Blog 9b week 6 Critical Concepts Dictionary

Jean Kilbourne was one of the theorists I found most interesting. In her documentary "Killing Us Softly" we are given an inside look at the methods advertisers use to entice their audience through exploitation of women. She displays explicit evidence that certain ads display women as objects rather than human beings. Many ads show women branded or dressed like a product, displayed as an animal, or dismembered by solely focusing on the breasts or butt. It is this objectivity, Kilbourne says, that is the first step to justfiying violence against another person. When we view a person as more of an object than a person we don't truly value them as a human being and can justify treating them as less than a person. While she does not beleive ads directly cause violence against women they truly give people an incorrect scope on reality and women. Kibourne finds the images that sell womens perfect body types as a skewed perfection that is designed to make you lust for a perfect body type. Advertising emphasis is almost alsways on body image, stressing youth, and perfection. Truthfully, a very small percentage of women have a model boy type and this exploitation only serves to give women an incorrect and unhealthy body image. This skewed body image is exactly what advertisers want you to think of as standard because it is their main ploy in enticing you to buy their products. With the images of a women's perfect body on many products this plants this subconscious idea in women's minds that they can obtain a better nody througha prodcut. Essentially, Kilbourne is communicating that ads send the message that you are incomplete, your body is insufficient, and a certain product can improve your beauty and your body. Killing us softly is a healthy reminder that no one is perfect and we should be vigilent about discerning the underlying meaning of ads true messages.

Critical Concepts Dictionary: Public Sphere

Jürgen Habermas introduced the idea of the public sphere: something that didn't exist until certain forces lined up - economic forces, technological forces, religious forces - to create a middle class, and therefore birth of public opinion. The public sphere is an area in social life where people can meet and have rational and critical debates about social/political issues. Ideally, this is a positive thing for the middle class, who then can keep authorities in check. This information today, Habermas argues,drowned out by infotainment and other mass entertainment media.

Response to Critical Concepts Dictionary

Jean Kilbourne, a woman theorist who made the Killing Them Softly series, examined ads in magazines and analyzed how they depicted women. In some ads she would talk about how the model used in the ad is usually very skinny with a perfect complexion. She discusses how this is the reality. She goes on to explain how ads such as this bring young girls self esteems down as they aspire to be just as thin and perfect as these airbrushed models. She also discusses how in ads with both men and women, the men come off as dominate and have the perfect look while the women are usually in some demeaning or belittling position. She talks about how through these ads young girls who are impressionable might be influenced to some how harm themselves to be just as perfect.

Dictionary entry Noam Chomsky

Noam Chomsky, renowned linguist and political activist was a main proponent of the propaganda model. This is the theory that the media skews information in order to advance their own business and revenues. The corporations have full control of what is heard by the audience and will often doctor articles in order to more effectively control the population

Review Concepts- John Dewey

John Dewey, known as the father of modern critical thinking, championed the idea of critical thinking as reflective thinking. His definition: "Active, persistent, and careful consideration of a belief or supposed form of knowledge in the light of grounds which support it and the further conclusions to which it tends." Dewey viewed critical thinking as not only considering the item in question itself, but also where it came from and where it will go. His point about "active... consideration" is a key underlying point in many definitions of critical thinking, as most scholars consider active thought, as opposed to reflexive thought, a critical cornerstone to any form of critical thinking.

BLOG 9B: Critical Concepts Dictionary (PUBLIC SPHERE)

Jurgen Habermas discusses the idea of the public sphere. Modern life is essentially a theater. People use talking as a medium to engage in political participation. The public sphere is ultimately a realm of social life where public opinions can be formed and dispersed. The public sphere acts a mediator between one’s private sphere and the larger sphere of public authority. It is the site of the production and circulation of discourses that may be considered critical of the State. The public sphere is distinctive from the economy. Its role is not to sell. The public sphere is a place to exchange ideas. It is essential in order for participatory democracy to exist.

Critical Concepts

Jean Kilborne, the author of Killing Us Softly 3, is most known for tying together powerful images in the media to public problems; such as alcohol, eating disorders, and violence. Kilborne approached what is the reality that women face in today’s society. She shows us the stereotypes and ads that women have to face every day. In critiquing male ads she examines ones that may be similar to women’s ads (i.e. perfect male bodies), yet the captions along with the ads rarely scrutinize men the same way that they do to women. The ads give a false security to women, making them think that they will never be perfect unless they look like models.