My Last Post-My Favorite Media Personnel Today

Well, this is it... my last blog post regarding the new media for this new media course.

And since I've provided research, insight, and discourse, I chose to end blogging about something related to my specific role in the media currently; I explore my own personal list of my top 5 favorite media editorialists today, in no specific order.

1. Anderson Cooper : CNN 

Because he goes above and beyond political honesty.

2. Dylan Byers : Politico 

Because he baffles people by his immediate tweets and scoops at all hours.

3. Emily Smith : New York Post

Because her celebrity gossip focus is interesting and pertains to my interests of getting involved in the film field.

4. David Carr : New York Times

Because his opinions are respected enough to be deemed as "news."

5. Jim Romenesko : Blogger

Because I'm a blogger and look up to the extreme success of those that were able to make a career, a famous career nonetheless, out of blogging.

The Dark Side Depicted of Today's Disney Princesses

Now that I've blogged twice regarding blogs themselves, I'm dying to explore Alexandro Palombo, the blogger I've mentioned, and all his artwork.

I mentioned he rendered pop-art images to depict Disney princesses as acid-attacked Pakistan women who denied arranged marriages.  I didn't touch up on how many other Disney princess pictures he's created portraying alternate societal affairs.

Here are some of my favorites:

1. Acid attack survivors:

2. Breast cancer survivors:

3. Those handicapped/disabled:

4. Domestic violence:

5. Bullying

I can't express how much I love these photos.  I am a Disney fanatic, however, I've never come close to finding professional works as not only fascinating but as powerful as these.  This is the first writer, blogger, that I've fawned over and looked up to for guidance in conveying messages in a much more clever way that is unlike all the others-to, better critically think and see, thus expose, a much deeper side to what I'm discussing.  Since I am a Disney expert, I take deep note of how effective employing these princesses is when getting a point across.  They're rendered to represent even the most beautiful women iconized throughout the span of a substantial portion of society's childhood until now--depicting them as survivors and victims of some of today's most tragic stories.  This makes these princesses and their fairy-tale happy endings in an entirely new, not to mention powerfully saddening, perspective.  Unavoidably heart breaking or not, this is what it takes to retain viewers' interest and more importantly, their interpretation-for they can make their own sense of the issue and will increase their chances of getting further involved.

The breast cancer, acid attack, and handicapped princess art conveys physical beauty, in which the images render even those with physical illnesses and disabilities as princesses.  That, no matter the flaw, all women should be treated and looked at as high on the spectrum of a Disney princess.  Even more, they should be treated so because people just never know the real story behind their physical appearance-and I like to believe if you're human and you knew why, you'd never think otherwise of their princess characteristics.

The domestic violence princess/prince art conveys similar to the mentioned images--being to represent women with physical faults due to previous experiences; though, this conveys something deeper.  While it's Palombo's way of standing up for these women--depicting them once again as princesses that deserve proper treatment--it's also a way of standing up to them.  And by standing up to them, I mean giving them a wake-up call... that they are princesses and deserve to be treated like one.  Not to mention the notion that it looks just as devastating to see them in pain as it does these princesses.

The stop bullying princess art is the most powerful, and shocking, of all.  How could it not?  It's rendering our emblematic princesses as committing suicide.  Considered shocking or not, its devastating nature resembles exceptional authenticity.  It's the truth that needs to be heard.  These princesses, despite all their beauty and glory, are still unhappy-so much as so to want to end their lives.  The message is penetrating, and tremendously reflective: 

Bullying is serious, and needs to be brought greater awareness.

Over one million people die by suicide each year.

On average, one person dies by suicide every 40 seconds.

Global suicide rates have increased 60%.

Not only bullying but his other images as well represent Palombo's ability to boast his wretched posts due to the advantages and leeway writers are granted in blogging.  Bloggers are allowed to discuss their own interpretations of issues that either would be deemed inappropriate or would not be even brought up to start. 

I don't understand why Palombo's work isn't everywhere.  Alexsandro Palombo, my favorite blogger.

Why I Don't Care for Fashion Blogs, but why These Bloggers are Smart

Okay-I realize I've elucidated extensively my ardent appreciation of blogging.

I didn't, however, elucidate that I don't care for each and every style of blogging.

In fact, I dislike fashion blogging and all its measures.

Aside from the fact that I have no fashion sense (yes, I'm not afraid to admit it) and care so little about clothing and the way I dress, I perceive blogging as a way of freelance writing--of exploring and commenting on a wide array of issues. I don't perceive it as merely myriads of images that express ideas; I feel as though it diminishes us bloggers that are attempting to validate our credibility with discussing the more serious matters today.

Fashion blogging on Instagram

With all that being said, I take note of the fashion bloggers that are actual designers and have actual motive to blog.  I also take note of my proclamations that speak on behalf of blogging innovation.  Considering this, I reason with these bloggers and understand their purpose, though I find it's contrary to many alternative innovative means to blogging.

Needless to say, fashion bloggers are being smart-they're taking their business elsewhere and leaning towards a more prevalent Instagram presence.  I do believe these fashionistas are recognizing where blogging is going, and where Instagram has gone-that, in comparison to blogging, Instagram has given them the ability to solely post their fashion without entailing a lengthier descriptive caption.

Instagram should be the future of fashion posting, for it exemplifies the true depiction of fashion blogging-to enlighten fashion lovers with photos of clothes they would look best in as well as would buy.  Even more, Instagram is much more viewed and employed-fashion bloggers have a much higher change of gaining followers and advocates if they utilize this platform instead.

Blogging, the "Soul of the Internet"

Media scholar, Stephen Coleman, makes reference to blogging as the "soul of the Internet," in which he feels its has created an individualistic presence when utilizing the Internet. 

Originally made to annotate online information beginning in the year 1997, people today have a say, employing blogs as means of relaying information and research in a diary, journal-like manner.  Regardless of insufficient professional and journalistic background, their opinions are both heard and encouraged.

Blogs are a good illustration of:

1. Profile and friendship building

2. Business and innovative promotion

3. Educational improvement

4. Political and civil awareness

Opposing critics dispute these notions, denouncing blogging as rather an invasion of privacy, a violation to traditional advertising and commercialization, a further creator of this generation's cultivated downfall, and too greatly changing the game of politics. 

Bloggers don't reveal anything they don't want online; they reveal private information they want read, becoming tremendously personal with issues such as relationships in order to induce a more conversational approach to exploring societal issues.  Therefore, critics subjecting blogging as lacking privacy are false, for bloggers don't mind if they have "personal information floating publicly on a networked environment," according to intellectual Ferdinand Viegas.  

Bloggers grant professional advantages such as for business and innovative careers.  Businesses can read up on the opinions of their own products and services, as well as the opinions about their competitors.  It's a clever way of finding out truth, for simple commentary pieces such as these that need not be objective are a constructive way of hearing day to day discourse regarding their business.  Hence, when critics allege blogging as contrary to tradition, they're right, but wrong to perceive it negative, for the proof is in the pudding.  Blogging is prospering; orthodox means are not. 

Blogging has sparked debate in the classroom-could it be used for scholarly purposes or not?  I think yes.  Critics are suggesting that by allowing blogging, teachers and students, as well as just the students themselves, can converse about topics in a more unique and interesting way-in which homework would not be so dreadful because they're merely having conversation on their feelings, rather than memorizing and learning factual knowledge.  Whereas critics feel blogging is another source of research and reading diminution of today's generation, others believe it makes students formulate their own opinions on curriculum, and remembering functions easier because they associate their standpoint to the information to be known.  Because they're forced to sit down and blog, they're inevitably forced to sit down, read and then write.  Even more, it precipitates a more intimate teacher-student relationship, in which the more humane approach to viewing one another as more than just teacher and student generates greater success in school.  Teachers make all the difference in the world, and blogging is a positive step to getting their influence more prominent.

Bloggers have increased political and civil awareness, by making information more fascinating in comparison to the solemn methodologies of endeavoring to raise familiarity among these topics.  Bloggers such as Alexsandro Palombo illustrate unique techniques in getting points across that are often overlooked in the midst of all of society's clamor; he depicts through pop-art Disney princesses as Pakistan women who survived acid attacks, as their faces are rendered demented and twisted to look like the women that lose their beautiful face.  It's blogs such as these that raise the most effective awareness, because who cares if it's Disney princesses?--If anything, the idea is more evident because it's so iconic and relative that anyone can interpret the true meaning behind his images.  So yes, critics, they may be changing the game of politics, but in a way that is beneficial to society... a whole lot more beneficial than what's already been and being done.

I'm rooting for BuzzFeed! Who's with me?

I can’t help but discuss the alleged Facebook ‘news’ source that has been the cause of some of the most controversial Facebook debate today-BuzzFeed.

The majority of critics stand unsatisfied, perceiving this platform as excessively opinionated and an example of false or phony journalism.

And this lack of satisfaction has initiated a change, in which “after intense criticism, BuzzFeed backed down on the deletion of posts with ‘personal opinion’ in them,” according to Jay Rosen.

See, this is good.  This means that BuzzFeed has hope. 

I should have clarified my standpoint.

I like BuzzFeed.  I think there’s something to be said for its silliness, even sometimes pointlessness.

We’re a generation of relativity. 

The youth like reading and exploring works that stray from the overly solemn matters that have embodied society for far too long-we’re sick of reading pieces that evidently had to follow strict writing and ethical guidelines.  They welcome works that explore matters more pertinent to them and their personal lives, regardless of the insufficient professionalism.

That being said, I perceive BuzzFeed backing down as them working to be as best as they can be, so that critics won’t prevail in a complete BuzzFeed take down.

Ben Smith states, “We obviously need to do a better job of giving guidance to writers and editors on the place of personal opinion on the site.  That’s an ongoing conversation in which we’d love your input…”  Both the fact that they cognize their faults and listen as well as accept outside input reveals their willingness to be better-that, if what’s disputed is fixed, they can finally gain the positive reputation they desire.

So I’m rooting for BuzzFeed.  Who’s with me?

Why Campaign Coverage Doesn't Serve us Well

Finally!  Finally I am interested with something involved with the political media.

And yes, it's because of yet again, who I'm virtually stalking... Jay Rosen!

He recently posted a tweet linking users to his article and stating, "My new post tries to explain why the campaign coverage you're seeing now doesn't serve you well."

I couldn't agree more.  He explains that reporters today are failing to provide adequate interviews and questions that give us a true, profound understanding of the standpoints and plans of today's governmental candidates.

Even more, critics are suggesting that Reddit can be equally, if not more, effective than actual media professionals, for random individuals can just as easily formulate questions and conversations--if anything, better.  We're uninterested... because we have no reason to be interested.  No wonder politics are so hard to believe and trust.

Tampa Bay, Ironically, Makes Chicago Stand Proud

With the extent of uproar the Blackhawks have provoked, instilled within the people of Chicago, it’s no surprise the media’s placed exceptional attention on all the clamor-as today’s journalists, broadcasters, bloggers, critics, and more long to being the first, and leading, media personnel to get involved in the most recent and hottest issues occurring today.

Patrick Sharp, my mother's "Sharpie"

Well, not me.  Beginning my career as a blogger of Chicago, my mother being the vehement Blackhawks devotee she is, would habitually plead for a post related to the Blackhawks, for she is committed to the dream of one day meeting her beloved Patrick Sharp, or as she calls him… her “Sharpie.”  She’s a woman of faith, exceptional faith in me, and is so strongly hoping enough Blackhawks blogs by me will grant her face-to-face interaction with Sharpie. 

I politely negated her requests, as I not only am not the biggest hockey fan, but I was certain everything had already been covered and discussed, and my work would resemble redundancy and lack uniqueness.  Though, my mother’s not the only Blackhawks fan of tremendous passion; in fact, her level of fervency probably stands insignificant in comparison to several others.  The Blackhawks have generated great success throughout recent years--winning the Stanley Cup twice in the last five years and going for their third championship this 2015--so it’s reasonable to deem this team as a cause of remarkable devoutness among the people of Chicago. 

With all that being said, this week finally ignited the need to write about the Blackhawks that my mother so desperately implored-and my chief reasoning for writing lies in my mother and her zealous devotion to supporting them. 

My reasoning derived earlier this week when finding that the Tampa Bay Lightning set both fan gear and ticket purchase restrictions on certain sections of the arena and for any fans outside of Florida zip codes.  Hence, I may not be a specialist on Blackhawks and hockey overall, but I do, however, love my mother deeply and take note of her passionate interests.  Therefore, I imagine my mother as if receiving the astounding chance to witness a Stanley Cup final in one of the seats they prohibited, in which the opposing team denies her utmost experience, leaving her slightly disappointed and frustrated-though would never outwardly show it because she’s far too optimistic and rarely exhibits fear, sadness, etc.  She doesn’t show it because she’s fixated on being the strong, kept-together woman she conveys, though that’s what irritates my inmost anger, for this theoretically should be the one occasion she need not come anything close than the opposite of strong and kept-together.  The same goes for all Blackhawks fans, including those restricted this Wednesday. 

I’m outraged, honestly.  However, I’m mostly proud. 

I’m outraged because having no affiliation and holding much ignorance to the rules of professional sports, I’m finding it so difficult to believe such restrictions aren’t considered illegal.  Forbidding outside fans, disallowing certain apparel?  This seems nothing less than that of an invasion of privacy, a violation to discriminatory laws.

I’m outraged because it appears discourteous and selfish, as I’m perplexed as to how a team could exclude even diminutively the pure, exceeding amusement fans get out of live hockey games, a Stanley Cup final nonetheless.  And for what-to increase the chances of winning?  That, with less Blackhawks fans, they’ll be what… less distracted?  Well, Lightning, less distracted or not, you made me very proud… proud to be a member of the Chicago Blackhawks family.

And I’m proud because these restrictions… They say something about Chicago; they say something about the Chicago Blackhawks, and they say something about the Chicago Blackhawks’ fan base. 

They reveal Chicago’s both historical and present foundation of successful professional athletics.  They reveal the Chicago Blackhawks’ fruitfulness, as even outsiders have even become intrinsically aware of the incomparable gratitude fans feel regarding the talent and personal character of the players; it reveals the intimidation they strike in opponents, as teams are willing to even eliminate just sections of support in order to potentially diminish the capacity of the players… which leads me to the revelation of the Blackhawks’ fan base.  Aside from revealing that our fans are evidently perceived as excessively more ardent and prevalent than customary, the mere fact that they only prohibited sections, rather than the full arena, reveals that the Blackhawks’ fan base has become so renowned for their affectivity, that the Lightning’s satisfied with keeping some parts of the arena free of Blackhawks apparel restrictions; but God forbid it be all.  These restrictions reveal that Chicago and the city’s Blackhawks have induced bewilderment among outsiders… Why are they not even so much so gifted but rather, why is their work ethic so consistent and hardworking-what’s the source?  I don’t deny the talent of other hockey teams including the Lightning; I shouldn’t being the hockey foreigner I remain, though I can’t help my biasness when I am a Blackhawks-surrounded inhabitant and the farthest from a Chicago foreigner.  Nevertheless, irrespectively of the alternate prosperous professionals and history of hockey I know nothing of, I do know something about our players from the talk of the media alone-and that’s that the Blackhawks are good, and teams recognize that.

So, I elucidated the origin of my motive to blog-though I chose to prolong the start of my writing because I had one more thing to do.  I had to see who won. 

I realize we’ve still got some games left, and I’m too superstitious to speak on behalf of how well they played to get us a win; I am here to say, however, that we DID win, less fans in the crowd or not.  Whether the live action of boundless exhilaration contributes to the Blackhawks’ success doesn’t matter-they’re going to play for their supporters regardless.  Fans present or not, our players still fully cognize and accept our desire for championships; they appreciate our desire to both see them win as well as hear their viewpoints and feelings concerning the game.  Conversely, the quantity and appearance of fans may have just been enough, and in that case, whether the exhilaration is boundless or not doesn’t matter, for solely a handful of Blackhawks fans can grant the city justice. 

Needless to say, no matter the final outcome, we did get one win, and it was a win attained no matter the Lightning restrictions.

I’m honored to be a part of city that’s subjected to such restrictions.  And I may be honored to be part of a city embodying an imposing sport establishment, though I’m even more honored to be part of a city embodying such a striking fan base; for it represents something greater than purely the city’s athletic ability, but the undying pride that depicts Chicago. 

So let’s go Chicago Blackhawks and let’s go fans!  Let’s encourage those wins that stimulate fear within our opposition.