Hey,

In Baudrillard's Simulacra and Simulations is he addressing the issue of whether good/evil, right/wrong, real/unreal,etc. are models which should be questioned? Whether these models are actually realistic endeavors? He used the example of Walt Disney's, Disney Land, as an example. Is it because these fairy-tales are so entrenched in Western culture that this has little resemblance of how things are or the direction(s) our cultures are going? If these are unrealistic, then what is the cost of supporting these reinforced simulations?

Mike

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A Question

Michael described the rhetoric of photography in the first lecture on photographs as well in the lecture on music. Im not sure I fully understand what the rhetoric of photgraphy refers to. Does it have to do with accepting truth in a photograph for what it is and depending on its purpose ie. retouched models. (the myth) or is it using imagery to sell as in the example of good-looking people and beer in a picture?

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Truth in Photography and Oprah

As we discussed the images I found it necessary to draw distinctions between terms, ie. photograph, image, picture etc. in order to clarify in my mind a "true" image and a "false" one. Did anyone else have a similar experience? I also thought about the purpose of Oprah's image on the cover of O magazine and considering that the pictures of Oprah are not personal photographs that the context of the magazine cover one type of media that Oprah communicates through, Oprah's image is a type of logo and her likeness is a signal of her corporation.

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Moments of Clarity

If a picture is said to speak a thousand words, then how is photography a reliable component when potraying a message in the media. When viewed in a personal setting like family pictures and personal moments I can't see the same affect happening like the social reprecussions photography can have in the media. What can be said about clarity in photography and the media. Is there such a thing? When people of different culture, social class, religion express different perspectives of what they see then is it possible to have a universal truth to clarity?



Mike

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Hi everyone,

Ever submit a new post and go back to this site a week later and read it.......then wonder, what was I thinking?

Just wondering

Mike T

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After reading Orwells piece on clarity and the other sites added for tomorrows lecture I found that certainty is something that seems to be fleeting in terms of what is being addressed. The media is a great example. It shows how little information can be given, both with Orwells selected uses of words by government officials and with our age of photography. Both types are to me forms of lies and manipulations showing that we(or they-institutions) are seeming to be stuck in the past. Not just in there attempts to manipulate the status quo, they are re-enforcing an old ideology of using the status quo to act out on their behalf to try and intstill this ideology. I ask what is the latent functions present here? What are the costs? Are we merely ponds in this game of global chess? Do we all know about this happening? Are we all this naive? Or are we just being bombarded with these irregularities in hopes that we have to ask which way is "up"? Whats a lie and whats truth? Is the line between sense and nonsense being shaded and blurred so finding a place or side to stand doen't matter anymore? Maybe thats a little over the top.....for now.

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Announcement II-21-07

Folks,

  I've added another very interesting website for discussion next week. Please see the main course site http://cust100-notes.blogspot.com/ for details. Hope your break is going well!

Cheers & Best,

Michael

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