Quote:
"Whether it is a visual of George W. Bush standing among the remains of the World Trade Center or a visual of John Kerry standing with his Navy comrades from the Vietnam era, there is a meaning conveyed in each case that goes beyond what words can describe in a short amount of time."
Reflection:
A picture is truly worth a thousand words. Iconic visual images, such as George W. Bush standing among the remains of the World Trade Center, speak volumes without saying a word. Pictures can bring people together as well as enrage them. However, there is often more to the story than what is shown. The article Detecting the Truth in Photos talks about how images can be altered to skew the whole story. The Associated Press releases over a million images a year. In order to preserve their credibility they are exploring new ways to authenicate photos using the latest technology.
1. How does visual imagery negatively influence the truth in political campaigns and foreign relations?
Visual imagery is used in politics to negatively influence campaigns and foreign relations. Rhetoric claims can be made via images because images are open to interpretation.
Visual imagery is used in politics to negatively influence campaigns and foreign relations. Rhetoric claims can be made via images because images are open to interpretation.
2. Can you think of a recent foreign relations incident that may have been related to visual imagery?
What immediately popped into my head was the images of the Amassador that was killed in the Middle East. There were pictures of his body being dragged. It was unclear whether or not he was alive in the pictures.
What immediately popped into my head was the images of the Amassador that was killed in the Middle East. There were pictures of his body being dragged. It was unclear whether or not he was alive in the pictures.
3. What does Ben Franklin by the phrase "Freedom of the press only applies if you have a press."
Anyone can have a message, but unless they have the means to get that message out it will not be heard.
Anyone can have a message, but unless they have the means to get that message out it will not be heard.
4. Do you think that the explosion of digital media is akin to giving everyone a press?
Digital media gives more people the opportunity to express their message.
Digital media gives more people the opportunity to express their message.
5. In your opinion, is the potential for more people to create their own media a positive or negative influence on our democratic society?
While the potential for more people to create their own media has both positive and negative influences on our society, I think the negative influence is felt more. It oversaturates the info stream with meaningless jargon and propaganda and flat out falsehoods. It's unregulated and allows for anyone, regardless of credentials, to post their ramblings.
While the potential for more people to create their own media has both positive and negative influences on our society, I think the negative influence is felt more. It oversaturates the info stream with meaningless jargon and propaganda and flat out falsehoods. It's unregulated and allows for anyone, regardless of credentials, to post their ramblings.
6. Is our increasingly visual cultural a good thing or bad thing?
From an entertainment standpoint, it's a good thing. It gives us additional options and distractions from the usual news. However, it can be a bad thing with the saturation of information and false information being given.
From an entertainment standpoint, it's a good thing. It gives us additional options and distractions from the usual news. However, it can be a bad thing with the saturation of information and false information being given.
7. What can save us from the tyranny of a visual culture?
In order to be saved from the "tyranny of a visual culture", people must be educated to interpret the messages they are receiving and be able to decipher fact from fiction.
In order to be saved from the "tyranny of a visual culture", people must be educated to interpret the messages they are receiving and be able to decipher fact from fiction.
I agree with you that "everyone gets a press" could be a good thing but only if people use their "press" ethically.
ReplyDeleteCurrently there is a lot of attention on young people and how they use the Internet to bully their peers.
However when adults use the Internet or even traditional media to humiliate individuals or groups of people it's called "free speech".
It's a double standard and kids know this and it's why bulling programs will remain ineffective. Adults need to model the desired behaviors of civility and respect... especially adults in the media.
Just some thoughts about this topic at 6:15am :)