Blog Post: Globalization

Globalization is the shrinking of distances between nations and cultures via new technology. This means that we are able to obtain different media and entertainment from other cultures that we would not have been able to 20 or so years ago.

However, we must see that America's domination of global media is very present. This kind of global imperialism is, unfortunately, very present today especially with film.  Almost always, American films dominate global box offices and even in industrial, english-speaking countries like England or Australia, movies made in the United States are heavily featured and publicized. Despite (or perhaps because) these countries are culture-linguistic to each other, America's domination of global cinema may never change. Theses countries see American films first before even their own.

When I visited my aunt in Germany six or seven years ago, I wanted to see what kind of german movies were playing at the local theater. Unfortunately, all I saw were American movie posters for American films.    I remember distinctly a poster for "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" and asked my aunt if they were at least dubbed in German for the population. She replied "occasionally". Then I asked, since they weren't dubbed often, did they at least have subtitles in German. She replied "never".  Despite this being some time ago, this furthers how much American cinema dominates other countries, much like English has dominated other languages. Movies seem to be a primary reason.

Blog Post: Advertising

This advertisement for McDonald's is, in my opinion, powerful and persuasive.  The reason is because, in bold print, it says "You deserve a MEGA Mac".  It tells me that my hard work and troubles have gotten me to this point where I deserve this burger.  It really is a pick me up ad that is supposed to tell me that McDonald's will always be there to pick me up and have my back on a bad day.

One of the potential appeals of advertising that professor Straubhaar that applies to this ad, is that it makes the product recreational and lead to a somewhat better life. Despite the ad's not very subtle attempts of trying to get you to buy their product, it does have a certain way of making the consumer feel better, which is in a sense, one of advertising's main drives and morals.

The ad I picked, represents this appeal because it shows how McDonald's appears to be the only one to understand what you are going through.  Even when everyone else doesn't understand your troubles or can help you with your work load, McDonald's is there with a good (and NEW!) burger for you to eat and enjoy.  Sure their main motive is to get you to buy their product, and this is supposed to trick you into thinking a large corporation cares about you, but it actually does have a relatively nice message that can help you if you wan it to.