Here are some links to check out & refresh your memory (we should have looked at them all in class) for tonight's post:
http://damaliayo.com/home.html
http://rent-a-negro.com/index.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCjZRCPniSk&feature=channel
http://www.endofworld.net/
Questions I'd like you to consider, for one of these pieces of "public argument" or for all of them, are:
1) What is the purpose of this piece? What might have been the goal(s) of the author/creator?
2) Who is, or might be, their target audience? A larger, unintentional audience?
3) How have they crafted their persuasion---what rhetorical strategies are they using? Are they successful, or at least interesting or thought-provoking?
Then, go ahead and make a post...same deal as last time, it doesn't have to be super long---say, at least 10 lines---but should be some aspect of your thinking/insights on these questions, and your response to one or all of the pieces we've looked at. The goal here is for a dialogue to emerge, so be sure to consider your classmates' posts as well....
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Lindsey Brandt- The End of the World Flash Animation--
ReplyDeleteThe most obvious purpose of the piece is to make people laugh due to its humorous tone, the language used and the way the picture is drawn. More subtle messages sent by the animation I feel is the ignorance of the United States and its role in a nuclear war. The animation makes fun of each country by using stereotypical images and dialogue. Some goals of the author/creator might be to show younger, but mature audiences a possible and humorous way the world could end. I feel the target audience is a younger crowd who has access to a computer and the internet. As well as people who have an interest in humorous ways to convey a nuclear war. Using simple drawings helps the younger audience to connect to the animation and allows them to laugh at a serious matter. I don’t feel like the cartoon is really successful at sending a solid message because the purpose isn’t clearly identifiable, other than humor, and on top of it many people would find the animation to be offensive due to the language and therefore would stop watching.
I logged on to Damali Ayo's blog and read through until I found a really interesting post on her night at a "sophisticated party." It was called "Racism 101: Figure it out." Ayo described her night as the only black woman at the party and the racism she faced. One man, FIFTY YEARS OLD, reached to touch her hair! Without even asking. Another woman explained to Ayo that her ancestors had also experienced racism because they were from Norway and were all blond. What? Aside from telling readers about her night, I think Ayo was sending the message that "low class," or uneducated people aren't the only ones guilty of racism. These were supposedly successful, intelligent, white Americans who were acting forward and rude with no reservations. Ayo persuades readers to see things in her light by making comments in between the dialogue of herself and these people. These comments fill in the gaps between the party-goers actions, and Ayo's stunned reactions.
ReplyDeleteCaitlin Knotek
I found Barrack Obama's youtube videos to be very effective and very interesting to watch. Prior to class, I had no idea that these sort of videos were even made available through sources like youtube; however, now that I know they are, I plan on keeping posted with current events through his weekly updates. I found it not only interesting, but pretty thoughtful and keen on Obama's part to alter up his use of language depending on the type of broadcast he is speaking for. For example, when speaking to the public through video streams on youtube, I noticed that his use of diction is definitive of a more younger age group, while his diction when speaking to the nation through CNN is a bit more educated and he uses more political jargon. Overall, I found these youtube videos to be very effective, and a smart idea on his part.
ReplyDeleteI found that "The End of the World Flash Animation" was a well made piece in that it got through to the audience its purpose that Nuclear Weapons are a bad thing, however; I thought the piece didn't really get across to the audience any form of follow up action that should be taken. The piece illustrates simplistically to the audience that if a country uses a Nuclear Weapon, then other countries, who also possess nuclear weapons will then too use their weapons, and basically the entire world will be in a war, where the outcome is death to all. Through humor, simple drawings, simple actions, and simple words the video makes the point that if any country were to use a nuclear weapon there would be consequences of retaliation, which seems to be common sense. The video stated the obvious, and got the audience to agree, but does not suggest any type of change, improvement, action or behavior to be taken.
ReplyDeleteThe most interesting form of public argument we watched the other day in class was President Obama's weekly address on youtube. The goal/purpose of this public argument was to inform American citizens about the global challenges we face as a country. It was also to inform us about reshaping our economy and ending nuclear threats. The audience of this public argument would mostly be the young American public (youtube viewers), typically people with computers. This public argument shown on youtube is very successful to me. This probably seems more successful to me than say, an older person, because I am younger and am aware of the youtube website that attracts a younger generation. Obama is shown giving his speech aboard Air Force One, which gives it a more comforting and personal feel. It feels this way because it gives us a level of familiarity and relationship. It seems professional, as though he was giving a speech, because he uses clear language and directly addresses the audience about reshaping America.
ReplyDeleteShauna Kleiman-
ReplyDeleteI thought that President Obama's weekly YouTube address was very interesting. I think that Obama received a lot of his votes because he was endorsed by a lot of celebrities, and I think that putting a weekly address on YouTube is just adding to his pop culture persona.I know that there is no chance that the president of the United States would be flying on a commercial airline, but as he is speaking about the current struggling economy, he is sitting comfortably on Air Force 1. He did use language and terms that were really easy to understand, but I think people are giving him more credit than he deserves because he does not write his own speeches.He also mentions terrorists, but there are also rumors that he wants to shut down Guantanamo Bay. I just think he is a little bit ridiculous.
I am really glad I am now aware of President Obamas weekly updates on youtube. The purpose is to keep a large number of Americans informed on public issues and Obamas plan to strengthen our country. Now Americans have a better understanding what President Obama is doing weekly to create a postive change for America. The goal is to reach individuals in a new and creative way rather then traditonals ways like tv, radio or newspaper reaching out to different types of viewers. Youtube is a great way to reach out to the highschool and college aged american citizens who are known watch youtube videos several time a week. I think this was extremely sucessful way to reach more Americans and younger generations. I will continue to watch these youtube videos to stay more informed about America issues.
ReplyDeleteDavid Schmulenson..
ReplyDeleteThe President Obama weekly update on YouTube is a great and convenient media of communication. It shows he is utilizing new technology and staying current with our era. The latest update we viewed was filmed on Air Force One. It shows he utilizes his time wisely while traveling and has real care for the American public. The public view Obama up close, unlike a normal speech filmed at least fifteen feet away. We get to hear from him often, unlike flipping the channel and hearing about him from political officials on a CNN or FOX. Obama's goals were to keep the public in the loop and feel connected on our country's current affairs. With YouTube, he targets a younger base, like college students, who use the site often. The camera angle, showing his proximity to the public is vital to the viewer's connection with him. Obama speaks with confidence and sincerity to persuade hope for our country's future.
The purpose of the end of the world video is to show how stupid the world is to threaten other nations with nuclear arms. I think the target audience is aimed towards younger people because of the way the video was put together. They portray all the characters as stereotypical as possible. They also use comedy to make sure the viewer could watch it with a neutral opinion.
ReplyDeleteI liked the rent-a-negro public argument because it was effective in reaching a different audience. I realize that many older people will not get the sarcasm in the public argument and either try to use it or be offended. For thoes that do understand it, it is humorous and that makes it memorable. It catches people's attention and it gives them something to thing about.
ReplyDeleteAndrea M.
I really like how President Obama is going out and trying to reach everyone through different forms of media. The YouTube videos are a wonderful way of reaching the younger generation. President Obama displays and exerts his information of the week by making his points clear and understandable to all age groups. I think that not having a very professional setting rather than being very informal and relatable to the citizens of America makes President Obama more welcoming.
ReplyDeleteBrenden Biermann
In reference to Caitlin's post about Damali Ayo's dinner party, is it really racist to reach out and touch her hair? or is it just kind of rude and or weird? I can understand that it would get annoying, but I cant quite see the connection between casual hair touching and thinking less of her because of her race. Merriam Webster defines racism as "a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race." Based on that definition, and with the dinner party in mind, I just don't see how the hair touching exudes any sentiments of superiority. It is certainly outside the realm of acceptable social behavior, but that's all I see it as. I would also venture to say that the man who touched her hair was unaware that his gesture would be taken that way, which I think is really the problem. If a person is unaware that they are acting in a "racist" way, does that still make them a racist? or just ignorant?
ReplyDeleteConcerning the "End of 'Ze' World" video, the main purpose was through humor, to inform the world that nuclear war is stupid and potentially dangerous. The video is very popular and I usually watch it out of humor because of the stereotypes and the accent of the narrator. However, when watching it class, I realize that its content is spot on discussing the dangers of nuclear warfare. The rhetorical strategy used was humor and it was very sucessful.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the rent-a-negro.com page. It was humorous and eye-opening at the same time. I think that the main purpose for this piece was to show how ignorant people really are, and to call out people who do things as comparing skin tone and wanting to touch the hair. I believe that the target audience was the young generation who do not know any better. I think that this was meant to be seen by a teen racist white boy who does not even know he is racist in that manner. I think that she meant for someone to open this web page and realize that what they do is wrong and offensive. I think that the author of this web page crafter this around humor, and to me it was really successful.
ReplyDeletePersonally I really liked the youtube videos posted by the president because it shows me that he's trying to connect to the younger generation of Americans and to me that proves he is willing to almost "get down on our level" in order to make that connection with us. Also I really liked the End of the World clip shown in class. One it was really funny and amusing but it also made the purpose of it simple and blatant to where anyone could understand it. That to me makes for a good public statement; something that allows for all of its viewers or listeners to understand it right away.
ReplyDeleteThe Internet based public arguments that I really enjoyed was the You Tube videos by President Obama. This was effective because it creates an informal way for him to speak to Americans on a weekly basis. To me he is on the offensive because instead of holding large press conferences that offer lots of questions he gets to convey his message in a low key setting. The audience he is looking for is obviously young but also he connects with older people as well since You Tube is constantly growing. This also allows for regular people to debate freely and not just political pundits. He also manages to keep the attention of people by keeping the videos to a manageable 4-5 minutes.
ReplyDeleteKyle Smolinsky
After looking at Rent-A-Negro.com, I could not help but laugh at the theme of the site. I believe the reason or purpose the author had for creating this site might be to show how black people have in importance in life. The various examples that show this are the pricing ranges that they have for event rates and what not, and the fact that someone would want to 'rent' a black person. I believe the author's target audience might be just the general public or anyone that she feels would have a sense of humor at the same time while viewing the website.
ReplyDelete