Evidence Chart
BULLSHIT AND THE ART OF CRAP DETECTION
1. To what extent do you agree with Neil Postman?
I completely agree with Neil Postman. The best thing for our children of this time period is to be able to distinguish what message is behind the advertisement. This will help the children with critical thinking and it will also help them make decisions when they need to be made based on how they learn to perceive the messages.
2. Neil postman delivered this speech in 1969. How do you think he might feel about "the art of crap detection" now given recent advancements in digital technologies?
I feel that Neil Postman would feel that now with the 21st technology that some of the hidden agendas can be seen. Though there are new technologies, people are still exposed to a lot of bullshit. This gives our century the tools to help the community and students take different advertisements and show us what they see in the messages. We are able with the technology, to show people what advertisements leave out.
3. Reaction to the video
While watching Cameron Russell on the video, I had a lot of thoughts running through my head. Yes! Images tell a story different than the real story. As she talked about how girls were unsatisfied with their bodies I could relate because I use to be that way. Growing up all the images of the girls in the magazines seemed so happy and they were skinny. This made me think about how they made Barbie. Of course Barbie was tiny and didn't have acne, or skin spots, and she didn't even have a belly. As I have grown, I have learned that even though you see these images, the story behind them isn't what is being seen.
This video supports Neil Postman's concerns about "crap-detection" because it is telling the viewers the story past the image. It also supports Neil Postman because it is letting the viewing audience know that there is always an untold part to the messages that are seen.
It is important to not just teach media literacy but to also teach critical media literacy in and out of school because this is going to help the students understand the social environment and not just school. This will make them socially aware of what is going on around them through advertisement and TV. This gives the students an opportunity to reproduce the messages or advertisements in a way that people should see them.
"Critical media literacy not only teaches students to learn from media, to resist media manipulation, and to use media materials in constructive ways, but is also concerned with developing skills that will help create good citizens and that will make individuals more motivated and competent participants in social life (p.371, D.Kellner and J. Share)."
"The technologies of communication are becoming more and more accessible to young people and ordinary citizens, and can be used to promote education, democratic self-expression, and social progress (p.372, D.Kellner, and J. Share)."
"Teaching critical media literacy involves occupation of a site about the dichotomy of fandom and censor (p.372, D.Kellner and J. Share)."
References
Cameron Russell: Looks aren't everything. Believe me, I'm a model. (n.d.). Retrieved August 22, 2014
Kellner, D., & Share, J. (2005). Toward Critical Media Literacy: Core concepts, debates, organizations, and policy. <i>26</i>(3), 369-386. Retrieved August 1, 2014, from http://pages.gseis.ucla.edu/faculty/kellner/essays/2005_Kellner-Share_TowardsCriticalMediaLiteracy.pdf
Wonderful post Nissa! You made excellent connections between the video, the course reading and your personal experiences!
ReplyDeleteWhile comparing our responses, what really stood out for me was the question of how Neil Postman would feel about digital advancements and the “art of crap detection.” While we essentially answered the same way, you took a much more optimistic approach. I pessimistically argued that despite having the means to detect crap that technology has only served to further perpetuate it. I appreciate that you took it in the opposite direction by arguing that technology serves as a means to assistance us.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, your post drove home the idea that media is so often directed at very young children who are unable to filter the messages critically. They go to school for the first time equipped with ideas feed to them by various media outlets; from who their role models should be, which toys to play with, and how to interact with each other. The idea that once they’ve reached the age to have the ability to be critical, as an educator, you aren’t starting with a blank slate but also having to undo certain thought processes; many of which are subconscious.
Nissa,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your statement and paragraph regarding teaching critical media skills. It isn't enough to just teach them on the surface- we have to help our students think critically in all areas of life, and especially in this area that effects them so much daily as they are over stimulated with the media opportunities around them.