As predicted, this blog has gone by the wayside thanks in large part to one class -- Campaigns. I'm currently updating while at work and taking a break from reading for another class, Media Law & Ethics. The book for the class is Can't Buy My Love by Jean Kilbourne. I haven't quite formulated an opinion on the book yet. I think a lot of what it says is accurate but sensationalized.
Kilbourne makes it sound as though advertising causes all the world's problems, all the while repeating that this is not what she is saying. The book starts off describing her past alcohol and tobacco addictions and activism while in Europe. She explains how she dated Ringo Starr and a knight of the British empire, and partied at Roman Polansky's place. She also talks about how she was forced to the lower rungs of the career ladder because she was a woman, but received many a proposition to sleep her way to the top. Well, obviously times are changing. I haven't been confronted with this problem and don't anticipate ever having to face it. That doesn't fly. Not only is it bad publicity but checks and balances seem to be in place now so that these things are avoided if only because the aggressor fears losing their own job over them.
Second note, talking about rampant consumerism and how trips to landmarks and national parks have been replaced by "shoppertainment" and trips to megamalls like The Mall of America and Grapevine Mills in Texas. I have never been to The Mall of America but I have been to Grapevine Mills -- and I am fairly certain there is no comparison.
Last note, for the time being anyways, is about iconic ad campaigns. While I (and anyone who hasn't been living under a rock I'd imagine) will agree that the Absolut Vodka ads of the last few decades are iconic and artistic, I don't think they have affected consumerism much in the long run. I personally love the artistry in the ads and have more than a few stored on my hard drive. I'll admit, I've even used some as my desktop wallpaper. BUT, the moral of this story is the most important part. I don't drink Absolut Vodka. Ever. Great ads, but the product is lacking. And the supposed "image" that comes with it is not working on me either. I could care less about this image, I want good vodka.
In other news, my graduation countdown is officially under 100 days and my application for graduation was approved. I can't think of any times where I have felt a greater sense of accomplishment and relief as when I pulled my Interactive Degree Audit, which basically just juxtaposes the courses you have taken with a the requirements for a specific course catalog, and viewed it as 'progress towards degree' and saw that ALL of the requirements were followed by little grey "yes's" rather than spotted with those evil red "no's."
As for the job hunt, I genuinely haven't had time to do anything since I posted last about working on my resume. Throughout my entire school career I have been a procrastinator and it has worked out pretty well. Let's just hope it doesn't come back to bite me in the ass as I switch from school to career. I'll let you (my imaginary readers) know how it goes. ;)
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