Comments...

I commented on kylevb1's blog about "Texas- What I thought it Would be Like". The post is easy to read and humorous. I would recommend checking it out. Although it does not have a distinct argument, I agree with his thoughts.

Skinny Bitch

Today’s media is very focused on body image. Every time I flip through a magazine I rarely see “fat” models. In fact, all of the models tend to be extremely skinny and even look unhealthy. Not only are these magazine ads sending bad messages to young girls across the world, the constant criticism about celebrities and their weight causes girls to second guess their body weight.

For example, Jessica Simpson recently gained some weight. Since putting on the pounds, she has been blasted for the weight gain and pictured in a number of magazines. Jessica Simpson’s curves are being criticized. When teenage girls look at these pictures and realize that this body image is frowned upon by society, they begin to become more self- conscious about their own weight. Whether Lindsay Lohan becomes skinnier or Jessica Simpson becomes curvier, the media concentrates on weight, forcing teenage girls to focus on their body image WAY too much! What really bothers me, is that instead of embracing her weight, Jessica has told tabloids that she “will lose 20 lbs in 8 weeks” in order to get her beach body back. She feels obligated to lose the weight because the media puts so much pressure on her!

Even here at Southern Methodist University, girls compete with each other to look the cutest and the slimmest. Because there is so much emphasis on being skinny, girls are eating less and developing unhealthy habits. Some girls stating that they are “just going to eat fruit for the whole day”. First off, this behavior will slow down the metabolism and not provide enough nourishment for a healthy body. Girls need to understand that everyone comes in different sizes. I believe it is important to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Girls can maintain a great body image by doing this, and do not have to starve themselves in order to receive satisfaction.

Comments...

I commented on Bon Qui Qui's blog titled "18 v. 21: The Legal Drinking Age".  The post is easy to read and flows nicely.  I like the fact that it applies to us (college students), making it easier to comment and voice my opinion.  If you had a rowdy Spring Break in Mexico, it would be nice to hear your feedback!  Maybe even provide us with some crazy stories? 

Reaping the Benefits

Mark Bauerlein, author of the book The Dumbest Generation, explains how our generation has a number of benefits due to today’s media. We are using sophisticated technology that was not available during our parent’s generation. It is amazing how children as young as 6 months are familiar with the technological devices being used.  

Bauerlein argues how the “Millennials”, our generation, is flourishing in a Digital Revolution. Our parents did not have half of these advances that are available to us today. The “Millenials” are constantly texting on their cell phones, surfing the Internet, beating the tenth level on a video game, and trying to uncover an unsolved mystery on their favorite TV show. The media allows us to enter a new world, explore, and discover. “Millenials” are learning from the media and understanding more information than their parent’s generation.

I believe we are not the dumber generation but we learn differently. In his book, Baurelin refers to a higher-ed consultant named Richard T. Sweeney. He says, “they want to learn only what they have to learn, and they want to learn it in a different style that is best from them” (86). Students are flourishing and understanding the world through the media’s eyes. Our generation is forced to learn in a unique way.  

The media lets us determine what comes next. While books “involve judgment”, they “don’t allow the readers to determine the next chapter or decide a character’s fate” (88). In gaming, we are learning to make decisions. On the Internet we are able to “pool knowledge and compare notes with others toward a common goal” (84). We are gaining several perspectives opposed to one.  

Our generation is not dumber but receiving a different education. We are “beginning to mobilize (through the Web)” and we are “forming (our) own ways of learning” (85). The Web and the media is a tool opening our brains to understand and explore new concepts. The “Millenials” have a number of options which are broadening our horizons (opportunities) for learning and becoming smarter.