#10

10) Using a video or image you find online, apply three critical texts we read during the semester (each at least two weeks apart), and discuss how they relate to and build on one another, giving us different but related perspectives on critical media and cultural studies (250-300 words).


The Dove Evolution video captured my interest and I feel that it can relate back to a lot of the readings we discussed over the course of the semester. To me, this video showed that in today’s society, it is difficult to reach perfection, not only in your eyes, but also in the eyes of others. Many try to strive for perfection, but are unable to reach it due to many factors, including the changing styles and consumerist society. With this, it also confuses me why people seem to never be content with the life they have and the possessions they own.

The first article I found relatable was Radway’s Women Read the Romance: The Interaction of Text and Context. This reading was about romance novels – many women were interviewed and studied, and it was found that reading these novels helped the women “escape from reality” and divulge in a fantasy world. These novels portray a “perfect” life for women, which is not always the case in reality. So, the women choose to read these novels to get away from their day-to-day life, and live someone else’s perfect life, since it is unachievable for them in reality.

I also found that Schor’s The New Politics of Consumption: Why Americans Want So Much More Than They Need can relate to the Dove video. This article discussed how society today has the idea that they need to “keep up” with what is desirable, rather than just being content with what they have. The consumerist society we live in today serves almost as a “competition” – it challenges society to purchase possessions that are not necessary, but make your overall image look desirable and “better” (although not necessarily “better,” but more upscale).

Frank’s Why Johnny Can’t Dissent stood out to me as well. In this article, breaking the rules and rebellion is important to society to “be different.” Even though “being different” and not going with the norm is important, I feel that it is also a strive for perfection. To me, I think that people feel the need to be different so that they can reach perfection in their own eyes or be desirable in others’ eyes. This rebellion is also advertised by corporations – Arby’s slogan is “This is different. Different is good.” It appears as though people are never content with the way things are… there seems to always be a need to “be different” or strive for perfection.