Biyernes, Setyembre 16, 2011

Double Edged Sword

One of the topics that was recently discussed in our Communciation class was about Mass Media. Coincidentally, it was in tie with the presentation during our Sociology class 2 hours before which also tackled mass media.

From what I've learned, the things media shows creates streotypes. They generalize a group of people to have this particular trait that makes them identifiable, therefore stereotyped (i.e. BLACK people are perceived to be gangsters, troublemakers, a bunch of dangerous people or in other words - criminals) but if you look at the bigger picture only a handful of these kinds of people exhibit this. But the media chooses to show this to the public because it recognizes these kinds of people in society. Another thing mass media does is, it creates a trend which influences it's viewers. An example for this kind of effect is how the media portray's Lady Gaga. I'm sure that everyone is aware that her fashion sense is authentic, unique, extraordinary but can be downright weird and creepy but because she is mediated to the public, people had started imitating her.

Mass media in my opinion is a necessary global sector, they deliver viable information to the public, makes communication easier, provides entertainment and much more. To sum it up, what mass media has done is it has made our lives more convenient. But besides it's original goal, indirect effects to the public such as trendsetting and stereotyping has emerged.

Mass Media = A double edged sword.

Sabado, Setyembre 10, 2011

MMORPG

In this entry I’m going to show you the PC gamer side of me. One of the topics that were discussed during the week was about Physical Symbols of organizations. The first thing that entered my mind were Online Games or commonly known as MMORPGs. For those who haven’t played an MMORPG before ... MMORPG stands for Massive(ly?) Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game, it’s basically about creating a character who will roam around the online game world be it a fantasy, or sci-fi themed world slaying monsters, meeting new people, trading, engaging in battles with other people and so much more.



Photobucket

World of Warcraft - The most popular MMORPG in the market

 Since I was in elementary I’ve indulged myself in these kinds of games. Regarding the socialization side of these games, there are so called “Guilds” that can be formed with other people. These guilds are ranked according to their game progress, guilds in-game usually compete with one another, they have their own set of rules and requirements for new members and to identify them, each guild can put up a guild emblem. Guilds are pretty much like organizations in real life, they have symbols so that other players can identify them especially if they’re known in the game server.


Photobucket

A Guild in Ragnarok Online

                As an avid player of online games I’ve been recruited in a lot of high-ranked guilds. You can distinguish these kinds of guilds by the emblem they use, like a company logo you know which products are the best to purchase by their brand logo. When in a guild, other people expect you to abide by the rules that are made by the guild leader, you are expected to cooperate and respect other people too because you carry the name of your guild. Even if it’s only in the cyber world, people still need to follow some rules in the organization they are a part of.

Sabado, Setyembre 3, 2011

Back in Highschool ...

... there were so many rules !

During the course of the week we discussed more in class the "rules" that are put into place in different institutions that we function in. In relation to the title of my blog, I remember that during highschool there were really many rules both written and rules which are not in the rulebook. Such as :

1. Make sure that your extra shirt is plain white. No designs, no anything. Just a plain shirt.
2. Forget your ID, go to the guidance office.
3. Your bangs touch your eyebrow, the #&^@&#^ CAT officer will cut it off and you get sent to the guidance office.
4. When wearing your PE uniform always tuck your shirt in your PE pants.
5. Always have a complete CAT uniform. No skinny jeans !

and for some unwritten rules :
1. Piss of your teacher and he'll take it personally. Thus, removing your access to the audio visual room which stores band equipment.
2. Court a girl, get sent to the guidance office. (If you're interested to know the story behind this, please don't hesitate to ask me.)
3. Be the kindest person to your teacher and you won't fail his/her subject.
4. When called during recitation, smile and the teacher won't mind if you don't know the answer.
5. If you have a gay teacher and you're a guy ... you won't fail.

I can keep on going, but I'll stop there.

These things make up the structure that is highschool (at least our highschool), it dictates how the students should act accordingly and are expected to follow the school policy. Rules are necessary for harmonious functioning of the organization. Everyone knows what is expected of them and they know what to do next. But, it can't be helped that sometimes people break rules.

Would you believe me if I told you that I had broken all these rules? I'll admit something to you guys, back then I was so good at using a "kodigo" during exams. Haha. I was such a rule breaker and a jackass before. Nevertheless, all that is gone. All that's left is the kind, innocent, soft-spoken Rico that you know. ;)