and shop amongst other things.  I don't think Johnson is ignorant to the fact that people use the internet, I just think the article was written when people didn't know what was to come of this new tool.  Then comes his point that we are faced with different programs and interfaces that we must learn how to use, and supposedly this makes us smarter.  I'm not sure if I agree here, at least for the average internet user.  Most programs and applications have become streamlined and user-friendly; if you know how to use one you can usually easily figure out another.  And finally he touches on the social aspect of the web.  The heaviest hitter here is obviously Facebook, however, more and more romantic relationships are sparked by an online service.  The internet also brings smaller groups together, from all ends of the world through blogs and other online avenues helping to keep the "Antique Button Collectors Guild" and other modestly popular groups connected.

"Learning To Think In A Digital World"

With the amount of information today that can be so easily accessed can it, in fact, be easily digested as well?  Suggesting that people become "expert readers" before being immersed into the digital world is just what Maryanne Wolf would have us do.  The heart of her passage lies in historical context of prevailing forms of communications through out the years.  First she empoys an arguement of the great Socrates which basically says that simply being able to read doesn't mean that one will be able to absorb the material or intellectualize on the subject themselves, but rather to know instead of learn.  This could be very easy today as so much information could be easily taken for granted and merely digested than contemplated.  Then she moves on to neurosciences and how learning to read actually rewires our brain and helps us to think better and faster.  That's all well and good, but who's not to say there isn't another way to trigger the same brain function.  She even says there's not much research on the subject, so I say, more research is needed!  Finally she delves into Marcel Proust (who was also in the title of her book), and shortly and sweetly explains that we take the ideas from the authors of our readings and expand on them and investigate them further.  Well, I could have told you that!

"Is Google Making Us Stupid"

The saying goes "you learn something new everyday".  I in fact did learn something new today, that I may learn differently tomorrow.  This was perhaps my most interesting read of the day.  Nicholas Carr's theory is that the use of the internet and it's information could be (and probably is) changing the way we learn and think.  And perhaps not for the better.  He mentions the invention of the clock and that really got my attention.  Before the clock, people woke up with the roosters, worked until the job was done or the sun went down and all without relying on anything to tell them when to do so.  And after the clock, we have to be at work at a specific time, lunch, dinner, programs and our whole lives now revolve around the clock.  Before the internet we had to go to the library to research, call the theater for movie times, use family recipes, now, it's easy to find 20 mac and cheese recipes on Google, Fandango your theater and investigate any subject you could want with a few key strokes and a click or two of the mouse.  Carr does leave room for debate though mentioning that historically people had doubts concerning written word and further communincation technologies and they have worked out just fine.  Guess we'll just have to see.  My question would actually be, "Is Google Making Us Lazy".