We should all be like Captain America.

In the reading this week Klein (2004: 361) suggests, “Hollywood is becoming Asianized in diverse ways, while Asian film industries are in turn becoming Hollywoodized.” In the decade since the publication of this article have Klein’s observations been sustained?

Asia and America are two very different cultures that hold their own unique qualities and characteristics. However, I believe that these two genres of film should not be compared in a competitive nature.

It is clear that Hollywood has adopted Asian concepts, and continued to do so since Klein’s article was published. Nonetheless, my personal opinion on film is that it is an art, as well as entertainment. I say art because, through it you learn new concepts, ideals, perspectives and, in this case, cultures. 

If considered an art by others, film has the potential to be very influential in changing a person’s perspective, and thus I believe that the Hollywoodization of Asia and visa versa is a great method to teach others about different cultures and embrace globalisation.  

Klein believes “While the ability to produce spectacle is precisely what Hollywood desired from Chan, it wanted his unique contributions to enhance – rather than challenge – its established mode of storytelling” (Klein, C 2004), illustrating the positives of adopting and displaying others cultures through film.

Through addressing other cultures in film, and in particular blockbuster films, large audiences can be reached and new opinions can be formed. Film provides a platform in which viewers can learn about different cultures, ideas and outlooks. This denationalisation of film, I believe, holds more positives for society than negatives.

However, to completely contradict myself, I bring it my next point- the negatives. I believe that for every Asianized film in Hollywood there is a film that, for lack of a better term, wreaks Americanisation.

The first film that jumps to mind when thinking of an overtly American film is The Avengers. Putting the whole ‘save the world and putting my nose where it doesn’t belong’ aspect aside, Captain America, obviously, symbolises America, and illustrates what American’s believe they are- diplomats- in an overcompensating way.

The character of Captain America, you may have noticed, is the only character that doesn’t have a weapon, but has a shield. I raise this point, because when thinking of huge Hollywood blockbusters, The Avengers holds all the characteristics of this in the sheer amount of people it can target. Through displaying Captain America as the non-threatening, least violent character they are essentially self-promoting.

I guess my point is that with the Asian concepts that Hollywood have adopted, they do display a knowledge of other cultures and acceptance for these, but they also find a way to reiterate their culture through film too. I believe that since the publishing of Klein’s article Hollywood has still possessed Asian qualities in film, however they have also not shied away from explicitly promoting their own ideals and culture.

But, who am I to say that is a bad thing? Its not, it’s allowed. I guess in a sense, it’s a way of being patriotic in this globalised world.

References

Klein, Christina 2004, ‘Martial arts and globalisation of US and Asian film industries’, Comparative America Studies, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 360-384.

Image source: http://abduzeedo.com/avengers-kickass-wallpapers

Obama v Cyrus

Celebrity: how have celebrities changed in response to the rise of social, digital or mobile media? Consider the broader implications with regards to the ‘specular’ metaphor.

It is Barack Obama’s political campaign in the lead up to the 2009 election that displays true justice to the power social media holds in todays society. 

During his campaign trail, Obama hired 100 extra staff to monitor his social media activity. He targeted the “…technologically savvy Millennial generation of 18-24 year olds”, (Hendricks, J A 2010) and used the Internet “…strategically and dynamically to motivate, involve, and generate enthusiasm among the electorate during the 2008 campaign…” (Hendricks, J A 2010).

Although possibly not considered a ‘celebrity’ in the traditional, commercial sense, he still presents an image of desire. Marshall defines a celebrity as "a particularly powerful and persuasive trope for contemporary culture" (Marshall, D 2013), and Obama possesses both of those characteristics. 
  
Obama’s social media activity throughout his campaign enticed a range of demographics that would not normally vote in an American election, to do just that. He used his identity and what he stood for to gain traction in the election, which subsequently led to his victory. 

If more celebrities used social media to prevail their positive intentions and instil optimistic views, this may permeate throughout society. 

It is the likes of Miley Cyrus that are becoming a detriment to the specular society. Her current profane behaviour contrasted with her role model-like past, is what will leave society negatively affected by celebrity actions delivered through social media.   
 
Miley Cyrus’ disgusting behaviour is attracting more attention than it would have pre- social media. In the act of criticising her, she is only gaining more publicity. The sheer amount of people social media reaches and the prevalence within the young community, means the mirroring of celebrity actions will become more and more of a risk, or alternatively, a positive.  

(Image source: http://www.celebuzz.com)

References 

Marshall, P. David (2013) “Rankings and Reputations: the Proliferation of Lists and the play of Klout”,Persona Studies.13 June 

 

Hendricks, J A (2010). Communicator-In-Chief: How Barack Obama used new media technology to win the White House. United Kingdom: Lexington Books. p.xi-19. 

 

Interactivity and Virtuality

Computer and console games are considered a large portion of ever-changing new media. Developing from television consoles, to hand-held consoles in just my lifetime, it is a fact that gaming will continue developing and evolving in today’s culture.

The entertainment faction for first-world countries is an always emerging and changing industry, effecting society in countless ways. However it is the virtual worlds that have a lasting impression on gamers, which stems to affect the whole of society.

It is due to the virtuality and interactivity aspect of computer games that this industry has the potential to influence the community more so than its counterpart or alternative entertainment medium, film.  

The ability to control what happens in games and also control the endings and results, allows players to get more absorbed and in touch with the virtual world than any other entertainment channel. To contrast other forms of entertainment, gaming allows the player to be ‘active’ in their use, which can sometimes mean players get attached to the game and sense of control it instils.

The control the game allows means “…there is an emancipating and liberating significance of this plurality and loss of reality” (Raessen J, 2005). This loss of reality can be positive and detrimental to society. On one hand, the loss of reality means players can release frustration or anger into the violent games such as Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto. Contrastingly, this loss of reality, can mean players lose a sense of normalcy in reality. It could possibly result in acts of violence or crime in everyday life, due to confusion between fiction and factual reality. This is considered an element of virtuality.

Virtuality can be described as “… a digitally produced reality that can have effects which are comparable with effects of factual reality.” (Raessen J, 2005)

It is for these two reasons, interactivity and virtuality, that age restrictions and careful consideration in the creation of games should be taken. Not to mention the fact that games incurring violence and crime, are more accessible with smartphones and tablets in today’s society.  

References

Raessens, J 2005, ‘Computer games as participatory media culture’, Handbook of computer game studes 2005, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass, pp. 373- 388

Creating a community online

Good office morale and a safe and challenging workplace are key ingredients to a successful business. Through employee blogging this is being increased. Although workplaces may not encourage employee cynicism on online platforms, it is a long-term fix for businesses and their overall success. 

By developing an online space for employees to discuss positives and negatives surrounding their work, it creates a sense of community and alliance within the office, which builds relationships and subsequently morale. 

In Richards and Kosmala ‘In the end, you can only slag people off for so long’, Schoneboom (2007) is cited. He “believes work blogging forums have moved on from being sites for explicit cynical attacks on employers to more settled and organised vocal movements” (Richards, J., and Kosmala, K., 2013), reiterating the positive outcomes of employee blogging. Additionally, the “anonymity afforded by such communication technologies” (Schoneboom, 2007) provides complete openness and truthfulness in these forums, allowing bloggers to give advice and encouragement to others work experiences.

Alongside blogging’s accessibility, the entire E-world offers sustainability to workplaces through the information that can be sourced by employees. Businesses that abide by workplace laws and ethics are more likely to be successful over a longer period. This is because employee job satisfaction and productivity is achieved in workplaces that honour their employee’s rights and needs.

In Moyo’s ‘Digital democracy: enhancing the public sphere’, the endless information provided by the Internet is addressed, “… most of the information online from the media, civic organisations, government, political parties and some international organisations is freely accessible” (Moyo, L 2009). The information that can be obtained by employees through government sites will provide them with an understanding of their rights within a workplace.

This understanding combined with a forum to inform each other of these rights will instil a safer and more enjoyable workplace for all. 

References

Moyo, L 2009, ‘Digital democracy: enhancing the public sphere’ Creeber, G and Martin, R (eds.), Digital Cultures: Understanding New Media, Open University Press, Maidenhead, pp. 139-50

Richards, J., and Kosmala, K., 2013 ‘In the end, you can only slag people off for so long’: employee cynicism through work blogging’, New Technology, Work and Employment, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 68 – 77.

Bring on blogging!

Can the blogosphere act as independent and impartial public sphere? 

The delivery of news has progressed in today’s modern, democratic societies across the globe. Independent sources of news and opinion are springing up in various forms and mediums. The blogosphere, alongside social media sites and public art are just some of the methods of distribution of opinions and views. 

I believe to achieve a complete democratic society freedom of speech and press are a quintessential asset. The rise in public sphere action, in Habermas’ view, will help “achieve a higher level of moral and political maturity, that is, to constitute itself as an open, just and egalitarian community” (Dodd, 1999, p. 110). 

The public sphere’s opinion is by far the most important view in a democratic society. Governments that listen to the community are a legitimate democratic and free union. 

The Australian election is a great example of how the media has influenced its society. In the image above, it can be seen how the Australian community was potentially swayed in voting. The media and its limited ownership are obstructing independent thought and opinion. 

Rupert Murdoch’s media empire illustrated its strong alliance to the Liberal party. Considered to be the Fourth Estate, which is meant to be free of government or market persuasion, clearly displayed a particular political view during the vital federal election. 

This is why I believe that blogging, social media and public art, such as Banksy, can provide a great outlet for independent thought and opinion. Without an authoritarian voice, these platforms can achieve a truly liberal society. Contrastingly major newspapers that possess an obvious political persuasion are not being true to their readers. People turn to newspapers to create their own opinions and for newspapers to provide an impartial view on politics and other issues. However in this economic climate, newspapers are driven by the market and thus are not providing impartial views. 

In my opinion, cyber libertarianism is a powerful and effective way to express free and uncontrolled opinions. It is the next wave of democracy and this can be seen through the recent Egyptian revolution, which was achieved through the use of social media platforms. 

Dodd, N 1999, Social theory and modernity, Polity & Blackwell, Cambridge, UK, pp. 110