Chapter Ten

1.     What are your earliest recollections of books? Do you read for pleasure? If yes, what kinds of books do you enjoy? Why?

My earliest recollections of books are probably picture books and the bible. My mom would buy tons of colorful books for me to look at and make up stories with, and then I was introduced to the bible at a very young age through church as well as my family. I really love reading for pleasure now that I am an adult. I read lots of biographies because I find it interesting to learn about people and I also love reading nonfiction pieces that I can get lost in and really just escape from reality through. I loved the Harry Potter series, but that is probably as “science fiction” as I enjoy getting into. I would much rather read romance novels or stories about everyday life that I can find myself relating to. Any book that paints a picture and allows me to imagine in happening as I am reading is a book that I would probably read.

2.     Imagine that you are on a committee that oversees book choices for a high school library in your town. What policies do you think should guide the committee’s selection of controversial books?

I am a very liberal person and I am very much against censorship, however, when it comes to impressionable kids I feel like it’s important to be careful when presenting them with literature that many would deem “questionable”. As far as the policy goes, I would suggest that no book be banned unless the book was intentionally written to cause disruption among its readers. That being said, books with excessive profanity, sexual dialogue or inappropriate content that aren’t necessary to the overall point of the book should not be given to children without consent of their parent or teacher. But, the first amendment protects these books and I believe that it is more dangerous to shelter children form the majority of “banned” books than it is to present them with it.

3.     Would you read a book on an iPod or a Kindle? Why or why not?

I have read books off of a kindle before and I think they’re great. I wouldn’t read them off of an iPod though because I think that it’s way too small. I think the Kindle offers the most realistic “book” interface because the screen looks just like a book and the turning of the pages looks real, even if it’s just electronic. I don’t think that I would ever replace reading a book with reading from an iPod or Kindle because I really love the whole reading experience that begins with picking a book off of a shelf and ends with turning the final page. I feel that reading is a really big way to de-stress and take a break from the technology that seems to be taking over our lives and to replace a book with more technology seems very silly to me. The kindle offers a lot; a library at your fingertips and the ability to travel with books without lugging around pounds of paper, however, I don’t think I’ll ever trade my beloved hardbacks for the simplicity of the kindle.

Chapter Twelve

1.     What do you think of when you hear the term public relations? What images come to mind? Where did these impressions come from?

When I think of public relations I immediately think of someone releasing a press release for a famous celebrity who has committed some sort of crime, like a DUI, and is trying to make a statement to the public. The reason that this is my immediate image is because in today’s day and time, that’s what many of us see as headlines as soon as we get online or opens a newspaper. I also picture a public service announcement such as “Just Say No” that I was presented as a kid to try and prevent my generation from smoking or doing drugs. Again, these impressions come from my experiences with Public Relations as a child and as an adult.

2.     What might a college or university do to improve public relations with homeowners on the edge of campus who have to deal with noisy student parties and a shortage of parking spaces?

The first thing that I would do to improve public relations with homeowners would be to establish a monthly newsletter from the college or university addressing the homeowners directly. The newsletter would do several things. First, it would educate the homeowners about what’s going on around campus, making them feel more involved with the students and community. Secondly, the newsletter would act as a liaison between officials at the university and the homeowners, alerting them of big events and dates such as home games and festivals that may interfere with parking. I would also make sure that there plenty of opportunities throughout the year for homeowners to attend open forums to discuss their frustrations at the university among other homeowners as well as students and administration.

3.     What steps can reporters and editors take to monitor PR agents who manipulate the news media?

To begin with, reporters and editors can help prevent manipulation by always reporting the truth, without bias. Although this doesn’t always happen, it is an excellent way to combat the sometimes-negative spin that PR agents put on news media.  Another step to take is to create a better relationship between news reporters/editors and PR agents by staying in constant communication and forming more friendly bonds instead of staying media enemies. I would also suggest that reporters and editors who find patterns with PR agents who continually manipulate the news media to do what they do best: report! If a PR agent is doing a bad job at what they do and they are providing false information to the public via manipulated news media, it is the job of the reported and editor to inform the public of the truth.

Chapter Eleven

 

1.     Why are so many people critical of advertising?

I think this is a really hard question to answer because I think people judge advertising harshly and without good reason. To begin with, many people think that certain advertisements are too sexual or vulgar, or that they don’t do anything to promote the product that they’re advertising. Unfortunately for these people, they only add to the hype of said advertising making the advertisements much more effective. The goal of any advertising is to get the name of the brand out there and to promote it well so that you’ll want to buy it.  People criticize the way that this is done because often times, advertisements contain questionable content that some say isn’t necessary in order to accomplish their goals. Even though the advertisement are simply a mirror of the demand by society, it is the advertisers who catch much of the blame for what is displayed in magazines, TV’s and other forms of advertisements.

2.     If you were a parent, what strategies would you use to explain an objectionable ad to your child or teenager? Use an example.

If I were a parent, I would begin by not sheltering my child or teenager from the ad because pretending that something doesn’t exist doesn’t mean that they won’t ever see it. I would much rather be able to watch it with them or explain it to them afterwards than for them to see it with their friends and be clueless. I would then explain why certain things were done/said and ask them how they feel about it. For example, if a commercial for KY Lubricant came on such as the one featured below, I would use this as an opportunity to explain why it’s been featured (glamorized sex sells) and then I would use it as an opportunity to talk about sex and see if they had any questions. Chances are they do (even at a young age) and this is an easy icebreaker. The same could be done if the advertisements in question talked about drugs, foul language, or other serious topics.

3.     Should advertisements aimed at children be regulated? Support your response.

Yes, I think advertisements that are directly aimed at children should be regulated. Children are very impressionable, and although free speech is given to everyone, regardless of age, I think that it’s the responsibility of the advertisers to make good choices when it comes to appealing to the young masses. Unfortunately, I don’t think the advertisers always have good judgment on what is and is not appropriate for children, so regulations are necessary. Not only do I feel as though children need to be protected, but I also feel that it’s important not to betray parents of children because they are the ones buying the products those advertisers are appealing to children. If parents are offended or upset, business will be lost.

Chapter Nine

1.     What are your earliest recollections of magazines? Which magazines do you read regularly today? Why?

a.     When I was growing up in school we would always read TIME for Kids or Highlights for kids in school. For leisure, I was always begging my mom to buy Cosmo Girl, Teen Beat, Seventeen, or Tiger Beat when we went to the grocery store. All of those magazines were full of color, fun pictures, quizzes, and posters and “juicy” gossip about celebrities or events. Today, I regularly read Cosmopolitan and People. I gravitate towards these because, similarly to my youth, I go for magazines that I can relate to. Cosmopolitan contains articles and images that attract me as a young women, People magazine contains articles that attracts me as a person interested in fashion and celebrity gossip. Magazines are one of the few sources of printed media that I still purchase because I find that it’s easier to read a magazine printed without getting side tracked on face book or Google.

2.     Discuss whether your favorite magazines define you primarily as a consumer or as a citizen. Do you think magazines have a responsibility to educate their readers as both? What can they do to promote responsible citizens?

a.     Cosmopolitan is my favorite magazine and I think it defines me as primarily a consumer, but it could also define me as a citizen because this magazine promotes equality for women as well as world issues. Along with fashion and relationship advice, Cosmopolitan does a good job of informing readers about world events. I think magazines that appeal to large groups of people have a responsibility to inform their readers about important topics to make them responsible citizens, but I also think that entertainment based magazines shouldn’t have to feel pressure to report on serious issues. I know for me personally, I read Cosmopolitan for fun and to escape from the harsh news like CNN. If I were to read Cosmopolitan and find harsh topics in every page, I would likely stop reading.

3.     Do you think the Internet will eventually displace magazines? Why or why not?

a.     I definitely think that the Internet will eventually displace magazines. To begin with, this is already happening. Several big time magazines folded last year and began only maintaining websites to engage readers. Martha Stewart Living, Seventeen and many teen-focused magazines are only online. I think this says something because teens are very plugged in when it comes to the Internet, so their news sources are gravitating towards the Internet only. As this generation grows, their news will stay online. Older generations still appreciate their printed media because it’s familiar, but as they age, their printed media will no longer be needed. Children born today may not see printed magazines because their connectivity will be much higher than that of adults today. While some magazines may remain in print, I think the majority will be phased out in the very near future in exchange for a URL.