Double Entry Journal #5

Quote:

"This opens the door for usage of sophisticated rhetorical devices to be used via new forms of visual grammar. However, such usage (or representation) can only be applied by political constituencies that have the financial means to pursue such ends. This leads to an under-representation of significant segments of our society." (Schnell, 2008)

Response:

This passage made me think about the seemingly over-representation of young, white, middle to upper class, 14-21 year old boys on YouTube. It may just be me (and the fact that I have an 8 year old boy who seems to gravitate towards those clips), but I am constantly weeding through videos of 15 year old boys taping their video games. They are also creating crazy, sometimes dangerous videos of stunts involving skateboards, ski's, bikes and all other modes of transportation. Sometimes they are creating amazing short videos that are on-par with some of the best storytelling (and, of course, sometimes not). 

My theory about the prevalence of this group is two-fold and interconnected. The first is that boys are attracted to video and media making as an art form in larger numbers due to societal pressures. Two years ago, I taught after school workshops in media-making and had a 2-1 ratio of boys to girls (while I was working for a girl's leadership program to boot). My theory was that media making was a creative outlet that was acceptable for boys in a way that other creative outlets weren't. It's not as universally acceptable for a young man to take up dance, arts & crafts or singing for instance. The second theory relates to the economics: YouTube videos require two things - a video camera, and a computer. These are luxury items that are found primarily in upper and middle class households with disposable income.

Questions

1. How does visual imagery negatively influence the truth in political campaigns and foreign relations? 

 Visual imagery works in subtle ways without words that can act as a trigger for accountability. Political campaigns can portray candidates in situations that are not necessarily accurate portrayals. For example, an image of John Kennedy playing football presented him as a strong, robust, youthful president but he actually suffered from crippling back pain.

2. Can you think of a recent foreign relations incident that may have been related to visual imagery?

 Although not wholly a visual image - I can't not address the anti-Islam film "Innocence of Muslims" that spurred protests in several Muslim countries. The trailer was posted on YouTube, and stirred anti-American uprisings that have resulted in several deaths, including the death of the American ambassador to Libya.  It is difficult to not be outraged by these protests, as an American I know that this film is not a reflection of the beliefs of most Americans. I know it was an amateur film made by someone who did not have the funds or the talent to have this film seen anywhere other than YouTube. I also know that individual creative expression is valued and protected in this country, but I do not have the cultural understanding to know how much of that is conveyed in the countries these protests have occurred.

3. What does Ben Franklin mean by the phrase "Freedom of the press only applies if you have a press." 

 The press are free to print whatever they want, the public is held somewhat captive by what the press decides to print. Those who own a press are free to print what they like.

4. Do you think that the explosion of digital media is akin to giving everyone a press?

 Yes and no. Everyone who has access and the knowledge to create digital media has a press. However, there are still a lot of folks who don't have the skill or the necessary equipment to create digital media.

5. In your opinion, is the potential for more people to create their own media a positive or negative influence on our democratic society?

I think it's a positive influence overall. Creating media is an excellent tool to tell stories that wouldn't otherwise be told. Media is also a creative art (and outlet) that wasn't possible before and that's a positive influence. I am disturbed, of course, by negative media influences on society - the recent anti-Muslim film that spurred anti-American protests in several Muslim countries (including the Libyan protest that resulted in the death of an American Ambassador) gave me pause - however, I believe that for every negative influence, one could point to hundreds of positive examples of DIY media.

6. Is our increasingly visual cultural a good thing or bad thing?

Alone, its a bad thing; paired with education and awareness of the subtle power of visual imagery, it could be a good thing. It could mean a new level of awareness and cultural evolution.

7. What can save us from the tyranny of a visual culture?
Curiosity and questioning. Education, which helps us realize we need to be curious and ask questions. All this leads to knowledge, which can prevent tyranny.

Additional Resource:

http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/02/13-photographs-that-changed-the-world/

A list of 13 famous photographs "that changed the world." This also gives some background information on each photograph, telling a larger story that is different than what you think by looking at the photograph alone.

Sources:

Schnell, J. (2008). Suggestions for Addressing the Increased Emphasis on Visual Imagery over Aural Messages.  Media Psychology Review. Vol. 1(1). Retrieved from http://mprcenter.org/mpr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=36&Itemid=123