Final Credits

I would just like to add that I received my paper back from Mark today and got 84%. I was very happy with this mark. I worked hard throughout the class and got involved in what I was learning about. I did extra research and readings, and really feel that I have changed.

I went over my older blogs and feel that I have matured, or grown up in a way. I am more knowledgeable and aware. The class was very unique and brought a lot of different perspectives and interesting information.

Overall, I look back and reflect on a good time, an educational and fun learning experience. I feel that I have grown and developed as a citizen and member of society. I want to thank everyone in the class, Mark Lipton and Ian Reilly. It was a great show guys, and even though the curtain has closed for the semester, I walk away with great satisfaction and new confidence.

Goodnight, and thank you for listening.

That's All Folks

Today was the final class of mass communications. We had a small final exam and handed in our last word. Mark then, for the first time, gave us a 10 minute break! We were given the choice to come back and ask questions or to leave and be done for the semester. I chose to return to class and listen to the conversation. I greatly enjoyed learning more about Mark and his ideas.

It was amusing to see the faces of students when Mark mentioned a final exam. I hate having to self evaluate myself, so I actually found the exam challenging. I tried my best to evaluate appropriately, however I am often too hard or too soft.

Moreover, we handed in our last word assignments. During class however, I came up with so many more things to write about. We discussed the blogs and if we liked the process of having to write in blogs or if we would prefer writing in microsoft and then printing it all out. I felt that the blogs were an interesting and new experience for myself, and most likely other students too. It also forces students to think about the message they are writing. Issues of plagiarism, and liability come into play when putting your work on the web for millions to see. Furthermore, it also gives students a chance to experience first hand, what individuals behind the media are doing. We are given the chance to portray a message to viewers, to an audience and be the ones in control.

The last day of class was great and I felt it ended on a really good note. Thank you to all.

Film/Video Production

For our final task in mass communications, Sam, Stephanie and I decided to create a small film about the Humber Residence washrooms on R4. R4 is our floor, and the washroom is co-ed.Residents on our floor are often complaining about the state of cleanliness the washrooms are kept in. We intended for our film to be a short, inside look at the state of the washrooms. Perhaps to show our RA or other residents and raise awareness about the issue at hand.

In the process, I did most of the camera work, Sam was the narrator and Stephanie wrote out the script and assisted in camera work. We began with a description of the place and the problem we had. Sam then led us into the washroom to get a first hand look at the mess. Furthermore, we interviewed individuals in the washroom and asked them their opinion on the washrooms tidiness. We concluded by asking those using the washroom to clean up after themselves and be respectful of the other individuals using the washroom. We were unable to load the video on to our blogs, however we captured some images that were used in the video.

From this experience I learned that hygiene and cleanliness is a very personal and self-interpreting matter. Some residents felt that the washrooms were in fine condition, while others were disgusted. This may be because the washroom is co-ed and it is typical of boys and girls to have different expectations regarding the washroom's appearance and condition. I personally feel that the washrooms are cleaned well, and very often, it is simply the people who are using them that chose to mistreat them.

One of the reasons we chose to focus on health, cleanliness and the washroom was due to the issue of germs and health. We were influenced by this topic, as it is a prevalent and important topic within society. Especially with winter approaching and so many people interacting at Christmas, some people become paranoid about germs. In society today, it is not unusual to see individuals carrying around small bottles of Purell, or wipes, to wash their hands or face after coming in contact with another person, or a 'dirty' surface. Stores and offices are also installing small sanitation stations for customers and clients to use. Numerous commercials warn about the flu, HPV, and encourage washing your hands. We mention these issues within the video and hope to influence some people to take necessary precautions.

Within our production we wanted to simply illustrate and depict the truth about the state of the washroom, and about the benefits and consequences of keeping it clean. We make suggestions such as always washing your hands, wearing proper footwear, keeping the place orderly, cleaning up after yourself and flushing. We stated a few facts and figures to attract attention and give the film some authority.

Overall, I feel that the film was a success and a funny experience. We all agree that a lot goes into the creation of a film; angles, sound, images, background noise, lighting. It was fun and educational.

LIES!! DAMN LIES!!

I completely agree that J. Stauber and S. Rampton’s Toxic Sludge Is Good For You: Lies, Damn Lies, and the Public Relation Industry, “blows the lid off of today’s multi-billion-dollar propaganda-for-hire PR industry”. From start to finish I was amazed, boggled, outraged and thrilled. The book was an endless tale of secrets and hidden agendas. It really is an eye opener. Who would have thought that there was so much going on behind the backs of citizens across the continent?

I am very shocked at the number of people willing to participate in such an industry all for money. PR workers are placing people in danger at times, through the lies and propaganda they sell. Do they not know that this is wrong? Or do they at least feel a little guilty? The book was quite depressing in this manner.

Furthermore, the methods and risks these employees are willing to take is ridiculous! They pose as fake people, destroy evidence, harass people, cancel tours and manipulate the words of others! I was completely amazed. All of this is going on and no one knows!

It is amusing to see how completely oblivious people, including myself, are to the PR industry. I feel like I can’t trust any company without first looking into its background and motives now. Money really has become the soul of America. It is all the PR industry is about.
The novel was a great read with witty comments, amazing statistics and mind-blowing examples. I feel that the novel would speak to people more because it is comical, and easy to read. It speaks of recognizable companies and institutions and best of all, it speaks to the reader, not the PR industry.

Recently, I have found out that facebook may have been created by individuals connected to the CIA and the Information Awareness Organization (IAO), developing an easy, orderly system to keep tabs on people. This reminded me of the novel and the comment you made stating, “how much of what we think of as independent, unbiased news and information has its origins in the boardrooms of the public relations companies”. This is completely true. Facebook appears to be a simple, fun way of keeping in touch with family and friends, when in actuality the PR industry has done its job in hiding the boardroom secrets of the CIA and IAO.

I greatly enjoyed reading this book, and have looked into reading more of Stauber and Rampton’s work.


Stauber, John and Rampton, Sheldon. Toxic Sludge Is Good For You: Lies, Damn lies and the Public Relations Industry. Monroe MA, Common Courage Press, 1995.


Lipton, Mark. "Required Books: Lipton's Notes and Rationales."
University of GuelphHumber. Toronto. 7 September 2007.

For Information related to Facebook please visit:
http://www.albumoftheday.com/facebook/

Typographic entertainment

Here I have the final five novels for my bibliography. These I found at random at Indigo and felt that they would provide a beneficial and intriguing read. These books are more focused on culture, and how society operates.



1- Animal Farm
By: George Orwell
I greatly enjoyed 1984 and found the plotline for this novel rather odd. It was also recommended to me by a friend, as an “interesting perspective on culture”.
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Animal-Farm-Orwell-George/9780451526342-item.html?ref=Books%3a+Search+Top+Sellers


2- Lord of the Flies
By: William Golding
I read this in grade nine, and loved it. However, I feel that with the knowledge I have gained over the past 4 years, the book will take on a different read.
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Lord-Of-The-Flies-William-Golding/9780571084838-item.html?ref=Search+Books%3a+%2527Lord+of+the+Flies%2527


3- Culture Matters
Editor: Lawerence E. Harrison
This novel investigates Western culture and how we are so drastically divided into the rich and poor, the free and oppressed.
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Culture-Matters-Lawrence-E-Harrison/9780465031764-item.html


4- No Logo
By: Naomi Klein
No Logo, looks into our ‘branded’ society, how it operates, and where it is going.
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/No-Logo-Taking-Aim-Brand-Naomi-Klein/9780676972825-item.html?ref=Books%3aSocial+and+Cultural+Studies%3aCurrent+Events


5- Uses of Television
By: John Hartley
Hartley’s novel takes on a different perspective of the usually talked down television. It suggests that television is not all bad, and has various other uses than simply a program supplier.
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Uses-of-Television-John-Hartley/9780415085090-item.html?ref=Books%3aSocial+and+Cultural+Studies%3aCurrent+Events

A Timeline of Social/Media/History

For this particular project, Samantha, Stephanie and I used our image curation slideshow to illustrate the key technological inventions we felt were important. The slideshow displayed the Evolution of Media, and so it began with the development of the phonetic alphabet all the way to the Internet and present day communication technologies. Each of us had our own interpretation of inventions that were key to the development of culture. For the most part, we did agree that the phonetic alphabet and printing press were of significant impact. I felt that the development of the phonetic alphabet, the printing press, the camera and the television were key instruments in social movements and influencing their environment.

We did have a small discussion on media ecology and the idea that technology plays a significant role in human affairs and development. In each of the following examples of media inventions, I also illustrated how the media provides structure and direction to its given society. Communication media has significant impacts on the people that surround it. I begin with the development of the phonetic alphabet;

The development of the phonetic alphabet led to the strengthening and development of small bureaucracies. Authority over land was firmly established with the written word. Records created documents, laws and permanence of a leader. People were able to communicate ideas and concepts on a new level. Memory was stronger, and history solid.

Secondly, the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in 1445, can be attributed to the spread of knowledge and propaganda. Large-scale productions of books and newspapers could be printed and distributed. People challenged those in power as new ideas and concepts floated around. This invention also added to the impact of the Renaissance. It significantly contributed to the many ideas and new abstract thoughts already being spread. The protestant reformation began, initiating a number of issues regarding the church and social class. The demand for books grew. The printing press greatly impacted people on a social level.

The third key media invention I chose was the camera. The first photographic image was taken in 1826, taking eight long hours to process. Today camera’s are digital and can be captured and printed in mere seconds. Since 1826, the camera has had many purposes, including simple self-portraits, family portraits and artistic endeavours. However, I feel that the camera is an important cultural invention. The camera has been used to create many social movements. Images of war brought home caused outrage and protests such as in Vietnam. Images of poverty stricken families within the American culture have shocked citizens living comfortably and well off, initiating actions to improve the quality of life for Americans. The camera was responsible for creating a whole new form of art. The art of painting was pushed aside as photographs came to be the new artistic delight.
Images captured of war, disease, far off countries and other cultures have all influenced society. Moreover, it gave way to the advertising business. Photographs have become part of everyday life. It is hard not to see a photograph or advertisement when out in public. The camera has become an important figure in Western culture.

Lastly, I feel that the media invention of the television is significant in the Civil Rights movement. In the early 1950’s, television broadcasting was improved and it became the dominant mass media throughout the 50’s. Moreover, the Civil Rights movement had its peaking moment between 1955 and 1965. I feel that this is because the growing popularity in television allowed viewers at home to witness what was happening. Speeches by Martin Luther King Jr. were aired; riots and protests were also publicized on the television. The growing influence of Martin Luther King Jr, was spread across the country with the help of television. This media invention brought these civil right issues into the home of all citizens.

In conclusion, these are four key media inventions, each having their own significant impact on society.

Kingwood College Library. American Cultural History. 1998. 27 Nov. 2007 < http://kclibrary.nhmccd.edu/decade50.html#tv>.

Media Ecology Association. What is Media Ecology? 2007. 27 Nov. 2007 < http://www.media-ecology.org/media_ecology/>.

Annaberg Media. Renaissance. 2005. 27 Nov. 2007 < http://www.learner.org/interactives/renaissance/printing.html>.

The University of Texas. The First Photograph. 2007. 27 Nov. 2007 < http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/exhibitions/permanent/wfp/>.

Thank You for Smoking

(Yahoo Movies. Thank You for Smoking. 26 Nov. 2007 <http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808723698/photo/606727>.

I love watching documentary films! I absolutely adore them. For our group documentary film, we watched Thank You for Smoking. The plot essentially follows Nick Taylor, vice-president of the Academy of Tobacco Studies through his public relations campaign convincing society that smoking is not all bad. His best friends are the leaders of the alcohol and gun control industry. The three of them meet regularly and call themselves the ‘Merchants of Death’, as they argue over who has killed more people. The movie follows Mr. Taylor through his PR business tour, until he finds himself in trouble with a beautiful news reporter.

I feel that the video is an excellent demonstration of how the public relations industry functions, and how easily they manipulate facts to benefit their company, and convince people to buy their product. Focus on the smoking industry is even more intriguing as it is a large, controversial issue within society. Public relations goes hand in hand with the study of media. What the media delivers to viewers is often manipulated, edited and twisted to some form of bias, even if minimal. This documentary illustrates just how this can be done, in a funny and satirical film.

After watching the movie, Sam, Stephanie and I discussed our thoughts and opinions. I felt the movie was well done, as far as entertainment goes. The main character was well played and delivered, the dialogue was quick and witty, issues were brought up directly, and both sides of the public relations industry were shown. How the industry and its employers work, along with how society reacts, and opposition takes action, is all seen within the film. For such a serious topic, they did a good job of making it an energized and stimulating film.

Despite these great qualities, I felt that the movie never really came to a conclusion. It illustrated both the good and bad sides of public relations, and the tobacco industry yet, never concluded or took a specific position. I suppose they may have intended this in hopes of allowing the viewer to make up their own opinion, instead of being told, once again, what to believe.

I felt that the discussion was important because I was able to witness how other individuals take in, and are affected by public relations propaganda. We all had similar ideas, in regards to the video’s content and output however, some people took a difference stance on the PR business. For instance, a fellow student at residence decided that the public relations industry was doing a good job and that they should not be blamed for following their career instructions, whereas I feel that following instructions is no excuse if they are misleading innocent people to potentially deadly products.

I think that the class would get a good laugh out of the video, as it is light-hearted and witty for such a touchy subject. The main character, Nick Taylor, is very sleek and smooth in his presentation of the tobacco industry, almost to the point where you may agree or not argue as much with some of his points. Moreover, it allows the class to witness public relations from the inside. We have studied what we think they are doing, and what we can take from their hidden messages in advertisements but the documentary allows for the actual inside story to be seen.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed the video and feel it was an adequate and sufficient documentary for such a controversial issue.
To see the film's trailer visit: http://youtube.com/watch?v=iBELC_vxqhI