Political Cartoons

Political Cartoons is one of the easiest ways people can have an influence on people... assuming their cartoon is understood. These cartoons are usually an illustration containing a commentary that usually relates to current events or personalities. Sometimes they are humiliating and cruel, other times they ring completly true. They have been around since about 1750, making them an important part of our media history.

1984

1984 is a novel by George Orwell, written in 1949. This was a dystopian novel about the society of 1984, in which it is run by "The Party" and its totalitarian ideology. One of the main points of the book is that all of society is over seen by a power known as "Big Brother." This book is extremly important in the eye of our media today, especially because we are so interconnected and its very easy to be overwatched.

Microsoft

Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. It currently  sells Microsoft Operating Systems, of which they just released the 8^th version, and Microsoft Office Programs. Microsoft released its first product in 1984 and has been releasing products ever since. One of its CEO’s, Bill Gates, was the world’s richest man for many years, but now holds the place of second richest.

The Harry Potter Series

This is without a doubt, the best selling book series to date. The story follows a boy, who finds out he is a wizard. Through the seven books, he makes his journey to the end, an ultimate battle of good vs evil. The first book came out in 1997. The series wrapped up this last year with the production of the last movie. The series, all together through merchandise, movies, books, and attractions, have taken in billions of dollars, making it one of the most profitable book series ever.

The Sims

The sims is a life simulation video game series created by Maxis. This game gives us the god like power to create people and control them in a life like world. From making sims fall in love, to cooking dinner, to getting a job, the possiblities are endless. This video game is one of the best selling games of all time. This begs the question that I asked in an earlier blog, Is it's appeal due to the fact that we "Want to be like god?"

Pandora Radio

Pandora Radio is a new and upcoming website that allows users to listen to radio stations for free. This station is unique though. Rather than just seaching through the stations, you can search for a genre, song, or artist. It will then match you to a station of music associated with the searched item, and provide you a station. This service is free, all though they are sometimes hit with the occasional advertisment. These can be avoided if you upgrade, for a cost.

Sports

When we think of sports, we think of competition, fun, and entertainment. Rarely we think about the impact of media, more specifically commercial advertising, of sporting events. Sunday afternoon, everyone gathers around the television to enjoy a game of football. The viewers are constantly being bombarded by products. Through commercials, sponsoring, and product placement. It has become so normal to us, we almost don't see it. Advertising almost becomes subliminal. We think were watching the game, but we are not aware of the underlying purposes of sports.

Apple

Apple is probably one of the biggest companines in the face of the media today. There are not to many people in our society who do not own at least one apple product. Created by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne in 1976, it started off selling a simple home computer. Today their products include the ipod, iphone, itunes, imacs and other laptops, and much more. Their products help consumers connect to the virtual world. There most popular product, the iphone, does everything you could want when thinking about the media. It is a huge influence in our society today.

Google

Google is quite possibly the most influential and powerful company when talking about the media and technology. What started off as a simple search engine is slowly starting to take over the web. It all ready dominates as the most used search engine. It also owns sites including Blogger, Youtube, and Picasa. It connects all of these things through the same profile. It's attempt at facebook, Google Plus, hasn't quite taken off yet but it's trying. Without Google, the internet, and even media its self, would be very different.

YouTube

YouTube is another extremly powerful website today. This website gives users the power to upload their own videos, search for videos, and watch virtually anything. Some videos have become known as "Youtube Sensations" getting millions of views and media coverage. Some famous YouTube clips include Nyan Cat, Evolution of Dance, and Dumb Ways to Die. YouTube has also become a way of discovering talent. Everyday, people who have posted videos on YouTube are being interviewed on the news or performing on a talk show. YouTube is constantly talked about in the media and is an extremly powerful tool of the media.

Internet Memes.

Internet Memes have become extremly popular among young adults. These are characters that depict emotions, feelings or ideas. They usually will have a quote or a saying. Many times they are set up in a comic strip fashion. These memes have become super popular and are all over the internet. Faces include the Me Gusta face, poker face, and cereal guy.

Twitter

Twitter is a very unique, and upcoming website. Users can post whatever they want, as long as it is 160 characters or less. You can "hash tag" items by putting the pound sign in front. This website has been around for a few years but has just recenlty taken off. Today, it is all over the media. While watching television shows, a little blurb will pop up with a hash tag. You can comment to this hashtag to portray your opinions and also see what other people have to say. This website gives users the power of feedback, making it unique, in-style, and powerful.

Facebook

Facebook. Addicting, fun, interesting,..... POWERFUL! Facebook is probably the most popular website in the world. Everyone knows at least 10 people who have a Facebook. It connects the world and allowes you to keep in contact with people who, without Facebook, you would probably not see again. Facebook is so powerful it dropped the connectedness factor from 6 people to 3 people (this is the idea that everyone is connected through everyone else by going through 6 (or now 3) other poeple.) It is the biggest thing in our media today.

Internet

The Internet is probably the most well known invention in the history of the world. I don't think it would be even possibly to find someone who has never heard of it. It is the device that connects us through the world. The internet isn't even an object. It's basically a thundercloud, information being zapped all over the world through lightning. In a split second you could be talking to your cousin in Australia or reading about the politics of Russia. Society is so dependent on the internet, our world would have a meltdown if it were to ever be shut off. It acts as the biggest plug for any sense of media.

Personal Computer

The personal computer is arguably the most important invention of our time, both technologically and in the sense of the media. It combines the aspects of all the most important inventions up to date (Radio, Print, Film, and Television). It is a gateway to the internet, the most important invention of the media. Through our computer, with the help of the internet, we are virtually connected to the entire world. Information, entertainment, and society is connected through the click of a button. Without the invention of the computer, the television would still be the most important invention.

Television

The Television, as we know it, has been available to the public since 1920. It was a huge step forward for society in the portrayal of information and entertainment. Moving pictures, programs, stories, and news were made easily available to the common family. It's ability to send pictures and sound through the airways combined the ideas of the Radio and of Film. It was a highlight or our technological and media advancment. It is also one of the 5 big inventions.

Film

Film is one of the 5 most important inventions when talking about the radio. Film gave us the ability to record and show live moving pictures. Film was first created by taking multiple pictures, one after another, and then showing those pictures extremly fast. It started out kind of as a high tech flip book. People would pay to see short, 30 second clips, of these moving images. It was a marvel. Today, Film is still a huge part of our media and society. Movie theaters are still one of the highest grossing buisnesses today. Without the creation of film, we would be lacking on a lot of our technology.