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/

Obama the Saviour?!

The “Yes We Can” video by Will.i.am is quite moving and Barack Obama’s speech is very inspirational. Despite the fact that the chanting drowns Obama out, I like this video. The point of this blog is to take the missiological approach and envision the ways in which this video possesses Christian aspects.

For the missiological approach, I would like to examine if this piece from popular culture is either a fear or something to embrace. I personally embrace this video, but I am wondering how this “Yes We Can” video can cause fear. Taking the video at face value, one can find it intriguing due to the presence of celebrities, music, and the words spoken by Obama, but my question is how can this video be something to fear? This video can pose a threat if you’re a Republican or simply do not like Obama, but in terms of Christianity, Obama can be seen as a saviour, and this can be dangerous. Obama’s speech sounds like/is a sermon whereby he is joining the people of America in unity and leading them through crisis. The powerfulness of his voice and tone and the fact that the celebrities are mimicking his words, and not only advocating for him but revealing the notion that he will save America and be the saviour to Americans can be a dangerous belief for realistically, it is blasphemy. This is not necessarily my personal point of view, I am just trying to see how, through the missiological approach, the “Yes We Can” video can pose a threat. It is an interesting idea that Obama is a false saviour because this idea can threaten certain Christian groups, especially those who are extremely conservative. As Professor Harris stated in lecture, a number of conservative Christians from the south envision Obama as the anti-Christ, so can this type of blasphemy be provoking that thought?

Please check out this video which is John McCain’s version of the “Yes We Can” video. It is quite comical.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUKINg8DCUo&NR=1&feature=fvwp

A Response to Elona's blog, "The Representation of Religion in American Popular Culture."

            Elona, you expose many intriguing arguments in respect to the representation of religion in popular culture. Like yourself, I wish to address the issue of American fears of Islam as represented by the media. As Lynch states and as you have addressed, the media can make one aware of the cultural biases towards particular individuals, faiths, race, and so on.

            I applaud your effort in applying Lynch's suppositions into the State of Union discussion. The fact that Muslim Americans are seen as "terrorists" and the belief that the majority of Muslim Americans are directly associated with Eastern terrorist groups is unfounded and pathetic. This goes to show how, although some view modern society as a progression, it is lagging behind in its acceptance of human beings. As you have pointed out, Muslims are not the only group that is targeted in the media. In American action films, Russians as well as other eastern and southern Europeans are seen as the enemy. This fact is quite interesting for it makes one question these stereotypes and even the political relationships with these “bad guys.” Considering the fact that the media is very impressionable, it can definitely be dangerous in that it can cause hostility amongst those of different race, religion, nationality, etc.

            As a Croatian, I am pretty well versed by the tensions some felt with the political activism against the communist regime. Tensions were felt by Croatians throughout the reign of the communist regime led by Josip Broz Tito. As citizens protested against this oppressive regime, the media documented certain acts of violence for example, and reduced all Croatians to be a certain type of people. What I am saying is that although I am indeed European, there are indeed certain stereotypes that are associated with those who are of Croatian decent. Oppression in the media can be found everywhere, no matter what faith, race, gender and nationality one may be. Lynch masterfully addresses this issue of media being an oppressor and discriminator towards certain individuals or groups of individuals.

An article that explicitly discriminates Croatians is found in Time Magazine which was published on June 5, 1972, entitled, “YUGOSLAVIA: Conspiratorial Croats.” The beginning of this text states, “Continental Europe has no more volatile and troublesome minority than the troublesome Croats of Yugoslavia.” This article is an example of oppression towards certain ethnic groups which is surely not limited to Muslims and Asians.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,905959-1,00.html

Response to Kathleen's Blog, Sex & the City: A Popular Culture Phenomenon

            Kathleen, you have posed some great questions in your argument that Sex and the City glamorizes sex and encourages this behaviour. I personally have never watched an episode of Sex and the City for the fact that the commercials did not captivate me to watch it for the subject matter is unlike one I can relate to. I do believe the show does push the boundaries of women’s rights and may indeed promote healthy sexuality; however, the show does in fact encourage promiscuity and generally send a negative message to young viewers.

            An example I can give of a television show which I watch daily and which I am well versed in is Two and a Half Men. The characters in the series are brothers Charlie and Alan Harper and Alan’s son, Jake Harper who live together in Charlie’s residence in Malibu. Charlie is a middle-age wealthy bachelor who in his spare time engages in promiscuity and alcohol. His relationships with women cannot be truthfully classified as such, but partakes in casual sex with women as he pleases. His livelihood is summarized as such: jingle-writing, alcohol, and women— not particularly in that order. Alan tries his best to conceal Charlie’s livelihood from his son, and fails to do so at times. Alan’s ex-wife does not approve of Jake’s spending time at Charlie’s house and calls him a terrible example to Jake. This series is absolutely hilarious, witty and is my favourite show on television, but it is indeed inappropriate to watch in the presence of my little brother, which is why I watch it in his absence. This series is definitely inappropriate and can indeed give the wrong kind of advice to the youth, however, it is a great show and I love it. Considering the fact that the subject matter is mainly about sexuality, it does in fact provide morals and lessons to the audience. This form of popular culture is as Dustin Kidd suggests an, “...effective means for defining and distributing the norms of society” (75).

Crime and Popular Culture

            Dustin Kidd’s perception of popular culture is intriguing although impractical. He has interesting propositions but they are unfounded and quite abstract. Kidd attempts to find a direct link between crime and popular culture by stating that both events provide benefits and are fundamental in a modern society. However, this unorthodox approach to the subject of popular culture can induce problems.

            Dustin Kidd’s approach to the idea of the parallels between crime and popular culture is unconventional and is from a sociological perspective. The fact that he provides the example of Emile Durkheim’s assertion that crime is, “actually normal and necessary for a healthy society” emphasizes his need to put a positive spin on crime as well as popular culture (69). He furthers Durkheim’s line of reasoning by stating that, “the sociological approach to crime needs to look past the detrimental effects upon the victim in order to identify the benefits that crime offers to the society in which it occurs” (70). Kidd’s agreement that crime and popular culture are two events within society that possess positive impacts is not a convincing argument. The notion that crime stimulates social change is a plus, however, his as well as Durkheim’s lack of sympathy for victims and their affiliates is problematic and allows for the acceptance of crime.

            Moreover, in reference to popular culture, Kidd exposes the notion that popular culture is the most centralized and effective means for defining and distributing the norms of society (75). Popular culture and crime are beneficial to society for it stabilizes regulations throughout the community and promotes a stable society which is deemed a positive for Kidd. He seems to be too kind to popular culture by focusing on its contributions to society rather than its negative influences. Kidd does not reveal the fact that popular culture dehumanizes individuals and makes their sole existence to be that of consumers. Kidd does not effectively persuade readers of his arguments and creates a reality of acceptance of occurrences such as crime and popular culture.