5-1 Weekly Written Analysis 5

The Myth that Americans will buy gas no matter what the cost because they really like their car has been proven untrue. Research has shown that the cost of gas has reached a point that Americans are starting to take action. Some are attempting to avoid using gas and others are finding ways to conserve it.

The original thought was that Americans liked their gas guzzling vehicles enough to pay 4 to 5 dollars a gallon for fuel. But the latest research is showing that there is a 1.8% decrease in miles driven for the month of April. (Fox News) Any reasonable person would have seen this coming, people like their SUV but at the same time they would rather sustain their quality of life. In American pop culture, cars are high on the list but they are apparently trumped by other activities.

Just last week I saw in the news that GM is going to reduce their small truck and SUV production by half. This is a sign that the gas prices are taking their toll. When the free market shows a change in the sales of a product, that indicates the popularity of the product. It can also indicate that there is a cause outside the actual market effecting sales. It is sad that politics have affected one of America’s favorite markets; the auto industry may never be the same.

References:

Fox News
Soaring Prices Cuts Gasoline Consumption as Americans Drive Less, More Efficiently
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,368983,00.html
© 2008 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved.

4-1 Weekly Written Analysis 4

The Fair Tax is one of the most radical ideas to over haul the broken US tax code. The Tax system in the United States is confusing and very expensive to run. It costs billions just to collect the taxes every year. The Fair Tax is a consumption tax that would replace all federal income taxes.

Consumption taxes goods instead of labor. This means you would not be taxed for being successful you would only be taxed on what you consume. I think this is the best idea since sliced bread. If you think about it, the only thing in this great country that infringes on your freedom is the income tax. There is no way to get away from it, you have no choice but to pay it. The tax is even deducted from your paycheck automatically!

There are many safe guards set in place when this new tax is approved. The federal government will no longer be able to tax income, only consumption. This means you will have complete freedom from the federal government unless you commit a crime.

The Fair Tax will literally eliminate tax fraud. Everyone will be required to pay taxes including visitors from other countries. Anyone that purchases a product from a US company will have to pay the tax. This takes the burden off the income tax payer.

References:

The Fair Tax
http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServerCopyright © 2008 Americans For Fair Taxation

3-1 Weekly Written Analysis 3

After the long road of debates, town hall meetings, state caucuses’, and primary elections; it looks as if Barack Obama has secured the nomination to run as the Democratic nominee for President of the United States. Hillary Clinton is expected to suspend her campaign efforts on Friday.

Hillary Clinton said even though she didn’t get the nomination, she isn’t going anywhere. She still plans on working in politics; she may even run as Vice President. There have been rumors that Obama may ask her to run as his Vice President.

The 2008 election has been more extensively covered than any other presidential election in history. With all the new technology available and different avenues to hear the news it is almost impossible not to be informed as to what is going on. Politics have become a big part of Pop Culture.

The 2008 election is very different from others in the past. This election includes the first female running for president and the first African American. In many ways these facts could have contributed to the popularity of this race.

Politics in the last few years have entered the pop culture scene more than in the past due to the changes in issues and how everything is much more heavily covered. With the introduction of new technology like the internet and personal communication devices like the Black Berry, it is much easier to be in the know.

References:

Adviser: Clinton to Drop Out Friday
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/06/04/adviser-clinton-to-drop-out-friday/
© 2008 FOX News Network, LLC.

1-3 Journal Article Analysis

Grower-Only Farmers’ Markets: Public Spaces and Third Places

In the article Grower-Only Farmers’ Markets: Public Spaces and Third Places, by Thomas K
Tiemann, Farmers’ markets are discussed. The article is intended for just about any audience, it is very informative and interesting. Farmers’ markets are great places to not only get the freshest produce but also socialize. If you are a person that is interested in socializing, which at some point most people are, farmers’ markets are fun places to go.

This article uses a couple subject specific vocabulary terms. The first is indigenous market; this is where traditional produce is sold like tomatoes, corn, and potatoes. The second is experience market, this is the farmers’ market where not only produce is sold but also sundries like soap, crafts, meat, and other goods.

This article is logically organized; it starts with an example of a current farmers market. Then explains how farmers’ markets vary in style, products, and produce offered. Then it ends with a conclusion that not only ends the article but also summarizes it. The main ideas are clearly presented and easy to understand and relate to. The article is very descriptive and gives extensive detail.

The text is very easy to read and understand. Every thought is explained and backed up by research. The research included very interesting information like how not all farmers’ markets are the same some are more gauged towards the local grower and others have resellers that obtained their produce from a wholesale farm.

The key idea to take away from this article is that farmers markets are not just places to buy produce but also to socialize just like you would in a coffee shop or in a bar. Some farmers’ markets are more for socializing than for shopping. This goes for the farmers as well not just the customers. In many markets you will find older farmers that don’t bring much produce to sell, but come for the conversation and friendships they have developed over the years.

The farmers’ markets in the article are explained as Third place markets. The term third place explains an establishment or event where there is opportunity for fellowship and socialization. In many cases the markets have become tourist attractions and have become very popular. The amount of farmers markets in the United States has doubled in the last 10 years.

With the number of parks, coffee shops and other social venue’s getting smaller, a concept like a farmers’ market is very attractive. The days of going down to the local drug store or soda fountain to hang out are over. Just like the drug stores use to be, there is very little similarities between the farmers’ markets. Most of them are designed to fit the likes and needs of the local community. All the farmers’ markets have one thing in common, the produce changes with the season. Whatever crop came in that week that is what they sell. That is the down side to fresh produce; it isn’t going to be the same all the time. You have to enjoy it while it lasts.

References:
TIEMANN, K. (June 2008). Grower-Only Farmers' Markets: Public Spaces and Third Places
The Journal of Popular Culture, Vol. 41, Issue 3, 2008 p. 467-487
2008, Copyright the AuthorsJournal compilation 2008, Blackwell Publishing, Inc.

Assignment 2-2 Icon Analysis

It wasn’t hard for me to pick 3 icons; all three of them are favorites things of mine. Disney World is a large theme and amusement park in Orlando Florida and my favorite place to vacation. Diet Pepsi is my favorite kind of soft drink. Last but not least, Taco Bell is my favorite place to eat when it comes to fast food. They serve Mexican style fast food; most of it has been gauged towards the taste of an average American instead of authentic.
Disney World is quite the Icon, some people work their whole lives just to have an opportunity to vacation there. For some people that live outside the United States, Disney World is what America is all about. Diet Pepsi is preferred by many people but it has been found that more young people prefer Pepsi to Coke. Pepsi has been around almost as long as Coca-Cola but Pepsi has had more luck marketing to the younger generations.
Disney World is one of the greatest places to vacation if money is no object. When you want the best in hospitality, cleanliness, and quality Disney is a good place to go. Diet Pepsi is my drink of choice or I just drink water. I find the taste of Diet Pepsi to be more mellow compared to Diet Coke. Taco Bell has fresh, good tasting, and cheap. What more can you ask for if you are looking for fast food?

Assignment 2-1 Weekly Written Analysis 2

Fox Television Network

Since the beginning of the Fox Television Network, it has been gaining more and more of the market share. The network was started in 1987 and is now the most popular network. CBS came in second ABC was third and NBC was fourth, the writers’ strike really took its toll on CBS because they had fewer reality TV shows than FOX. Reality shows do not require writers and therefore were not put on hold when the strike took place.

When the Fox Network was created no one thought it would last, it was just another attempt at being different. This time it worked, the market needed an opposition to the current kind of television. Fox has broken records, created new types of shows, and appealed to a much younger audience.

Fox has always been programmed for a younger age group of 18 to 49 and it has worked so far. They are now finding that their audience is getting older and they need to find new ways to win over the new generation. If they want to retain their lead, then they must find ways to keep their current audience while appealing to new viewers.

Fox will most likely remain on top with their current mind set; they want as many people watching Fox as possible. Just like with anything else, if you set a goal and focus on it you will succeed the majority of the time. When you hear something enough times you start believing it, that statement is normally related to bad things but will work for the good as well.

References:

Fox Most Popular Television Network for First Time
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,357602,00.html© 2008 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved.

1-4 Weekly Written Analysis 1 Current Pop Culture Topic

When I hear a person sing for the first time, I can almost tell you if they will be a star. David Archuleta just happens to be one of those people, he just opens his mouth and the most amazing sound comes out. I know this guy is going places, singing is effortless for him and I don’t expect him to fizzle out like some of the other first place winners of American Idol have in the past. He will be around for many years to come, he can sing just about anything, when you can sing just as easy as you can talk, you will go places.

American Idol is one of the better known pop culture artifacts. It appeals to people of all ages and can be appreciated by those who like pop music. This year though American Idol has included some Country music as well as some Broadway show tunes. This not only appealed to more people but exposed those who normally watch American Idol for the pop music to a couple other forms of music they have not heard before.

American Idol reaches many people because of the large number of votes the show receives every week, some weeks they have well over thirty million. I know that doesn’t mean that thirty million people voted, it is a known fact that one person can vote more than once. I also know many people that watch the show and do not vote, this includes myself.

The fact that David Archuleta is in the running to win the show doesn’t surprise me. Not only can he sing but the teen girls love him, their mom’s love him, and their grandma’s love him and the fact that he can sing the guys even like him! To top it all off David is humble and has remained that way throughout the entire show. It is just his personality and he will probably always be that way. I have found that you get so much further with people if you are honest, humble, kind, and take an interest in what is important to them. It is just icing on the cake if you can remember something about everyone you meet, it makes the next conversation you have with them much more meaningful!


References:

Fox News website Entertainment page
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,356845,00.html
© 2008 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved

1-2 Popular Culture

Popular culture is a concept that explains material and non-material things that can appeal to all people, no matter their background, education level, or income. Popular culture explains things that affect people from an emotional and sensation level instead of from a intelligence or wealth perspective.

Popular culture is an excellent way to conncet with your co-workers and create new working relationships that may help you in the future. If it wasn’t for popular culture, it would be very difficult to communicate with others that you don’t have much in common with. Pop culture is anything you can discuss that most people are able to talk about no matter their background.

When it came to finding an example that I would consider a pop culture artifact, I thought about a few different ones. I first thought of American Idol but then realized that is too easy and other students may select that as their example. Then I considered Facebook.com but Facebook is limited to people who have college email addresses. They just recently started allowing high school students but only those who have email addresses associated with their school. This stops many people from participating. Anyone who graduated high school before the year 1996 most likely does not have an email address from their high school or college.
I also considered the Google website. Google is not limited by anything really when it comes to pop culture, but doesn’t affect emotions or appeal to people anytime other than when they need to do a search on the internet. The pop culture artifact I selected is the Myspace website. The only things that limit a person from using Myspace.com is if they can’t read or if they do not have access to the internet. But if they have the ability to read and access to the internet, Myspace.com does not limit you by your financial status, your job status, or your education level. It appeals to most because you can put your life on the internet and read about other people’s lives as well.