I personally thought Mike's essay was awesome. I am being totally hones, this essay was not written in terms of what someone wanted to hear but on what someone thought should be recognized openly. Mike's writing style is very conversational. I loved how he was assuming, blunt and just real with his audience. Mike, talking about finding his individuality and his struggles of this accomplishment in a culture of "conform or be left behind" attitude showed to me just how nonconforming he is, or at least his attempt to be. I will gladly and openly admit that in my junior high years MTV was religiously viewed and I concur with Mike that it is a "gold mine for any marketing firm that wants to impose their product onto the masses". If we logically thought about how many advertisements are viewed throughout one scheduled program the air-time of the show and the commercials in between are almost equal. If a manufacturer of a clothing line, hygiene product, or even a cigarette air a commercial on prime time television, they hold the attention, even if only for a moment, of thousands of people watching. If thousands of people watch that commercial, they, whether they realize it or not, consider the product being advertised. If the advertisement is viewed on a channel that is pop culture's number one station it becomes more seriously considered by the consumer watching, so, I totally understand where Mike is coming from. As for Mike's inspiration by the MTV network, he clearly states himself that MTV has caused him to "strive to exemplify the Golden Rule: Treat others how you want to be treated". A noble gesture, I believe, on the account of MTV "exemplifying" the opposite. Mike, in attempt to make his feelings known, used similes and personal experience to relate his points of view so the reader may better understand him. His similes were very profound, well not so much the Barry Bonds, one, that was purely assuming but the others, well okay, they were mainly entertaining. However, his simile of the teenagers out side the studio of TRL and African refugees I found to be quite interesting. If we analyze this simile I think he is quite correct but that would take another blog.
See y'all Tuesday,
Rachel
3 comments:
In response to Rachel's Blog Post #2, i agree that the passage was enjoyable to read. It was definitely easier for me to understand also. I wish i could read more magazines, newspapers, books, and other sorts of prints that were written more conversational. It would make it easier for me at least to pay attention to what I'm reading, and not day dreaming about other things. I also agree with Rachel on how advertising works its way through peoples' minds, especially when they don’t know what’s going on. People don’t realize what a big impact shows and commercials have on them. It’s kind of hard to admit when you think about it.
In response to Rachel's Blog Post (obviously, since I am commenting on it) I do agree that the passage was better to read than, say, a textbook or a scientific analysis or something. However, I really didn't enjoy it as much as everyone else seemed to. I think everyone here is kind of underestimating their own intelligence when they say "it was easier for me to read" or "it was easier for me to understand" about his writing style. None of us would be at THIS college, let alone any other University if we weren't capable of reading beyond the level of Mike Henderson's cerebral folly of an essay. Although, of course, nobody flat-out said that they couldn’t read anything above the Mike Henderson level, but everyone seems to be alluding to it. I think that papers like Mike’s are just as poisonous as MTV to our minds. Both teach us that easier is better. Since our brains are kind of like muscles, they need to constantly be exercised and warmed up in order to function properly, or to become stronger assets. Essays like Mike’s, or channels like MTV are doing the exact opposite of working out our minds. In fact, when we engage in activities such as watching television, or reading material like Mike’s essay, I am adamant that our minds are kind of like couch potatoes, in a respect. But that’s just me.
I agree marissa. our culture has pretty much cultivated it's youth to take the easy/unchallenging way of things. since when do we learn anything without a little resistance. great point.
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