My last entry.

    This is my last entry for COM101 portfolio assignment. Firstly, I would like to thank our instructor Hui Kam Lin, for giving the opportunity to experience something new – blogging. It was a pleasant experience for me, because I could write everything what was on my mind, and could apply all the theories which I learned during the lectures.

In my opinion, it is a very good way of teaching and I enjoyed it.

Thank you

Globalisation of mass media

     After the collapse of communism in the former Sovet Union (nowadays simply Russia) there has been a growing demand for domestic and entertainment and news programming.

I can remember this period very clearly, even though I was only a child ( I was born in 1989, and the Sovet Union collapses exactly in this period). It was a very sad period, because during the Sovet Union time media production industry was developing very fast; however, after 1990 everything collapsed, and my country stop to produce its media products. It was a shock, because we lost a part of our culture, and we were forced to follow Western culture.

From my childhood I remember all the Disney cartoons; moreover, they are very popular nowadays. It is known as globalisation of Mass Media. When media companies attempt to acquire a larger share of a profits available in the international market. In this case USA is a leader, it has spread its roots all over the world. The Disney cartoons are translated in all different languages; moreover, nowadays American Idol is extremely popular, so to follow the success of this show many countries have bought the licence to host the same show, but with different title like French Idol, in Russia it is A star factory. We can see that it is a global phenomenon.

However, not only the Disney cartoons are popular all over the world, but also the former Sovet Union cartoon Cheburashka had interested the Asian countries like Japan, China; moreover, this cartoon became very popular in recent years. Japan started to produce the Cheburashka toys. There is a fragment of the cartoon, which was translated in Japanese.

But what stops other Russian products from coming into international level? Although Russia is a fast changing region over the last decades; however, it is not considered a major market for global television programme export industry. And there is reasons for it.

Firstly, the difference of the cultural background. As we know culture is unique, it is learned and passed down from generation to generation. That is why if you are not familiar with a culture it will be difficult for you to understand the media product. The same problem with the globalisation of media products in Asia. The Asian culture is very unique, and western people are not familiar with it. There is a lack of knowledge of other cultures except of the Western.

Second barrier of media globalisation is a language. Nowadays English is an international language and everybody is comfortable with it. And people are very lazy to study other languages; moreover, Russian language is very difficult. During the translation of the language some main points can be lost or interpreted wrongly.

Next, is the government restrictions. There can be a lot of international media products flowing into one country, that is why the government of that country had to be very careful in choosing the media products. They had to admit the media hegemony, when media represent the views of the powerful elite. As a result, the government had to restrict  the amount of international media products.

Mass media is a part of our life =)

Our perception is influenced a lot by all the TV programs and shows, Hollywood movies and Chinese drama. Mass media is an essential part of our daily life. A script of an usual morning in an ordinary American family. Daddy wakes up, and the first thing which he does is, he reads a newspaper with a cup of freshly brewed coffee, at the same time, his wife if preparing a breakfast for him, while she is watching TV. It is my prototype of a typical American ( actually, not only American, I think this script can be applied for many countries) morning.

Nowadays, we cannot imagine our lives without grasping fresh news in the morning. Everyday I get a Today newspaper and look through it during my trip to school.

What is the function of mass media in this cases? I think it is surveilance. All people read daily newspapers in order to know all the news. However, there is other media functions: correlation, which means the analysis and evaluation of information. Cultural transmission, or education and socialisation. It means that media not only inform us about news and events, but also it socialize us- receivers. A good example, after you watched a Sunday movie or a famous drama, you can discuss it with your friends. Or if you do not know how to spend a time with your relatives, you can watch TV together, and after discuss the main characters or something you did not like in the show. Finally, the last function is entertainment. The media offer us – media consumers an escape from the problems of everyday life. Media provide enjoyment and gratification, help us to relax. Nowadays, American idol became extremely famous; however, there is one phenomenon known as globalisation of mass media.

This an example of media globalisation; an international development strategy. As you can see this episode is from French idol =))

Now I want you to watch this:

As you can see it is a short episode from Alfred Hitchcock’s psychological thriller Psycho. In this case the function of media is entertainment; however, I would like to discuss not functions, but the media communication theories, and to decide which theory can be applied yo this video.

The first theory is powerful effect theory, it was popular in 20s/30s, and after the WWII. it is also known as magic bullet or a hypodermic needle. And the main idea of it is, that the mass media is influential, and audience is passive. In my opinion, this theory cannot be applied in this case, the reason is very simple: you just can simply turn of the TV or change the channel, if you do not want to watch this show.

The second theory is exactly the opposite of powerful effect theory – it is limited effects theory. Audiences are active with the ability to resist the messages – the main point of this theory. Also, audience members interpret messages according to their own preexisting beliefs and use the media message in a unique way. This theory has its limitations; in fact, we are not that powerful to resit the media.
The third theory is moderate effect models. Basically it states that, the ability of the media to influence its audience remains; however, if we do not want it, we still can resist it. I think this theory can be applied to the certain extend.

Next, is agenda setting function. It refers to the media’s ability, through repeated news coverage, to raise the importance of the issue. I think, this theory is far from our video; however, it can be applied to the recent news: the escape of the Malaysian terrorist from the detention centre. You can see the sheets with his face everywhere; in all institutions, buses, MRT.

Ok, the fifth theory is media hegemony. Media is represent the views of the powerful elite…. I think in this case it is not this theory. It is just an entertainment movie, there is no hidden political or economical issue, no criticism towards the powerful elite.

Media determinism – “The medium is the message”. I think this theory cannot be more applied in this case. The main point of it – people judge how well company is doing by their advertisement.

Spiral of silence. I think this theory can be applied, because the main point of it is, that the decision to speak is influenced by changes in public opinion. If you are only the one in your family who does not want to watch Psycho, I think you’d better to remain silent and just watch it, because all other members are enjoying the show.

Finally, the cultivation theory. This one is a very interesting for me. It says “message in media do not influence audiences attitudes directly but, cultivated indirectly”.

Actually, I chose this video, because I had a personal experience connected with it, and the consequences can be explained by the cultivated theory. When I was about 5 or 6 years old I accidentally saw an episode from this movie, when a girl in a shower was stubbed with a knife, and after this I was afraid to take shower when I was alone at home! I know it sounds ridiculous; however, it is so. Cultivation theory explains it in term of mean world hypothesis. In other words, the view that the world is much more dangerous place than it is actually is.

P.S. be careful watching psychological thrillers! CHEERS

Coming: Interactive TV

I was flipping through the Today newspaper and came across this article (Please click the article link). My first thought was “Oh man, I am so lucky, it is exactly what I need for my blog entry”.

Actually, it has interested me not only because I had to do the entry, but also, because I can apply a new knowledge gained during the recent COM 101 lecture about Media Globalisation.

Personally I find this topic very interesting, because media became an essential part of our lives, and it is something very new to be familiar with all the methods of media globalisation and factors for media globalisation.

Singapore is a dynamic country, and it is developing so fast, that is why when I read this article I was not surprised at all.

In the process of globalization of mass media products, world trade in television programming has been one of the largest and fastest growing businesses compared to other media products. There is two contributing factors: expansion and privatisation of broadcast systems and fast development and wide adoption of new communication technologies (later NCT).

Singapore government tries to come out with a new ideas, in order to be the first in Asian media market. Moreover, to become first in the world media market; however, it is impossible nowadays, because US media industry is the most important participant in the global mass media industry. It is a biggest exporter of mass media products internationally, and the smallest importer of commercial television programming.

However, in September, Singaporeans could be the first in the world to interact in real time with a programme on their TV of computer.

Before that, the introduction of cable and other multi – channel video technologies have yield strong effects on globalisation of media products throughout the world. And this is a new step in globalisation. The new service of interactive TV will initially have more than 10 channels focusing on the three genres of knowledge, lifestyle and culture.

Bad influence of your friends?

      Our mid-term exam had finished; however, there is much more to go ;))

      The article, which was given on our exam was very interesting and made me think about social problems in my country.

     Whereas in Japan people prefer to withdraw themselves from the society, completely isolating themselves, in Russia teenagers prefer to group with each other. Different countries, different cultures; therefore, different perceptions and the ways of self expression.

    

    Group communication is something that we are experiencing every day; not only as a group project meeting, but also going out with the friends.

    Group is a collection of individuals who, as a result interacting with one another over time, become interdependent, developing shared patterns of behaviour and a collective identity.

     However, group influence is not always positive; for example, in Russia. You can often hear from your parents or friends ”It is all a bad influence of his friends”. The main point is – sometimes group communication can have a bad influence on a person, changing his or her perceptions in a negative way.

     Nowadays it is very common in my country that both parents in one family are hard working, in order to get money for living; as a result, they are not able to pay enough attention to their children nurture. Consequently, friends replace parents.

    While parents are busy and spend a lot of the time working, children do not care about the school, and most of the time spend smoking or drinking. In fact, I can say that the average age when a child tries a cigarette is about 8 – 10 years. I know, this is horrible. However, it is all influence of more “mature” friends.

    In my opinion such group communication is a social disorder. When you can see drunk teenager everyday, who are skipping their school.

     The main reason for group communication is  the  three basic interpersonal needs.

    Need for inclusion

    Need for control

    Need for affection

     When parent are not able to give enough attention and love we start to look for it from our friends. That is why teenagers in order go get affection from others can do crazy things. In order to look cool in front of the friends teenagers can try to impress them in all different ways. For example, try smoking illegal substances; first, it can be marijuana; however, later it can end with heroin.

    Because of the lack of control from parent and government, teenage crime is well developed in my country. I think that it is all need for control, which force children to do something, in order to look different from others and to become a leader in the company. For example, “I can steal her valet, but you do not have enough courage, that is why I will become your leader”.

    The influence of a bad company is something that can change your live negatively. Firstly, you need to look and think carefully duing the evaluation procces or group socialisation, whether this group of people is suitable for you and  does they meet your interpersonal needs.

         

True facts about relationship between men and women

              Men/women

1. A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.

A successful woman is one who can find such a man.

2. Men wake up as good-looking as when they went to bed.

Women somehow deteriorate during the night.

3. A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he wants .

A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn’t want. 

 4. A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn’t.

A man marries a woman expecting that she won’t change, and she does.

5. There are two times when a man doesn’t understand a woman- before and after marriage . 

6. A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.

A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.

7. To be happy with a man, you must understand him a lot and love him a little.

To be happy with a woman, you must love her a lot and not try to understand her at all. 

8. Any married man should forget his mistakes.

There’s no use in two people remembering the same thing!

9. A woman has the last word in any argument.

Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.

10.Women look at a wedding as the beginning of romance, while men look at a wedding as the ending of romance.

     When you read this entry how many concepts of interpersonal relationships you could apply?  In my opinion all this entries can be used for a diffrent concepts. Like DeFleur’s framework of three processes in relationships:

1. Engagement (first contact to richer interpersonal contact)

2. Management ( use of communication to maintain the relationship)

3. Disengagement ( dissolution of therelationship)

    I hope you can figure it out which entry for each stage. =)))

   

Criticism

     Interpersonal communication plays an essential role in our life. The ways how YOU communicate with other people can be different, depending on the attitude towards that person. You have a different and unique relationship due to the mindset adopted during the interaction. It is called social – cognitive orientation; however, communication is an essential part of the relationships we have with others.

    Without communication it would be impossible to develop, maintain, or strengthen relationships. Communication is the fundamental relational process. 

     All communication is based on language; however, have you ever noticed that you can ‘kill’ a person with only ONE word? It is known as critics. But do we need to criticise people?

     In my opinion criticism is futile,because it puts a person on the defensive and usually makes him strive to justify himself.

     When somebody is trying to accuse you, your natural reaction will be to defend yourself, because in your opinion you are sure that you have not done anything wrongly

 Criticism is dangerous, because it wounds a person’s precious pride, hurts his senses of importance, and arouses resentment.

     It was proved through the experiments that an animal rewarded for good behaviour will learn much more rapidly and retain what it learns far more effectively than an animal punished for bad behaviour. later studies have shown that the same applies to humans. By criticizing, we do not make lasting changes and often incur resentment.

      There we are; humans nature in action, wrongdoers, blaming everybody but themselves. We are all like that. And nobody can change us.

      When we are dealing with people, let us remember we are not dealing with creatures of logic. We are dealing with creatures of emotions, creatures bristling with prejudices and motivated by pride and vanity.

      Instead of condemning people, let’s try to understand them. Let’s try to figure out why they do what they do. That’s more profitable and intriguing than criticism; and it breeds sympathy, tolerance and kindness. “To know all is to forgive all.”

     It is the main aspect of almost all successful people; they never criticise people openly. In my opinion it will be easier to maintain the relationship without criticizing the other party.

     Do not forget the main rule of successful relationships ‘do not critisize’.

     CHEERS

Listen the truth about the rap music =)

    

     Verbal communication, in other words, the use of language and words is the main thing that makes us – humans different from animals.

     We use words to express our opinion or judgment, our agreement or lack of thereof. Whatever the context or purpose though, when we want to express something, or share it with other people directly, we tend to rely on words.

     All these is theory, I am sure that you all familiar with verbal communication. It is a pert of our life. And I am sure that you know, that we are significantly affected by the words of others. They can influence our ideas, our feelings, and our relationship. We make judgements of other people based on their use of language, just as they do about us. Therefore, if you are among your friends the way you communicate might be different from the way you speak with your parents.

     However, our language is not perfect. There is also challenges presented by verbal communication. The issue which I am concerned about is slang. Slang generally refers to transitory, informal words that are characteristic of ( or meaningful to) a particular group, they are mostly used in informal situations. That is what I meant, saying that the ways you communicate with your friends and parents might be different.

    For a long time I was searching for an appropriate video for my entry. I want to discuss the American slang, that is why I posted a speech of an American famous comic actor. If you are going to watch it, you will understand what I mean under the American slang.

    Personally I find it is very difficult to understand this video; even though, he is speaking English, some of the word expressions I cannot understand. That is why I cannot understand the meaning of his jokes. 

     When you hear two American teenagers speaking, you may understand the main point; however, the rest will be a problem, unless you are familiar with American slang.

    I thing that this issue is a big challenge for a proper communication. So how we can avoid it?

    It is so strange when people, who are speaking one language cannot understand each other, even parents sometimes misunderstand their children.

    Slang is something very common in each country. Russian Language is so difficult to study, because of all grammar rules. Furthermore, slang makes it almost impossible for non native speak to understand it.

    It is a point. You are studying the language, Russian for example. Than you come to Russia to practice your skills, and what? You are shocked, because you are not able to understand most of the words. Nobody is using classical language nowadays, we are so get used to slang.

    So what can we do? In my opinion it is important to be flexible, and to engage in perceptive checking. Always ask the meaning of the unknown word, even if you think that you will look like a fool. However, bypassing is not a solution, better to check the meaning, before you are really make yourself like a fool, because of misunderstanding.

A good example of nonverbal communication)

What impression this commercial made on you? Do you think that after watching it women will rush to the nearest shop to buy this brand of penuts? Personally, for me this commercial is not only an entertainment ( can you admit that it is damn funny?)  but also a good example of nonverbal communication.

Firstly, you can say much about the music.“You just too good to be true, Ican’t take my eyes off you…”, it is an abstract from the song.  I think when MANIC STREET PREACHERS sang this song they did not imagine a girl like this ) (but it is personally my opinion). Even me when I first heard the song I thought about a beautiful, tall model, with a perfect body. This it my prototype of a girl who is like ‘heaven to touch’.  So the song in some way contradicts the commercial, making it more funny and interesting.

 Have you noticed how all that guys looked on this girl with admiration? Like she is perfect, the most beautiful girl they have ever seen, so that they can immediately fall in love wit her) And it is the main question. WHY they paid her so much attention? Is she special? In real life, I can say, you never can notice such a phenomenal.

 Finally, you realise that her secret was a smell of peanuts. She prefers to use them not a fashionable fragrance from a very expensive brand. And she is successful, you can see it from how all males reacted on her) Their face expressions and emotions. Even one poor fellow on the bicycle had not noticed that car in front of him had stopped)

A commercials like this make you smile)

Ford commercial.

When I first saw this commercial it immediately caught my attention; even though I did not know what it is advertising, did not know the brand advertised. However it had attracted me and I wanted to watch it until the end. Why? What is special about this commercial? After analysing it I understood what arose my attention.

 First thing was music. Actually, it was not music but sounds: the police car siren, also you can hear the acceleration of the car. So you can imagine the speed. You can hear the brakes when car is turning. For me this sounds always associate with risk and danger.

 The next thought was: ’Ohh this guy must be cool, he is speeding in the city area, and trying to escape from cops…’. I became more and more interested in the ending. What was my surprise to see that the driver of the car was a policeman, instead of a cool guy?

 Now what is your prototype of an American policeman? In my opinion they are honest, noble and everybody had to follow them, and you cannot say anything against them. So ,now, what made an ‘honest’ policemen to break the rules and to ’steal’ the car? 

 From their excitement you can see how they enjoying their ’hard work day’. Emotions can tell everything. Like children change their places in this game pursuing each other.  In this case nonverbal cues communicate emotions.

  Poor guy, we can see how he is disappointed. His voice and mimics shows that he is very much surprised by policemen childish behaviour.

I think that the main idea of this commercial was to show that this car is worth of breaking the rules. It has everything what we perceive a good car: design, speed. Even policemen cannot resist it.

And what do you think about this commercial? Had it interested you? What do you feel after watching it?

Do you want to get this car?

In my opinion in this commercial a lot of nonverbal cues, and the examples are very clear:

1. Paralinguistics – the way how policmen talk with each other, the pitch and the rate of speech

2. Objectics -the empty streets of the city

3. Oculesic - very sad eyes of a poor guy

Enjoy the commercial )) 

Cheers