Miss Representation Video Response

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ap2xnMcvpw&feature=related

I liked the video and I’m glad that there is actually a documentary on this topic. If you know me, you’ll probably know that I care a lot about these issues. I hate the fact that I listen to more male musicians and DJs than female ones, and how I have these different views for men and women unconsciously even though I know it’s wrong. I’m in the generation that grew up with not just television and magazines, but computers and the internet. Indeed, in some ways they have helped me to get rid of the traditional values that my parents more or less possess. Nevertheless, there is just way more biased, brainwashing things going on.

I find it ironic how in other animal species, if there are two genders and they differ in appearance, the male is usually the one trying to be pretty and sexually attractive.

I do agree with some people, though, that the media is bad influence on guys just as girls. So yes, guys also care about appearance, just in a different way. And society has different expectations for men and women, because of what we learn in the media about what a “man” or a “woman” is.

If possible I would like to watch the whole documentary to get a better idea of how they address the issue.

I think there’s a part of the brain that stores all the images we saw in a huge archive - not very organized but all linked together. The object that we’re used to seeing everyday becomes the representation of all the other objects of the same kind. When one thing is so prominent and represents more than its kind, it becomes an icon.

As the video shows, media is nothing but creating representations. When we see same images over and over again we conform to the idea behind it before we even realize. Repetition is the simplest yet most effective method of persuasion there is. I know artists such as Andy Warhol have already used it to the extreme, though I don’t think it ever gets old. Another big thing in art is to play with the icons; either manipulate it or destroy it, but never get rid of it.

The media and the representations it creates are really the perfect tools to get your ideas recognized. For my concentration, perhaps I could think about using icons. I should however be careful not to unconsciously fall into the conventional ways. It’s even better if I can insert some humor here and there. I still don’t know what my theme would be, but I do care very strongly about some issues and wish to change even the smallest portion of people.