Media with Hay

           In the hit Disney movie, Mulan asks herself, "When will my reflection show who I am inside?" Although in disguise as a catchy princess song, this question is an accurate representation of the interplay between media and society. Our thoughts are so processed by media, so does our reflections really show who we are on the inside? This is just one of the few things that this semester focusing on media has taught me. As far as social media goes, I found myself using it less as a means of trying to prove that I was somehow different than the majority of teenagers these days that are glue to things like Snapchat and Instagram. In reality, I was trying to use it less to avoid being just another number in the ridiculous stats about teens these days who live and breathe social media. Learning about the negative effects and qualities of media made me want to turn away from the obvious apps on my phone, but I ended up just turning to other...

                   Many of us millennials were well aware when Instagram released a new feature on their app called Instagram Live toward the end of 2016. This added feature allows people to live stream video of themselves that their followers can watch and comment on. I believe the success of this feature is due to the fact that Instagram has now made everyone who uses the app a famous person.          Before live stories, a lot of internet famous people used an app called YouNow to live stream. These included YouTube stars like Dan Howell and Connor Franta to vine stars like Matthew Espinosa. By allowing normal people to also have the option to perform this action that was formerly dominated by those who are famous, Instagram is essentially making you a cool, famous person.          Also, the way the feature works just adds to this famous feeling. When someone starts a live vi...

         When I was a budding teenager in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, I remember watching the show Awkward with my older sisters. I found it hard to grasp the idea that these characters in the show were meant to portray teens that were only a few years older than I. Most of them were driving, drinking, partying, doing drugs, and or having sex. Although I wasn't formally introduced to the idea of "pop" at this age, I had the impression that this was a misrepresentation of what high school was like, that the characters were merely a ploy to get viewers to watch a show that was oh-so-ridiculous. Now that I'm at the half way point in my high school career, I'm not so sure that this show was the blaring form of pop that I used to think it was.          As sad as it is, I feel that the description of the characters in Awkward aren't so far off. I know plenty of kids my age that can fit into every single one of those descriptions. It almos...

     I find that there when it comes to how you choose to dress yourself, there's a fine line to balance. When you wear something because it makes you feel good and or because you simply like it, then I believe that's a valid reason to be wearing that outfit. However, the flip side of the situation is wearing dressing a certain way because you solely want to please others.       Miss Representation  talked about how the image of a woman has been shaped by the standards of men and how the appearance of a woman is what people take note of first. Contradictory as it may seem, the fashion bloggers that I choose to follow are  my way of countering these two unfortunate realities of our current world.      One of my favorite bloggers is YouTube star Stephanie Villa , also known as soothingsista. Her style, although occasionally girly, tends to be more androgynous. She mixes menswear into her outfits normally. She isn't the stereo...

     Youth culture is extremely manufactured. The clothes we wear, the music we like, and the products we use are all majority products of mainstream media pushers.      For example, the modern mom jean trend has picked up speed in the past year, but these pants were showing up in thrift videos on YouTube and on the runway in 2015. The only reason the trend has become so popular is because all the big name stores brought it to the common folk. Next thing you know, mom jeans are in Pac Sun, Top Shop, Macy's, and Old Navy. The trend that is supposed to be so different and new is sold in almost all the main stores that all sorts of teens shop at. Thus, the mainstream stores have created a norm for our so called "youth culture."      The radio is also another huge culprit of why there is no such thing as a un-manufactured youth culture. Although it's now illegal, many labels and promoters still pay radio stations to play their songs. Thi...

     There are always posts nowadays on Twitter talking about how girls are starting to turn into pre-mature adults.      Young girls are starting to wear makeup at ages well before middle school. I'm not saying I wasn't a part of this makeup movement, as I was introduced to products like mascara, foundation, and eyebrow pencils as I went through 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. Subconsciously, this was most likely due to the fact that I felt I needed to fit in with the other girls that were wearing mascara to school everyday in 5th grade, and also due to the fact that media told me   that I wasn't pretty enough.       But that was 3 years ago, and at the rate media is evolving, there must be a new source driving young girls to think they're not pretty enough. So what's this new and improved marketing device? The Instagram makeup bloggers.      This diverse mix of artists post makeup videos and photos on their profile...

     The first Spider-Man  movie featuring Tobey Maguire was released in 2002. Although I was barely two years old when this movie was released, I not not only watched it, but I also watched the two other sequels. I was fortunate enough to have had been born right around the time when these movies started to be released, but kids younger than me were able to have this experience too.       The Amazing Spider-Man featuring Andrew Garfield was released in 2012. This movie relived the story of Peter Parker, but in a more updated way. The main character was also a highschooler, not a young adult. Being 11 years old and therefore old enough to watch the movie when it first came out, I watched this one and its sequel, because why not? The movie is different than the original ones!      Once again, Spider-Man: Homecoming  is going to be released this summer in July. I am now 16 and wondering whether Marvel keeps making Spider-Man mo...

     I don't make my bed everyday, but I do watch at least one Buzzfeed video a day. These 1-10 minute videos have become a part of my daily routine. Don't get my wrong, Ladylike and the Try Guys are great, but my favorites by far is the series titled, "Worth It."      In these 8-10 minute videos, Steven and Andrew (along with camera man Adam) go around different cities like LA and New York and try one type of food at three different price points to figure out which is the most worth it option.      Sometimes I often ask myself why I love these short videos so much. For starters the guys aren't even professionals so why in the world would I trust their opinion? Another reason to question is the fact that I live nowhere near the restaurants that they try out. However, I think I've been able to figure`out a few of the little tricks that Buzzfeed uses to keep me coming back for more.      On one hand, there is the blaring t...

     Although I was late to join the bandwagon, The Fast and the Furious movies are a guilty pleasure of mine. I know nothing about cars, but for some reason I've found myself getting excited over the releases of new sequels throughout the years. But, I'm not going to point out the obvious brand experience the producers of these movies have tried to sell to viewers for the past 16 years, I'm choosing to focus on the almost equally obvious product placement.      The Madison and Vine technique has been implemented into the series since the orange-tinted days of the original film. In every single race that takes place, the characters involved never fail to twist the nob of a NOS canister that releases the boost of speed that sends them across the finish line. The infamous blue tanks of nitrous oxide have literally made an appearance in all eight movies, and usually get a special slow-mo or close up shot in the scene. (NOS at 2:05)      I ...

     According to Orwell, most of us are victims of the plague that is the decay of the English language. Even the high esteemed editorial writers at The New York Times can be just as at fault as us high school students.      The editorial board recently released an article criticizing Trump's attempts at writing and getting bills approved by legislation. Although the article was voicing a popular opinion amongst Californian teens like myself, this didn't disguise the "Orwell-mistakes" made by the author. For example, there were many instances of the use of jargon words. The editorial piece is a comment on Trump's actions, indicating the intended audience is the average American. Using Words and phrases like "... receded through malign neglect" are and "acceding to his bluster" only work to confuse the reader. The words aren't common, making it hard to stay focused on the original presented argument.      Additionally, the author used ti...

     As a frequent clothes shopper, I've had my fair share of online shopping experiences. The site depends on the day and my mood, but when I don't feel like spending a lot, I find myself scrolling through the pages and pages of sale items on Forever 21’s website . Although looking through clothes is rather relaxing for me, I find myself rudely interrupted when there’re items listed that aren't in stock. There have been numerous times when I’ve clicked on a cute top that I might want to buy, only to find it’s out of stock and not available for purchase. With much annoyance, I would think to myself, Why can't they just take it off the site if the item isn't available for purchase?      From the perspective of the company, this is a rather smart tactic. If you still list the item, people will be tempted to buy it and c lick on it. Even if they can’t purchase it right then and there, the company can just add them to an  emailing list to get notified wh...

     Like many of my peers, I’ve been surrounded by various forms of media for my entire life. Sure, I didn't come out of the womb and immediately make a Myspace, but I know that my parents brought media into my life. I remember watching the news with my dad from time to time, and looking at the pictures in my mom’s “People” magazines. I knew who Angelina Jolie was before I knew the names Gandhi or Nelson Mandela. Watching TV on the daily led to me knowing the jingle to Mr. Clean commercials by heart, but having a tough time remembering the pledge of my elementary school.       As I entered my pre-teens and teenage years, I got a phone along with an Instagram, Vine, YouTube, and Twitter. I was constantly connected with friends through pictures and videos on social media apps, so even after I said goodbye at school, I knew when one classmate won her softball game or when another liked a funny dog video. Although I still saw the news on TV and  h...