Author Archives: Sophia Ahrens

Reading Summary This chapter by Anderson summarizes the evolution of society concerning cultures and beliefs. He explains how we’ve transitioned from larger more traditional cultural groups with structured beliefs and guidelines to a bunch of loose subgroups that form based off a multitude of those larger beliefs and ideals. From politics to religion, many socialContinue reading “The Postmodern World”

Reading Summary In Delwiche’s chapter, he argues the ways in which video games can shape attitudes and beliefs similar to those in which propaganda does the same. He identifies “four I’s – immersion, intense engagement, identification and interactivity” as the “mechanisms for influencing attitudes.” He first explains that the gamer becomes completely immersed in aContinue reading “Video Games as a Vehicle for Propaganda”

Reading Summary This chapter covered the idea of media from its different forms, and uses to how we interact and respond to each. Different arguments were made concerning platform use and the affect on society. Media comes in many forms from print to virtual. As technology advances, print is being less used and virtual mediaContinue reading “Sorting Myths and Cyberbole from Trends and Tipping Points”

Reading Summary This chapter discusses human interactions via media and face to face and how an influence of technology has melded these together over time. Humans structure their words, body language, and actions based on the situational factors in which they’re communicating. In a face to face interaction, individuals are more conscious of what isContinue reading “Introduction: Behavior in its Place”

Reading Summary Smith defines the “Other” as a constructed identity not relating to our own. This concept will feel different for everyone as we are made of unique traits and come from different cultures and backgrounds. In media and literature there is a distinction of “us” and “them”. When we feel connected and included toContinue reading “An Introduction to the “Other””

Reading Summary Abel’s article explained the creative process in developing a story based on interviews with storytellers. This process differs based on every author but overall strategy is similar. Stories are usually thought of in pieces and not all at once. The order in which the story is told is based on how the authorContinue reading “Story Structure”

Reading Summary Together, these excerpts explored the construction of advertisements through breaking down their meaning with semiotics. Semiotics is a multiple meaning understanding specific to the viewer and their translation. In order to complete this deconstruction of advertisements, the authors focused on the “connotative chain” (Danesi, 47). The connotative chain was simply a continuous wordContinue reading “The Semiotics of Advertising”

Reading Summary In Debbie Does Salad, Kaufman compares food porn to pornography and explains how they are intercorrelated. The goal of both is to urge desire and satisfaction through visual pleasure. He focuses on the creation of food centered shows and refers to porn shots and videography that depict the same idea. The reason thatContinue reading “Debbie Does Salad”

Reading Summary The article by Danesi breaks down the concept of Semiotics. In simple terms, semiotics is how individuals interpret the meaning of signs. “It answers the what, how, and why of meaning” (Danesi, 11). These interpretations vary from person to person depending on cultural influences and context of use. Additionally, every definition of aContinue reading “Semiotics”

Reading Summary This excerpt highlights the differences between qualitative and quantitative research methods concerning media. The author claims that quantitative research is factual and concrete, doesn’t go much further than the surface level. There’s a question and an answer concerning one main idea. Qualitative research is conceptual and focuses on the bigger picture. It’s insightfulContinue reading “Qualitative Research”