Semiotic domains

Until tuesday's lecture, I did not realize that I was involved in something called a semiotic domain. In fact, I'm included in many semiotic domains, and I have the feeling I havent realized the half of them. The games I play, the groups I form, the church I attend, the body of believers worldwide, college students, Malone students, liberal arts majors, undergraduates, cooks, friends, children, children in my family...the list goes on. Its truly interesting that these kinds of things have titles, besides cliques or groups with shared interests. Semiotic domains sounds much more mature, I like it. I play a game that has its own modality, few people in the affinity group, and we pride ourselves in our design grammar. To think someone has labeled all these things but has probably never heard my design grammar or played my game (entered into my semiotic domain) is really interesting to me. This lecture made me want to be an active learner in every situation that I can be, rather than sit back and be critical, which is much more natural.

semiotics, a response to the reading

After reading the semiotics reading, I found myself wondering how often I'm influenced by advertisements without realizing it. I like to consider myself rather perceptive of when someone is attempting to influence me, but I think I need to realize that its probably inevitable that as long as there are signs and connatations, I will be influenced. The article did a good job of portraying both sides of a sign, how it is necessary/inevitable, yet also harmful/dangerous. All in all, this reading was an interesting introduction into a topic that I have never encountered before.

Myth in Mass Media

Within the past few months, the movie Brick resonated within me. Hearing about the Pull Yourself up By Your Bootstraps myth reminded me of this movie, because the movie is about one person never giving up to get what he wants, information about the death of his ex-girlfriend. This guy goes through hell and seems to often be at the right place at the right time to see/hear exactly what he needs to get to the bottom of what happened, and why. (Good movie, check it out).
The movie didnt fit the myth because he just seems determined, but maybe this is why. Rather than waiting for the info to come to him, he seeks it. so maybe, maybe not.

Responding to "The American Myth"

The whole topic of the Great American Dream is an intimidating one because each of us has been surrounded by it throughout our entire lives, and Im not sure we can know how deeply it has effected us. I'd like to say that I dont buy into pluck (hard work will guarantee you success/comfort) or luck (being born into wealth is the only way you can get wealthy) in entirity. However, a certain balance of these can bring some comfort. Each of us wants to have some kind of control over where they are going in life and how successful theyll be, so pluck puts the ball in our court, and lets us earn something for ourselves. Luck is like predestination: youll never know if you were meant for the amount of money you have, so its not worth selling your soul to get it.

Media Log

I would imagine the results of my log are similar to almost everyone else's from the class. Besides the necessity of homework, the vast majority of my media intake is solely for the purpose of entertainment. That being said, I spend A LOT of time engaging mass media for the sake of pasttimes. I wonder what I could accomplish with all that time put toward something more noble, like charity. Or maybe I could watch a movie about charity...

Problem and possibility

Problem: some people are dumb. Society can use mass media to convey very biased, subjective views and information to persuade or color a person or situation to be less of what it actually is and more of how they want people to view it. This is unfortunate, unless a person merely seeks entertainment from the media. Otherwise, faulty or subjective information seems to be the downside to mass media.
Possibility: Mass media mediums allow anyone to project an idea into the blood of culture. If you have an opinion or a thought that you simply feel people would be better to know or be familiar with, than mass media tools such as youtube, television, newspapers, cds, and films allow a single person to reach untold millions.

Formative Media Text...for me

One media text that got me thinking was a movie that few people have heard of called The United States of Leland. The main character reminded me of myself in the way he thought, a way that disregarded traditional or societal influences upon him. The movie made me thankful that I am more monitoring of my thoughts and actions, because the outcome is not good for the character due to decisions he makes based on his unusual thinking.