Collective identity and representing ourselves
Task 1: Media Magazine article
Read the Media Magazine article on collective identity: Self-image and the Media (MM41 - page 6). Our Media Magazine archive is here.
Complete the following tasks on your blog:
1) Read the article and summarise each section in one sentence, starting with the section 'Who are you?'
Who are you-
We all construct our own image to create an identity between the person we think we are and the person we want to be seen as. In the media we are able to see the cultural value and how we represented ourselves with social media information on trending lifestyles, fashion choices etc. It shows how easily we are influenced by the media .
I think, therefore I am,-
The wat we perceive ourselves and presents ourselves is all based on social constructions that helps shows relationships with different groups. Identity is formed through our environment. In comparison to the past, we use to base our individuality by our success and expectations from our class group from stereotypical images that reflect a persons social position.
From citizen to consumer-
The idea that identity can be constructed by adopting a new person was from the early 20th century. Edward |Bernays states that we are based not on behaving as active citizen but as passive consumers. Empathises that consumer goods was about creating and satisfying desires , this was influenced by Sigmund Freud where we want to feel the desire of meeting these pleasures. These ideas were shown through adverts by tapping into desires and how people felt about themselves . Self image was also reinforced based around the notation of fitting into social expectations.
The rise of the individual-
Late 1960s and 70s where individualism first began . During 20th century people began defining themselves to express differences and uniqueness, empowered to be themselves. There was also Freuds idea of the self where is showed the core of who you actually are. Identity is able to change depending on circumstances and relationships. people had the right to be themselves later on , adverts also helped present products in a way people could purchase items that helps audience define who they are .
Branding and lifestyle-
70s and 80s there was an importance in brand and marketing. they associated with personalities of their audiences as people with choose a product that makes their own image. Products function function is less valued than a creator of self image as they want to fulfil desire. Lifestyle magazines, blogs, TV programmes, newspaper features and so on offer advice as to who we ought to be and how we should live our lives
2) List three brands you are happy to be associated with and explain how they reflect your sense of identity.
Hoyoverse- a gaming brand where it reflects my gaming side of which i subvert stereotypes of playing games.
Dazy- clothing that shows my sense of style and how I want to appear in society.
Dazy- clothing that shows my sense of style and how I want to appear in society.
Hobby Craft- showing my arts and crafts side where I want to appear more creative.
3) Do you agree with the view that modern media is all about 'style over substance'? What does this expression mean?
Modern media is all about fitting into social expectations rathe that expressing ones true self. the expression means how no matter how immaculate someone dresses or presences themselves, behind the layers there is a since on not context where they are unsure or have not found themselves.
4) Explain Baudrillard's theory of 'media saturation' in one paragraph. You may need to research it online to find out more.
The theory shows how social media has constructed a fake world for people to create their own identities based on who they desire to be or think they are facing away from reality. Baudrillard proclaims modern society has become so media saturated it is impossible for audiences to experience the natural or real world. The media instead constructs an imaginary space that celebrates stardom and celebrity. He proclaims that modern society has become so media saturated it is impossible for audiences to
experience the natural or real world.
5) Is your presence on social media an accurate reflection of who you are? Have you ever added or removed a picture from a social media site purely because of what it says about the type of person you are?
When I first got social media i was hesitant to post or even add a profil picture because i didn't want others to see me or view me as someone I didn't want to be seen as. There was a lot of pressure in having a account and communicating with the world without saying the wrong thing online to upset other communities or groups. After a while, i was able to have a profile picture and felt the need to post, i did once remove my profile picture because I didn't like the way I looked feeling insecure compared to other accounts.
6) What is your opinion on 'data mining'? Are you happy for companies to sell you products based on your social media presence and online search terms? Is this an invasion of privacy?
Data mining is the process of finding anomalies, patterns and correlations within large data sets to predict outcomes. Companies using the searches you have done to advertise their products can be seen as invasion of privacy sometimes as they are able to see your history of things you've looked at. However, this could also be useful as it appears products you are looking for minimising the time spent searching for it.
6) What is your opinion on 'data mining'? Are you happy for companies to sell you products based on your social media presence and online search terms? Is this an invasion of privacy?
Data mining is the process of finding anomalies, patterns and correlations within large data sets to predict outcomes. Companies using the searches you have done to advertise their products can be seen as invasion of privacy sometimes as they are able to see your history of things you've looked at. However, this could also be useful as it appears products you are looking for minimising the time spent searching for it.
Task 2: Media Magazine cartoon
Now read the cartoon in MM62 (p36) that summarises David Gauntlett’s theories of identity. Write five simple bullet points summarising what you have learned from the cartoon about Gauntlett's theories of identity.
-audience use media to construct their own identity
-mass media text offers more diverse range or representation-audience actively process media about lifestyle and identity
-uses media for entertainment values whilst recognising own representations as unrealistic
-explores male gaze and structuration
Task 3: Representation & Identity: Factsheet blog task
A collective identity is a group of individuals who share the same traditions, values and understanding about our wold.
2) Complete the task on the factsheet (page 1) - write a list of as many things as you can think of that represent Britain. What do they have in common? Have you represented the whole of Britain or just one aspect/viewpoint?
The Queen, tea, teacups, royalty, royal family, beetles, one direction, BBC, London, London eye, Big Ben.
All these words are woven into the history of Britain are are widely associated with the country and its traditions.
3) How does James May's Top Toys offer a nostalgic representation of Britain?
He has a programme that dwells upon and explores aspects of British history where his target is slightly older audience. This means that the toys also become metaphors for the sense of Britishness that May explores, that of ‘nostalgia’ or a feeling / longing for the past where life was perceived to be simpler.
4) How has new technology changed collective identity?
David Gauntlet states that the impact of social networking has changed collective identity where technology has evolved the way we view traditions and values due to newer generations and no longer being an active audience. We were able to broaden our understanding on representation and personal identity towards certain people where we have accepted then into society.
5) What phrase does David Gauntlett (2008) use to describe this new focus on identity?
He uses the phrase ‘pay closer attention to the ways in which media and technologies are used in everyday life’.
6) How does the Shaun of the Dead Facebook group provide an example of Henry Jenkins' theory of interpretive communities online?
The views from Henry Jenkins was that ‘fan genres grew out of openings or excesses within the text that were built on and stretched, and that it was not as if fans and texts were autonomous from each another; fans created their own, new texts, but elements within the originating text defined, to some degree, what they could do’.
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