Response to Leah's "Athletes and the Fall From Grace"

            Leah, you bring about an excellent point about how fans should try to refrain from idealizing players for it can only lead to disappointment. I enjoyed the fact that you had revealed two baseball players and their, as you have stated, “fall from grace.” I was unfamiliar with the scandals of Alex Rodriguez and Josh Hamilton for I do not follow baseball, but I am glad you had shed some light on how athletes can prove to be great disappointments to their very fans. I personally dislike it when athletes, singers, actors, etc., have scandals for it is unfair to their fans for they provide a bad example to them. Athletes are to have the mindset of being good role models for the youth for they are, in certain cases, the most influential figures in the lives of the youth. I understand your supposition and agree with it fully that athletes are only human and that we should hold them to a standard of role models and that advancing them to a higher level will surely disappoint their fans. Worshipping athletes and positioning them at a higher level is not only bad for the fans but also bad for the players. The reason in which this may be bad for the players is because it can make them seem as someone they are not—gods.

Personally, worship is too strong a word to be used towards the passion one feels about an athlete and a sports team. To categorize athletes as “gods” to me sounds ridiculous—and this can be the problem with athletes and the way they see themselves; athletes can take performance-inducing drugs in order to obviously perform better, and to fulfill the image that their fans place upon them. Athletes have to live up to the reputation and expectations their fans give them and the maybe the only possible way to live up to this is by taking these drugs for it can be humanly impossible to perform by those standards. I think it was very interesting for you to discuss this issue for it is very open-ended and there is no definite answer. After all, athletes are only human, and they are to live their lives, but with obvious limitations.

What makes a band a Christian band?

What elements does a band have to possess which would characterize it as a Christian band? I would like to think that a band would have to explicitly express Christian elements in both their lyrics and dress. I do not think it is enough to have just one or two songs which represent Christianity. A band must possess countless amounts of songs (actually, all of them) which manifest Christian themes. What are suitable themes that a band can discuss? Sinfulness, forgiveness, redemption, absolutely anything which draws parallels to Christian stories and doctrine. What was really interesting on Tuesday’s lecture was the fact that Justin Bieber for example, was discussed having Christian elements in his song “Pray.” Christianity seems to be relevant in popular music which is quite intriguing. When I thought of Christian bands, I conceptualized bands which appear on the Simpsons—boring, unpopular, and out-of-date. I was pleased to be presented with Christian rock bands such as Petra (which to me best fits the category of my former assumption), Switchfoot and U2. I find it stimulating the fact that well-known bands such as Switchfoot and U2 started in the Christian rock scene.

There was a song that was analyzed in class by Switchfoot named, "I dare you to move." It was recognized as having Christian elements and the lyric that was most emphasized and which stuck out to me was, “I dare you to move” which signals one’s redemption; this quotation highlights that. It prompts one to start doing something about their salvation instead of living life mindlessly. What I find problematic about this however, is the fact that this quotation can be applied to anything. “I dare you to move” can be a source of encouragement to those who are not doing what they want in life or what they should. These lyrics can be interpreted in any way, whereas “Until the End of the World” by U2 proves to be explicitly Christian and cannot be interpreted other than reflecting Christianity. So, my question to you is, what makes a band “Christian”? What does this imply? And how does one determine how a band is Christian?

Here is an interesting site which has the Top Christian Music: http://topchristianmusicsongs.com/

Commenting on Kathleen's Post, "Finding Positive Pop Icon Role Models (Like Finding a Needle in a Haystack) "

                 Kathleen, you bring about a great point which, after hearing our class discussion in lecture on Tuesday, I feel strongly about. I do not understand the problem many have with Justin Bieber and why they possess hatred towards him. He is a seventeen year old singer from Stratford of all places, who is self-taught and very talented. As you have said, he is not a figure that is meant to woo us; he is a model for teenagers and even young children so for an adult to criticize his methods and himself is unfounded. Bieber’s audience is intended to consist of individuals of this age group and for adults to pass judgement on him in unfair.

                Furthermore, examining his music video for the song “Pray,” shows how as you have stated, he is trying to raise awareness amongst both the young and adults about world issues which is extremely important for artists and celebrities to do these days. For inspirational figures not to do what Bieber does in this sense, is a waste for they have the power, capability and audience to do something important such as he. Bieber not only manifests Christian values, but values that are dominant throughout all religions.

                A fellow peer had presented the statement that Justin Bieber clearly chose to show his visitations amongst hospital patients for he is wanting to raise the numbers of viewership and fans. This can be seen in many stars today such as Brett Michaels in his show, “Life as I know it” where in one episode he visited children at a hospital and spoke with them as a group and took pictures. Stars such as he do not only do this for publicity but to actually help children and put a smile on their face. Michaels, being in the music industry for decades does not really need much publicity anymore per se, but partakes in acts such as these to help his fans when they are in a time of need. For what is the point in being a rock star if you cannot help those who are your very fans.

                Moreover, this colleague gave suggestions on what Bieber could have done and showed in his video such as visit soldiers in Afghanistan. I was informed by my sister who had seen Bieber’s film, “Never Say Never” on how a scene in the film composed of Bieber telling others how his life is busy and how he has only seen his little brother like 3 times (do not quote me). Clearly, if he cannot see his infant brother as much as he’d like to, for him to partake in such acts as visiting soldiers in Afghanistan seems impossible due to his high demand throughout the world.

                To conclude, Justin Bieber is definitely a better figure than most singers/rappers out there as you have outlined. He has no previous scandals, and seems to be an innocent teenager in interviews and on-stage. In terms of the themes of the music video “Pray,” Bieber did not have to include his visitations to hospitals, but could have included scenes of him performing in concerts and having young girls cry out to him and talk about how amazing he is. After all, he is only a teenager and he is doing more than most singers and rap artists out there have done in their whole careers.

Please check out these songs which are clearly offensive and touch upon the sexuality of women (not good role model material). 

I Feel Like Dying - Lil' Wayne

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuyEgvCVYd8

Ride With the Mack - Lil' Wayne Featuring Mack Maine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkGTiHDnWA4

Drop The World - Lil' Wayne Featuring Eminem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z79GSpv7_As

Get Crazy - LMFAO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSYViclto1w

I Am Not a Whore - LMFAO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmiKCBOvVPA&feature=fvst

(The fact that Lil’ Wayne has tear tattoos on his face is disturbing and can definitely influence his fans to participate in those actions which they represent).

Twilight Characters Manifesting the Saviour Mode

One of, if not my favourite novels is the Twilight Saga. I know many people have developed a hatred for Twilight but I definitely suggest reading it. I absolutely love the saga but had developed somewhat of a hatred (until New Moon) for the films for they are an injustice to the novels. Anyways, when I think of a Christ figure in film, or someone who is the closest to a Christ figure, I think of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan.

As discussed in lecture, there are two modes of Christic representation, and they are the Saviour mode and the Redeemer mode. I find both of these characters as manifesting the Saviour mode for reasons which will be further discussed.  Edward Cullen can most obviously represent a Christ figure and manifests the Saviour mode for he takes extreme caution to protect Bella Swan from everything possible. He constantly rescues her from dangers and liberates her from her tedious and uneventful life. He is a wonderful example of a Christ figure for he is a saviour for Bella.

Moreover, Bella Swan represents a Christ figure and displays the Saviour mode. She liberates Edward Cullen from himself and shows him a life that he never knew could ever exist; he likewise does the same for her. Edward Cullen and Bella Swan both exhibit the Saviour and Redeemer mode, but the Saviour mode is definitely more identifiable.

How does Jesus look like?

           Eric, I like that you discussed the notion that everyone has their own vision of Christ’s appearance. This is a very interesting discussion and there is a number of people that are obsessed with the appearance of Christ. As you have stated, society should focus more on the good Christ brought to the world than his bodily and facial characteristics. That is incredibly intriguing the fact that different cultures have their own personal Jesus. Wondering why this may be and why it is popular, Christians personalize Jesus’ appearance for it allows one to have a more intimate relationship with Him. Allowing the Son of God to possess certain characteristics that you have makes him much more relatable and real.

            I questioned myself asking why society depicts Christ’s features being that of blond hair, blue eyes, fair skin and facial hair. I saw a documentary a little while ago on the History Channel that was discussing the appearance of Christ. The skull of a person who lived approximately at the same time as Christ was analyzed and the DNA showed the appearance of the man. I remember what the narrator said; it was something along the lines of “Now this may shock you.” The skull that was tested showed a man with dark hair, dark eyes, tanned skin and dark facial hair—he looked like he was Arabic. This man was to reveal what Christ looked like and He was an Arab, which is what He indeed was. This came as a shock to some but why should it for Christ was born in the Palestine of His day. When I think about the reason why Christ is envisioned to have blond hair and light features, I automatically think of Renaissance art. Renaissance art depicts Christ as a blond haired, blue eyed, fair skinned man for the artists made their Christ be what people, for example Italians, looked like at that period. Medieval art tended to represent Christ having darker features, although some artists envisioned Him with light features. The reason being why Christ in today’s society is depicted as Renaissance artists depicted Him is because of the popularity and the huge influence of Renaissance art. This is an important notion to keep in mind that the light features of Christ are relatively recent.

Medieval Image of Christ

Renaissance Image of Christ

The Problem of Social Networking

Kathleen, you did a wonderful job with the presentation of your blog. I read the article about the Pope’s warning of alienation risks in social networking and it was very interesting to see what the Church has to say about social networking. Pope Benedict XVI’s views are like my own in that people should not think that their ‘friends’ on Facebook for example, are real friends. I have a number of friends (actual ones) that have over 500 friends, some nearing 1000 friends on Facebook. I guarantee they have not physically met a few hundred of them. I personally find it quite pointless to have ‘friends’ on Facebook if they do not live up to the name.

It is quite humorous the fact that my little brother, still in elementary school, is wanting a cellular phone because his friends at school have it. It is obviously pointless for him to have one for he is still a kid. My sister received a Blackberry for her birthday, and now she is complaining how she wants to switch phones. The fact that her phone goes off every minute from text messages, Facebook notifications, Twitter, Blackberry Messenger makes her annoyed (myself included) with the constant noise and the fact that people cannot leave her alone. She says now that she has a phone, she wants to completely get rid of it.

Social networking is expanding, how far it will go, no one knows. There are various problems with social networking; the fundamental ones in my eyes are the creation of artificial relationships as well as the advertising of one’s life.

The Power of Sensory Experience

           Emotional branding is an entirely new concept to me. Last week’s lecture was very informative for it opened my eyes and gave me the ability to criticize various advertisements and see what approaches advertising companies use in order to woo the consumer. Emotional branding, the belief that brands offer more than just items but emotionally attract its consumers and appeal to one’s senses, is an innovative element in the world of advertising today. The fact that the way a person feels about a particular object is more important than the appearance or even function of the object itself reveals the dependence society has investing in products. As discussed in lecture, brands are meaning systems now, and this truth is crucial in understanding the relevance of emotional branding in today’s advertisements.

            Emotional branding makes consumers irrational people by being easily persuaded by companies in their attempts to increase sales. Peoples’ love for designer clothes, technological devices, hair products and even beverages reveals the problems (or advantages) with capitalist societies. Reducing people to consumers is unlawful and an embarrassment to what it means to be human. Identifying oneself as an owner of a 6.1 L, Hemi V8 Chrysler SRT or a Samsung 60” LED HDTV gives the perception that our only purpose in life is to consume. So, as James B. Twitchell states, “You are either with the brand or against it” (53). The interesting fact of the matter is that either consciously or subconsciously, products give us our identities. Similarities between others in terms of the products we share can spark a conversation and even a friendship.

            The way in which brands make us feel is a rather odd and fascinating thing. As discussed in lecture, brands make us feel good. An example of the reasoning behind this are colours that products possess. As highlighted by Marc Gobe in the video attached below, the colour red, in the case of Coca-Cola, is the colour of power; thus those who consume Coca-Cola can feel powerful and confident. He also gives the example of the colour yellow which represents the sun, symbolizing energy and therefore making the consumer energized and happy. The modification of the colours of objects can completely change the perception of the brand, as discussed by Gobe. An intriguing statement Gobe claims near the end of the video is, “Corporations don’t own brands, people own brands.” This assertion by Marc Gobe highlights the overall theme of the importance of brands in one’s life and its contribution to their identity.

Please check the link below which is a video of Emotional Branding by Marc Gobe:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfIj5-AotKU

Also, here is the link to his website:

http://emotionalbranding.com/