Week 14

Monday 11-16

So now that we have discussed the word, the image, and sound, it is only natural that we next discussed video and television. We started this talk with a historical look at important television events such as "All in the Family", Nixon's "Checkers" Speech, Kennedy vs Nixon Debate, OJ Simpson car chase, and 9-11,

In all these instances, television gave the public something they had never seen before. All in the Family deflated cultural backgrounds using satire and over the top comedy. In terms of politics, it put a personality with the candidates. No longer could you become president of this country unless you were personable, likable, and charismatic. OJ gave us the ability to become obsessed with instant news and reality TV. The coverage of 9-11 galvanized attitudes of patriotism and created sympathy for the US all over the world.

Wednesday 11-18

For the next two classes we watched a video titled, "The Cutting Edge". This film brought to light the impact of the editor on the film industry. They labeled this character as the unsung hero behind the world of film and video.

The one quote i most took away from the first half of this film is "wouldn't you like to edit your own life?" It is a bizarre concept that really requires some reflection. the process of editing really does have that power. In film, the editor has the power to play god, to emphasize whatever they want, to make people feel whatever they want them to feel. It is a power that I'm sure, only people of the profession could properly understand.

Friday 11-20

The second half of this video focused on the responsibility of the editor. They must focus on the emotional response of the film by separating the scenes and disassociating from the direction of the film.

In this sense it must be extremely difficult to do what they do. Emphasized in this portion was the notion that it is just as important to know when not to cut as it is to know when to cut. Without the editing that we see today, there is no way films could be as persuasive, as emotional, and as powerful as they have become.


Readings

"Open Source as a Model for business is Elusive"- According to this article there is only one real successful open source company that exists today. And then why is it that this one company did not cash in on their opportunity to monopolize the opensource network? Well that's a complicated issue, but Red Hat certainly had the opportunity, and did not react fast enough before they could not keep up with the bidding wars of the larger companies.

It is an unfortunate truth of business, but it is most certainly a truth. Open Source cannot dominate the market like a major corporation can. It is simple economics.


"The Fall and Rise of Media"- The message throughout this article has exemplified a main theme that we have discussed continuous times throughout class and in my CMJ classes as well. The idea that journalism as a whole is a dying breed is one that is not only realistic but down right horrifyingly apparent.

Many of my professors in CMJ have since stressed the importance of being diverse in our talents. this is actually one of the main reasons why i have branched out to the field of new media here in my senior year. I do not want to get stuck behind saying what if. I want to be the one who makes decisions for myself.

"Free Speech and the Internet. Wikipedia Runs Afoul of German Legal System"- I am split on my feelings in this argument. On one side, the freedom of speech means a freedom of speech. We should have every right to print whatever it is we feel fit as long as it falls within the boundaries of our journalistic code of ethics.

And this story most certainly would.

But on the other side of the debate I can see how future publications of their names relating to the crimes could and would result in unwarranted and unfair punishment.

To this end I could also argue the point that these two men waived their rights to this privilege upon the slaying of another man's life.

As a student involved in the mainstream media, I would have to say I, above all else, will fight to protect the liberty of free speech.